Sunday, November 30, 2008

Turkey Trotters--4 Generations Run 5 K Turkey Trot Race on Thanksgiving Day 2008
















Keeping up the annual tradition, our extended family enjoyed the 5K "Turkey Trot" run on Thanksgiving Day, at 8:00 am in the morning in Torrance. Here are a few of the Turkey Trotters, having successfully completed the course, from 20 min to 60 minutes, by run, walk, trot, stroller and unicycle... Special Congratulations to Jake--the first of the 4th generation to run the Turkey Trot...






























































































































































































































































Sunday, November 23, 2008

Educating Dylan

Robyn introduced Dylan to Henry David Thoreau at Walden Pond. Dyan was impressed.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Robyn Does The Cambridge-Tarrytown Tour

Robyn enjoyed a quick visit with Christian, Katie & Dylan in Cambridge. Here they are at Walden Pond. Robyn says it is very peaceful.


They traveled to Tarrytown to meet the extended family for Jan's 50th Birthday Bash.

Then Dylan went horseback riding.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Family Gathering For Mikel's Funeral

Sunday November 2 & Monday 3 we gathered in Bountiful, Utah for Mikel's funeral. Representatives of all branches of the family came from near and far to pay tribute to Mikel--from Turlock (Phyllis, Melanie, Nicholas, Madison), New York (Jan, John & Sophie), from Boston (Christian), from Alaska (Brett), from Pennsylvania (Lew), from New York and LA (Lisa, Saleem), from Orange County (Jeff, Robyn, Ryan), from SLC, Davis, Ogden and Utah Counties (Joyce, Shawn/Jill & family; Lori/Michael/Aaron/Isaac; Brett/Melanie; Brady & Megan; Kevin & Heidi; Austin & Rachel), from Corona (Phyllis' work colleagues) etc. etc. etc.
A family and friends gathering at the funeral home was held on Sunday evening. Many of Mikel's friends from past and present came to pay their respects.
On Monday Morning, we gathered in the chapel at the funeral home for a beautiful funeral service. Mikel's young grandkids and nieces/nephews sang "Puff the Magic Dragon" to Austin's guitar accompaniment, one of Mikel's favorites. All of Mikel's brothers and sisters spoke of his life and how much they will miss their "older brother."

We drove to the grave site. Nephew Aaron played a solitary and mournful "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes as the pallbearers carried Mike's coffin to the grave site--only a few feet from his father Ralph's grave. Uncle Lew dedicated the grave, and afterwards family and friends mingled, enjoying each other's company and remembering the good times with Mikel.
May the Comforter be with each of us, to ease our grief at Mikel's untimely passing.