Sydney's turns 7

Well, our baby is another year older!! She is 7 already! Wow, how times flies! We had a really great weekend and celebrated with Jennifer. Jennifer is like family. I love her, the kids love her and we always have so much fun together. Always LOTS of laughter! We started Friday night out with a birthday celebration in Anchorage with dinner. Sydney chose the restaurant. She chose Samurai Sushi!! A family favorite! As always when we left we were SOOO FUUUUUUUULLLLLLL.
Here are some pics to capture the FUN!
After dinner we went back to Jennifer's place and had a sleep over. We had plans to attend the Craft Bazaar in Anchorage on SAT - Make it Alaska Show. So, instead of driving home and driving back the next morning we had a girls night and spent the night! We opened presents and had cake!

Jennifer made her this really cute necklace - she loves it! It has a snake on it! Sydney was born in the year of the snake so we always refer to her as our little snake! Then Jennifer really got some points giving her this (see next picture)! It was hilarous watching her! She yelled, IN YOUR FACE!


And of coarse the Jonas Brothers CD she got from Hailey... she was very excited about that too!
Saturday morning we woke up and Jennifer made breakfast.... GREEN EGGS! The kids just LOVE it when Jennifer makes different colored eggs. Green seems to be the favorite. Jennifer and I call them nuclear eggs! See for yourself!

We hit the craft show and the Mall at Sears. Hailey needed new shoes for indoor soccer @ 7pm. I signed her up for COMP soccer. We'll see how she likes it. It's for 7 weeks we only played regular soccer, but we are going to give COMP a try! Sat was a very long day! Jennifer did follow us out to the Valley to see Hailey play soccer and continue the Birthday Celebration Weekend. Sunday was spent pretty much lounging around! We did wake up to the lightest dusting of snow! Jennifer and I managed to watch the movie 21. Not sure I'd really recommend it. It was very SLOW and not a lot of action! Glad it was only a rental via Blockbuster.com! We did successfully color my hair today too!! That was a huge PLUS! No more gray! Love it! I guess I will sign off! Next weekend is Sydney's Pool Party so I am sure I will post more on her birthday party! Bill comes home on Thursday! Yeah!

A little Fun!

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks!
*Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...
*They have to be real places, names, things.. nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME? Shelley
4 LETTER WORD - S _ _ _ You know what came to mind first but I'll say - sale
VEHICLE - Saturn - LOVING the NEW Outlook! My next car!
TV SHOW – Survivor
BODY PART – Shoulder
GIRL NAME - Sydney
BOY NAME - Sean
OCCUPATION - Sailer
SOMETHING YOU WEAR: - Socks
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM- soap
EXCUSE FOR BEING LATE – Slept in! Yah baby!
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT!!! - Refer to 4 letter word! S _ _ _ HA HA!

How old am I?

It's really quite scary when my kids and I listen to the same music. Who ever would have thought that I as a mom would like the young teens who start out on the Disney Channel?
First it was High School Musical Movies.... loved those soundtracks!
Then Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus and now it's the Jonas Brothers!
CRAZY!

Whenever the girls here the JONAS BROTHERS on the radio.... They get all excited!
Here is their video Burnin Up.
It will keep playing the next song until you click pause.

• Jonas Brothers
• New Music

What Sydney doesn't know - she is getting the Jonas Brothers CD for her birthday!

In other music:
Then there is Britney Spears..... Holy Cow! I have always been a fan of hers. Even through her hard times. Hoping she would pull it together! Well, she did for the MTV VMA's.
She WON.... Best Female Video, Best Pop Video & Video of the Year! All with this song below. I guess seeing the video I really heard the words. I knew I liked the song before but seeing this video I like it even more! And how amazing does she look in this video? Piece of Me

• Britney Spears
• New Music

I believe this will play onto her other songs as well.

And on October 24th will be the new movie High School Musical 3.... so I am sure we will get to know all those songs as well!

