Thanksgiving

Sometimes it is hard living so from away from family but we are very thankful for the wonderful friends that we have come to know and love here in Alaska. We really are one big happy family and if we keep eating meals like this our family is sure to grow :)

Steve, our gracious host and turkey chef, inspects the spread

In Alaska- potluck meals are definately the way to go!!

The smiles say it all!!

Taking some time to digest

The Tryptophan starts to take hold

Getting in some quality time with the girls

Calliope is still going strong!

Almost done.

Delta Shower

The ladies at work and some friends from Delta also threw me a fablous baby shower. I was really impressed with the all the effort put forth for us- food, gifts, decorations, games and prizes. Thanks ladies, everyone should be so fortunate to have so many wonderful friends! Plus they were nice enough to spare me from too many embarrassing games. But I have to say I am a little disappointed NOBODY cut their string smaller than the actual circumference of my belly! I was also very surprised to find gifts that my family had mailed in for the occasion.
What a fun evening, thanks everyone!!

Great spread!

Baby cake- by Joyce

Just a few of the great gifts- our kid is set!!

Everything so so darn cute and snuggly!

Baby swing

The ladies

Baby Shower

The fairbanks crew threw a potluck baby shower for me on saturday night. It was wonderful, so great to see everyone and I was overwhelmed with the generosity. In addition to lots of great presents many folks gave us homemade casseroles, soups, etc. that we can freeze and just re-heat during the first few weeks after the baby arrives. People keep telling us we are going to be stressed out and too tired to do much of anything those first few weeks....How hard can it be??

Our friends are so talented!! Shiway made the first 2 hats, Julie the middle one and Lauren the last one. Our baby is going to be stylin' this winter.

Shannon's son, Owen, was the token baby at the shower, he is quite the little flirt and managed to keep a dozen woman entertained.

Cletus also did some entertaining
I was really surprised by this gift! The whole gang, including friends from Anchorage, all chipped in and got us this stroller. It also converts into a bike buggy and can be outfitted with skis! We are really excited to test this out- THANKS EVERYONE!!

Getting bigger- 8.5 months and counting!

Gotta have your girls

I left Jeff at home and spent the weekend in Fairbanks hanging out with the ladies. On friday Brook hosted a girls party in Shiway's honor (she was back in town from Seward). We had a blast, Brook was brave enough to share the photos she took. I only posted the tame ones :)

The ladies

Girls night is never dull when Jenny is around- she spiced up the party with jewels, glitter and of course the pole!

Brook and Laura- early in the evening :)

No party is complete without a little friendly leg wrestling

Things are starting to liven up a bit as the night progresses......

Brook will probably never share her photos with me again

Adrian steps up to the pole

A few ladies start seeing double....

Now everything is a blur (unless you are the sober pregnant lady)


Like I said- things are never dull when Jenny is around!

Halloween baby

Cletus reared his ugly head a little early...I think he takes after his dad.