Merry Christmas!

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

I just Have to say that I am so excited for Christmas, I just can not wait. I am most excited to give the gifts that I have been working on for such a long time. and No I am not going to say what they are for those wondering. Just have to wait and see. Here is Our Christmas Picture. I have decided to post it for everybody to view instead of sending one this year. HAHAHA Just kidding because I have never sent one

Just for everybody to see this is my first Quilt I made for Macrina

So the other day I asked Joe what he was thankful for and here is his response:



First he says " umm i dunno"

Well what are some things in your life that you really enjoy

"um, I, well somthing in my life I enjoy is playing in my room"... with my Papa

Mama: Do you enjoy playing with your mama?

Joe: " I do and I don't"

Mama: "what else are you thankful for? food?

Joe: "Um Yes"

Mama: Joe did you have fun on thanksgiving?

Joe: "yeah I watched moovie ice age with big big elephant.

So all in all he has no Idea what the day is for

Sucess

Well I have successfully survived 7 days and 6 nights without BEN WHOOP WHOOP, he went hunting in MN with the whole gang. Peter was able to get a doe so we will have some meat. I was able to keep myself busy. I needed a lot of help to so I could get out and take care of the animals, so Friends and family helped me out every night by watching the kids. I also went to valley and stayed with the Phelps which was so fun!! so all and all BEN DON'T EVER LEAVE ME AGAIN!!!

PS: totally kidding

Obama is President

Well, we can start saying goodbye to our rights. We have elected a president who does not care about bankrupting entire industries in our nation, thus increasing energy costs, who wants to create a 'national civilian security force' (can anyone say Brown Shirts?), who has no reservations about abortion (after all having a baby is a 'burden' he says), who, despite his rhetoric, taxes will increase, our gun rights will be taken away, wans to re-distrubute the wealth thinks Americans cling to their guns and Bibles, who has befriended evil and hateful men his entire political life, who's campaign had 'truth squads' to stop free speech, who will try to re-instate the 'fairness doctrine' must I go on. Only four years.....

Well this Saturday we butchered one of our roosters, we went out to the phelps house, they had two Roosters they needed to Butcher so we drove out there for the day and butchered the chickens. It was fun visiting the Phelps, and easier killing the Roosters with someone.

I also knew that once the rooster was gone from the coop my ladies would start laying, and well THEY DID AHHH YEAH... I was so excited and still am. It was like Christmas.

I aslo recently got back with the kids from MN. I went down to vistit my grandpa in Iowa, Joe just loves Uncle Scott, and Aunt Cynthia. We went out to Amish Counrty and secretly took pictures of the Amish for a scrapbook I want to make. We had so much fun visiting family Phil and Bonnie are so much fun to be with ,they always make time for us when we are down..... (Thanks Uncle Phil and Aunt Bonnie hope to see you soon). Then there is Great Grandma and Great Grandpa they are so speacial to us.! One of the times we went to visit while Grandma went to work, when I went to leave Joe cried the WHOLE way home wanting (not) leave there house. Since we are able to vistit so ofton Joe knows them so well. I am forever Greatful for my always loving Grandparents.( I love you guys). And then there is Grandma and Grandpa I dont have enough room to write about how much fun we have when we are there and how you do for us. Ohh Yeah it is so fun to see Uncle Paul Too.

I LOVE YOU ALL AND THANKS FOR A WONDERFUL TRIP!!!!!

Pictures

Joachim and Macrina in there matching outfits,






Macrina Fell asleep in the walker.

Hunting

Well this last weekend I went on my first sucsessful hunting trips. I went up to Hatcher's Pass to camp and hunt ptarmigan. Over the weekend we got a total of 21 of the little birds. Because we all shared the birds I only got a total of 7. I only shot 4 of them. I was shooting with a .22. Hopefully, over Labor Day weekend I will go Moose hunting and get one.