Yoga Retreat

Tomorrow... FRIDAY is the start of the Yoga Retreat at Pioneer Ridge Bed & Breakfast Here is a little history on the place!
This unique property was originally homesteaded in the early 1900's. In the 30's it was part of Roosevelt's New Deal (the plan to help Americans recover from the Depression) and was the home to a relocated family from the States. Our building was built in the 1960's and housed Fairview Dairy. In 1986, the 10,000 sq. ft. building was transformed into a warm and inviting B&B Each spacious, comfortable guest room is decorated with authentic Alaskana. Because we have much to do in and around our B&B we are TV FREE.
I just love this place!!! It's only about 10 minutes away from my house. The views are amazing! I'll be sure to take some beautiful fall pictures while I am there.
We will practice our yoga in a spacious room that has one full wall of windows to look at the mountains. It takes your breath away! I feel very fortunate to be able to attend all of Mary's yoga retreats. It's such a great time to be with friends, eat healthy and take care of me for a whole weekend. This will be the 5th retreat! They run from noon on Friday until late Sunday afternoon. Check out keeps getting later every year.... whoo hooo!!!
Since Bill is moose hunting, Scottie's dad (see picture below of Sushi Bob) and Julie has SAVED the day and will have Hailey + Sydney along with Trinity + Mikaela. I know the girls are going to have just as much fun as Scottie and I will. They've been talking about this since 4th of July when we made the plans.
There are no tv's at the B&B - but there is internet! So you know I will be checking emails and I may even post on my blog!!
Have a great weekend.....
Namaste

Sushi Bunco

I am in a FUN bunco group in Eagle River. Each month we volunteer to host a month. August was Kae's turn. She had bid on a sushi party last October at our MOMS Club bazaar and won. And her time was expiring soon to use it so she spolied us rotten and used it for our bunco dinner! The Sushi Chef is Bob Peterson. I am very familair with his work.... YUMMY! This is Scottie's dad! After retiring from being a bio chemist he went to sushi school. How fun is that? Anyway, he moved to Alaska about a year ago be closer to Scottie and the grandkids. Him and his wife Julie are so nice. I can't say enough nice things about them!
Bob didn't make anything raw, as per Kae's request. One of my absolute FAV'S is a creation of Bob's.... the Crabby Sara! (after his daughter - it's her FAV) And at this party he one upped it and made a SPICY Crabby Sara! SOOO YUMMY!!! It's a spicy crab salad - similar to how they prepare a CA roll. Then inside with the rice is tempura shrimp. Topped with avacado! And some spicy mayo on top!
Everyone had a GREAT time at bunco... we were all so full! Thanks Kae for hosting! And THANKS to BOB for another WONDERFUL MEAL!

NEW Website

Hi - I've been a member of Shutterfly for years. I love their quality of products. If you are not familiar your should check them out! They print the most amazing clear pictures. For the last several years, this is where I get my Christmas cards from. And I make my family a picture calendar for Christmas. And so far I have made 2 picture books and they turned out excellent.
Tonight a friend of mine sent me a link to her new photo site. It's via Shutterfly. I thought, shoot.. I should do this too It's impossible to post all the pictures I take to put them on the BLOG.. so I thought why not download them to Shutterfly for everyone to see. So, take a peek! I am hoping you can just click and see them. Let me know if it does or doesn't work!
ENJOY!
alaskanwhitmores.shutterfly.com
PS Thanks Stacy for the great idea.... if I keep up with this I will NEVER loose pictures again on my computer. I know Shutterfly will SAVE them and their system won't crash!

CONCERT WAS AWESOME!

SO EXCITED... the concert with Terry Fator was a huge hit! LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it! This man is so amazing. I am going to attempt to post some video. He was so cool, he said, "there are no rules... take lots of pictures and video, show them to ALL your friends and let them know what they missed" He was so NICE! I WISH these pictures were better.... but my zoom doesn't work very well. (to see larger click on image)And not to mention we had this lovely OLD couple sitting in these chairs that WOULD NOT MOVE. They looked like wheelchairs, but they weren't! They were push chair. Everyone was SO frustrated but by the time people asked them to move it was too late they were trapped! So, you will see A LOT them during the show! UGH!!!

