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"Ahh Breakfast in Bed...This is the life."
"We're number One!"
"Don't drop me...seriously!"
"Does this count as chores for the day?"
Stacking the wood..."are we done yet?"
"Bring it on Buddy, Bring it on"
Teenager in the making...
Ryan's version of volleyball season...
Warm Up Excersises
"Best Friends"
"This is a little desk"
"We are so cool"
"Our Blessing!"
"What's up?"
"Testing the Waters"
"Meghan's Taxi Service"
"Happy Birthday"
"The PURSE"
"Growing...Growing...Growing..."
"Silly kids"
"Floating the day away"
"Lookin Good"
"Waiting for the Harvest"
Meghan and Ryan
"SCOTTY AND POM"
"Hurricane Harbor"
Beach Time
"Tea for Two"
"Where is Ryan?"
"It is Spring right?"
"April Showers"
Ice in the morning...Swamp in the afternoon!
Our Backyard!
"Our fashionista"
Meghan's Fashions
"That's what I'm talkin bout"
The Geese Family
We are the Geese Family. Our home is in Tok, Alaska. A little rural community just 100 miles from the Canadian Border. Kevin teaches High School Math, I (Shannon) am a proud stay at home mother with part time position with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska as the Tok Community Director. Life is really good and never boring!
Meghan's Sleepover
"Ahh Breakfast in Bed...This is the life."
It has been a long time...
Hello everyone.
As you can see this is more of an occasional hobby. This is not one of those things that I can guarantee will always be up to date...just dated!
Anyway, we are on Spring Break from school this week. Although our Spring break consists of 30 below zero temps! No beach time for us. That's ok. We alaskans know that coming soon (maybe even next week) we will begin to feel warmer weather and watch our snow begin to melt away. Last year the rivers in Alaska didn't crack open until May 10th! We shall see.
Life is good here in Tok. The kids are doing great at all of their classes and making great scores! We are very proud. Ryan, Dawson and Chase ("The Kindergarten Posse") competed in the Battle of the Books and took first place. You can see from their photo that they really think they are the "cool kids". Truth be told, they are!
Then last week Ryan competed in the Mite Bush Goalie competion and took first place. He blocked 15 out of 15 shots!! Needless to say, Mom and Dad are so very proud about our silly little Ryan. Seems there is more to this kid than just a great sense of humor!
Meghan is doing really great in school! She recently took part in a Cheerleading class with our after school program. She was wonderful. She is quite the leader and has great timing! She is such a cutie and she had a great time! Meghan will be starting Tok School Track Class too. She will be practicing to compete in the Annual Tok Trot (7 mile run). We will see...We are sure she will surprise us! Meghan is such a bright and sweet girl with so much talent.
Kevin is working on getting his high school classes and curriculum "internet accessible". He has created a website and it will soon be ready for you and his students to see what is happening in his classroom. Students can check on homework assignments and even view his lessons on audio (eventually). He is such an amazing man!
Shannon (me) is happy with her job as Community Director of Tok Big Brothers Big Sisters. It is both rewarding and challenging. What a blessing to have a great job with a flexible schedule in order to still be Mom on call!
Well, I have to get this family ready to travel to Fairbanks tomorrow. Kevin has Guard duty and we are going to stay with his parents for a little down time.
Talk soon,
The Geese Family
"The Kindergarten Posse"
"We're number One!"
Meghan is our "TOP" Cheerleader
"Don't drop me...seriously!"
Meghan's Spring Break Job
"Does this count as chores for the day?"
Ryan's Spring Break Job
Stacking the wood..."are we done yet?"
First Place Goalie!
"Bring it on Buddy, Bring it on"
We're Back!
I know...I know...It has been a LOOOOONNNNNGGG time since I updated my blog. What can I say, life has been really busy. I will try to let you in on all our happenings.
Where shall I begin?
Volleyball Season..."It is Finished"
Teenager in the making...
Ryan's version of volleyball season...
Christmas Events...
The kids were involved in our Church Christmas Play. Meghan and Ryan had speaking parts and each had several singing solos and duets. They did great! Unfortunately the performance night was literally only 1 hour from the time we arrived home from Anchorage (Volleyball State Championships). The kids (and Mom and Dad) were exhausted! But they did great just the same.
