Winter Wonderland

One day we were wondering if the snow would ever come...and the next it came and kept coming! It's so pretty when it finally snows and covers all the left over gray from Fall. It will be a white holiday season afterall!!

Pumpkin Cookies

This recipe was given to me way back by my friend, Camille Maher, while we were in San Antonio, TX...Camille, where are you? Anyway, it has become a family favorite and now I'm sharing it with you!

PUMPKIN COOKIES

1 cup shortening or margarine

3 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 cups pumpkin (or 16 oz can)

5 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp vanilla

1 small pkg chocolate chips

Cream all ingredients, except flour and chocolate chips. Once blended together, add the flour a cup at a time. Once all ingredients are blended, add chocolate chips. Drop onto cookie sheet and bake @ 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Yields about 10 dozen...Yummy!!

Alaska Day Invitational Swim Meet

Abigail did awesome at a swim meet yesterday! She swam in four events and here's how she did:

50 Free 4th place 32.79 dropped 1.20

100 Free 1st place 1:13.60 dropped 5.70

50 Breast 1st place 41.04 dropped 2.26

100 Breast 3rd place 1:33.82

We just made reservations to fly to Anchorage in December for the Age Group Championships. The meet is actually in Homer this year so we'll catch a bus from Anchorage to Homer. Abby has so far qualified in 7 events. She'll be competing in the above events plus the 50 Back, 50 Fly and 100 IM. She's got two more meets here in Fairbanks that she can try to qualify for more events and is going to try in the 200 Free and the 100 Back. Go Abby!!

October in Fairbanks!

This has been Fairbanks by day! The grass is still green in spots! It looks as if our gorgeous Fall is coming to an end however as snow is expected tomorrow! We're actually kind of excited for the white stuff to fly but really have appreciated the extended Fall and warm days! Tomorrow we'll be ready to get the snowboards, skiis and sleds out!

Update...as of today, the 19th of October...still no snow!!

Gorgeous sunrises!

This is the view that I have enjoyed the last week during the most beautiful Fall I can remember in Fairbanks! This picture doesn't do the sunrise justice, but it really is spectacular and it brings a sense of peace to the beginning of each day! Gotta love Alaska!

Final Good-byes...

It's always sad to say good-bye! We love you Brad, Delaney & Daegon!!

Delaney and Daegon's last day!

Today is Delaney and Daegon's last day with us...I am very sad to see them go. I love them madly and will miss them so much!

Good luck at Bartlett Mallory!

Mallory left early this morning for Bartlett High School in Anchorage. The weight lifters had to meet at WV High at 6am for weight lifting before boarding the bus and leaving at 7:30. They're safely there and will swim all day tomorrow. Good luck West Valley and safe travels back Sunday!

Summer Photos

A look back at our summer

Well...it looks as if our summer is finally winding down. We have had a house full and been busy! Delaney, Brad and Deagon have been here for the summer and Ian joined us about 3 weeks ago. Brad worked at his summer landscaping job and Delaney worked at Regis in the Bentley Mall. I watched Daegon and ran kids to all their activities. And, I took a summer Digital Photo class up at UAF. So, there are all kinds of pics to show what we've done all summer. Ralph and I hiked Kesugi Ridge. Mallory got a job picking up the streets of our fair city. She couldn't believe how many "hobo" camps they had to clean up. They really are hidden in any bush they can find! Su Bai got a job at McDonalds and is still working there, on Fridays and Saturdays, now that school has started. Abigail swam and went to a dance camp. Annie started swimming lessons and wants to join the swim team as soon as she can! Ian got a job with the same guy Brad works for doing landscaping. He starts classes on Monday the 5th to begin life guard certification and hopes to land some good paying jobs after that so he can save up for more college come next April! Some of the pics are of all our activities and some are my photo practicing. My favorites are with DOF...depth of field...especially when it's blurry in the background. Now, it's time to get ready for winter! We've had a taste of it already with about 3 inches falling last week. It's melted in most open places now but we know it's right around the corner! Get out those winter jackets!!