Scrooge: The Musical!

So, for the past few months, we've been involved in a local production of "A Christmas Carol" called "Scrooge:  The Musical".  Joanna is in the Children's Ensemble and also got the role of Scrooge's younger sister Fan at age 6.  The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge on a journey into his past and Joanna plays his sister as a child.  If you are familiar with the story, you'll recall that Scrooge has a nephew named Fred.  Well, Fred's mother was Fan (Scrooge's sister) who died during childbirth. 

We've had so much fun with both of the play productions Joanna's been in while here in Kodiak.  It's such a great group of people, and I've been really impressed what this little community can put together!  It is definitely something we'll miss next year after we leave.  Hopefully we can get involved in the arts our next community has to offer!  :)

Our 2009 family portraits!

Click here to see some of our family portraits we had taken this weekend!  A friend of mine here in Kodiak is an aspiring photographer and took some pictures of us in the snow this weekend!  She did an awesome job!  Check them out and let me know what you think!  http://simplybphotos.blogspot.com/2009/11/emily-and-jake.html

Windmills

First of all, I need to say that I really dislike this new version of the Blogger editor.  WHY do companies think it's cool to "FIX" things that do not need "FIXING"??  Really?  What was wrong with the old version?  Nothing, that's what!  Now I've got this new version that's all stupid and I have no clue how to make my posts look the way I want.  The pictures and words are all wonky, and I DO NOT LIKE IT!!!  Lame.  Just lame.  ANYWAY!  The kids and I ventured up to the top of a hill here in Kodiak that is famous for it's huge windmills.  It's pretty smart of this town, actually, to have these things on top of this hill.  They can totally take advantage of the outrageous winds we get here sometimes (well, often) and use it to make electricity!  Smart.  So, they're cool, and we drove up to see them in person.  They were quite impressive.  I looked directly up at one and almost fell over because it made me dizzy!  The view was really neat, and it was a new adventure for us.  Yay!  :)

Halloween!

Last night was Halloween!  We had a super fun time trick-or-treating around our neighborhood.  It wasn't snowing or raining, but it sure was chilly!  Nate was Luke Skywalker, but not just any Luke Skywalker.  He was "Tatooine Luke Skywalker".  You, know, because there's more than just one period in his life that one can portray.  Ha!  Stay tuned and see what Star Wars guy he'll be next year!  :)We carved pumpkins.Not too impressed by the "guts".Ewww!  (I finished it up for them.)The pumpkins!  They drew the faces on themselves.Luke.  Apparently "Tatooine Luke" doesn't have a lightsaber yet.  He has a blaster, duh!!So cute together!Do a little dance!The scariest neighbors ever.Quite a motley crew.A pretty mermaid!Look at our loot!Gotta have a piece...Mom got all the Almond Joys...my FAVE!!!  Happy Halloween!

I have to tell you about the day I had.

Because, if I don't write it down, my head might explode!

I woke up (6:30...was having a dream that I was in the show "Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian take Miami").
Got the kids up.
Got them ready for school.
Took Joanna and her friend to school (Nate went too.)
Came home.
Took Nate to school.
Went and picked up my co-ombudsman.
Went to Admin and attempted to get some information.
Mission failed.
Took co-ombudsman home.
Went to Joanna's school and helped with reading groups for an hour.
Came home.
Went to get Nate from school.
Came home.
Talked to Sarah on phone.
Wrote some emails regarding failed mission.
Got an offer on our house.
Talked on the phone regarding offer on house.
Got an email from agent with offer papers attached.
Printed it out (21 pages).
Managed to make a caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper. (One of the highlights of my day, I must say.)
Called Ms. Audrey to see if she had found Manny Bunny (you knew he had to be involved in my busiest day of all times, right?). She had. He was hiding in the little people barn.
Neighbor Jen called and I told her the boys could come over while she went to the doctor.
Joanna came home.
Joanna and Nate went outside with the neighbor girl from upstairs.
Brought bikes up from the basement for all children who were going outside.
Called real estate agent. Went over offer.
Signed where I was supposed to sign. I signed for Jake too. I have POA. It was weird.
Joanna and Nate came in.
Neighbor boys came over.
Neighbor girl came over.
Movie went on the tv (Monsters vs. Aliens).
Kids were good.
Started to fax 21 page offer back to real estate agent.
Doorbell rang.
Was neighbor across the street who has a teenage daughter I might have babysit the kids. Came to meet them.
6 kids still watching movie.
Talked with neighbor and daughter (her littler daughter also came over and started watching the movie while we talked.)
Neighbor left.
Littler daughter stayed to finish watching the movie.
7 kids watching movie. They were good.
Cracked open a Diet Cherry Pepsi.
Doorbell rang.
Was Audrey and her friend with Manny Bunny.
Told Audrey's friend step-by-step how to make ravioli.
Movie was over.
Kids got rowdy.
Told kids who were not being baby-sat by me to go home. (No, really. Those were my exact words.)
2 kids went home.
Audrey and friend left. Manny Bunny stayed. I think. Who knows with him, though.
Neighbor boys played.
Talked to co-ombudsman on phone about failed mission.
Threw pizza in the oven while I talked on the phone.
Neighbor boys went home.
Ate some pizza with (my) kids.
Helped Joanna with homework.
Threw kids in shower. Have two showers. One kid in each shower. At the same time.
Helped kids get ready for bed.
Read with kids. Joanna read to us.
Goodnight, precious children. Sleep tight.
Now I am going to put my pajamas on and go watch Top Chef. Then I will go to sleep so that I can wake up and start all over again!
Zzzzzzz.....

Talking to Grandma and Papa

I snapped these pictures of Nate talking to Papa Carl and Grandma Mary the other day. Just kickin' back chattin' with his Papa! SO cute!! :)

Nate goes to Ms. Audrey's!

I remember when Joanna was 4 and went to Ms. Audrey's preschool. Now, two years later, it's Nate's turn! He had his first day this past week, and LOVED it!! We have been so happy with the kids' education here in Kodiak. It's one thing that I'm truly grateful for. Ms. Audrey and Ms. Toni's preschools have been amazing, and we've had such a good experience with Joanna at the public school (Peterson Elementary) here. Anyway, just thought I'd share some pictures of my handsome boy on his first day of school! :)

Lazy Sunday

The kids built a tent and were watching Robin Hood (Disney-style!) this morning. I thought you all might be interested in what we're up to this morning. The answer? A whole lot of nuthin! :) It's beautiful out, though, so we'll probably end up getting our act together and going outside at some point. Right after I clean the kitchen and do some laundry....which I can start doing right after I'm done goofing around on my blog (and Facebook...and Coast Guard wives online forum...)! Happy Lazy Sunday! :)