Alaska Frozen Family

Abby's

2009-01-07T21:30:00.004-09:00

Justin and Abby's birthday

2008-12-17T08:54:00.002-09:00

Justin opening Tales of Beetle the bard
Abby opening a Princess gift
Ripping the present up
More dress up stuff

They both had a great time and got a lot of gifts

Anna's sister and her family

2008-12-15T16:16:00.005-09:00

Anna and George went down to NM to visit her sister Yes she has a sister and her family

Some Menudo made for Anna and George by Jessie
Some of you may find this gross but it is the best in the world and Anna said that this was the best that she ever had
This is Alfonso, Anna fell in love with him not that she didn't love her niece's but she is a sucker for a little man
They were bonding over the vacation and you can just tell by this picture
This is Christina and Alfonso she opened her home to George and Anna and they just had a great time there
George goofing off
Check out the girls the one from NM has an AK shirt and the one from AK has a NM shirt on
The hosts Christina and Jessie
Little GQ
Sylvia and Linda they are just beautiful little women who had a great time with their Grandpa and Auntie Anna
And look she has a brother too his name is Louie
Hey Christina Anna said her nickname for him is Alf
Louie and George
Christina and Jessie and Alfonso
Where Anna and George stayed and got stuck

More of AZ

2008-12-15T14:25:00.005-09:00

The midnight showing of Twilight
Andi and Kirsten
Anna and Neena in AZ
Carol and Katie Phillips
katie carol and ANNA

Carol, me, and Anna

Pictures of Sedona AZ

2008-12-15T11:51:00.005-09:00

This is Sedona we loved it here. This is the most gorgeous place that I have ever been to it is unlike anything that I have ever been to before.

2008-12-15T10:31:00.005-09:00

We decided to go into a dodge ball contest and the pictures following are the madness that ensued

I was eliminated
Starting off note the uniforms we won for those bad boys

Getting intructions
Asking a lot of questions
Sue, Kelsey, Mark, me, Chacho,and Amanda
Team huddle
Our mascot

Halloween

2008-11-05T11:01:00.006-09:00

At the Spur
Andi and Kirsten
John and Me
Anna and Sarah

John and I
In my tights note Sarah Palin in the background
Tinkerbell
Andi and Dan
Tinkerbell hugging Peter Pan
My damn tights
The travelocity gnome and Captain Hook
Never Neverland
Kirsten and Andi
Me and Tink
Captain Hook and Tink
Joe as Ghost Rider and Justin as a Zombie
Abby as a monster
All the kids

ELVIS IS IN THE BUILDING

Hockey Part 2

2008-11-01T20:53:00.006-08:00

The three amigo's
Me and Andy in the front

Dude we had a blast
It was big
I fell on my butt right in front of Anna
Yes she was laughing at me
But I got up
That was Andi in the back ground on the ice
Afterwards we went to the legion and agreed that this was going to be a weekly event

Playing Hockey on Thursdays

2008-11-01T12:55:00.006-08:00

My friend from qork named Rob has started to rent the ice at the local ice rink so after much begging and pleading Anna decided to go with along with Andi (never skated), Kirsten (never skated), Me (never skated), a couple of Robs friends who were not strong skaters and Andy who was a real strong skater. We had a blast! We are going to take Joe next week and just have fun.

Kirsten in front then me and Anna right behind the net

Anna on the left and Kirsten on the right dividing up the skates to seperate teams
Mark Simon and Kirsten playing
Getting ready to start playing
Anna on the right facing off and me in the blue socks
Doing drills before we play
Anna in black
Andy on the right, then Kirsten, then me
Kirsten on the ice after a wipe out
Me getting ready to shoot
Anna after a wipeout
Me on the left, then Kirsten, then tall Andi
Me in the blue socks, Kirsten in the jersey, then Andi in the white jersey and blue pants, then Anna
Me and Anna
Andi
Anna
Andi
Kirsten
Anna
Andi, Andy, Kirsten, and I
Kirsten getting ready
Anna dressing Andi
Anna and Andi
Andi
Anna showing Kirsten how to put on pads

The boys report cards

2008-10-27T20:41:00.002-08:00

I can not believe it! It is that time already. I made a deal with the boys that if they get the honor roll twice they could go to Nana and Papa's house or Kitsy and Sylvia's. I made this deal thinking that they would never do it. Here in Alaska they have High honors which are straight A's and the merit honors which are B's and A's. Justin is main streamed and on his own in school mind you well my little man got merit honors. He got 2 A's and the rest B's. I just want everyone out there to know that he worked his butt off. I am so proud of him. Joseph got an A, a C+, a D, and 2 F's. But he is working his tail off now with a new program we have set up. I am just worried that I might have to actually send Justin now:)

Sarah's Party

2008-10-27T10:00:00.004-08:00

Sarah turned 29 and for her party the theme was famous couples. When you came up to the house there was a red carpet to walk on . There were many famous couples and I happened to get a few photos

Hercules and Meg showed up
They looked great
Cosuela and Zorro
Abby just looked really cute in her costume
She was upset because she thought that she wasn't going to be tinkerbell
Betty and Wilma
A Gangster and a flapper
A viking and Scott Peterson
Elizabeth Swan and Jack Sparrow
Fred and Wilma Flinstone
Paris Hilton and Sarah Palin
Maid Merrian and Robin Hood
Lindsey Lohan and Her partner Sam
Bob Ross and his canvas

Sarah's party

2008-10-26T20:34:00.006-08:00

Here is Anna and Yevette or Elizabeth swan and Conswela
Characters from the red green show
Fred and Velma from Scooby Doo
Wilma Flinstone and Conswela
Bleeka and Juno (She was pregnant and this was the only costume they could think of they won an award)
Sarah was a flapper
Doesn't she look phenomenal?
They had a blast
The girls from mental health note lorraine on the left she dressed as Anna

There was a ton of people there
Holy Crap that was a butt load of candles
Genie after she sang her song to Sarah
Genie singing her famous birthday song to Sarah
Sarah doing her Flapper dance
David, Andi and Zorro
Zorro and Consuela
David and Winna
Yevette and Katie

Sarah taking a picture of herself
Anna and Scott sitting in the corner
Olivia as a Vampiress
Crocodile Dundee and the vampiress
The girls having a blast
Captain Jack Sparrow
Andi, Anna, and John
Hercules and Meg
Opening presents
Opening presents

Anna's game

2008-10-15T22:50:00.005-08:00

Abby and Grandpa playing with Jessie the jeep
Abby in the bath tub
Abby and her hair
Anna is on a new team called Wentz. She is so much better this year. She is awesome and loves her new team.
Skating into place.
In between periods
Getting ready for the face off.
Look at her go.
Anna had a shot on goal right after this picture.
Keeping it in the game.

Jessie the Jeep and new pictures

2008-10-12T18:10:00.007-08:00

Anna and Abby
Abby reading her American Girl magazine
Abby was reading Green eggs and ham and asked me if she could have some so again I was suckered in and I made it for her

The nasty green eggs
Eating the green eggs
She likes them she really likes them

Looks good
Abby driving Jessie

PICTURES OF PRESENTS

2008-09-20T19:29:00.005-08:00

Nana and Papa had bought Abby a Barbi jeep that is awesome and after working 12 hours I came home and she looked at me with those big beautiful eyes and said Daddy please I just want to have my present so of course I had to build it and this is me a half an hour into it.
Joe helped me with it while Abby watched and tried to help
Waiting for us to get done
Just need to put the stickers on it and she will be done, can you see the look on Abby's face
he was riding it up and down the hall having a blast
She made us push her at first
riding around the living room
She just loves it
I made her go to bed and she insisted on kissing "Jessie the Jeep" good night you think that she liked
Then she started to hug it
Mrs Virginia was a present as well, you see she ran away when we were watching Lola and we thought that she was gone for good but lo and behold she came back so we of course ran right out and bought the good cat food and bribed her not to go away any more
Eating the EXPENSIVE ass cat food
And we got a smile for our troubles
This is my new baby. My mother and father wanted to get me something for getting into the nurse school. So they bought me my new baby. She was born about a week ago and weighs less than 4 pounds. She is awesome and I will treasure her for as long as she will be with me.
I just love the way that she speaks to me. Again thank you mom and dad, I can never say thank you enough.