It was that same day that Ryan was throwing up in the Anchorage Fred Meyer Card Isle! What a joy that was...but He perked up a little by the time we arrived back in Tok. However, Mom did not! I ended up with a bad case of bronchitis. Not fun! I was too sick to participate in many of the end of school Christmas fun. But am happy to report that I am doing and feeling much better.
So...below are some pictures of the kids in their play.
Church Play
Christmas 2008
Well...Christmas Day was very quiet and restful. Kevin's parents came and celebrated with us. Christmas eve the kids, Kevin and I went to our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight service. It was nice and always good to see the whole community celebrate in that way together. After the service we came home and had a light snack and watched "Hermie and Friends" Christmas special on TBN. Meghan and Ryan opened Grandma and Grandpa Sweet Spot's "Christmas Pajamas". The kids looked so cute in them...but it made me miss my parents even more. It just isn't the same without them here. I don't think I will ever get used to the fact that they aren't living near us anymore. Not easy, but very happy they are doing so well.
Anyhoo! Christmas Morning Kevin and I were wakend by Ryan at the early hour of 6am! We made him wait till 7:30am to get up, so that everyone else could rest a little longer (Kevin and I entertained Ryan in our room during this "pass time"). So as usual we opened stockings and then all the other gifts. Ryan had a "Star Wars" Christmas while Meghan had a "Pre-teen" kind of Christmas (clothes, music, iPod Dock/Clock Radio, iTunes gift cards etc.). It was a great time! Then we had our annual Coffee Cake (family recipe). They turned out so great that I had to take a photo to show my mom! So please indulge my bragging for a glance!
Later on, the kids played outside to work off our Christmas Feast while Kevin loaded the wood pile (taking advantage of the warm temps of only 10 below!)
We watched movies, played games and just relaxed. All in all it was a very good day!
Christmas Day
Tok's greatest Goalie in the Making...
Ryan had his first hockey match today. He is doing fantastic! After only 4 or 5 practices, he was selected as our Team Goalie. We couldn't be more proud. He is enjoying it, but his gear is too big for him, so it is really difficult to manipulate the ice in so much gear! We lost our first match but won the second! Ryan had some great blocks!
We'll be sure to tell you more later...
*Ryan is number 12 in the middle of the circle because he is the GOALIE*
Ryan's first Game
Warm Up Excersises
First Day of School
Well the day has finally arrived. Meghan and Ryan have started 4th grade and Kindergarten. We were all so anxious for the day to begin. Ryan was ready, Meghan was ready, Daddy was ready...Momma thought she was ready. Everything was fine until I was leaving Ryan's classroom. I still felt the need to hold his hand through the big day. I know he will do great, it was just sad to see my little boy become a "Big Boy". Now I am at home all alone and it feels strange. I am sure in time it will be refreshing, but right now, I miss my babies.
"Back to School"
Meghan and Jo's 4th Grade Experience
"Best Friends"
"Ryan goes to Kindergarten"
"This is a little desk"
FIRST DAY!
You may have noticed that Ryan is not wearing his glasses. We are not really sure that his prescription was completely accurate. We will be taking him for a second opinion in Fairbanks in a couple of weeks. Sooo... until then...this is our Ryan!
Today when I was helping Ryan get ready for school, he sat at his desk and said..."This is a small desk". He is so tall! Poor boy barely fits at his "little desk". He is much taller than all his classmates. I am sure he will taper off...Right?
Well, I will have the kids update their Blurbs tonight before bed.
Take Care Everyone!
Chitina 2008
Well another year of Salmon Dip Netting has concluded. It was a very successful fishing trip and our freezers are full!
The weather wasn't wonderful, in fact it was rainy and pretty chilly.
We managed to get all the way back to "Haley Creek" which gave us some beautiful photo opps!
Chitinia Adventure
"We are so cool"
"Our new Fridge"
"Our Blessing!"
New Fridge
So... we returned from fishing for a week to find our fridge out of commission! Everything in the fridge and freezer had spoiled. It was very dissapointing and the thought of laying down the money for such an appliance was a little daunting!
