For the family and friends that i inevitably miss every year. Of course, if i missed you then you probably don't have the address to the blog. LOL.
There have been many changes to our family this past year but a good year, nonetheless. We lost our beloved dog of twelve years, Mackenzie, earlier this year. Mackenzie was a beautiful Malamute we adopted a year after moving to Alaska. She was my constant companion and we will miss her. Of the original six dogs, we have three left: Jake (dad) and their (Jake and Mackenzie’s) pups, Blaze and Jed. And yes, the cats, Chester and Matilda, are still hanging about.
The most exciting news is the birth of our 2nd daughter, Riley Frances, on April 19th (the day after Morgan’s 3rd birthday). She weighed 8 pounds, 5 oz and had a full head of black hair just like her big sister. Not only am I thankful that she is healthy but that she was born the day after Morgan’s birthday. They can each have their own special day.
Riley will be 8 months old later this month. She is a wonderful baby but a tad serious at times. I think she just likes us to work for those beautiful smiles and, boy, are they worth it, especially with those front teeth. Yes, teeth. The bottom teeth came in at 4 months and now she is getting the top ones to match. She was sitting up on her own at 4 months. At six months old, she was eating baby food, crawling around like a bear on her hands and feet, and even pulling herself up. I can barely keep up with her.
Morgan is a busy girl herself and so full of love for her baby sister. She enjoys spending time with her little sister, cuddling her, reading to her, watching mom or dad changing her diapers. She started preschool in March of this year, learning to recognize and write her numbers and letters. We also enrolled her in Tae Kwan Do this fall. The school teaches her some of the basics of the art and is an excellent outlet for our rambunctious three year old. We hope to enroll her in a dancing program beginning in January and possibly swimming or gymnastics, too.
Jeff is still working at Bristow, formerly Air Logistics of Alaska. He recently accepted a new position with the company as Chief Inspector. While I am happy about the promotion, I worry that he will miss turning wrenches and get chair sores from sitting at a desk all day. I suppose I could come up with house work that involves the use of wrenches to help him adjust.
As for myself, I am still working at the refinery in North Pole as a lab technician. The shift work can be difficult with two little ones and no grandma to help but we are managing. I am playing my second season of hockey as a forward. While I am not much of a skater, I do love playing the game. The women’s league plays once a week which is plenty of ice time for a busy mom like myself. I have renewed my interest in photography. Why not, with two beautiful subjects under my very own roof. As an early Christmas gift to myself, I purchased a fancy new SLR camera for my hobby. I have also decided to start a blog documenting our life in Alaska with updates on the girls and, hopefully, my photos. It will probably be a little awkward at first as I am not used to blogging but I will stay with it and hopefully you all will too.
Other family news: My mom will be splitting her time between Alaska and California, wintering in California and summering in Alaska. Gene (my second oldest brother) and his wife, Michelle, are expecting twin boys in January. Can you imagine!! My baby brother, Jon, recently became engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Martina. We have always considered Martina and her boys a part of the family, it is about time they make it official.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Jeff, Loda, Morgan, and Riley.