Rick and Yevette's wedding

2008-09-18T22:25:00.017-08:00

Our good friends Rick and Yevette were going to get married and due to our drunken big mouths Anna and I had suggested Angel Rocks a very big hike, and get married. It was just gorgeous and something that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Anna and Andi on the way up. Note the gentleman in the back with a shotgun. That is because it is a very heavily traveled bear country. I was carrying my 45 I think that was the most heavily armed wedding I have ever been to.

This is the gorgeous cake that Sarah an Ma Reed made

Here is the baker extraordinaire
On our way to the trail head note the curlers in the hair
In the cave at the top that is one of the entrances in the back every one is getting her ready
Sarah, Bevin, and Anna
Bevin and my sweetums
Isn't it breath taking
Yevette's kids from a previous marriage Chelsey and Jordan
Jordan walking his mom down the aisle that the kids made
Getting ready for the vows
Ringing a commemorative 9/11 bell
It was awesome
Some of the Japanese tourists that showed up and asked permission to attend and take pictures
Check them out in the back ground
Mike and Teresa from the Jungle Gym Our gym that we love because of them and it is just the best

They wrote their own vows and there wasn't a dry eye in the place
Andi taking pictures

Yevette and Rick's wedding post 2

2008-09-18T22:25:00.012-08:00

Walking down the kid made aisle after the ceremony
Abby and I packing up to go back down
Almost at the bottom on a little board walk the boy scouts made
Abbygail Hailey Out!!!
All the way up there was were the ceremony was and like I said it was absolutely beautiful
Here is Dan and Booger I thought that this picture was awesome
Abby and Chelsey her idol
Rick and Yevette with the cake that Sarah and Ma Reed made isn't it gorgeous
Cutting the cake
Dancing
Abby and Chelsey
Yevette and her baby girl

Giving there speech
Don't they look great

Eating the cake

This is the cabin that the boys slept in
RJ in his bed
At the top
Getting ready for the hike
Rick and his best man
looking at the view
On the way up

Kirsten's wedding

2008-09-18T22:25:00.005-08:00

Well Kirsten and Andy got married in the botanical gardens and it was fantastic. Of course us being us we forgot to charge the batteries so when I get the pictures from Kirsten I will post them here. The wedding was absolutely beautiful; and the reception was held at our house and my wife of course puled off a miracle and made it fantastic. They are a great couple and we were honored to be a part of the wedding.

First day of School

2008-09-18T22:25:00.002-08:00

Abby being the ham that she is trying to dress up like her brothers
Note the red mark on her nose where she was picking it
Look at the new 5th grader
And the new 7th grader
They are getting so big

I made it

2008-09-05T23:15:00.002-08:00

YES YES YES YES YES YES
I MADE IT, I MADE IT, I MADE IT
To those of you that may not know my family has been putting up with my relentless pursuit of attaining my nursing degree. But number one problem with attaing that degree was acceptance into the program. Last year I was denied even getting listed because my Chemistry did not have a lab listed with it. I have over 140 credits and no degree. Well I just found out that I was accepted to the nursing program and man oh man am I stoked. But as happy as I am you should see Anna she now sees a light at the end of the tunnel that I call school. So to those of you that have supported me thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I thank you for everything that you have done for me!!!! But no one has put up with more than my family who is the fuel to my desire. I am a better person because of them and a better man because of my wife. I can not believe that I am actually going to be in the program!!!!!! Wish me luck

4 Wheeling

2008-09-01T14:34:00.008-08:00

I decided that I was going to take mom and dad 4 wheeling and we decided to leave the kids at home. The four of us had a blast and Raymond came with us. It had been raining for a couple of days so it was REALLY MUDDY.

Those pants use to be gray I had to cut wood and went out in the rain
Mom and Dad gearing up
Dad getting ready to go through a huge mud pit
Ray and Dad
We had a blast Dad had never done anything like this before
Dad shooting Ray's gun
Mom coming through the woods
Mudding like a champ
Ray
Mom going through a huge hole
She had a blast
That is my wife!!! She is awesome at this
That is mom spinning out in the mud
Mom going through another mud hole
Dad going through a hole

Going through a hole

Another huge mud hole
Mom having fun
Dad going through a gravel pit
Mom going through a little lake

Goofing around

2008-08-26T21:16:00.004-08:00

We got to hang around a lot with Nana and Papa and the following are just some of the good times
Joe and Abby opening their presents
Making a miny Christmas tree out of toilet paper
This is one head of "Romanesque Califlower"
One of our cabbages
And some our zucchini

Denali

2008-08-23T20:36:00.007-08:00

We went to Denali (Dad and I) for the helicopter ride and Mom and Anna and all the kids met us there we went to the dinner theater and then to a restaurant on top of the mountain.
Here I am on top of the mountain with a zambuca
I love this photo of Abby and Dad they are just loving on each other
We had a great time together

My baby was cold and needed to be warmed up!!!
The boys were goofing off as well and had a great time
Having a laugh
We went to the dinner theater and just had a blast
I really was not drinking at this time

Nana loved her baby
She came out of the bathroom wearing this toilet seat cover and thought that she was so cool
Justin surprised Papa and held a dollar and got him a kiss
But he didn't know this lip imprint was on his head
Abby and her Papa
We had a great time and will always treasure the memories that we created together!!

Our chopper ride

2008-08-22T19:41:00.009-08:00

Dad and Mom had decided to buy Dad and I a flight on a helicopter as one of the things to do on their week up here. All I can say is it is one of the things that I will always remember it as one of the coolest things that I have ever done. We did lots of things together say keep checking in to see pictures
Here is the helicopter before we took off. Dad and I were both in the back on each side
We had to wear those silly Glacier boots
This is the view from the window going over the rivers
More rivers 1000 feet down
Our pilot to the left she looked about 22 years old
It started to rain a little but it was still good visibility
A glacier off in the distance
Looking over my head to the glacier
We are going to land on this one
Isn't it beautiful
I t dies not seem that big but it is HUGE
Just Beautiful
What we did not know is that the ice was over 300 feet deep
Freaking awesome
We got to drink the most refreshing and tasteful water I have ever had
Dad Loved it
One of the Ice holes that can be up to 75 feet deep
It just seemed to go on forever
Solid Ice
We loved it

Man O' Man
The Helicopter
Another Glacier off in the distance

We were so insignificant out there
Look at my head reflecting the sun
Awesome

Just Gorgeous

The Denali Highway

The Princess Hotel

Mom and Dads present

2008-08-21T19:59:00.003-08:00

We had decided to get mom and dad a present. Anna decided that since they do not have that many opportunities to take pictures with the boys and Crabby we would surprise them and get a photographer. We decided to ask Cindy who did our wedding photos.

