merry christmas!

October 2008

October is full of things to do -- Arnold turned 17. We all marched in the Alaska Day Parade. Cassie had a sleepover party with a couple of friends on Halloween. We've always known she's the one with the brains in the family.

Fun, fun, fun.

September 2008

Back to school, back to church, back to scouting, back to . . . everything!

After basically taking a year off from all of my commitments (because I thought we were moving), it was time to step back in and get busy. The kids are busy with school and band. Arnold was running with Sitka High Cross Country team. Our Girl Scout Troop is down to three girls, but still going.

Cassie and I started co-teaching the preschool-kindergarten Sunday school class (above). It's a fun class, and I'm enjoying having Cassie there with me.

I also started taking a class through the University of Alaska. It's an Early Childhood Education class that meets via teleconference twice a week. There are students from all over the state.

August 2008

We bought a car for Arnold. This makes life much easier for me, since we both have pretty full schedules. I think his car looks exactly like mine. Mine is a Chevy Prism, his is a Mazda Protege. Cute little car. Doesn't eat a lot of gas.

July 2008

Let's eat cake!

Arnold was attending Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and Cassie and I decided to surprise him with a random birthday. We made the cake from Portal and delivered it to one of his classes.

Cassie celebrated her 11th birthday with an Asian-themed party, beginning with lunch at the Twin Dragon restaurant. Since she's a big fan of "Ace of Cakes" we experimented with rolled fondant and ended up with a pretty nice cake (after four attempts and one disaster!).

After lunch, she and her friends did some shopping downtown. Next time you're in town, ask Cassie or Chaya about "Operation Fork."

I signed mortgage loan papers at the end of the month, and also started dating!

June 2008

Both kids participate in Sitka Summer Band. They played an outdoor concert under the bridge by the tourist dock.

Cassie attended Sitka Fine Arts Camp. She enjoyed a variety of activities and especially like her beginning ballet class!

May 2008

I started to panic because my job at the preschool would be ending soon and we still had no offers on our house. Found another job (with more hours and higher pay!) with Lolly at the Sheldon Jackson Child Care Center. Then I went to the bank to try to refinance my house, and the bank said "No." Tried again with my credit union and they said "Okay."

Arnold went to prom! Looking very handsome in a suit and all. Aw.