"This Christmas I was planning on getting a real Xmas tree, but there was no snow. So we had to use our fake tree again.

The most exciting part of my Christmas was watching my children's eyes when they opened their presents. Also the midnight Mass they had at the Catholic Church.

I was really excited on New Year's too, because they had fiddling going on at the school gym. The Marshall fiddlers were performing. Then at midnight most of the men went home to shoot their guns. So there were a lot of gun shots and fireworks and the people were shouting with all their might, 'Happy New Year!'

Slavik was too fast this year. I hardly went because it was too cold outside. When they reached my house I let Wesley and Arthur shoot outside of our house because that's the way we do it back home in "Chuathbaluk." We fed almost all of the people. We took a little over six hours feeding people. By the time we were almost done my feet were aching. The best thing was that my mother was here with all of us and everybody was helping me serve the people who were starring us. Many thanks go to Arthur Peterson, my brother Wesley, and his girlfriend, Linda Owletuck, for helping us out that night. And also to my son and daughter, Robert and Carmen.

I owe all my Slavik to my mother, Nastasia, because if it wasn't for her I wouldn't have been able to feed the people who starred us. Thanks Mom.

Last but not least, thank you, Traci

L. Fitka for doing some baking for me. Also to Ellen Alstrom for baking the turkey. Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year and many more."