Mom and her Grand kids feeding the ducks this is before mom let the ducks eat Abby as she puts it. "Ducks eat me"
Throwing bread to the ducks
I love this picture
Doesn't Justin look so old?
Abby getting a little scared
Looks completely smitten
Taking pictures at the botanical gardens at UAF. They didn't know I was snapping this
There was a little waterfall under the bridge we were watching
Three sizes of rock for the three kids
The whole famn Damily
Crabster cruising

Cracking up at her brothers

Abby's hair saga continues & Lola

2008-08-07T21:21:00.006-08:00

Abby an Anna were sitting and playing with Abby's hair. Next thing you know Anna is asking for more rubber bands. Well she did her hair like Sanjya from American Idol. Check out the Mohawk.
They love it when she does Abby's hair
Got to love it
Looks happy doesn't she
This is Lola/ Kirsten and Andi's dog who we are dog sitting
She is cute/ NO?
Did I say that she is huge?

Abby and Joe playing

2008-08-05T11:07:00.003-08:00

Abby and Joe were playing in her room very quiet and all of a sudden Abby came out and grabbed me and said "Come here Daddy see what Joe Joe made"she grabbed my hand and walked me to my room and said "Wook a airwpwane" she got in the fort and proceeded to have a blast. Tell me she does not have the best brothers in the world.

Getting into the fort
Check out her aviator glasses and the way she is gripping the imaginary wheel she ways working it
Justin thought that is was hilarious
Then the whole thing fell on her and she got mad
She flipped it over and began to play hockey

Gardens and hair

2008-08-03T11:14:00.006-08:00

Anna Just loves Begonia's
Our Zucchini, Cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower
Our Spaghetti Squash and snap peas

So Anna was bored and tried to give Abby some corn rolls to which she was very unsuccessful instead she gave her this god awful due and the Abster LOVES IT!!!

Poor thing
And she just loves it
What The?!?!
My two girls
Having a Cosmo and celebrating
Laughing at each other

Joe's Birthday

2008-08-02T20:58:00.003-08:00

Joe got many different presents for his new computer but think that I am going to play that Qbert more than him
WHOOOOO-HHHOOOO a poker game and the first thing he said was " Nana and Papa will want to play this!"
He got an I tunes gift card
And Andi got him a Star Trek that you can control the Enterprise and create your own crew it is really cool
Money is always a good gift for a 10 year old
Everyone on the back deck
Anna and Sarah
Joe and his good friend Jung Woo or as he calls her "JW"
Blowing out the candles
Yevette and myself
Anna picked out the batman cake
From Left to right Jordan, Justin, Cody, Conner
Danielle
Rick, Yevette, and Chelsey
Da and John

Joe is 10

2008-07-18T10:44:00.004-08:00

Abby in her birthday hat for Joe
We woke up and made Joe a "Pancake birthday cake with chocolate chips" It was 4 layers high and sickly sweet, he loved it
The sugary sweet mass of calories
Joe when he realized he got a lap top from all of us
Look at the pure joy on his face

our trip to Arizona

2008-07-10T16:35:00.007-08:00

Anna has been sick with her heart as you all know and we went to AZ to have a Plethora (Yes I do know what a plethora means--a la 3 Amigos) of tests and I as well for my ever failing Endocrine system while we were there we got out a little and stayed at the most beautiful condo.
this was our condo
Anna on her 2 Margaritas
the tacky Mexican restaurant we loved it
Look i think that something was buried under the mound of plastic flowers
Love that big guy
At Chino bandido it is a Mexican/Chinese restaurant
old Scottsdale
The place were the devil comes threw (Anna says) because its so friken HOT!
at the phoenix zoo
Did you see the devil . look closely

Annas Birthday

2008-07-09T21:58:00.008-08:00

I
In case those of you out there did not know I flew Anna's best friend up for her Birthday. Julie Rosiak came up and spent 16 glorious days with the whole Sochocki/Speakman cloan. We as usual went to Denali for the 4th of July weekend and for Anna's birthday. We had a blast and we just dropped her off at the airport amidst the tears and hugs. Julie we had a blast thank you for taking care of my wife lets get together soonAnna and Julie got matching tattoos with BFF
This is Yevette aka the Spin Nazi and my wife and Ophelia
Abby and I on a hike
Anna and Julie on the hike
A view in the park along the hike
Julie and Abby passed out on the way home
Hi Ho HI ho
Julie and George hiking
Yevette and Anna and Jordan
Chelsy and Justin
Abby and myself
Jewels and Anna
Sarah and Jon
Yevette and chelsey
Anna and Sarah
Me and Jon

Anna and Andi's camping trip

2008-06-26T21:44:00.005-08:00

Anna and Andi took Andi's 3 kids and Abby and Joesph to Birch Lake. Anna towed the trailer all by her self and she did a great job fun was had by all

Jons other Woman

2008-06-01T21:32:00.004-08:00

Jon rode this beautiful baby up from Arizona over 5 days. (I think) She was tentatively accepted into the fold and now Jon has lived his dream of having his wife straddle another bitch while he rides her. ---- The motorcycle you dirty Birds
Sarah looks good on her and looking at Sarah's smile we think that she has begun to enjoy her as well--- Oh Yeah Jon likes her too
Off into the sunset, ---one can almost hear "Born to be wild" playing in the back ground!

Heart Walk

2008-05-21T21:28:00.005-08:00

Beautiful Danielle pushing Abby the Diva
Joseph and his friend Jake
Anna and Allen or as I refer to them the 2 A's
Vanessa and the crazy little girl that wanted to abuse her dog in ways that are unmentionable
Vanessa and all her kids ( note the crazy girl in the back ground)

Justins graduation

2008-05-21T15:34:00.005-08:00

This is Justin after he got his diploma
These are Justin's best friends, from Left to right; Jesse, Richard, Sam, Justin, and Harrison
Mr Robertson his teacher and his principal who is retiring Mr Gillis
Mr Robertson instructing them on where to sit
Justin, can't you see the excitement brimming
Jesse getting his diploma
Announcing Justin's name
Justin was the only student that Mr. Robertson showed any affection towards, he grabbed and hugged Justin. We are sad but happy, Justin had the best teacher in Heath Robertson and because of Heath he is well prepared for elementary school and he will do great things. On the other hand Anna's baby is growing up and it is all to quick for this little family in Alaska, but he is truly becoming a good person and we can see the man that he will become.

Anna and her final game

2008-05-21T13:42:00.005-08:00

Anna after getting of the ice getting congratulated by Ione who got her into hockey
Giving Patty a kiss
IN THE TOURNAMENT THIS IS THE GAME THAT THEY WENT INTO A SHOOT OUT

The winning goal
Anna skating out for the final game

Getting into it
Anna with the puck
She is getting so good
Awesome picture
Joe watching his mom
Danielle cheering Anna on

She is truly an inspiration to us all and I can not wait until next year

the Reed house in Wisconsin

2008-04-26T14:46:00.004-08:00

This is the house that they have been building for a while
Mary giving a tour
This is their dog Gizmo or Gizzy as everyone calls him
Here is Mary and her mother who passed away last summer, she was a very important figure in all of the Reed's lives and we wanted to post this picture for those of you that are realted to the Reed's and look a the blog
Mary in the finished house
At Sarah's shower in WI

Jeff and Mary and others

Anna and the outcome of her Hockey

2008-04-26T13:45:00.004-08:00

Anna and the Sport King's did it they won the League championship and they won the Tournament Championship. It was exciting all the way around as the only real competition was from Alaska Flood and Fire who they tied in the first round of the tournament and because it was a double elimination they had to go to a shoot out. They eventually won after the entire team shot once on both sides. Including Anna who brought cheers from both sides as she shocked the entire rink with her slap shot that almost went in. They cruised through until the finals. And guess who they faced again, yup Alaska Flood and Fire, they fell behind 4-0 in the first period and we all started to look around and thought that they would have to have another game. Then Sport Kings started to score and they pushed ahead in the 3rd period with the final score of 6-4. It was the best game that I have EVER been to and we were all horse after. At the banquet the team was presented with Jerseys for being League Champions and Tournament Champions. We bought a couple of tickets and Anna won a Eric Lindros Composite stick that was about 120$ And I won a sport King bottle and tape and Stick Tape and a free Hockey Gear cleaning which every one knows all hockey pads need.The Following are pictures of the League trophy I am going to post more pictures when I get them tomorrow from Andi. I want to say that I am so proud of Anna and she is truly an inspiration to all of us She is a phenomenal women indeed. Going from not knowing how to skate never mind how to play to playing in the championship. She is incredible!

