A HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2007

Hard to believe that time has passed so quickly with our children, Marina and Andrew.

A first American Christmas for our children was quite a new experience. Some of our time
this past holiday season was spent visiting the children's new cousins, aunts, uncles and their cherished grandparents in Minnesota.

This week finds Marina busy with learning the 'art' of selling Girl Scout cookies; volunteering to help at a kid's carnival by helping set up and take down games and Andrew is 'dealing' with his new haircut after taking 5 inches off. Andrew made a football bet and unfortunately it turned out that apparently he lost so the deal was that he would 'cut his hair' IF he lost. WOW, we are
so glad to be able to see his face again!! In order to compensate, a friend treated him to a BIG
hamburger.....one of his favorites!

Andrew and Marina continue to progress in their own individual ways....which is another story in itself. Andrew loves to become submerged in any Harry Potter books he can get his hands on AND in fact that is how his English is coming along so well now....doing a lot of reading. He has
had to take 'time out' with getting over the flu bug and now he is being tested for a possible asthma concern....so while awaiting testing he is really learning to read English well.

Marina is enjoying her busy school schedule, sports and is turning into a little artist. She won 2nd place in a local contest held by one of our town banks. Her prize was a cute ceramic piggy bank with a big cork for his nose. She is pleased to put some of her allowance in her own savings account for something she may really want one day.

We have acquired a new pet.....his/her name is Skippy (Marina named it) and it is a 2 month old parakeet given to Marina by our local barber who raises many of them.

Greg and I have been enjoying the quietness of the winter here in Alaska and busy like many parents trying to keep up with different events the children are involved in. Summer really is not far away so that means that this family will be getting ready for all our summertime guests who may be checking in with our Lodging while visiting Alaska.

Hope to post a little more regularly in the next few months. Thanks for visiting our blog!!!