Translation help

[matrushkaka.livejournal.com]

I can read a little Russian, but have trouble reading handwritten scripts. A friend came across these old photographs of her grandparents, and would like to know what the writing says. There are four pictures.

http://www.7thsign.com/~izzy/gallery/Dads-Side/img101
http://www.7thsign.com/~izzy/gallery/Dads-Side/img103
http://www.7thsign.com/~izzy/gallery/Dads-Side/img105
http://www.7thsign.com/~izzy/gallery/Dads-Side/img099

Would anyone mind terribly translating these for me, please?

Thank you/спасибо!

Катерина

(no subject)

[queenmaeve.livejournal.com]

When trying to pronounce a word in russian, does the letter sound like it's name?
For example,
Letter: A
Russian Name: ah

Does the letter sound as 'ah', or is that strictly it's name? I guess what I'm really trying to ask is if I try to pronounce a word, do I string together the sounds?
I realize that I really can't understand much until I actually hear it from someone who knows what their doing or get a tape, but I have all of $5 as of now, and that doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon. Until then, anything you try to beat into my head will be very helpful. Feel free to add any information you deem necessary.

"Merry Christmas" according to grandma....

[kart.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to decipher another phrase that my grandma remembers from the old days. She says something that sounds like - встос вскресь. I guessed at the spelling. Can anyone figure out what it means literally?

She's 81 years old and grew up in a Russian/English speaking household. Both parents were from the old country, but since childhood she has forgotten 99% of her Russian. That which remains is mostly old sayings and some of the most common phrases: слуши! понимаешь? блини со сметаной, etc. or for example, she says "руки на-гора!" (put your hands in the air, or literally hands on the mountain) whenever anyone has a coughing fit or chokes on a piece of food.

(no subject)

[idealforcolors.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone, I've got a quick request for vague advice: I'm going to Tbilisi, Georgia, tomorrow morning. I know only a couple phrases in Georgian, and I've studied Russian for two years but I've never been abroad or had to speak it outside of class. If there's anything urgent that comes to mind you can tell me, I'd appreciate it a lot :)

Thanks! Happy New Year!