Bowling part 2

2008-04-19T14:04:00.005-08:00

Everyone that we hang out with has not gone out for a while so we all decided to go bowling upon arrival Anna decided that now was the time to let them in on her secret. You see Anna is normal in every sense of her practical life but for one aspect. Anna is an obscure bowler, no not in her approach or her follow through but in her delivery. Anna has a heavy ball and she approaches like every other novice but her release is a tad late. Her ball literally lands half way down the lane to a loud thud. It is so loud that usually the lanes around us stop and laugh and Anna just keeps on throwing her ball. Yes she gets strikes and spares with her form but the one thing that remains constant is the fact that she always lets go of the ball to late and it goes thud. On a previous jaunt to the alley's she earned the nickname "Annaconda" so that is her bowling alter ego. My bowling name was "Beam me up Scotty", Sarah was "Buck Me", John was "Thunder Thumbs', Peter was "Peeturd", Katie was "Kat Pee", Darnel was "Big D", Amy was "Amy the Arm", Yevette was "The Spin Bizitch", Rick was "Red Hose". Muc fun was had at all of our expense.
Katie, Peter, and Mary
Sarah, Mary, and Anna
Trying to get our names right
Anna Lining up her shot
Please note the spere above her head no that is not a illusion that is her ball after her release and it is going to land half way down the lane
Sarah checking out her shot
Just a little excited

An Update

2008-04-19T13:37:00.004-08:00

Abby going Poopy like her Daddy
Readin No David
My beautiful Women

The Whole Family was chilling out and relaxing when someone noticed that Abby had gotten real quite. We started to call her and we heard a "I'm white hewere" I walked over and there she was sitting as you see her and I asked her what she was doing to which she replied "I pooping and weeding like daddy awright?" To which I of coursed replied sure baby I am proud of you

Anna's present

2008-04-01T11:24:00.004-08:00

In case you do not know Anna's grandmother passed last week and she was having a hard time with it. I have been so proud of Anna and I know that she has been working real hard at everything that she has been doing lately that I thought that I should get her a present. Just so happens that when I showed up for work on Thursday Andi had asked if I knew of anyone looking for a Daschund. Well I decided right then and there that I was going to get it for her. I had her brought to the ER and after I got off I surprised Anna with her and she cried of course. She patient entries must be completed with the information described above. She is a female and she is pure German bloodline AKC puppy. She also has a little birth defect if you look at her tail it has a kink in it. her name is Ophelia and she is awesome. Penny has taken to her and plays with her until she poops out. Abby just wants to hold her and chases her around screaming "Come here Obillyeah I want you. Come here so I can hold you" and she chases her all over. Justin has the dang dog in his lap ALL THE TIME it gets to the point that we have to limit his time, and Joe has taken to walking her every night and feeds her every morning. Checking out Penny
Penny playing with her
Penny showing her who is queen around the house
They are so cute together
Penny laying the smack down

Penny getting tired
Giving kisses
Checking out the neighborhood
I just love this photo
Again playing and Penny at this point is pooped

Gotta Love it
She is smitten

I couldn't help but take these
What do you think does she fit in

Update

2008-04-01T09:35:00.003-08:00

We went to McYucky's with Trish and her little Girl Olivia and the girls had a blast Then I also included a picture of Anna's night out with the girls Reeling the 2 girls in Anna on her girls night out With from top left Kirsten, Yvette aka Spin Nazi, Anna, Kelly (Damn it Bobby's girl friend), and Sarah "the Reed" Martin

Krista and Abby

Easter

2008-04-01T08:32:00.004-08:00

Wearing her glasses that Nana sent her. Now when ever Anna or I put on our glasses even reading glasses she has to have her glasses on.
Justin and his bubbles
Joseph and a Easter gift
Abby eating her Robin Eggs note the big girl Panties
Having Breakfast that day:)

Her Basket
Justin and one of his presents
Joe and his
Joe Cool

Counting her booty
Joe and the hat his mother found in TX
3 Amigos
Eating some candy
Justin counting his haul

Extended Family

2008-03-25T17:54:00.001-08:00

Hilarious, Just got a call from Ma Reed and it turns out that Her cousin had googled Sara's name and found our blog. She has been reading it and looking at the pictures amazed that her family is on the web so since Ma and Sara are family we now have extended family even though we have no idea who they are. So Gruber family, welcome to the Sochocki Family fold. We hope you enjoy the pictures and the stories. Anything we can post for you let us know. Crazy this Blog thing is I tell you, Crazy!

Already planning Anna's Birthday

2008-03-25T07:35:00.002-08:00

We are going to be in Denali for Anna's birthday and I am trying to decide on a birthday present if you would like to go in on this one email me or leave a comment with your email and I will get with you and tell you what I am thinking about. I am hoping to hear from someone as the only people left hat comment on this are my awesome cousin Karen and my beautiful niece Cassidy. I think that some people are paranoid (Mom) about leaving comments. Do not worry after the incident with mouse boy of the orange eating variety, I do not think he or HE-mans adversary will look at this again! Let me know what you think. And please get with me about Anna's B-day

It is Easter

2008-03-23T08:03:00.002-08:00

So here I am at work on Easter and it is 8 in the morning. I am bummed because I am not going to be there when the kids look for there Easter baskets. I just called and they are STILL sleeping. So I thought that I would leave a little note to let you know what has been going on since we got back. I have been working for the past 3 days this is my 4th. Anna worked until Friday. She had a game last night and they won 5-0. She has been doing great and becoming a good player. Abby is going through her terrible 2 stage and becoming VERY independent. Joe is going through his growth spurt and eating us out of house and home and Justin is starting to go through Puberty. It has been warm here and very pleasant although I have not gotten to enjoy it at all. I am starting to wear contacts and am very unsuccessful at it. It took me 50 minutes yesterday to put them in and I still do not know if they were in right as I was almost blind when I stopped. Today it took me 40 minutes and they are killing me. Why on earth am I poking myself in the eye I do not know and Anna is finding this quite hilarious. I am bummed because I am not going to get to look for the eggs with the kids and do all the fun stuff. But there always is tomorrow! On that note I hope that all my friends and family are enjoying themselves and having a great time. I love you all and wish you a happy Easter

