"Little" Rascal!

My friend, Sabrina, who lives in Anchorage sent me this pic today. Their pumpkins have been mysteriously disappearing. They figured out who/what the culprit is...here she is!!! LOL!!!

Can you imagine opening your front door and seeing this??? Wow!!

Pumkin Carving Time!

Well...carving time is here again! We got such a late start that we only did Jake's pumpkin tonight. He did an awesome job but BOY...it is one CREEPY jack-o-lantern! Yikes! We told him it is going to scare away all the trick-or-treaters!! He didn't care...more candy for him (he thinks!) LOL!! Anyway, the pics are self explanatory. I, of course, made sure to save the seeds for roasting. Yum!! A low-fat snack for ME! :) More pics tomorrow of MY pumpkin. To see more pics from tonight's carving...I am going to put a slideshow on this blog sometime soon. Stay tuned for that. Also, in case you are wondering...my apron says "MOM is just WOW upside down!" Cute, huh?? I thought so! Night, Y'all and Happy Carving!!!!!!!!!! Shalom!! :)

Halloween Cometh...

My neighbor and friend, Julie, had a pumpkin carving party for her kids on Saturday. They looked so cute I just *HAD* to post some pics! Above is her daughter, Julia, dressed as a kitty kat!

Spooky Cupcakes from Julie's Halloween Party!

Julia (3years old) in her kitty-kat costume. Isn't she adorable???

Kai (5 years old) is the pirate on the end...Julia, his sister is the kitty next to the skeleton. They are SO cute!!!!!!!

Kai next to the pumpkins he and Julia carved. So fun!!

**We are doing our pumpkins on Wednesday night. Jake is (hopefully) going to be "Iron Man" this year. He gets to go Trick-or-Treating with my friend, Michi, and her kids this year while I stay home to make a cake for the Harvest Party at church on Saturday. He'll have more fun if I'm not around anyway! LOL!!! What do y'all have planned this year? Are you dressing up? We always dress up at work...I'm going to be a 1920's "flapper girl" this year if my costume gets here in time! I used to hate dressing up but all my co-workers really get into it so I figured, "If you can't beat 'em...join 'em!" It brings out the kid in you again...try it!! :) Please send pics if you or your kids dress up! I can put them on this blog, too, if you aren't already blogging!! Oh! That reminds me...I sent the CUTEST Halloween "onesie" to my new niece in Ohio. I hope she wears it and my brother gets pics! *hint-hint* Chris and Katie if you are reading this!!!!

Dancing With The Stars Winners

Does anyone else find this picture disturbing? For those of you out there that have been living in a hole...that is Barack Obama and Alaska's governor, Sarah Palin.

Hope you got a good laugh out of this. I know *I* did!!

Toodles! Nan XOX

Aaaaaahhhhh...the weekend!

TGIF, People! I am so psyched for the weekend! I cherish being able to sleep in and enjoy not coming to work. I've come to the conclusion that working for a living is HIGHLY overrated! Ha! Although, after that little "shopping spree" in Seattle...I very much need my job sooo...I'll quit whining. Speaking of work, last week I celebrated my "Two Year Anniversary" with Community Connections! Can I get a Whoop-Whoop?!? Where does the time go, tho?? Holy Cow! Each passing year is faster then the previous one. It's gone in the blink of an eye almost. Anyway, along with my anniversary came a nice little raise. I am happy! Every little bit helps and makes you feel appreciated.

Anywhoooo....we have a somewhat busy but fun (for me anyway) weekend ahead of us. We start tonight with a "going away" party for a co-worker of mine. Tony and I will be having appetizers and drinks with everyone at Annabelle's to say Good-bye to Rob Sullivan...a therapist I work with whom I am going to miss greatly! (Jake is staying with his buddy next door and is going to see "Highschool Musical"..YUCK!!...LOL!!) Tomorrow evening I am having a bunch of my peeps over for a GNO (girls nite out) Body Shop party. If you've never tried Body Shop...you are missing out! Check it out online at www.thebodyshop.com or find the nearest store!! Anyway, the holiday catalog is out and I am EXCITED! I am an addict to say the least. I've even got Tony hooked on it. They have very nice men's products as well as a new "baby" line. You KNOW I'll be sending some baby stuff out to my new niece very soon!! :) But enough about that....Sunday should be pretty low key. After church, Jake has a birthday party from 2pm-4pm so while he's at that I will be going to the rec. center and working out. I am STOKED! 2 whole hours at the gym!! I never get to do that. I can focus on becoming "one" with the eliptical!! LOL!! I'm guessing Tony will become "one" with the TV as it is a big football day. He was "good" and already worked out 2 days this week. I did NOT...hence...I'm getting my fat butt to the GYM!!! :) Besides getting groceries, that is probably the extent of our weekend. It flies by so fast it will be Monday again before we know it. UGH!!! I hate Mondays!!! Ha Ha!!