However, we went to Fairbanks yesterday with the intention of bringing home the most for our buck! We didn't want to spend too much, but we wanted a good fridge to last a long time.
I had certain specs that I desired, but had resigned myself to not being able to afford them.
GOD IS SO GOOD!!! We found a fridge with all the bells and whistles and all that I dreamed of getting AND it was more than half the original price!!! For such a time as this...our old fridge laid down it's life! We are so thankful! Now we have a great fridge and we are feeling so blessed!
Ryan's new glasses
"What's up?"
"New Vision"
Recently it was brought to our attention that Ryan would need to wear glasses. Yesterday during our "emergency fridge visit", we picked up his glasses. He was very excited about wearing them. So far, we haven't had any problems with him being bored with the new look. We all think he looks adorable. The ornery look is still there!
Ryan and Dad on the Boat
"Testing the Waters"
"On The Boat"
Last week while we were in Fairbanks for Guard Drill, Ryan and Daddy went on the River to test the new boat motor before going to Chitna.
Ryan had a great time. However earlier that week, Ryan went to the Eye Doctor and his eyes were still dilated the next day!!! So he had to use "girl" sunglasses. Meghan was kind enough to offer hers so that Ryan could see!
During Ryan's eye visit we discovered a need to buy glasses for the boy. So he will be starting kindergarten with new eyes! We also learned that "Grandma Sweetspot" has passed on a genetic gene...Color Blind. Poor Ryan. Although, it isn't anything life altering, it will make a difference down the road for any occupation that might require Color Identifications. Oh well, God knows what Ryan will need and He always provides!
"Meghan on the Run"
Meghan had a friend spend the night to celebrate a belated birthday party. She wanted to give Jo (her friend) a ride around town...we settled for around the Drive way. She is certainly feeling like a big kid now. She did pretty good, although it is clear that "acceleration" isn't going to be difficult for her to master.
"Alaskan Transportation"
"Meghan's Taxi Service"
Meghan's 9th Birtday
"Happy Birthday"
Meghan's Birthday
We had a good day celebrating Meghan's birthday. We went out to dinner and the wait staff (Daddy's volleyball girls) sang Happy Birthday to Meghan and she started to cry. She was actually moved to tears! It was beautiful!
Later, we had friends over for cake and ice cream...and presents! Thank you to everyone who sent her a card or gift. She is very happy with everything she was given.
Grandma...that purse was the talk of the evening!
We can't believe that our Meghan is growing up so quickly! Oh how we love her!
"Grandma's Gift"
"The PURSE"
Ryan
"Growing...Growing...Growing..."
Ryan sends his love...
Ryan may be ornery but Ryan is also a lover!
"Lunch Time"
The kids took a break from roller blading on the porch to have a bite to eat.
"Lunch on the Porch"
"Silly kids"
"Taking a dip in the pool"
The kids finally got the warm weathe we were al waiting for. Today the temperature reached 80 degrees in the sun. It feels a lot different in Alaska than in the lower 48.
Well needless to say, the kids had a great day.
"Floating the day away"
The Green House
"Lookin Good"
My Garden Effort
Well... Home and Garden Magazine it isn't. But it is my pride and joy! I worked really hard to till and and form each little hill and placed each and every Slate rock stone to make it's border. Alas, the weather here in Tok has not been very conducive for growth! Gardeners everywhere are surprised at the lack of warmth and sun for our produce! Things are finally beginning to grow outside, but I fear it will be a slow process! We are praying to reap... Carrots, lettuce, cabbage, potatoes, Green Onions, spinach and Peas.
The green house is doing nicely. Inside we are growing 5 different tomato plants, 5 pepper plants, Romaine lettuce, Green Beans, pumpkins and cucumbers!
Here's to good weather!
Shannon's Garden
"Waiting for the Harvest"
"Geese Family Barber Shop"
"Ryan's Hair Cut"
It was time to "buzz" Ryan's hair again. He always feels like such a big boy after it is done.
As you can see... it is a family affair!