Las Vegas

2008-03-20T14:16:00.003-08:00

We were upset about leaving TX but happy to be going to Las Vegas I have never been there, and Anna not since she was a little girl. We got off the plane and of course we were delayed when we got to Vegas we stepped off the plane and had a guy standing at the bottom of the escalator with our name on a sign. I did not even know it but our travel agent had finagled a free shuttle service so after we got our bags we went to our hotel in a Town Car. We stayed in the Luxor and upon arriving we were overwhelmed there were people throwing up in the lobby, When we were riding up to our room this little old lady who looked like she was on her way to church looked at us and said "I am F*&ked Up" Anna said You go girl and she replied "Sh*t it is free why not" We went to our room and then to the video poker to do it PAPA style and Anna promptly lost 40 bucks in 20 minutes. And was drunk in 30 off Martini's, I on the other hand was up and was drinking Appletinis, Light on the apple heavy on the tini (That's for the one person that likes Scrubs no one else will get but still worth it for one laugh) We called Karen and went to bed at 0400. Woke up at 0900 met Karen and Tom for Buffet and it was on like Donkey Kong. Have I ever mentioned how awesome my cousin is. Tom and Karen know that town like the back of their hand. We went EVERY where. The four of us had a blast and when we did have to separate it was upsetting but we soon were immersed in the world of ZUMANITY. It is a Cirque De Soleil show and was freaking awesome. The MC was a drag queen and there was a set of identical twins that were chubby and hand feeding strawberries to the crowd. I think that it was one of the most fun shows that I have ever seen. We left the show and went to Gallagher's in NY NY and had the best steak maybe second after Girdwood that we have ever had it was aged Kobe beef. We met up with Karen and Tom and again we gambled split off Tom and I and Karen and Anna and then Anna and I and Tom an Karen. It was fantastic. We had such a good time and never once felt weird or that we had to stay in one place as to not offend them. We stayed out until 1 in the morning and then went back to the room and woke up at 9 and met up with Karen and Tom again for Brunch. We saw their time share and man was it impressive! We went to the Stratosphere and had a great lunch and just enjoyed each others company and then we..... gambled and then had to go home. It was a great time and we are planning to go back there and meet up with them again. I think that I have never been on vacation out of state with another couple that we just totally jelled with Karen and Tom we had a great time and thank you for everything! Love YouThis is Chros Angel's bike the star from Mind Freak a great magican and illusionist
Do I really need to say anything

The sky line of NY NY

Vegas Part 2

2008-03-20T11:25:00.012-08:00

At the Excaliber
Looking at the MGM
Karen and I in NY NY
In the Venetian note the superior camera work of my wife, great head shots Anna
The ceilign of the Palazzo

This is in the Venetian it is a gondola ride which we did not do
In the Venetian just walking around
Another of all of us
The ceiling in the Venetian
At Madam Toussands

Meeting Johnny Depp
Tom and I playing with the blue man group I understand them wanting me to play with my bald head and all but I do not understand Tom
Showing Tiger how I do it on the Golf course
I refused to stand with Jeff Gorden but he wanted the hot chick on his arm
Karen with Tim Mcgraw

The 2 new judges on "American Idol"
With the Rat Pack
Anna wanted to put her head in the tigers mouth but when I reminded her of the last head in that Tigers mouth she decided against it
a "Living" statue
Water Falls At the Palazzo

At the Bellagio
Looking out on Treasure Island
Inside the Pink Flamingo
Bally'sLooking out on the strip crossing over to the Bellagio

The Bellagio
Getting ready for the dancing water
The water dancng at the Bellagio to "This Kiss" by Faith Hill
The Brooklyn Bridge at the NY NY they were a Irish folk band playing a free concert
On top of the Stratosphere where we were eating

Lookign out onto the vegas landscape
Karen and Tom
US
Karen and Tom on the big shot
The strip from the top of the Stratosphere

That is the "Encore" being built
Karen and Tom going up
And Coming down
OK I have to comment on this because I know Karen is going to. While going through the wax museum we were going to go through the haunted museum and Karen started to get scared. I did not know that she was this afraid and we all guilted her into staying with us. She made the comment "Allright but you have to go on the ride at the Stratosphere with me" Yeah OK whatever. She went through and she was scared to death but gutted through it and had fun. On the last day in Vegas we went up to the Stratosphere and I saw the ride after they had explained it to me. It is like a giant teeter totter and there is a little car on it. When it tips to one side you go backwards and when it tips to the other side you go frontwards. Sounds great right. Ok now picture this it is 108 stories up and when you go frontwards it hangs over the edge of the railing with nothing to stop you, oh but that is not it if you look closly at the next pictures it goes a quarter of the way off the track for those of you that do nto know I am deathly afraid of falling not afraid of heights or cliffs, I can hang on with the best of them nut for some reason I always think of a mechanical failure or something out of my control will fail. Well I hadone look of that thing and decided NO WAY!!!!! I of course got ribbed by Karen and Tom and my excuse was what happens if there is a power failure and they laughed at me even more. I had to take it the rest of the day. Well Karen and Tom did you happen to know that there was a power failure the day AFTER WE LEFT!!!!! Yup and people were stuck in elevators for hours. Laugh if you will. I aint gonna do it, Nope, None, Never!@!
Going back wards I believe this is when I went white and almost fainted

Tom and Karen in the front laughing and pointing at me
Going forward at a high rate of speed
Look at it hanging off>?!?!?!?!?!?
You guys are on crack! And I will have you know that the first night back I had a nightmare of two kids falling off that ride because they were not buckled in and trying to have it be more extreme
Taking a self portrait

Texas

2008-03-20T09:45:00.010-08:00

So we came and went to Texas. Alex and Kitsie and Sylvia met us at the Airport and this time there was no screaming. We went home to their house which was beautiful. It is on the Arroyo Colorado river and is ocean fed so it is salt water. There backyard is the river and a dock! We had home made tortillas and the best food every night. It was really relaxing and we just chilled with family. They doted on us and we ate it up.
Anna getting driving instructions for the Prowler
Happy and she does look good in it
Getting ready to drive

Cheesing for the camera
And away we go. It was awesome and it had a little plack that said made for Kitsy
Our most gracious hostess. They were awesome and I was humbled by the way they treated us. I can only say thank you.
The back of the house drinking beer
The sun set on the first night

The boat house, notice the fishing pole on the dock we got to fish the entire time that we were there
The dock
The back of the house (note the colors flying)
The Christmas tree
Drinking a beer and lighting the fire pit

This cat was the coolest. It wanted to be near you the entire time and would scratch at the door to go out if someone was fishing. He would sit on the dock next to you and wait for the fish
Sylvia making tortilla's with Anna
This is Anna's step brother AJ and this is the first time she saw him in over 10 years he has grown up quite a bit
Aj and his brother got drunk and decided to paddle down the river to visit their buddy and surprise him on the boat

Looks like a accident waiting to happen
Off they went they went in circles for an hour then they finally got it straight and disappeared
We realized Spring break was going on and visited South Padre Island and that is when I decided I was the guy there just a little bit to old to be there
The cops breaking it up, we were only there for about 10 minutes and decided to leave it for the kids. We went to a micro brew house ate good food and went home
Some decorated dolphins out on the way to the island

The mass of birds behind the house
Anna and I went out and when we came back I was burnt though not bad as I put on Factor 50
It was really cool
Self explanatory it was F*%king hot
At a local fair

Another TX long horn
One of the barges that travel out to the ocean
Saying good bye to AJ and his son
We had a great time and were treated like royalty all I can say is again thank you It was just what we needed and you were so good to us.