OK...I guess I better get back to work. Hope you all have a great weekend and I'll try to remember to post some new pictures soon (that aren't of my new baby niece...sorry...I just can't help myself!!)

Take Care and Bye For Now~ Nan XOX

THANKS, DEBRA!

As you can see below...there is a huge space between my last two posts. Does anyone know how to fix this? Leave me a comment! Thanks!! Nan

**PROBLEM SOLVED! CAN I GET A WHOOOP-WHOOP??????? LOL!!

More Baby Pics...Sorry! :)

Are they just the cutest family or what? This is Chris, Katie, and Abigail Moyer!

Proud Papa...

Need I say more? This is my brother, Chris, and his new daughter, Abigail. Is it ME or does he look tired??? LOL!!

Seattle

Let me just say how much I miss and LOVE Seattle!! As you know...I just returned from my "Girls Weekend" with my peeps and I must say...it was DA BOMB! LOL!! The weather was perfect with lots of sunshine. It was amazing! The trees were all turning colors and it was just beautiful. We had such a blast...it was perfect shopping weather. :)

Our trip was successful to say the least. I discovered and was introduced to some great places to shop. The first was "Dress Barn". The prices were reasonable and they had a lot of cute things. The other great place was "DSW"...this is a place that I refer to as "Shoe Heaven". If you are a "shoe person"...this is your place! It was awesome. I got a little carried away here but hey...I only get off the rock like once a year soooo...I'm not too worried about it. I also didn't get as much Christmas shopping done but I'm not too concerned with that either...it will all work out.

So, all in all, it was fabulous and I can't wait to go back. We did not end up seeing "The Secret Life of Bees" but did see "The Women" in the new cinema at South Center. It was "OK". I'm sure "...Bees" will be better and hopefully it will come to Ketchikan at some point. I will go see it with Marina...she loved the book even more than I did.

Jake and Tony faired well while I was gone and barely noticed my absense. It feels good to get away and know that things are ship-shape at home. :)

Anyway...not much else is happening. We are plugging away like everyone else. Jake is taking tennis 2 days a week. Tony and I are trying to work out more. The weather here has gotten really bad...it's supposed to blow 70mph tonight. I just hope the power doesn't go out!

I still haven't talked to my bro yet about how fatherhood/parenthood is going but my mom said he is forever changed. LOL! We all know what THAT means! :)

OK...I'd better get back to work. Love Y'all!! XXX Nan

Abigail Lynne Moyer

I made it home safe and sound (barely) from Seattle today. It was blowing 45mph while we were trying to land! YIKES!! I am exhausted but very excited about all I found shopping down there. Of course, I could have done even more if I'd had the time! Anyway, I was very excited to have pics of my brother's baby when I got home. Isn't she lovely? Too soon to tell who she resembles more but she has the SWEETEST, little face! More later after I rest up and unpack. Later! Nan XOX

She's Here!!!!!!

Baby Abigail Lynn was brought into this world at 5:57pm Ohio time today. She weighs 7lb 12oz and has a little bit of dark hair. Long fingers, too. My brother sounds so happy! I cannot wait for pictures. I will post as soon as I get them.

Life is GOOD!!!!!!!! :)

Peace-Out! Nan

The Baby Is Coming!

Well, I was wrong in my last post. They have induced my SIL, Katie, TODAY! I'm going to be an auntie again! I am so excited!! I can't wait to get pictures and post them on here so you can all see her. I have NO idea how I am NOT going to go to Ohio to meet her. It's going to KILL me!! LOL!! Thank goodness for digital cameras and email. I am SO happy for my brother. This is something he's wanted for a long time and he's going to be such a good daddy!!! Anyway, I will keep you updated as much as I can. I leave for Seattle tomorrow (11:45 ferry) so hopefully she'll be here by then. :)

Not much else is happening. I'm counting the hours now until I get on the jet.