"Bike Rodeo"
Meghan and Ryan
Ryan's figure Eight
"Bike Rodeo"
The Geese family participated in Tok's annual Bike Rodeo this past Saturday.
We biked from our home to the Lion's Club parking lot. The kids went through a bike safety check list and were sent through various bike safety excersises. Hand signals, riding on straight, curvy and rocky lanes. Meghan and Ryan had a great time. Ryan especially enjoyed the hand safety check point. The kid's really enjoy riding bikes.
California Trip
Well my intentions were to write and download pictures all week long during our California experience. When all was said and done, we were just out too late and up too early to get that accomplished!
So to recap..
We had a good time and now we are at home in Tok, Alaska!
OLD FRIENDS
"SCOTTY AND POM"
"How Hot is too HOT?"
We can now say that the water park experience is now over. It was a lot if fun, but really HOT!!
ALL the kids (and ADULTS) had a lot of fun! Unfortunately we all got a little "toasty". I learned my lesson years ago, so I can boast that I did not get sick in the sun as I did in the past! Success. Some others weren't so blessed. Anyway, it was a lot of fun and then later that evening we all went to the "Macaroni Grill" for dinner. It was very good. The company was even better. Kevin and I were able to meet up with an old good friend...Scotty and his new wife Pom. It was wonderful. God is so good to bless us with the opportunity to see them. They are really happy and oh so lovely.
Well today is Zoo and Aquarium, tonight will be Bubba GUMPS RESTAURANT. Gotta go for now.
*KIDS*
WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH! THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH GREAT KIDS AND WE MISS YOU!
Day Two
"Hurricane Harbor"
More beach
Day at the Beach
Beach Time
Day One California Vacation
Well, it was a long and tiring trip getting here...but we have arrived! Family this will be short and sweet because I will write more tonight, but today we went to the beach and I have a couple of pictures for you. We are about to head out to dinner. I will write more tonight. I love you Meghan and Ryan! I am so proud of you both! THANK YOU Grandma for taking such good care of our cuties!
Tea for Two
A little over a week ago we were in Fairbanks. Sharon (Grandma Geese) invited Meghan and I to attend the Crisis Pregnancy Center Annual Tea Party Fundraiser. It was a great time and Meghan really enjoyed her first formal tea. Here she is below with her cousin Sara who also joined us. What a little lady.
Meghan and Sara
"Tea for Two"
Ryan at Play...
Well, I realize that it has been a long time since I have posted anything new. Kevin and I have been very busy getting ready for our trip to California. We leave tomorrow afternoon and we have much to be taken care of before we can hit the road. Grandma and Grandpa Geese will be watching the kids for the entire 10 days! We have never been away from them this long before (well, I haven't). It will be both great and really difficult for us. But we know they are in good hands! Well it's off to clean and pack...
This was Ryan's version of "Where's Waldo" the other day. He is so funny!
"Up a Tree"
"Where is Ryan?"
"More April Showers"
"It is Spring right?"
"Global Warming?"
Good Morning Everyone!
I thought people might like to see what awaited us this morning. I suppose a bike ride to the school is out of the question.
We seem to have accumulated quite a bit of snow and it is still falling! I am sure that it will be gone in a week, but I must admit this is why Alaskans would like to have 4 seasons, as opposed to only 3...Fall, Winter and 2 months of Summer! Oh well, I guess Ryan and I will improve our Wii Tank skills.
I have to get breakfast and lunches for everyone. I hope everyone else is enjoying "Spring time".
Springtime?
"April Showers"
Springtime In Alaska
Well... It is 9:15 am and the annual springtime "Showers" have arrived. The lower 48 gets rain with the promise of flowers and grass...We get large wet snow flakes promising to linger for a week and then the inevitable 24 hour sunrise! It's actually exciting to see the snow fall today. This means we are one step closer to summer! It is falling like crazy, but it is so wet that nothing will stay on the ground too long.
All week has been prep for the garden and "Break Up" clean up. The melting of the snow always reveals a very dirty yard each spring. The kids and I took care of most of it yesterday.
