Our 2D tree. Definitely a new tradition. Although it will be nice to have a real tree next year, we had fun making the 2D tree. Abby enjoyed making up her own ornaments. Note the cat climbing the tree.

Solstice

 

 3:30pm Dec. 21

Nutcracker

 For a whole week it's nothing but Nutcracker.

 Most of the time is spent like this.

 It's hard to focus with that many people jammed in a small space.

 

Not sure if the giant lily is going to eat Abby or the other way around!

Wow, last one.

Finally carved our pumpkin. Rudolph the reindeer.

Abbycat

And the season of darkness has set in

 Cat with cat pinata

Appropriate, mummy, Frankenstein, Hermione

Pottery

 Working with Abby to make pottery was very rewarding for me. It pushed me to teach and also to be creative in ways I am normally not. She made all of these pieces. I helped her bead the jellyfish.

 mussel shell and spoon

There's more cat tiles, but I haven't photographed them.

 Sweet treats

 3rd grade pumpkin won 1st place

Abigail's Bad Kitty was awarded 3rd place. Wink sacrificed some fur....I like the other classes pumpkins. The ENTIRE pumpkin the the character, not just painted on.

 I turned 40

 Blackey

 Cat adventures

 Hermione

Alex Haley CGC haunted house

Juneau

Abby and I had our favorite pastime at the Anchorage Airport, which was to play hide and seek with her stuffed animals in the upstairs Alaska Native art display area with all the plants. The airport removed the plants and closed the public art display to put in a bar. The display is still there, but since we can't go in, it's like it doesn't exist. The Anc airport was my favorite airport.

Mendenhall. Glacier ok, waterfall outrageous.

Tried to see the mining museum. They only open when they want. Reinforces my negative perception of leaders.

We expected the porcupine to run away, but he was so busy snacking he didn't;t even acknowledge out existence.

pelmeni dumplings!

The big hit was The Flume!

 

We had so many mango lassis

 

State Museum

 

Shine of St. Therese

 

We got a surprise trip to Cordova because our plane got struck by lightening. Sad I didn't actually get to see Cordova, but it was an experience ot remember nonetheless.

We treated ourselves to frozen yogurt AND cinnabon after being stuck all day. I don't even like cinnabon and it was great!