SHOOT.. the video that I just spend forever downloading... did not work!
Who knows any tricks?
I have 3 more videos I want to post... but holy cow they take forever to download! So I will try again later, I am tired tonight... It's after 2am!
And by the way... that pictures ontop of TERRY & I... YEAH! So excited and I also got an autographed photo! Too cool!

OK, couldn't stand it... had to try YouTube! Still have no idea what I am doing! Let's hope it works!

Terry Fator concert tonight

SO EXCITED.... Tonight I am going to a concert at the Alaska State Fair!
Have you heard of Terry Fator?
He's a Ventriloquist - Celebrity Impressionist - Comedian - Singer. He won the first season of America's Got Talent.
This guy is AMAZING! Check out his website for a peek at what he does... he makes the hair on my arms stand up and I get chills and want to cry! He's so talented!!
Terry Fator
I am going to try and take some pictures! I'll post later!
AND the girls and I are going to a concert on FRI too, also at the State Fair!
Sean Kingston He's an 18 year old young man who sings Jamaican, rap, reggae, dancehall, pop crossover. Most of his songs are remakes. They play him on the radio all the time so the girls totally know who he is. They BEGGED to go this concert! They REALLY wanted to go to Terry Fator too, because the 3 of us watch that show together. Anyway - they can't go tonight because the show starts at 7:30pm and it's a school night! Bummer! Tonight it's me and my friends at the fair with NO KIDS. I don't think in 15 years have I been to the fair without kids. WOW!! See you tonight, Scottie, Michele & Marcie!

Continued post on Pumpkin Muffins

Preheat the oven to the SAME temp at the cake mix.
325 or 350 depending on pan.
I'd go by the baking time as listed on the cake mix as well.
Since they don't list mini muffins - I put in for 10 mintues then I kept checking. They always needed atleast 2-3 more minutes!

Libby's
100% PURE
PUMPKIN
15oz can

Hope this helps!
Enjoy!
For more info click on Libby's to bring you to their website for MORE info and recipes!

DID YOU KNOW?
LIBBY'S is packed with nutritional benefits:
Low in Calories with 40 calories per 1/2 cup serving
Low in Fat and contains no Trans Fat, Saturated Fat or Cholesterol
One-half cup of 100% Pure Pumpkin equals 1 vegetable serving
Naturally Sodium Free
Excellent Source of Fiber
High in Vitamin A with 80% as Beta-Carotene (Antioxidants)
Naturally Gluten-Free

Just check the label: no salt, no sugar, no flavorings or preservatives.
It's just 100% Pure Pumpkin.

First day HOME

Since I uploaded pictures again... here are a few from the first day of school when they took the BUS home!
For the bus pictures I am standing in our yard... at the edge! We are pretty lucky that the bus stop is so close. After the girls greeted me I had them run and say HI to Dad in the backyard. He was spraying for ants. This is the first summer we've had issues with carpenter ants. You see one or two here and there but when Bill mowed the lawn and weed wacked a few weeks ago he found a whole bunch of ants near the girls window. Hopefully this will take care of the problem!

RECIPE: Pumpkin Muffins

Since school has started you have to get crafty with packing cold lunches. I know I don't like to eat the same thing everyday!
If you like pumpkin you will have to try this recipe. I've been making this recipe for years and the girls have always LOVED it. I just haven't made them in a long time so I am excited for them to be in their lunch tomorrow! I didn't bake them until they went to bed!
PUMPKIN MUFFINS

1 box of Yellow Cake Mix
1 can of Pure Pack Pumpkin (small can)
Mini chocolate chips (optional)
no liquid no eggs no oil

Combine yellow cake mix and pumpkin together until moist.
Add mini chocolate chips if you wish!