Kevin, Meghan, Ryan and I have been riding our bikes to the school all week. Ryan and I escort them to school and ride our bikes back home. It has been really good for all of us. It is 3 miles to the school and 3 miles back. Ryan is such a trooper. It is another reminder of just how big he is getting. Of course, only Kevin rode his bike today. The snow and wind is a little too much to handle with the kids.
So...today will be "Spring Cleaning" inside the house. Ryan is begging to use the computer for his games, so I better get going.
I'll keep you "posted"!
"The Lake"
Ice in the morning...Swamp in the afternoon!
"Life in Tok, Alaska"
Our Backyard!
Shannon's Update
Hello everyone.
This is my attempt at "Staying in Touch" with friends and family. The kids grow so quickly that a yearly News letter doesn't quite make the grade.
So... I will try to maintain this "conversation" as often as possible.
Kevin, Kids and I are doing well. Spring or as we Alaskans like to call, "Break Up" has begun. Break up is when all the snow we have been blessed with during the long winter finally melts. Our driveway has become overcome with water. The kids call our once gravel driveway, "THE LAKE". Before you ask... yes they have attempted to swim the lake! I thank God everyday for our new and improved front loader washer and dryer! It has already paid for itself just this month alone.
Today the temperatures were a beautiful and balmy 60 degrees. It was truly perfect weather. Ryan and I went for a bike ride this morning and really enjoyed the fresh spring weather. It is so nice to feel the sun and cool breeze. I have been leaving the door open all day to allow the house to "DE-WINTERIZE". This is my term. During the winter months (October to April) the house can become stale. Windows are left closed due to the 60-70 below temperatures (go figure!). So when spring arrives the door and windows are finally able to offer something more than warmth!
We are enjoying a lot more sunlight too. The sun rises around 6 am and doesn't set until well after 9:00 pm. Summer in Alaska is soon to come. During the summer we will have virtually 24 hours of sunlight. Quite the contrast to our winter darkness.
School is in it's wrap up mode. Many "end of the year" events are scheduled from now until the end of May when school concludes.
Kevin and I are looking forward to our "California Vacation" in May. We are sponsoring the High School Seniors (12 kids) for their Senior Trip. We will be spending a week in California doing all the fun tourist things. The kids will stay here with Grandma and Grandpa Geese supervising. Thankfully.
Well, I will try and update more this weekend. Until then, this is Shannon signing off...
MEGHAN MARIE
Meghan - She is now 8 years old and feeling all eight of her vast years of experience! I am sure that in her eyes she is all those eight years and at least 5 more for all her "WISDOM". We are very proud of her. Third grade has been a wonderful school adventure. Meghan enjoys reading more and more and we couldn't be more happy. Her interests are as varied as her moods. Recently she has taken a liking to drawing or designing paper doll clothing. She will draw the same girl in various "fashion" designs. It is amazing at all the unbelievable ways she adorns her drawings. They are beautiful and I would classify her style as "funky functional". Who knows maybe someday her "fashion shows" will send her parents on fabulous vacations! We love our sensitive and intelligent fashion designer.
Meghan...8 years old
"Our fashionista"
"Funky Functional"
Meghan's Fashions
RYAN JOSEPH
What can I say about Ryan?
His picture says it all. It is very difficult to find a serious picture of "the boy". Ryan is usually a very well behaved young man, but behind his obedient sweet little smile, is a "clown" ready to climb the walls. Each day is an adventure with our funny little fellow. He has some of the most hilarious one liners! Today I was asking him to help me with dinner suggestions. I asked him what was a meal that he would like to have soon. He answered with what sounded like..."Toooe rolls". I repeated it back to him in the form of what seemed to be endless questions. He got frustrated and said, "here I'll just show you the ingredients". He takes me to the pantry and began his litany of ingredients to make "Toooe rolls". Later tonight we finally found out that "Toooe rolls" are better known as...Calzones! You can often find Ryan playing his Wii. His favorite game right now is on the Wii sports package, TANKS. He really enjoys "getting those tanks" and telling us all the while, "That's what I'm talkin bout!". He is growing up so quickly. His sense of humor really brings a lot of joy to the home. We love our comedian in the making.
Ryan...5 years old
"That's what I'm talkin bout"