Abby

2008-03-20T09:20:00.003-08:00

Right before we left on our trip I took these of Abby. She had said she was cold so she snuggled into this blanket and I thought it was cute pictures so here they are

Abby and Lew

2008-03-20T09:07:00.002-08:00

Abby and her best friend at day care got together at our house and ran around and played for hours. Lew is the sweetest little girl and both Abby and Lew adore each other. Lew lives with her father and brother so she does not get much girl time and the following pictures are hilarious. Lew and Abby in the play area at McYucky's
Playing dress up
The 2 hamming it up
Big Hugs
Best friends

Trish's surprise party

2008-03-20T08:54:00.004-08:00

Anna threw a surprise party for her friend Trish and the theme was Mexican Fiesta Sarah and Ray , yes the same Ray that is sick this is before the new complications
Sarah and Ray
Trish and her husband Eric
Again Eric and Trish
Trish after a few at the end of the night

I need help

2008-03-06T13:06:00.003-09:00

This post is serious in matter. I have a friend named Ray. He is SERIOUSLY sick If any and everyone that visits this blog can take a second and go to this link that follows I would sincerely appreciate it. He is one of the nicest people that I know and THE most generous that I have ever met. Hey Wandering girl if you see this could you please post the link on your blog. Thank you everyone and say a prayer for this extraordinary person.
His link is www.saveraysheart.com

Thank you
Scott

SOCHOCKI (a new Post)

2008-02-25T07:23:00.005-09:00

SOCHOCKI SOCHOCKI SOCHOCKI SOCHOCKI SOCHOCKI SOCHOCKI SOCHOCKI
So I decided to post some new Photo's wiht out Anna nagging me at all. I also decided to Start and end every post with my last name for no particular reason other than have this blog be the first thing that pops up when you google my FAMILY's last name. Much to the chagrin of a sunny person!Anna and Sarah playing volleyball
She Sets the ball
Notice the motion shot
Anna and her uniform and the crabster waiting up for mommy
The determination is palpable
Anna, Sarah, and Andi

Anna is a good server
The three musketeers
Trying to decided where to go
Andi getting ready to serve and Sarah asking "I stand here right?"
The wind up
And the serve

SOCHOCKI SOCHOCKI SOCHOCKI SOCHOCKI SOCHOCKI

Funny picture

2008-02-21T12:02:00.001-09:00

I saw this and just coudn't stop laughing thinking of giving Cassidy a shower

Please be advised

2008-02-21T07:29:00.004-09:00

I have had to modify certain posts to appease others because some feelings were hurt. Note to all who read this if you do not like it then do not read it. If you do not like something that has been wrote please let me know and I will change it or omit it.

My sister in the past has commented on one or two things that I have posted and I realized that they could very well be offensive or insulting and I have changed them. She did not have hurt feelings and acted like an adult and was pleased with the outcome, as was I.

If you want to know what was modified scroll back to August and July and you can see for your self.

Again thank you to all who read this and leave comments I do appreciate it.

To those of you who do not like something I have wrote, do not do anything to me and my family, I will not write about it and make you look bad.

More Pictures

2008-02-19T09:14:00.004-09:00

Anna on her back
A pretty water fall on the way back to Anchorage

One of Anna's many bruises

One of the faces of the mountain
Anna has fallen and she can't get up
That is Anna again
Paul helping her up

Our trip

2008-02-19T08:01:00.005-09:00

The trip went awesome and we had a blast. We started out leaving at 0630 on Thursday and Sarah was right on time. We left and drove for 6 hours and amazingly we did not kill each other. We actualy had a blast and talked the entire time. We pulled into Anchorage and right away headed into the mall. We went shopping and checked into out hotel. Then we went - shopping again. We went back got ready and went and picked up John at the airport and then went to The brew house and had a fabulous dinner. John and I sampled plenty of local brews and after walking a block and a half in the wind (of which we have none in Fairbanks) we decided to pack it in for the night. I woke up the next day and headed over to the endocrinologsit for an appointment and we picked up Sarah and John and headed out to Gwenny's (my favorite breakfast joint) for my birthday breakfast. Sarah and John gave me awesome workout gear. We went to REI and then to Girdwood, after a stop at the liquor store. We went to Aleyeska and I was amazed at the sheer size of it. We went to the double Muskie the first night which is Johns favorite steak place and I found out that the Food network voted it one of the 5 best steaks in the United States. I have never had a steak like this, it was black pepper seared with gravy on top and nothing but wonderful. I know now why John passed on the appetizers. Anna also gave me my birthday present which was a beautiful gold and silver braclet with diamonds on it with an inscription that has to be one of the most thoughtful and best presents I have ever been given. We drank to our hearts content and went home, we decided to go swimming that night and we all hit the hot tub then the pool to which Sarah jumped out and ran for the shower. She stood under it for 15 minutes and we all wondered what was wrong? Anna then jumped out and bee lined for the elevators. Turned out Anna broke out in a rash and it was burning like hell. Sarah it turns out had what Whinny the Pooh calls a "rumbly in my tummy" Just thought that I would mention Netiher had the steak. You do the math.
The next day the wind was blowing even more and we all decided to go for a walk. John and Sarah had bought new nice winter boots that they were going to break in and Anna and I had on, sneakers. We got 700 hyards from the hotel and I was already wet and my feet were freezing. I looked at Anna and knew that she felt the same and we told Sarah and John that we were going to head back to the hotel. When we returned I gave my buddy Paul Kelly a call. He use to work at the ER with me but was now a full time snowboard instructor and guide. Anna and Andi have school girl crushes on him and call him "Beautiful Paul" At first Anna was not excited at all about going snow boarding and she was going to go skiing. Then Paul showed up and smiled, Anna giggled, and went straight to the snow board rental place with out even talking to me. I had only been 2 times before and had forgot how much fun it is. We went to the bunny hill and Anna proceeded to show us both her best impression of the keystone cops. Or for the younger generation the three stooges. She was on her back more next to paul than she ever was for me:)
She did it all with a smile and when Paul let me go on my own, Unstrapped himself and held her hands to guide her down the hill she really tried. When I witnessed her last fall the would make even the Wiley Cyotye wince I knew that she was going to be in pain. I wondered why when Paul said he had to go because another client was watiing for him she just stood there. I asked her if she was going to unstrap and she said to me in clinched teeth. "I can't bend over just wait until he is gone" The bruises that followed were quite impressive.
When we were finished we went back to the hotel room and Sarah and John had just got back. We decided to all go cross country skiing. Now what we did not realize at this oint was that the hotel had stopped the Gondella form running becasue it was a full scale blizzard with wind gusts up top at 80+ miles per hour. It was hoorible and wet. Anna and I did not have the proper wax and by that I mean no wax and our ski's just stuck in the snow. When we did move it was pure Ice. When I witnessed Anna fall HARD and flail around trying not to fall I knew that once again we were going to bail on Sarah and John. Not that it hurt ny feleings as I did nto want to go in the first place. We went back to the hotel and when Sarah and John got back and they were SOAKED even with the nice gear I knew we had made the right decision. We went out to eat in the hotel and went back to the room and played rummy. I Had one of the best weekends ever. I can not remember when we had that much fun. John and Sarah were great travel buddies and I realized that we can go on vacation with them anywhere. When we left the next day it was raining and on top of the mountain it was snowing. We had a long quite ride back but we did stop at a red robin and I loved it. We chilled out the entnire way back of which I slept 4 of the 6 hours. I just had a blast and want to say thank you agian to my wife for a great time she out did herself with the planning and thank you to John and Sarah for beign great friends it was awesome.
Getting ready to go boarding
Paul teaching Anna how to stand
Anna gazing into Pauls eyes and not hearing a damn thing he is saying
On her way down

She HAS IT My birthday carrot cake (the streak is now 3 birthdays with carrot cake) Not as good as Anna's but it was good
Sarah and John at the double muskie
Paul and Anna yeah she is not excited at all
With Paul
That is the hotel in the back ground

At the brew house
Sarah and I having a pictures war
Anna and John after a few
Sarah and John
At the brew house

On the way down
Eating our appetizers
At the brew house
Breaking them off on each other
Just a good photo

Going to Anchortown

2008-02-13T14:04:00.005-09:00

Anna, myself, and Sarah are driving down to Anchorage tomorrow and John is going to fly down later in the evening. We are going down sans kids for Valentines day. We are then going to go to Aleyeska for the next 2 nights because we want to, and there is nothing any of you can do!?!?!? Oh yeah and
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!
More pictures and what I am sure are going to be hilarious stories to come.

