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

Fourth Month

I can not wait to tell everybody what all I have done this month, so far I have begone to play with toys, reaching for them and putting them in my mouth, also I have recently started to flip myself over and trying to scootch forward I HATE not being able to crawl yet, though mom puts me on my tummy alot so I can get more upper body staingth. Three weeks ago we went to Minnesota and stayed for a week and a half. I had so much fun. We went to minnihaha falls and walk the trail, we also went to Fort Snelling I got a cowboy hat. The big reason for going to Minnestoa was My Aunt Bonny and Uncle Phil's wedding they got married on July 22. My Papa had to go home that Wednesday after and mama and me stayed and went to Iowa to visit my Great Grandma and Grandpa, and my mom's aunt's and Uncle's. While we were down there we got to go to Amish country its so cool, I want to have my own farm when I am bigger. I also forgot that before we went to Minnesota my aunt and uncle's on my papa's side came up to visit us Naomi, Josh, and Levi Knight, Paul Cyprianna Murry, and my uncle Aarron Labracque.

Third Month

So far this month I have really started to smile and talk to my mom and dad. I love them so much. We went camping a second time out at Eklutna with Mary and JD Curry, and now we just got back from dip netting down on the Kasilof River. It was so much fun we caught 4 fish, mom got two and dad got two. My Uncle Peter and Aunt Bekah were there with my Causin Lucas they only caught two, the big set nets were out so the fish were running.

Camping

We went to Seward for memorial weekend and camped on Exit Glacier road. Mama and Papa and I went down Saturday. We met Jeremy around 3pm in the afternoon, Mary and JD came around 1am, Peter and Bekah came around 1:30. Sunday we went to Exit Glacier and climbed all around the glacier. We ate lunch in Seward and went down by the docks, Papa, Mary and JD saw an Otter I was really tiered and screaming at Mama to get me to sleep so I did not get to see the Otter. : ( the rest of the day we hung out around the camp fire. Monday morning we slept in and Mary went and got donghnuts for us all. Camping is so much fun! I am excited to do it again.