Ice Skating

We all went ice scating yesterday at Fort Wainwright near Fairbanks. I don't know why we haven't gone sooner. The boys loved it. Nick didn't like to leave the wall at first, but finally felt confident to let go.

Caleb's skate had two blades so he was skating like a pro from the start. He still liked to hold my hand every other lap or so. It made him go faster!!

My cute boys. They didn't want to leave and begged to come back. We definitely will.

Jake started trying to do tricks. Whoa! What moves!

Tastes Like Heaven

Today I made some divinity. Caleb tasted it and said, "Mom, is this manna? Cause it tastes like heaven." Agreed.

The REAL Santa

Yesterday we visited Santa at his home in North Pole. The boys realized that this was the last time that they would see the REAL Santa and not just one of his "helpers!" How amazing it has been to live here in Alaska!

Winter Solstice

Today is the shortest day of the year, even though on Christmas break, it somewhat feels like the the longest. The sun came up at 10:53 a.m. and went down at 2:41 pm. But it was warmish...only -22. But on short days like this we stay inside and find something to do. Caleb loves to make music on his computer.

Nick likes to build things. He is quite imaginative.

Jake loves to play games and loves to help his sister. They are playing Guess Who? I think that he lets her win just enough so that she will keep playing with him.

Ward Party

Last Friday we went to our ward Christmas Dinner. Megan and Caleb were very intent on their coloring before dinner.

Megan was down with the junior primary getting ready to sing their Christmas songs.

Nick was Joseph for the Nativity. He would only do it under the condition that he did not have to kiss Mary. We told him that it wasn't that kind of play!

Jake was a shepherd. He loved being in costume.

Getting into the Holiday Spirit

I am glad the my children like decorating the Christmas tree, because I don't enjoy it much anymore. It seems like a lot of work. Curtis and I spend a whole hour putting up a tree and getting all of its branches out and putting on lights evenly, just so that they can put on ornaments in 3 minutes flat. Where is the justice?They love this nativity, the only one that they can "touch"! It goes right below our Christmas tree, but inevitably I find shepherds in the kitchen, sheep in the bathroom, and Mary under the couch.Decorating for Christmas is like having Christmas twice. We open all these bins of things that we have forgotten about all year long! Jake had his band concert this week. He has been playing trumpet this year. Caleb loving the spotlight. He just had to wear his suit for the program. He is a charmer.Nick also had his concert. He has been working on the recorder. Thankfully for the rest of you, I just have pictures and not sound clips to third graders playing the recorder...

Going to the Ballet

On Friday Curtis and I surprised Megan with a trip to the Ballet. We watched The Nutcracker.

Megan loved being able to dress up and watch all of the dancers. It was a great time out with our little princess.

Jake Vs. the Sled Hill

The hill won...

Snowfort

A week ago we finally got some snow. We were glad to have it. If it is going to be cold, it may as well be snowy and pretty, right?

We got about 8 inches of snow so Curtis took the kids out to build a snow fort. They shovelled it all up into a huge mound.

And dug it out. They loved it and played with it all week.

We have gotten more snow since and it has even warmed up a bit. It is currently 27 degrees right now. Heatwave!!

Megan's 4th Birthday

Since this was a party year, Megan chose to have a princess party(because what 4 year old isn't obsessed with princesses?) We made princess skirt and crowns, played games, ate cake, and were protected by some little handsome princes. It was a great time. Now we just have to convince ourselves that our baby really is four years old...

He Looks Good in Orange

Nick received his orange belt last Friday at a Tae Kwon Do party. He is so excited to see the colors getting closer and closer to black! Good job, Nick; we are proud of you!

Finally Snow

For some crazy reason, we have not had much snow here in Alaska yet even though it is passed time for snow to be on the ground. This morning we finally woke up to snow on the ground. The boys were so excited to go outside and play. It is still snowing now. And the forecast for this winter is not pretty. With the mild autumn that we have had, they are predicting a snowy and COLD winter. Bring on the 70 below!!

Halloween

Tonight was the church Halloween Trunk-or-treat, or rather inside door to door here in Alaska. It was the first time that the children were able to wear their costumes. Halloween is so fun. It is great to get to dress up as whatever you want to for a day!

Tae Kwon Do

Nick tested for belt advancement in Tae kwon do on the 16th of the month. He did really well. He is very good at tae kwon do, but is shy and not very vocal. First, he demonstrated his form by himself. Then he had to demonstrate one-steps with an opponent. This Saturday, the 23rd, is a tournament that he can enter. He is not sure that he wants to do it. He just doesn't know what to expect. We will try to convince him to try one out. Hopefully we will be adding that post in a week or so.

I couldn't upload the second video of the one-steps. Sorry.

School Pictures

It seems like we just had them taken, but I suppose that it is time again.I sometimes wonder what is going on to make these children make these faces!But it is a great part of growing up; looking back at your school pictures and seeing how you have changed.Even Megan got hers taken. Photography studios are few and far between up here so we jump on it when an opportunity comes up.

Valdez

Last weekend we took a trip down to Valdez.
Valdez is a little fishing community down on the coast.

We liked the pirate ship.

She just couldn't stay awake!

The Alaskan Range on the drive down.

In the background is Mt. Wrangell.

What a pose!

We stopped at Worthington Glacier.We decided to hike up to it so that the kids could touch it. The hike was one of the highlights of our trip. It made Caleb feel very "Indiana Jones-ish!"

Bridal Veil Falls