Fun at the beach

Mitchell hits the waves

Boogieboarding!

Farewell until our next visit!

TO MY CHOLOLATE FRIEND

To my wonderful chocolate friend, Sprig. Thank you for letting me love on you for over 14 years. Thank you for coming into my life when nothing was a sure thing and everything was unstable, except you, the one constant companion in my life 14 years ago. Thank you for all the ducks you retrieved for me, although more often than not with a little help. Thank you for sleeping in my bed yet willingly taking the floor when a husband filled your spot. Thank you for accepting the two little boys that immediately took over your space and so much of the attention you once received from me. Thank you for all the joy you brought to me. May you rest now.

HEADING TO HAWAII

I can just smell the sweet breeze, taste the ripe pineapple and feel that warm sun. Just 12 hours from now we'll be enjoying a vacation in paradise!! No snow boots, no wool hats, no socks, no plugging in the car, no long underwear, NO WORRIES!

ALOHA!!!

THAT'S WHAT BOYS DO!

We're driving home from Church Wednesday night when I hear two little boys in the back seat, sweet boys that they are, burping. Not just little burps followed by an "excuse me", but this is practically musical in nature with a few burp words thrown in. When I turn around and say, "boys where are your manners?", they innocently reply "but Mom we're boys and that's what boys do."

Take off the wool socks and grab your rain coat!

Today... Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers.
Tonight... Rain likely in the evening...then rain and snow likely after midnight.
Friday... Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of rain and snow in the morning...then a chance of rain in the afternoon.
Friday Night... Rain and snow likely.
Saturday... Rain and snow likely.

Schools closed, bus service suspended
Anchorage and Mat-Su schools and university classes are closed again today because of icy streets and high winds. The city also has suspended bus service because of the ice.

Chinook wind creates chaos
For weeks Anchorage was locked in a deep, sub-zero freeze. But the real problems didn't start until Wednesday, when a big thaw took hold.

WHO ARE THESE HANDSOME FELLOWS?

Grammy sent the boys a couple of Grandpa's old ties. The boys got a big kick out of trying them on.

Ready for Church! Now we just have to control the giggles and the sillies and get all the wiggles out!

MITCHELL'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Of course it was a hockey party! We started out at the ice rink and lasted only about 45 minutes because it was a crisp 20 below zero. Yes I said BELOW zero!! The party continued back at the house where it was nice and warm. Pizza, cake and presents topped off this fun birthday celebration. Wow, Mitchell is 7!

CHRISTMAS AT OUR HOUSE

Presents from Santa

More Presents from Santa

GET OUT YOUR WOOL SOCKS!!

Here are the headlines from the local papers. I couldn't make this stuff up!

"Extreme Alaska cold grounds planes, disables cars"

"Subzero temperatures have twice put the US Cross Country Ski Championships in Anchorage on hold over the weekend."
"For the fourth time in five days cold weather has forced officials to cancel races in the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Kincaid Park, in east Anchorage."

"Amid the deepest cold snap in a decade, the National Weather Service station in West Anchorage yesterday registered it's 10th straight day of double-digit negative temperatures."

"Plumbers were literally swamped this week, repairing broken pipes. Simple thawing jobs had waiting lists four days out."

"Once it gets cold, it's going to stay cold. We're locked into this pattern for the foreseeable future."

"Some of the worst cold waves on record have gone on for three weeks....This could turn into one of those."

2008 SUMMARY

The Guyers 2008 year at a glance:

Mitchell: Started 1st Grade and has really become a great student. He has come a long way with his reading and is now comfortably reading at a 2nd grade level. Art continues to be one of his favorite subjects and he also enjoys "hard math". Mitchell is now playing on a hockey team (the Blue Rhinos) and has even scored a couple goals this winter. It's hard to believe that in just days he will be 7!

Quinn: Is enjoying his last year of preschool and loves going there with his two buddies, Shane and Beringer. Quinn no longer walks on the ice but has really learned to skate this fall. He enjoys going to the pool with Dad and has become quite the snorkeler.

Scott: Continues work at BLM, spending much of the summer months running a research camp at the Bering Glacier, flying in helicopters, boating through the icebergs, and researching on the north slope (the most northern area of AK). When not working in Alaska's wilderness, Scott enjoys taking family and friends fishing in Katchemak and Ressurection Bay in search of Halibut and Salmon.

Lori: Volunteering in Mitchell's class, hosting a ladies Bible study, having play dates for Quinn, and working out has kept me busy. I ran a 12K, a couple 5-milers and my first half-marathon this summer. New on my plate this winter is teaching fitness classes at The Alaska Club which has been a rewarding challenge.

Sprig: At over 14 years old Sprig is moving very slowly and has trouble navigating the stairs. Otherwise, he is doing fairly well and is still likes to play in the snow and give everything he comes across a good sniff.

Husker: Sadly, we said good-bye to Husker this fall as he could no longer battle the cancer he was facing. He is remembered by all and certainly Sprig misses his good buddy.

The Guyers wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with blessings!

OUR BEAUTIFUL BOYS

Photos by Mary Jackson Photography

THE FUN NEVER ENDS!

MITCHELL IN ACTION

Mitchell gets his FIRST GOAL tonight, November 18th 2008!

Way to go Mitch!

OH HOW SWEET IT IS!

Between the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood, we find a delightful creature of a boy.

QUINN FINALLY GETS IT

Quinn has learned how to skate. Oh, he could skate before by walking and shuffling along on the ice, but now he is actually pushing off and REALLY skating!