Take care! Nan

P.S. Is anyone watching "The Biggest Loser"? It's the BEST SHOW! I just love it. It's my new favorite reality show. That, and the Amazing Race is good. :)

They Won!

Jake's team won the championship on Saturday!! Yay!! It was a very intense game and the weather couldn't have been nastier. We were all very happy it was all over and they came away the winners. Soccer is officially over! I would have posted some pics but I didn't take any b/c the weather was SO nasty. I don't think I've been to a wetter, colder, rainier, more miserable game EVER!! LOL! Those kids are troupers! :)

Jake is doing great in school. All his papers have "4s" on them, which are the equivalent of an "A". OMSI is visiting this week which is VERY exciting. OMSI stands for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. They are located in Portland, Oregon and we actually paid them a visit last summer (2007) when Jake and I were south. They are AWESOME and they get the kids excited about Science. I guess Jake helped with a demonstration yesterday...something involving "gravity". If anyone is ever in the Portland area and you are looking for something to do with your kids...OMSI is the place!!

I talked to Chris and Katie (my bro and SIL) yesterday and they are inducing Katie on Thursday. I am so excited for them! Little Abigail Lynn will be here by the end of the week!!

I am leaving on Thursday for Seattle and will return on Sunday morning. It's going to be a whirlwind of a trip! I am hoping to get the majority of my Christmas shopping done. Only 71 shopping days left!! :)

I got two new books today. The first is "The Time Traveler's Wife" and the second is "An Hour to Live, An Hour to Love". I'll let you know how they are after I'm done. I'm still reading "The Shack" at the moment and I've started "The Last Lecture". LOL! Has anyone started "Bees.." yet????? Let me know what y'all are reading and what's good! I'm always open for suggestions.

That's it for now. Back to work. Love to All~ Nan XOX

Update

Hey There! If you are wondering why my blog looks different, well, I felt it was time for a change. With old man Winter licking at our heals I just felt like a change to match the season...DARK! LOL!!! Anyway, this week was busy and somewhat hectic. Last Sunday we said Good-bye to Tony's mom as she prepared to leave for her trip south this winter. She is staying with Tony's sister, Tami, on Bainbridge Island until the 24th. Then they both leave for Italy for Shirley's "retirement trip". Shirley retired from Tongass Trading here in Ketchikan after 19 grueling years. I say "grueling" because dealing with tourists all summer is NOT for the faint of heart and she did it with style and grace! LOL! Anywhoooo...when you retire with Tongass they give you a trip/cruise anywhere in the world you would like to go. She chose a 17 day "Under the Tuscan Sun" cruise thru the Meditteranean. It is a 12 day cruise and they spend like 4 days or so in Italy on the way back. Does that sound fab or what?? I am SO jealous but I am SO happy she is getting to do something so special AND share it with her daughter to boot! What a lucky pair they are. They both deserve it. Anyway, Shirley (shown with Jacob above) gets back on November 12th. I can't wait to hear all about it. They are stopping in Greece, also, so I'm sure that's going to be awesome! :)

Tuesday night Jake had another soccer game in the championships. They played the undefeated team. It went into overtime and it was still 0-0 after that (getting dark, too!!) They ended up winning in a "shootout" (penalty kicks for you soccer buffs out there!) So, this means we play again tomorrow and if they win again then they are the champs. The weather is taking a turn tonight, however, and it's supposed to blow 45 tomorrow so we'll see what happens. If they play and lose tomorrow...we play again on Sunday and the winner of that game wins it all. I am SO hoping they win tomorrow!!!

Work has been busy this week...but nothing exciting. Jake started indoor tennis on Thursday and he seemed to enjoy it. Tony and I worked out while he did that...we are trying to get in better shape! I just walked the track but I did a couple of miles so that was good. We will make a habit of going on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons while Jake takes his lessons. We figured it's a good place to start. We both have memberships at the Rec. Center so we'd better make the most of it! :)

We are SO glad it's Friday!! Other than soccer, we don't have much planned for the weekend. It's just nice to be HOME! Considering the weather, we will be spending as much time inside as we can. It has gotten really cold here and there is fresh snow on Deer Mountain. Yikes! Winter is just around the corner!