The Month of JULY

This last month has been so busy! but we have had a lot of fun. It started out with us going to New Hampshire for our family reunion. The Labrecque family, Patras Family, Knight Family, and uncle Aaron all stayed at the Murry family's house. We had a lot of fun swimming in there pool everyday, we went and did the Freedom trail and saw the USS constitution, and lots of other historic sites it was really fun and beautiful. We also went to Plymoth Plantion which I thought was not as good as it could of been! they only had a few actors, and one chicken and a few goats. What made it even worse was that it was scorching hot out and we all were melting. Ben took the kids and I to the New Skete Monestary in Cambridge New York, which was only 2 hours away. Ben, Mom and Dad, James and John, Cyp and Paul went up to the Ben and Jerry's factory in Burlington New York which was 4 hours away. All and all we had a blast



Ps: thank you Murry's for all the fun and hospitality.!!!!!!!



So we got back the 13th of July which was a hassle because our flight kept getting delayed and we did not leave the Atlanta Airport till 6 and got home 10:00 Alaska time. My brother Picked up Ben friend Matthew O'Gorman earlier in the day. So on Monday I went and got Matt from Peter's house. So went another fun and busy week showing Matt Alaska! the kids and I took Matt down to Seward, we went on a cruise around Resurrection Bay, We saw so many wildlife, sea otters, Sea lions, Bald Eagles, Killer Whales, Many different Birds. On the way back we drove to see Exit Glacier and a black bear ran across the road. Then we stop to eat, and on our way out across the road were two Brown Bear!!!!!AWESOME!!!!! so if you think that is all right before we got to anchorage we saw a herd of mountain goats. The one thing Matt wanted to see was a Moose and so far NO MOOSE! So the Friday the 18th Phil comes up, that night we went took Matt and Phil camping at Eklutna. Which I think was Matt's first camping trip if not it was his first in Alaska. Then Saturday Drew and his friend Eric came up, and Finally Sunday Bonnie arrives!! So on the way to the airport to drop Matt off Ben and him saw a Moose. : )



So week three: with Phil and Bonnie, Drew and Eric. They did a lot Drew and Eric hiked Crow creek trail in two day's and one night, Phil and Bonnie stayed at Alyaska Hotel, one night. Ben, Becca and I took the kids swimming there. P and B and D and E went down to Seward. Then we went Camping Friday night it did not rain until we went to bed but then it did not stop the whole day! so we packed up and went home that evening, we went over to Pete's a Becca's house and played cards.



Phil and Bonnie left Sunday night the boys left in the morning.



And now for another couple of weeks my mom and dad are coming up : ) my mom will be here tonight.!!!!!

Today was a Good Day

Today was pretty sweet. First we woke up and had a great breakfast. Scrameled eggs with brocolli, cauliflower, carrots, onions and cheese - I know it sounded odd to me too but tasted great. Then we had to go to Houston to get some sparklers for Helen's and Brendon's Wedding, before heading out we got some coffee at Jitters. While at Gorilla Fireworks Joachim and I saw the Batmobile! Then right before we got back to Wasilla we saw a sign that said 'Train Rides.' We had to stop because Joachim loves trains. The train rides were at the Alaska Live Steamers. Basically it is a bunch of train enthusiats with too much time on their hands. They have built a mini train track with cars that an adult can sit on. The entire ride was about 1/2 hour. It went through woods, over and under bridges and past mini cabins and cities. It even went past a mini Orthodox church! Joachim loved it! And at only $4.00 each it was well worth it. On the way back home we stopped by Peter's Creek park. Joachim threw some rocks into the river then we walked along the Frisbee Golf Course. Even though it was cloudy it was nice. After that we came home and I fixed our lawn mower. It would not start. Contaminated gas ended up being the culprit, but I was pretty proud of myself for being able to take the mower apart and put it back together and get it to start. Off to Church now.

Flying

About a week or so ago, Peter Johnson took his son Lucas, Peter Lamb, Joachim and I flying in his Cherokee Piper. We were going back towards Eklutna Lake when Lucas looked like he was going to throw up. The plane was bouncing quite a bit. We turned around to go back to the Birchwood Airport, but Lucas fell asleep so we buzzed the community instead. We went right over the Church, maybe only 100 feet in the air - it was pretty sweet. After that we landed, brought Lucas and Joachim to their mothers and went back up. Peter, Peter and I made it back to the end of Eklutna Lake before needing to turn around, the winds back there were strong. We did see a black bear walking along the edge of the lake.