I usually make these in regular muffins or mini muffins.
The girls just LOVE them! And so do I!
I lost all my recipes when my computer crashed.. so if you have a good recipe send it my way! Or, post on your blog! If you have a blog!
PS Jenny, send me that Tator Tot Casserole!

Back to School 2008-2009

It's hard to believe that summer is over for the kids and school has started!! They did a great job getting up, eating breakfast and getting ready! If anyone had a hard time, it was me! I stayed up too late and I still had a hard time falling asleep! I guess even as an adult I still get first day of school jitters! Here are some pictures.

Book websites for BOOK SWAPPING

I found this article in an old magazine...
Good Housekeeping FEB 2007

Best Sites for Book Swapping

www.paperbackswap.com
How it Works:
For every book you ship to a member (on your dollar), a point is added to your account. You use your credits to get books (each title costs a point).

www.bookins.com
How it Works:
Enter your credit card info when you join and you'll be charged a flat-rate shipping fee($4.49) for each book or DVD you receive.

www.bookmooch.com
How it Works:
The same way as paperbackswap.com. You also get a bonus point for every 10 books you offer to swap.

I wish I was a faster reader to take advantage of this program.
The books I actually buy, I like to KEEP them. Why? I am not sure! Something to remind me that I did read and finished that book.
If I can I do get them from the library!

Anyway.. I know there are some BIG readers out there... just thought I would pass on the word!
Happy Reading!

Locks of Love

When the girls were younger I kept their hair pretty short. But when they got old enough to tell me they wanted it long I let them grow it out! Hailey has been growing out her bangs since the end of the school year. Thank goodness I talked Sydney out of it!
Since we started swimming the girls hair was getting harder and harder to brush tangling all up! I am not sure who brought it up but the girls decided they wanted to cut their hair. Then the suggestion of donating their hair to Locks Of Love was brought up. They were totally on board. So I called and made an appointment. Sarah Smith filled me all in, she was very knowledgeable about the whole thing. 10 inches was required. But if you have 9 inches or less up to 6 inches they will sell it to make wigs. I did measure their hair and thought they just had 10 inches if they wanted to go really short! I was hoping they would go for it once in the chair.
Sydney went first.
I must admit when Sydney went first and cut off the thick lock of hair I got choked up and shed a few tears. I was so proud of her for doing something so wonderful. She was cutting her hair so a child could have hair. I was so proud!
Hailey on the other hand, started getting cold feet. She didn't want to go as short as Sydney so we started looking through books. Hailey kept pointing to A line cuts. Short in the back, longer in the front. She was totally sure she loved it and she was next.
I just LOVE their NEW HAIRCUTS... oh my gosh! Sarah did a fabulous job!
They love it, I love it. I can't stop looking at them, how beautiful they are!
We made a few stops on the way home to show it off... everyone just loved it!
How could you not! Just kidding!
For weeks I have been scoping out stops to pull over and get pictures of the girls in the Fireweed. I did this last year too! Since they have fresh cute hair, I thought it would be fun to finally do it. The problem was it was after 9:30pm and it was getting dark so I had problems with the pictures. Flash, no flash, Sydney freaking out cause of spider webs. I did get a few but I will have to try again and get better lighting!

Totally Cranky!

