Birthday, Dogs and Moose Antlers

Yuri entered his late 30's last month and to celebrate, we had a Mexican fiesta at the house.  Some of you may not know that Yuri was born in Mexico to Alaskan parents who were out enjoying their youth.  Anyways, whenever possible we celebrate his heritage - we are so lucky to have an excuse to have pinata's and drink Pacifico! 

Below is a picture of Piper Burks at Yuri's B-day party.  She is about to become a big sister and is showing a lot of potential with the babydoll.

Here is Petra at Yuri's party...  Her mother hails from Mexico so she and Yuri always have fun celebrating their "home land".

We've had some fabulous weather that has allowed us to get outdoors.  It is so dry here that the snow has a lot in common with sand...just falls through your fingers when you try to pick it up.  There are no snowballs being made here.

One of our outdoor adventures was to watch my dad participate in a skijor race.  Below you can see Yuri (who doesn't even like dogs) help my dad get the dogs under control and to the starting line.

Rory's sled ride through the neighborhood to visit grandparents and great-grandparents.

I may have mentioned in previous blogs that Martin Janecky, our friend from the Czech Republic, is a very talented glass blower.  We often benefit from his generousity and this Christmas he outdid himself by giving Yuri and I a blown glass moose antler rack.  It is absolutely fabulous and I feel so honored to have it on my wall.  Below is Martin with the newly installed rack - my photography leaves a lot to be desired and doesn't do the work justice but you get the idea. 

Ben Sharp, an extremely talented metalsmith, came to Fairbanks again (from Washington) and created the stand/mount for the moose rack.  Below, he is posed perfectly to show off his handy work.

Hope you are all well!

Love,

Yuri, Sydney & Rory

Good old fashion Wargan Morwick Christmas & Much More!

Christmas '09 was quite an event.  Rory had fun tearing up wrapping paper and enjoyed playing with her cousins - Addy, Quinn, Tyson and Ayman - who made the trip north from Valdez and Olympia.  The month of December was filled with parties and get-togethers; we are fortunate to have so much family and friends nearby to help celebrate the holidays.  Below is a picture of Rory with her cousins (it was the best we could do with little ones squirming around). 

A week into 2010, my college friend Sonja and her son Arturo came to Fairbanks for a visit.  We hadn't seen each other since my wedding (2004) and she hadn't changed a bit.  Arturo is a few months younger than Rory and she sensed it...patting his back like a baby...it was sweet.

The 2010 legislative session has begun, which means that Yuri is now commuting to Juneau.  Thankfully, session is only 90 days and he is scheduled to return home most weekends.  Rory and I headed to Juneau last weekend to visit.  Rory stayed behind for the week to hang out with her Grandparents, Great-Grandpa, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.  She has returned to Fairbanks unscathed.  Below is a picture taken of the 4 generations of Morgans.  L to R: Sid (Yuri's father), Rory, Yuri and Sid Sr. (Yuri's grandfather).

Several weeks ago, Rory underwent minor surgery to get "tubes" inserted in both ears.  She has battled ear infections most of her young life, and already, the procedure has noticeably improved her quality of life.

Picture below:  Close family friend and amazing glass artist, Martin Janecky, hanging out on the couch with Rory and Yuri.  Behind them is a fabulous painting that artist Jan Viresen made for our living room.  He was in town last summer painting the diarama for the Morris Thompson center and stayed in the apartment next to us.  The gift was so thoughtful and we are loving it!

Following are some random pictures that show you how big Rory is getting. Note that she is 100% mobile now...walking and running like a slightly intoxicated trackstar.

Against child labor laws, we are starting Rory young...she loves to clean (unlike her mother)!

Bathtime at Rory's grandparents home in Juneau...notice the cute belly and numerous dimples on her backside...so cute!

Erna Frieda Morgan

In early January, we lost another dear family member.  Yuri's Grandmother (Paternal) Erna passed away after a long fight with Alzhimers.  She was a special woman with a huge heart.  We are so thankful that Rory had a chance to meet her last year when we spent several weeks in Juneau.  Erna will be greatly missed.  Following is her obituary.

Longtime Juneau resident Erna Frieda Morgan died Jan. 4, 2010, after a long struggle with alzhimer's disease. Her husband, children, and Juneau grandchildren were at her side. She was 88.
She was born in 1921 in Castle Rock, WA, to Erna A. and Edmond E. Kluth. She attended school there, graduating from Castle Rock High in 1940. She married her high school sweetheart, Sid, on January 1, 1941.

In the spring of 1953, she and her children traveled from Seattle to Dillingham to join her husband, who was an agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She and her family moved to Juneau in 1957 and subsequently lived briefly in Cordova and Petersburg before returning to Juneau for good in 1960.

She worked as an accounting technician and accountant with St. Anne's Hospital, Dr. Riederer and Dr. Ray's family practice clinic, and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, retiring from the state in 1985.

In her youth, she was a voracious reader of mysteries and an avid deer hunter and fisher. She was a lifelong cribbage player. She was a good mother and indulgent grandmother who will be remembered for her love of family, generosity and graciousness.