Christmas, Curling and Cold!

Christmas is long gone but I still have photos to share.  Once you get past the holiday shots you'll get to our most recent happenings.  Winter in Fairbanks has been mild, allowing us to get outside much more than usual.  Although as I type this we are on our second week of COLD temperatures...30 below today.

WWWW Christmas

Our neighborhood group got together (with spouses) to celebrate the holidays.  Below are two group shots of the gang.  Most of our parties are women only (frankly it just saves the guys from potentially uncomfortable conversations); however, I always look forward to hanging out with the men as they are all just as fascinating as their significant others.

A Very Merry Warwick, Morgan, Anderson Christmas

Christmas Eve always finds us at the Warwick home.  I love being there; every year we head over a little earlier than the previous year and now the festivities begin around noon.

Here are the girls competing for space on the couch.

Jesse bought the girls light sabres for Christmas.  The girls haven't yet seen Star Wars but the sabres were a hit...and not just with Rory and Massie.

Grandma and Grandad

Jesse and Carrie...before she went in for the attack.

Rory and Massie

Our Christmas Eve tradition always includes my uncle Randy, aunt Cheryl and their kids, Jeremy and Philip.  Below is a picture of Randy and Cheryl taking a break during the pool and table tennis tournament.  These are two very special people.

Grandad and Massie

Uncle Jesse with the girls.  For once he's not hiding from the camera.

Yuri won the Christmas Eve table tennis tournament and Randy was the big winner at pool.  He looks mighty proud doesn't he.  

Rory and Massie posing with their Anna and Elsa hooded blankets.

Yuri and I heard a noise late in the night and upon investigation found the loot left behind by the big guy.  I wonder if Santa and his elves mistook Rory and Massie for two, better behaved little blond girls.

An excited Rory opening up gifts from Santa.

Massie woke up early Christmas morning complaining of a stomachache.  A short while later she was getting sick - then she fell fast asleep.  Here she is asleep on the couch (with her cute sleep mask) while the rest of us are celebrating Santa.

Posing with some of their new goodies.

Following tradition, we spent much of Christmas day at Grandma Linda and Grandad Steve's home.

Massie rebounded pretty quickly on Christmas morning.  Here she is a  few hours after being horribly sick - amazing what a new little baby doll can do to make a little girl feel better.

Curling with the Kiddos

Rory's friend, Shaye, provided Rory and Massie with some helpful curling hints.  Shaye's dad is an impressive curler who travels the world competing and just barely lost out on attending the last Olympics.  

Rory and Shaye sweeping with Uncle Jesse (Yuri is in the background).

Snow Machining in the Hood

There is a vacant lot between our home and the Sadler's place that we turn into a snow machine track for the kids.  Several weeks ago Rory and her friend Sandy got their machines out for a little afternoon ride.  

Below are Rory and Sandy waiting for their dads to get their machines warmed up.

Sadler giving directions to the girls.

Once kids in the neighborhood saw what was happening we had a lot more visitors.  In all there were 4 kiddo machines running the track.  Lucky kids!  When I was young we had one machine for the whole neighborhood to share and there were 10 of us.

Then it became a party!  We have the best neighborhood - seriously!

New Year's Eve Celebration

The Sundborg's once again hosted a family friendly New Year's Eve party at their home.  And as always, we had a wonderful time.  Below is a picture that my little shutterbug, Massie, took of Yuri and me.

Being the fabulous hosts that they are, the Sundborgs had plenty of lanterns for everyone to send off that evening.

Watching lanterns float off into space is such a relaxing activity.

A Massie and Mom selfie.

New Year's Day

On the first day of 2015 we packed up the car and kids and headed out to the lake.  Mom and Dad also met up with us for the day as well.  

This picture epitomizes the lake - long underwear, games and family.

Birthdays

Mom and Dad's birthdays fall early in the new year.  While I'm not sharing a picture of Mom's celebration you can rest assured that we had one for her also!  

Renee's 40th Birthday

My good friend, Renee, turned 40 mid January so I flew down to Anchorage, met up with the girls and threw a party worthy of a milestone birthday.  Renee's husband rented a home in Girdwood (ski town outside of Anchorage) and we had two nights of celebrations.  The pictures below are from the second evening - during the official, Kate Spade themed party.

Here is the beautiful birthday girl!

The gang (L to R) - Betty, Renee, me, Lanie and Dyanne.

The birthday girl, with cupcake, posing for a picture being taken by her husband, the pilot (aka Mike).

The girls...

I had to share this picture as Betty like a modern snow white...so beautiful

Other Fun Stuff

Rory might be the only girl in the world to learn how to ride a bike in the winter.  She has been quite hesitant to let go of the training wheels although just a few weeks ago she asked us to pull the cars out of the garage - hopped on the bike - and proceeded to ride.  Yuri's guilt over another unsuccessful bike riding summer is now gone!  I tell you, kids are just ready when they are ready.  No sense rushing anything!

Here is a great picture of Yuri on the pond during a family skate over at Grandma Linda's house.  Grandpa Steve gets props for maintaining this beautiful spot.

I think I mention this in every blog but the girls LOVE to dance.  Here are a few shots.

Sassy Massie, happy Rory and me posing for a selfie at the airport waiting for Yuri to come home to his girls.

Does she look like a School Choice ambassador?  Probably not one that they'd like to claim.  Nevertheless, we are a school choice family!

It's hard to get good bathtub shots anymore for fear of something being considered inappropriate.  I don't think this one would warrant a visit from the police.

Massie modeling my headband from the Renee Kate Spade party.

Pretty girl with pretty eyes.

I'll be back soon...