Ugh, I'm so frustrated I don't even know where to start!
I have been lucky enough since Hailey was born I have been able to stay at home with the girls. But the time has finally come where the kids are getting older and there really isn't any reason why I shouldn't work. Before kids I worked in the pharmacy at Fred Meyer and Walmart and I loved my job. It was fast paced, lots to do and I was really good at it! So, the opportunity has come to Alaska... a TARGET store. I thought perfect, who doesn't love Target this will be perfect to apply. So I did! They held a job fair 4 days... I was there on day 2. This gave me time to update my resume. I spent 2 hours at the Sports Complex on Friday. Filling out paperwork, application, drug forms, 70 question scan-tron sheet. After time there I was told they were scheduling interviews for next week and I needed to wait in that line. I was able to get one Wed @ 2:30pm.
I made it to the interview.... answered all the questions I was asked. The team member wrote down everything I said. She asked me to wait for an executive to ask me more questions. I wait!! A lady approaches me and sees that I am apply for the pharmacy and before she even sits down she lets me know ....
ALL THE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN FILLED!
What? Are you kidding me? How is this even possible? Wouldn't you think they would have to interview ALL applicants then make a dicission? Something didn't seem right. So, after asking more questions.. I got to the bottom of it.
There are only 4 positions avaiable unlike the 10 I thought. I even showed her the form that said 10 and she was shocked! She wasn't able to really release information but she slipped and said, "don't give up... maybe they won't like Alaska!"
So, that tells me right there... all these people are being relocated from within the company from the lower 48!
UGH!
How is this fair? The first day I applied, I should have been notified of this! I wasted their time and mine! I am not giving up though!
Bill wants me to look into Fred Meyer and Carrs. I am up for this but REALLY had my heart set on Target!
I'll keep you posted on what happens!
Wish me luck!

It's August already?

Hi everyone... I'm behind on blogging! I swear I look daily at everyone elses blog but I am not good about updating my own!
First I will start with explaining the group shot below the book review. I belong to a club that is for stay at home MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) MOMS Club. This picture was taken at a restaurant. It's our end of the year banquet. We acknowledge the executive board going out and install the new officers for the next term (1 year). Everyone had a really great time.
The soccer season ended on July 24th. I love that the girls love soccer and I don't mind bringing them... but 4 nights a week is crazy! It's just hard planning your day, knowing you have to be back home to get to the field.
When soccer was over we enrolled in swimming lessons. We started at level 1 since the girls really don't have any practice in pools. Classes are in the morning - 45 minutes and last 2 weeks. The girls completed level 1 - passed and moved on to level 2. They are in that now! Since school starts next week they shortened the class and are only are doing it for a week. This has been good practice for us to get up in the morning... classed started at 9:30am and now we go in at 10:15am.
It's going to kill us when school starts. Everyone is still getting to bed too LATE!
The kids need lunch... so I am going to take care of that then I will post some more... with pictures cause I have MORE to say!
Yah!

July book club

Mermaids in the Basement by Michael Lee West

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is our book selection to read in JULY.

I read this book in less 14 days. Which is not like me, if you know me! The book did go very fast. I liked how they would raise a question then answer it by telling the story but sometimes it was confusing who was telling the story! A few story lines they drug out too long and I wish they would have told more at the end. It is a good book but get it at the library or used. Not worth paying the hardcover price.


View all my reviews.

Look soon for a new post

Well, I finally uploaded some pictures... so be on the lookout for a post soon!

BUNCO

Bunco is something I look forward to every 4th Thursday or Friday of the month!
We play with a great bunch of women who know how to have FUN!
Here was our last Bunco with Lori.. she is moving to Las Vegas (next stop via the military)! Lori we are sure going to miss you! Bunco won't be the same without you!

Alaska Zoo on Tues the 24th

We went to the zoo which we usually try to do at least once a month in the summer. We have a zoo pass which means we can go as many times as we want throughout the year! It turned out to be such a nice day... I was over dressed! The zoo received a new moose calf on Friday, May 23. The calf was found abandoned by it's mother in a horse barn near North Pole, AK. They later received another moose calf who had been seen orphaned in the Anchorage area.
The zoo also received two new Amur tigers which arrived from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York. They are brothers, named Korol and Kunali both born on June 7, 2004 at the NY-area zoo. I wasn't able to get pictures of them as they were hiding in the brush!
Here is a picture of the gang that went with us to the zoo... we are missing 2 other familes but we didn't see them as we were ready to leave!