Old picture to catch us up

2008-02-09T20:11:00.002-09:00

Sarah and Abby on Christmas
Dr Abbygail taking Nurse Reeds vital signs. We didn't even teach her to do this she saw us at one time and just started trying to listen to our hearts
Taking her own temperature
Joe got a new wii controller and a new game. This wii rocks and Anna is now addicted to Mario Galaxy that Mom got her
Abby and Uncle John

Kirsten and Sarah at the Eve 6 concert which was a blast Aby and her new high heels
Abby saying good bye to peter
They call her the streak
Abby and Pa reed. Note the dress and you can bet the high heels are on

The two best looking boys in Fairbanks
Andy myself and John at the eve 6 concert
Anna and Sarah
My baby, isn't she just beautiful
Talk about a lucky guy

Nope absolutly no German heritage there
Having a blast

OMIT
Do I really need to say anything
Sarah and myself having a blast

Arah, Anna, and Yevette aka Spin nazi

Anna HAS A POINT!!!

2008-01-24T07:13:00.000-09:00

As you all may or may not know, Anna has been moved to another team. She is now a part of the Sports King! That is the local hockey store where she got all her gear. Her new team is a wonderful bunch of hockey players. They welcomed her in with open arms. In her first game she touched the puck more than she did the entire season with the other team. Well this past game she was playing left wing and the puck was passed to her (a new concept to her since moving) and she skated it across the blue line and passed it to the center and the center shot and scored!!! Her entire team including the goalie were banging their sticks and mobbed her hugging her and screaming. John and Sarah and myself were screaming ourselves hoarse. George who was watching Anna for the first time had tears in his eyes and the boys were going crazy. I tell you that this new team and my wife's relentless effort to learn hockey is amazing. Although it could be Jack's Hockey bag???

Last of the pictures from the vacation

2008-01-17T15:53:00.000-09:00

My best friend Rodney and his hopefully soon to be fiance Kelly
We went up to visit Jim and Julie and this is the 2 youngest Abby and Autumn
Julie with the babies
We got hit with a snow storm and I had to shovel out to the car
"NANA PAPA"

On the way to American Girl we passed this store and they had the coolest windows all of them moved and had a theme
On the train on the way home Cassidy was with Abby the whole way, she was an awesome baby sitter!!!!! Emmy was just wanting to be near Abby she was so happy to be with her.
Abby with Auntie AMY we had fun on the train and I think for me that was more fun than NY
Abby with UNCLE JACK who is now forever listed as a hockey player with mommy and Uncle John. When we play our hockey game if you ask her who the player is it inevitably will be one of the three
Look at our bulbous noses this was in Newport RI

Skating at Rockefeller Center. It was a three hour wait just to rent skates

Justin got caught coming the hair of a doll. His little cousin had asked him to do it and he was until I snapped the picture
Cass and Abby

When we first got to NY
George in front of Times Square
My demure wife
"The Tree" But as much as I looked I couldn't find Buddy the Elf

Christmas Day and the after math
Opening Presents
Amy and her baby niece
Grandpa and Abby
Abby trying to rip things out of Emmy's hands Emmy handles it OK but Mel was the one that got a little jealous, but only with her new presents if Abby didn't go for the new wings Mel-Mel was cool. When Abby looked at the wings I thought I might have to teach Abby the fetal position but I can't blame her, they were wicked cool. Mel was a joy to be around and She was a great big cousin, they all were. We had a blast but I will say this, I do not miss the chaos of going to everyone's house and the plans that are held together on a shoe string on Christmas day. We loved every minute of our time with every single person.

Now on a personal note. It was brought to my attention that I omitted the poker game that was played on Christmas Eve. Yes I did we had a blast and my cousin Karen handed everyone a big ol' helping of whoop a**. She cleared house. We got to play a lot of Poker, Anna and I taught a room full of inebriates, right Amy and Jack, Then we got to play after Christmas with Karen and Tom and Amy and Rodney, and Kelly, mom, dad, George, Anna, Cheryl. I can't remember who won that night, but they must have been, oh wait a minute that's right I won, I had to put Karen back in check and let her see that her baby cousin knows how to play as well. I think that I will remember that as my personal favorite of the vacation, we all sat around, drinking Pomegranate Martini's, laughing at each others jokes and having a good time. We were done with the hustle and bustle of the holiday's and could really enjoy ourselves. I learned how to play left, right, center which I am going to break out at the poker game this weekend. We miss you all and love you all so much.

Part 1 of our trip

2008-01-15T08:58:00.001-09:00

The following is a post I tried to put up while in CT.

We got in NJ a little early and my sister was late. But in defense of my sister she was stuck in traffic for 3 hours and she did come all the way to NJ to pick us up.(Thank you Amy we love you) It took us about another 2 hours to get to CT. My sister had called and talked to my mother and told her that she had to borrow a couple of boxes. We arrived and Amy took mom and dad down stairs and the whole family ran into the living room including my oldest niece Cassidy and my cousin Karen who came all the way from another town to be part of the surprise.

Cassidy wanted to post on here so here she is in her words:

I was walking laps around the house waiting for everyone to pick me up! When they finally picked me up It was so funny to see Nana, and Papa's faces. Nana was so shocked and couldn't take it all in at once. Nana fed us cookies (before bed) and we talked and ate cookies until 10:00. It was a good excuse for staying up late. I am so glad they made it here safely!!!--~Cassidy

Mom cried and at first couldn't believe that we were there. It was very emotional and heart felt for all who was there. We unloaded the boys at Moms along with George and Abby, Anna, and I headed to the Norton house hold and we went down to bed. Now I am from Alaska and I think that I am fairly tolerant to the cold. I have gone ice fishing and I cross country ski at 0 degrees, but my sister truly lives in an ice house. Anna and I had 4 blankets on the bed AND wool socks AND hooded sweatshirts And hats. I tried to sneak out and turn up the damn heat but the controls were in her room. Poor Abby was curled in a ball like the dog. She even had 4 blankets on. Contemplating chopping up the furniture and starting a fire in the middle of our room we decided to have an intervention with Amy to which she conceded a couple of degrees which has warmed the room up at least a little and now we can't see our breaths:) I think that being form an extreme environment like Alaska we keep our house warmer than those in CT because even at moms house we were a little chilled. Besides the frostbite we have been loving every minute at my sisters house. Abby is being dressed up and having her hair done every 15 minutes or so by my three nieces and she is loving every minute of it.
The first night we just crashed and on Thursday we got free tickets to see Kenny Rogers for not only Me and Anna but George as well.
We went with my mother, father, Amy, Jack, Renee (Amy's good friend who graced this blog with her picture) and met up with Paul and Chery. We went and gambled a little bit then went to the show and it was incredible. He did all the old hits and then went off and came back on and did all the Christmas Carol's. He was great and the faces on both Anna and George were Priceless. We then went back and gambled and I of course did not listen to Anna and went straight to the black Jack tables. I am a pretty good poker player but I am UNLUCKY when it comes to anything else. Poker I can bluff and read but lets just say that a half hour and 100 dollars later I was begging my wife for more money. Anna was playing video poker and having a ball when all of a sudden she called for me which i of course ignored, Again "SCOTT" again I feigned deafness, "SSSCCCCOOOOT come here quick" I walk over and all the bells and whistles are going off. Anna had just hit a natural Royal Flush! She cashed out and skipped around for the rest of the night. Thanks to Renee who fronted Anna the twenty that she won with. When Anna got done skipping and cashed in her ticket she looked at all of us and screamed "McDonald's fries for everyone".