October, November and half of December

Christmas has come and gone but this October, November and half of December blog hasn't yet been posted.  I'll get to the Christmas blog once this one is finalized and published.

Life is moving too fast - slow down please!  The girls are growing like weeds (literally) - each has grown approximately 2 inches in the last four months.

Halloween

Rory was Elsa (big shock) and Massie was adamant about being a pink spider girl.  Who knew there was such a thing but all I had to do was google it and viola, there it was online and ready to purchase. 

We continued the tradition of  greeting trick-or-treaters outside in front of the bonfire.  Below is a vampire Elsa (Rory), on Grandma Linda's lap and a camera shy Massie with her dad.

Hanging out in front of the fire on another fun Halloween.

Other October Happenings

Rory (far left back row) was invited to her girlfriend's birthday party at the bowling alley.  She's never bowled (and still hasn't) but a good time was had under the black light.

Mild temperatures have allowed us to spend time at the lake this winter. Here are the girls with Yuri flying their kites.

Our five-year old TV ate the dust (apparently five years is a legitimate life for TVs now...what a waste) and a new one was purchased.  Below are the girls playing puppet show in the box.  Best toy ever.

October also saw swim lessons.  1st lesson for Massie and 3rd for Rory.  They are a little less frightened of the water but are still not interested in swimming.  Oh well, we'll keep trying.  This photo was taken from a long distance - hence the watercolor type look.  Rory is in the front of the pack and Massie is third from the rear.

Rory's 6th Birthday

After several celebrations, Rory is officially six years old (gasp).  Her birthday party was held at the local Gymnastics facility and she had a great time with all her buddies.  Her rice crispy treat cake was super easy, mess free and she loved it.  

Rory got everything she wanted for her birthday - an American Girl Doll and Friends Lego's.  Below is a picture of one very happy and fortunate little girl.

Betty and Bruce were here for Rory's birthday which fell on the day after Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving

Steve and Linda hosted Thanksgiving at River's Edge this year.  They close it down in the winter so we didn't have to compete with any paying business.  It was great a time - not only did we celebrate Thanksgiving with about 35 friends and family but there was a craft table, games, late night movies (for both the kiddos and adults) and a sleep over in the hotel.

Below are Rory, Massie, Symone and Betty at the craft table.

Bruce, Yuri and Bill catching up.

The kids playing the game I like to call "cookie face".  You have to move the cookie from your forehead to your mouth with only your facial muscles.

Musical chairs.

Massie just hanging out on the floor having some "me" time.

Kid movie area...lucky kids!

1st Half of December

I believe that I've posted about the painting that my folks commissioned of the girls.  Below are Mom and I at an art show in front of the Karen Austin masterpiece.

This beauty was hanging in the hallway at Massie's school - the title was "Self Portrait" but she told Yuri it was a Potato Head.  Either she didn't understand the assignment or she doesn't think much of her looks. 

December brought the much anticipated and much loved advent calendar gifts from Grandma Judy. Here are the girls posing with one of their daily gifts.  I'll say it again...lucky kids.

A (Christmas Tree) Hunting We Will Go!

Yuri and I packed the kids in the car for a magical Christmas tree hunting expedition.  Unfortunately, as many things in life go, my vision for the trip and reality were two separate things.  The kids bickered the entire drive and refused to get out of the truck because "bears and animals" might get them.  At one point Yuri turned to me and said, "we screwed up somewhere".  We decided not to leave them behind - instead we just turned up the music and went to a happy place in our own minds. 

Below is snow-covered Yuri scoping out a tree for me.

Our outdoor girls getting a peek of one of our many trees from the comfort of the 72 degree truck.

I had visions of putting up several trees - sort of a winter land bunching of trees.  After killing three trees it was determined that since we don't live in the White House or one of those Housewife's of XXX homes, a festive bunch of trees was just not going to work (if we expected to keep any furniture in the house).  So, we crammed two trees in and proceeded to decorate.

I love our Charlie Brown Trees!  Below is the Morgan clan posing in front of the beauties.  This is one of the cute photo's (of the girls of course) that didn't make the cut for the Christmas card.

We attended several Christmas get-togethers this year but none of the pictures are as good as this one. It's supposed to be a photo of my co-worker and friend, Kathleen, however the photographer caught me scolding Yuri.  Although I will say in my defense that we both have smiles on our face.

The Morgan Grandparents Visit Fairbanks

Grandma Karen and Grandpa Sid visited the Wargan Morwick clan in mid December.  Although they didn't spend a lot of time here it was certainly quality time.  The girls had a wonderful time reconnecting with their grandparents and we thoroughly enjoyed having them with us.  Below is Karen with one of many toys she brought for the girls.

While Sid and Karen were visiting we hosted a little family dinner.  Unfortunately, the picture was taken after Carrie and Jesse bailed and Rory's eyes are closed - but, you can't win them all!

Santa Visits the Wargan Morwick Home

About a week before Christmas we were quietly sitting on the couch reading and enjoying quiet time with just our thoughts (yeah, right) - when I heard sleigh bells outside.  The picture below was snapped immediately after telling the girls that I thought Santa might be outside.  I love Massie's expression!!

I was right, I did hear Santa's sleigh and we were lucky enough to have him stop by our home for a pre-Christmas visit.  He was armed with Christmas bears and candy canes - the girls adored him.  

Here are the girls on Santa's lap.  A huge thank you to our neighbor, David Hale, for sending him our way.  We are so fortunate to be on his list.

Christmas Pageant

Rory's Kindergarten class had a short Christmas Pageant.  They sung Christmas songs and as you can imagine, it was quite entertaining. Rory (in white) is to the right of the girl in the center of the picture wearing yellow.

And, our Christmas card...

Next up...Christmas.