Getting ready to fly!

Joachim with his ear plugs on. He was sitting on my lap.

Eklutna Lake.

Relaxing...

Kari and Macrina in the Hammock in the front yard. Macrina is getting so big. She can't quite hold herself on both her legs and hands at the same time, but individually she can, so either her butt or her head is in the air! I'm sure she will be crawling soon.

Last night Kari, since she is the Matrian of Honor (I know I cannot spell) threw Helen Matthews a Bridal Shower. That left Joachim and I at home. We decieded to camp out in the yard. We cooked hot dogs over the fire, had chips and salsa, and drank soda. Joachim, like is Papa, loves fire, he always wants to get more sticks for the fire, and insists he always has a long stick to poke the fire with. JD and Noah came out to sit by the fire with us. Camping was great, even though it rained out.

Memorial Weekend

We are just now getting around to posting what we did over Memorial Weekend. The Johnson family, Curry family and Labrecque family went down to Seward for the holiday weekend. We always camp on Exit Glacier Road, about three miles in on the right. It is part of the 'special use area' ie free camping. It is a great spot, a little below the road, you do not hear too much traffic, not on the river side, so no 4 wheelers or crazy party people and right up against the mountains - a good spot for a family. We got down on Saturday afternoon. Sunday we went to the Sealife Center - very awesome. Monday we were planning on going to Exit Glacier. An old avalanche blocked the road however and we ended up just going to Seward and letting the kids play on the playground. Then we headed home. All in all it was a good trip.

Joachim getting his drink on (its closed).

The Campsite

Joachim and Lucas walking to Ressurection Bay.

Joachim outside the Sealife Center.

At the Sealife Center.

About Joachim's faviorite thing to do is throw rocks in the water. Every time he does, he exclaimes 'Big Splash.' He does this all the time. Yesterday we biked into Eagle River and had to stop at Fire Lake to throw rocks in. And Monday, at Chugiak Pool, everytime someone went off the diving board he yelled, 'Big Splash!'

Well this last friday we got a whole bunch of guys to pick up Al Zink's chicken coop! but the next day when I started cleaning the thing out I realized it was not worth the effort. It is just falling apart, so Ben is building a new one for me. We still dont have the chickens yet : ( I have also started to potty train Joe I realize that if I ask him if he has to go potty of course he says NO but if I tell him to go sit on the potty he will! so far all has gone on the floor : ( but it has only been a day.

More Pascha Pictures

Here are some more pictures of Pascha. Macrina in her dress, at the graveyard, enjoying the feast and Joachim preforming his fist folk dance. It was a great day. Now the wife and kids are in MN with her family. Quite lonely up here, been doing a lot of yard work to pass the time.

Pascha CHRIST IS RISEN!!!!!

Pascha was so much fun! The kids did great, we danced and enjoyed good food all day and into the evening!

More Snow

Well this is the view out my front window on 26 April 2008. It snowed about 20 inches in the last 24 hours! The morning news on the 25th called for 1-3 inches in the higher elevations and rain where we are. They sure know what they are talking about! This will basically be our 3rd break-up this year. At the end of March the snow was gone and I was able to do some yard work. Then it snowed. The last week has been sunny and in the 50's and there were only patches of snow left on the lawn. Then it snowed. I really hope this is the last time and that it will melt soon. Tomorrow is Pascha!

Macrina Baptized

Macrina Naomi was baptized on Lazarus Saturday at Saint John Orthodox Christian Cathedral. When she was pressented with her cross she had such a great, wide-open mouthed smile - it was like she knew what an awesome, life changing event was given to her. Father Marc later said he had never had a baby smile like that after baptism. Her Godparents are Jerry and Shelly Finkler, who are such great people. She received her first Communion that day as well.

Joachim's 2 Birthday

Macrina and Joachim

Macrina Naomi Labrecque was born at home January 26 at 2.00 in the morning she was 6lbs 9oz and 19 inches long, beautiful dark hair. Her brother just loves her and is so gentle with her! it is March 31 and she is already past 10 lbs. Joachim is turning 2 next Saturaday and I am making him a big Bob the tomato cake. He is getting Thomas the tank engine stuff.

Macrina

Joachim's second year