Lisa and Rosy

Our family is growing (at least for awhile)! Lisa and Rosy Vang who have been staying with us are becoming a part of our family until July when their brother Kou returns from his mission. We love having them at our house - they fit in just like they belong here. Lisa is in 8th grade and attends Central Middle School. She was just elected Vice-President of the National Junior Honor Society in her school. Rosy is in 5th grade and has transferred to Scenic Park Elementary school to attend school with Michael. She tied for first place in the class spelling bee on her first day at Scenic Park. These two are smart chicks!

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal at the lake house in Wasilla. In attendance were my sister Jessica, her husband John and their five kids, my brother Duncan, his wife Joy and their five kids, my parents, Rich and Sharon, and our family plus two - Rosy and Lisa Vang who are staying with our family while their dad is out of the country for a month. To see more pictures of our Thanksgiving, go to http://ldsmotherteresa.smugmug.com/gallery/6930565_gearQ/1/443509118_Jk3dv

My McCar

Well, I've been thinking and wishing and hoping and praying and it finally happened - I got a new car! I call it my McCar (Mc stands for midlife crisis). It's an AWD Chrysler Sebring. Black with heated leather seats and a drink holder that heats or chills your beverage. Yes, I am spoiled (thank you David . . . I love you!).

Election Day 2008

Here's a picture of me and my fellow election workers on November 4, 2008 - Election Day. I have been working the election for several years now and really enjoy it. I am the Spring Chicken in the group (all of the other ladies are 50+). We expected a large turn-out and weren't disappointed when the polls opened at 7:00 a.m. - there was a bigger line of people waiting to vote than I had ever seen before. In the afternoon, things slowed down as expected. We planned on another rush in the evening that never happened. The last few hours seems like years - it was painful. I fear that the early reporting of polls on the east coast discouraged Alaskans from voting. Turn-out was much smaller than expected:(


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The Final Game

Bartlett's final Volleyball game of the season was last Friday. This was also "Senior Night" where the team honored the Senior players. David and I got to escort Amy onto the court where she was presented gifts from her teammates. It was very emotional for all of us. Volleyball is her first love and David and I have loved watching her play. It's a chapter in her life that is over now, but one that we have many fond memories of.

Bartlett Homecoming 2008

Much to our surprise (who knew freshmen boys could be so popular?), Daniel was voted Bartlett Freshman Homecoming Prince. He rode a float at half-time during the Homecoming game and waved to his fans. His sisters and friends used this opportunity to tease him mercilessly. Here are Emily, Dan and Amy before the Homecoming dance. Way to go Dan!

Birthdays!

August and September 2008 brought several BIG birthdays to our family. Amy turned 18, Michael turned 10 and David turned (gulp) 50! I don't understand how he keeps aging, but I stay so young:) Amy and Michael celebrated their actual birthday at our cabin in Nikiski and then had parties with their friends a few weeks later.

Amy's "friend party" was at our cabin in Wasilla. She invited l0ts of friends and we thought it would be too cold to go jet skiing (it was), so we put together a game room in the garage with a pool table, ping pong table and an air hockey table. When the guests arrived, they headed straight for the lake - I couldn't believe it! It was way too cold to get into the water, but they did it anyway and had a great time. Afterwards we ate sloppy joes and birthday cake. Then the guys went home and the girls stayed for a sleepover party. Amy said it was her "dream party".

Michael invited his friends to the Anchorage Gymnastic Association to play on the trampolines and in the foam pit. He had a great time also.

And for the best part - David's co-workers decorated his office like a graveyard, bought him gag gifts and hired a singing telegram to wish him happy birthday. When I asked him if he had fun, he said he didn't, but everyone that worked with him sure did (they couldn't stop laughing).