Heading back up out of the sub...

Yes, I was kind of cheesing it up for the camera. (a girl can only take so many military and artillery mechanics before she gets a little bored and has to become creative)

This was a group that was going out about 100 yards or so from shore, and spear fishing. If you look at where the waves are capping, that's how far out they were, and the water was only up to their thighs.

Any time we were on the beach for more than 5 minutes, Matt was beach combing for treasures to bring home to the kids. This one was at Maunalua Bay.

Around the corner from Hanauma Bay. The Waves were amazing crashing up against the rocks on these clifs.

Just Hangin' Loose in front of the Flamingo's exibit.

My hotty hubby in the Safari portion of the Honolulu Zoo.

"24" Gotta love Jack Bauer

Matt and I are so excited that "24" is back on. If you've never seen it, watch the first season and get sucked into an awesome series.

Week's Review

I was just looking at my blog and realized it had been a week since my last post. And the last picture was a rather depressing one. So here's my week in a recap.

*Its still COLD (I don't care if they do say its 'warming up'. -5 is still just as cold as -25.)

*We're all counting down to our trip. (T-3 days and 16 hours) The kids are way excited to be staying at Grandma's house.

*Gabe started back up with swim lessons and is loving it. (makes for a crazy Wednesday, between picking up Gabe and dropping off Chandler for Scouts, but oh well)

*Can I just say how much I am loving having a Target? Who doesn't love 90% off Christmas stuff? PJ's for $1.76. Gotta love that!

-28.... Do you realize its warmer in the arctic circle than my house?

Let's talk about all this hullabaloo called 'global warming'. For those of you who don't live in Alaska, and are concerned about those poor polar bears who's homes are quickly melting away......

Let me just reassure you, they're fine!

Hears what the rest of us are waking up to, and let me tell you, I could use a little bit of 'global warming' right about now. Thank goodness Hawaii in only 12 days away. I think they'll have to chip me out of my ice cave to get me to the airport on time.

A month's worth of pictures.

Here are pictures from the last month. We've had lots going on, and little time to download the pictures from it. So here you go. I put more on after our big New Year's Bash at Jeremy's. The kids are very excited for the pinata and fire works that Jeremy and Renae are famous for.

Chandler opening birthday presents with the help of his sister Morgan.

Chandler's teacher's wife teaches next door to their classroom, and is famous for shoving cupcakes in the face of the birthday kid. They go to her, begging to have her shove their cupcake in their face. (I don't get it either, that's just what I'm told). Kind of like the music teacher at Gabe's school, who gets a cupcake from every birthday kid simply because he has a reputation for eating the cupcake in one bite and every kid wants to see that!)

Chandler, after taking a cupcake in the kisser. He loved every minute of it!

We went sledding the weak before Christmas over at the golf course in our subdivision. (perfect hills for sledding)
It was about 7pm at night, so it was pitch black, and I'm lucky we got any kind of shots of the kids. This shot is of Gabe in the front. And if you look closely, you can see Chandler and Morgan spilling out of their sled behind him.

Gabe in the driver's seat heading down the hill. Does he look like he's having fun, or what?

Jacob and Jense on their first sledding experience of the season.

My corny Christmas treats I made (Carmel popcorn) and we delivered as a family to our friends and neighbors.

Gabe, showing off his amazing castle from Santa.

Morgan with all of her Princess Barbie's that Santa left for her. She was so excited!

Chandler and Gabe having fun with Gabe's Christmas present from Santa. It was an amazing castle that stood about 3 1/2 feet tall.

Morgan attempting to make a snow angel in deep snow. It doesn't work so well. She practically disappeared.

Our Christmas Card Letter

What have the Stastny's been up to this year?

Matt was hired by Allen and Peterson to run the store out here in Wasilla, so we're all very excited that he no longer has to commute to Anchorage. Yeah! They actually bought a building and are reconstructing it to hopefully open sometime this spring. Matt has had a lot of input in that area, and is loving everything about his new job. Matt also served in the scouting program for most of this year, and felt right at home camping and hiking with the 11 year old scouts. Then about a month ago, he was called to be the Elder's Quarm Secretary, and is really enjoying that calling as well. We love having him so close. Morgan especially loves that she gets to ride to school with daddy, instead of taking the bus every morning. He works right across the street from her school.

Jennifer has been taking on more piano students, and between that, volunteering at the kids schools (all three) and running to the gym, she keeps quite busy. After a trip down to Idaho this summer, Jenn also decided to take on Scentsy in order to earn a little extra spending money for our trip to Hawaii in January. Its our 10th anniversary, and Matt and I are so excited to have a week of fun in the sun all to our selves. With all three kids in school full time (till 3:30pm) next year, everyone keeps asking Jenn what she's going to do all day. Any suggestions?

Chandler is now 9 years old. He loves scouts, school, and science. For Christmas, he asked for a crystal growing kit, and seeds to grow in his expanding greenhouse. (aka the kitchen window, and from time to time, when I'm not looking, the boys bathroom downstairs).

Gabe is Gabe. He is still very much into swords. But he has now added Indians and vikings to his interests. Gabe is 7 years old, and loves helping mom, doing homework (yes, he actually does) and reading. He is an excellent big brother to Morgan, and loves his afrer school sports program he is enrolled in.

Morgan. The Christmas card is pretty true to reality. She rules the house. We try keeping her in check, but between the cute factor, and being the only girl, its a losing battle. Morgan is attending preschool again this year, and loves all her friends she's made at school. She is very excited for Kindergarten, and to be at the same school as Gabe next year.

As you can see, we're all doing great, and have been very blessed as a family this year. We love our life in Wasilla, and enjoy camping, hiking, and just spending time together as a family. We send all our wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our friends, and family.

PHOTO TAG!

Watch and be amazed by the weird, sometimes awful photos that I would not normally post, and laugh off the stress of the holiday season.