Oh! An update. My SIL, Katie, is getting close to her due date. My new niece, Abigail, will be here soon. Katie had an appt recently and so far there's no "activity". I will be on pins and needles until this baby is born!! Also, my sister, Becky, had her first OB appt. Her due date is May 11, 2009. I am excited for them! A new baby is always a blessing! I think the kids are excited...all 6 of them! I told her 7 is God's perfect number (hint, hint)...she just laughed at me!!

Oh yes...my trip to Seattle is rapidly approaching. My friends and I will hopefully be taking off for Seattle on Thursday night. If not, we will be back at the airport first thing on Friday trying to get off the rock. It will all depends on the flight load. We are flying as "companions" with Renee so we all three have to go together or not at all. We are VERY excited and have all kinds of plans. We are hoping to see "The Secret Life of Bees", which is coming out the weekend we are there. I just finished reading this book and LOVED it. It is going to be an amazing movie! I highly recommend the book and I'll let you know how the movie is. I am currently reading "Last Lecture" and I'm trying to finish "The Shack". I am trying to do more reading since it's something I love so much. I have no idea why I feel so guilty when I get engrossed in a book. I don't feel that way when I sit down to watch TV. Perhaps, as a friend suggested, it's because a book takes my full attention. And when it's a good one...I can't put it down. Everything and everyone suffers around me when I read. LOL!!!

OK..I'd better wrap this up. Have a great weekend! Peace~Out! Nanette XOX

October Has Arrived

Well...October has arrived in true fall fashion here in SouthEast Alaska. Today was a very blustery one as you can see from the waves in the Narrows in the photo. This was taken on my return home from work. I'm glad it's still light out (for now) when we get home! I'm not looking forward to the long, dark hours in the heart of the winter here. Anyway, today is the 2nd and I'm already feeling anxious about what is right around the corner. It will be Halloween before we know it...then Thanksgiving etc...etc...Yikes! Where does all the time go?

Jake is doing well and seems to be thriving in 4th grade. Soccer is still winding down. They are in the "playoffs", so to speak, so it could go on for a while if they keep winning. It's a "double elimination" championship and his team won their first game on Wednesday. This means they will play AT LEAST two more times. If they keep winning, however, it's anybody's guess as to when it will be over. I just hope the weather doesn't deteriorate too quickly. Sometimes we get lucky with an "indian summer" but it's not looking too promising after today. :)

Tony and I are keeping busy at work. I am going on my two year anniversary with Community Connections. Tony just passed the 1 year mark. He just got his "step increase", which you usually get automatically with each year. This also usually means a raise of some sort. Yay! You know how it goes, tho. Any time you get a little "extra" it seems to get absorbed one way or another. For us, the little bit of "extra" we get will be going towards Tony's 401K that he just became eligible for. Let's hope the stock market starts looking better! Holy Cow! Can you believe what a mess?!? Anyway, we are plugging along.

I am looking forward to a possible trip to Seattle on the 16th of this month. It is a "Girls Only" trip with two of my closest friends. We are hoping to spend the weekend in Seattle doing what girls do best...SHOPPING!!! I can hardly wait. My friend, Renee, who is going on the trip, is graciously giving me and our other friend, Buffy, passes on Alaska Airlines so that we can make this trip happen. We have been wanting to do it for some time but we couldn't afford it. Sooo...when Renee's hubby went to work for Alaska Airlines...well...we KNEW we could make it happen sooner or later. Thankfully, it's happening SOONER rather than LATER! LOL!! Let me just give big shout out to Renee and Charles....THANKS GUYS....YOU ROCK!!!! :)

Well, I've got things that need my attention including taking care of Jake's new "owie" on the bottom of his foot. He had to have a wart removed and I have to keep it very clean and dressed while it heals. It's the only way to make sure it doesn't come back. Soooo...for all you out there that just "freeze" these little buggers off...this is why they keep coming back! You need to have a podiatrist take it off completely. It's not fun but at least you know it's GONE! :)

Take Care Everyone and God Bless~ Nan XOX