Halloween Invitational Oct. 2009

Abigail competed in a Club Meet on Halloween Day and here's how she did:

2nd place girls 11-12 200 Yard Free Relay with a time of 2:20.83
2nd place girls 11-12 200 Yard Medley Relay time 2:34.94
2nd place girls 11-12 50 Yard Breast time 41:32
3rd place girls 11-12 50 Yard Free time 33:51
4th place girls 11-12 100 IM time 1:25.53 (dropped 2 seconds)
4th place girls 11-12 50 Yard Fly time 40.72 (she dropped 5 seconds!)
4th place girls 11-12 50 Yard Back time 40.37 (dropped 33 hundredths of a second)

So, overall in the Girls ages 11-12 she came in 3rd place. Not too shabby!!

There is another meet the middle of November...the last opportunity to qualify for more age group events. She's already in 7 now but wants to add the 100 Back and possibly the 200 IM. I think if she goes with 7 events that will be good...it's a lot!

Swimming is awesome!!

2009 Regional Finals

Here are a couple pictures from last nights meet. The first is the West Valley Girls team Regional champions. The second is Mallory and a couple team mates and the third is Mallory on the podium receiving her 3rd place recognition for the 100 Breast. She swam a 1:16.61. She did great but unfortunately, it wasn't a qualifying time for State. Her 200 Medley Relay team came in 2nd in Regionals also but it wasn't a qualifying time for State. West Valley girls did great overall in Regionals and claimed First Place over the other schools in our Region. They did awesome!!

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!