Trip part 2

2008-01-15T08:25:00.000-09:00

We then had a party at my parents house with the five family's that all grew up together. It was amazing because some of the kids that I grew up with were there and I had not seen them for almost 15 years. Anna got to meet all of them as well as the boys and the crabster was in the middle of all of them. It was so great but there were almost 35 people in that house. All my parents friends got the kids presents and it was wonderful just to see them all again. My parents were the only ones that I know of that could have possibly pulled off a party like that.

The next night it was off to my sisters house for Christmas Eve. We went to my parents house for a little bit and then headed back to Amy's. We got to see Karen and Tom, Heidie and Glenn(Jacks sister and brother in law) and their two kids Max and Owen. Oma was there and so was Larry and Renee. As well as my brother and his wife. We had a great time and the food was out of this world. We all got to sample Amy's food and it was unreal like I said. Then we got to chill out and it was almost a sigh of relief as everyone realized that we were all going to get along, in part the mood was brought on by the hostess my sister who went out of her way to welcome everyone and made a precarious event into a memorable one.

The next day was Christmas and it was a whirling dervish of excitement and chaos. We woke up and Emmy and Melanie were both excited in anticipation of a visit from Santa. We went down stairs and called Mom and Dad and Grandpa George, made coffee and waited for them. Then it was a blurry of sounds and sights. Ripping of paper and bows were flying through the air as six kids all opened their presents. Of course Abby tried to open others and I think that she did succeed at least once. That was the first time in years that I got to have Christmas with my family and that it was reminiscent of my childhood that I found peace and nostalgia amongst the fluttering butterfly running around and the Nerf darts whizzing bye, as well as the decapitated heads. I even spotted a six foot bald fairy with wings and a wand. We hurried back to Nana and Papa's house opened more presents and then to Karen's.

Anna and Andi have both put on some impressive spreads and we actually fed close to 50 people at our picnic/pig roast, but the spread that Karen put out was amazing and like nothing I have seen before. We all sat around the table including the kids and, Everything one can imagine was there, I ate until I almost "Need a bucket" to quote the meaning of life. Karen and Tom out did themselves and again I will say that I am so lucky to have them in my family all I can say is "NANA BOO BOO" to all of you that don't. After dinner we cleaned,chatted and then we moved downstairs and opened up more presents. I tell you this I was sick of seeing presents. Between all of the party's I loved each of them for different reasons and they were all outstanding for different reasons

After the holidays we went to NY again and it was like something I have never been through before wall to wall people and lines that were incredible. We were there for 8 hours and only got to go into 2 stores and one restaurant. And although we were late getting back onto the train we did make it after watching George run for the first time since Anna was 8. We ate at a fabulous little Irish plate and got to see an interpretation of the movie Psycho by my sister trying to poke "air holes" in the American doll box so Emmy's doll could breath. All the while a pair of little old ladies were watching with the rapt and horror usually reserved for death matches or public beheading.

Then it was off to see our best friends in NH Jim and Julie. It was both happy and sad as we all realized how much we truly miss them. They are doing well and looking healthy and exactly as we remember them. They are intent on moving back here and we hope that they do. Unfortunately we had to cut our trip a little short because Abby had a 102 temperature and a nasty cough. We decided to go to the doctors in CT and left NH early.

On the way back we got to use my Fathers brand new GPS and Anna learned first hand how truly fragile they are. After restarting the thing 2 times she was a bit frustrated and pushed the screen again while I was calling my mother and I heard a "pop" I look down and Anna says "OH CRAP I BROKE IT Papa will never forgive me." we of course started yelling at each other, Abby;s coughing and crying and it is all recorded on moms cell message. We ended up getting the GPS replaced and Abby went to the MD and diagnosed with bilateral ear infections and URI all in all stressful. We got home and had dinner at my sisters for the last night and we got to talk and eat her FABULOUS yam salad (which I lost the recipe for in the trip back up hint hint) said our good byes, slept at mom and dads and then got a ride in a luxury van back to NJ. All in all a great trip and memorable for so many reasons. We love all of you and miss you so much. Thank you for opening your homes and hearts for an to us. Oh and bye the way we went to CT with 5 bags for all of us and left with 12 two of which were hockey bags.

We got back after a 5 hour delay in Seattle to Sarah and Peter picking us up and then that Saturday, yup more presents at the MA and Pa Reed house home coming/ Christmas party.

Our trip

2008-01-09T15:19:00.000-09:00

I am going to write more in a little bit but here are some pictures to tide you over
This is at Amy's on Christmas Eve with Dunda Hidie, Auntie Amy, and OmaMe and my Cassidy, I had an absolute blast with Cass this visit she has really blossomed into a little women
My Sass and her favorite uncle
The boys on christmas they are getting so old
Joe with his new Napolean Dynomite game
This is in Mohegan Sun casino and this entire house is edible. It is ginger bread and chocolate
Papa and Nana and Grandpa hugging the lucky girl As fast as she won 1300 dollars I lost 100
Dunda Heidie and Justin with a new webkinz (new to us Alaskans)
Dad, Glenn, and Jack
Karen, Anna, and Tom we had a blast with them.
At the Kenny Rogers concert
George use to play Kenny Rogers for Anna when she was little and they both were teared up (even though Anna almost threw down with an old lady in front of us)
I should have listened to Kenny "you got to know when to fold them"
His Christmas part of the show
An awesome shot
Look at mom in the background this is right after we surprised her
Holding her Crabster
with her only grandsons
Eating oranges Christmas morning
She was such a little Papa's girl that is all you heard when he was near her

Justin's Birthday and Lorraine's gift

2007-12-18T14:11:00.000-09:00

Justin not quite sure what this is
The glee and smile of acknowledgement
In awe at the generosity of Nana
Our friend and Anna's coworker Lorraine who was a all state goalie in Michigan ordered this and got it for Abby it is a Edmonton Oilers jersey. Thank you Lorraine for everything that you have done for us. Abby woke up and demanded that she wear this. It is adorable
Thanking me for letting her wear it

Another UAF shirt
Opening more cards
From Auntie Amy
From the Norton clan
Nana's gift

our hospital christmas

2007-12-18T13:50:00.000-09:00

Here are pictures of our Hospital Christmas party Yevette and Rick
The cone heads
Hot stuff

Ginie from the Fourth floor
John with an illegal Cosmo Anna imported in
Trouble found us
Sarah and Ginie dancing
Two studs

Linda Baker, Sheri, Nina
Sarah and John
She is Hot isn't she
the spinning Nazi
A fabulous picture of the two amigo's

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2007-12-06T18:12:00.000-09:00

Yes we actually had to work on our baby's birthday so the following pictures are at 0600 in the morning. The outfit is Auntie Amy and the Norton clans birthday. I bet you did not know that she was this big did you Cassidy, Emmy, and Mel Mel Happy birthday my sweet
Getting love from mommy

My big 2 year old
Getting love from her bubba's. Look how big the boys are getting!!
We have gorgeous kids
Not quite awake and pretty sure daddy and mommy are gonna leave her here at day care

Kissing mommy good bye

We went and had lunch with her and Anna got overstaffed early to spend the day. I can not believe that she is 2. Time is just flying bye with her I hug and kiss her every day because I know that the time is going to come when she will be too cool for her daddy. But she is so much fun right now I wish all of you were closer so you could see.