Greetings from North Pole

Happy New Year!

I've been feeling so lazy to post here, but I figured I NEED to. Our families always remind us to post, and it's pretty much the only place we put updated pictures of Alec. We had such a fun time in CO with our family for Thanksgiving. Alec was pretty attached to me the whole time, but he sure enjoyed being all spoiled by the grandparents. We definitely miss Colorado, especially when it got to 60's while we were there. Alec didn't do so good on the plane ride back to Fairbanks though; it was a very long flight for all of us (including the people seating around us). When we got back, depression kicked in...it was dark, snowy, and in the -30's. Plus, I had decided beforehand to work full-time during the holidays and it was NOT fun. I'm so glad that's over. We actually didn't have a traditional Christmas celebration in our house, but after much needed sleep we were able to put together a small turkey dinner the day after Christmas. We figured Alec would never know what day Christmas is at this age. We definitely missed being with our families at this time of the year, but we figured we might as well enjoy ourselves. This week has been much less stressful, and the weather is been much nicer (-5 degrees...hehe). We are definitely excited for the New Year. We hope to have lots of fun as a family and make great memories together. Hope you will too!!

Cousins: Alec and Ethan...that was the best shot!!

Thanksgiving at the McLeish's with my mom

Steve was excited about all the food :)
Smile!
Cousins holding hands

They had lots of fun together

Eating in downtown Denver with friends

Denver Parade of Lights

Bread, Hats and Haircut

I couldn't think of anything clever to name this post, so the name clearly explains this week's events through the pictures you are about to see.

1st -I learned how to make french bread at a church activity and tried it all by myself for the first time and they turned out great! We had french dip sandwiches with my homemade bread, it was yummy!

2nd- I learned to knit hats at church playgroup. We will be donating them, and I'm finishing my third one this week. So proud of myself. This is by far the most crafty I've been :)

3rd- Alec got his haircut (again) and he did awesome, and didn't cry!!! If he wasn't so dang hairy we wouldn't have to do it so often, but he's getting the hang of it.

4th- We are going to Colorado in 10 days...pics to come in a few weeks!

(can you tell he was playing with a highlighter?)
Hairy boy After the haircut

Finally got the camera out today

And here are some pictures of our Mickey Mouse for the 2nd year in a row :) I figured he wouldn't mind wearing it again, plus he looks too darn cute! He was kind of shy and scared of everything that was going on, thus no smiles from him in any of the pictures...

Updating

So we have been here for over 2 months now and are getting more and more used to our new life in AK...but we certainly get excited and spoiled when we get visits from our family, and wish we could live near them :(
Steve's parents came to visit and we had lots of fun. Alec sure had a great time with grandma and grandpa, and he misses them already. Here are fun some pics from this past week.

Alec watching Steve wash the car, trying to be a helper :)

At the park behind our house

Off to the Salmon bake with the McLeish's

My new hair...a true brunette