August 2011 Visit to Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center

We had a memorable, if all too quick, visit with Robyn's cousins Christy and Don Cardin.

We enjoyed the Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center in Old Towne San Diego.

The center's interactive tour gave us a "you were there" experience.

 

 

Michael, Christy & Robyn

as the sun was setting

 

Jeff, Under the Gun

Launching Elder Robinson On His Mission

In late July we launched Elder Ryan Robinson on his mission to Texas San Antonio.

Bon Voyage Cake from Paulette Tagaloa of our ward.

Family pool party--arranged by Christian and Katie.  We played Marco Polo all afternoon.

 
Ryan gave an amazing farewell talk in Sacrament meeting. We had a family get-together. Ryan was set apart as Elder Robinson that evening.

Saying Goodbye at Grandma Joyce's.  We went to the Salt Lake Temple and Grandma took us out to eat at the Lion House Pantry, the day before Ryan entered the Provo Missionary Training Center.

One last hug for Mom.

We had our traditional send-off lunch at Pizza Factory, with Joyce, Robyn & Jeff

Ryan unloaded his gear at the MTC, with the help of the elders.  The parting was over so quickly.  Ryan/Elder Robinson gave us a hug, and walked off with a smile, not even looking back.  Way to go, Ryan/Elder Robinson!  Our prayers are with you.

Mt. Lamarck High Sierra Backpack Trip July 2011

In early July, we had a great extended family backpack trip to the Lamarck Lakes area, just West of Bishop.
Lots of snow was left at the higher elevations.
Brent & Debbie, Ben, Josh; Matt & Stephanie; and Cerise came from the B/D wing of the family.
Greg, Jillair & Nathan came from the G/J wing.
Jeff & Robyn, Ryan came from the J/R wing.
Everybody hiked, or toured Bishop/Mammoth/Eastern Sierras, to their heart's content.

Jeff and Robyn, car camp before starting the hike--getting ready to visit Lake Sabrina
The pretty forest camp grounds were full. We were glad to snag a spot on a sunbaked slope by the road up to the trailhead.

Eric and Stephen, canoeing at Lake Sabrina the day before our hike starts

The night before: Sorting out our ice axes, crampons and other gear

Communing with Nature.

At the trail head to Mt. Lamarck
Back Row: Jeff, Matt, Stephen, Greg
Front Row: Cerise, Stephanie, Eric, Jillair
Not shown: Ryan, Brent, Ben, Josh, Debbie (hiked up the day before)

Water break!

My Favorite Trail Buddy--Robyn
What a great hiker on her bionic knee!

Robyn and Jillair hiked up to Lower Lamarck Lake

Eric and Stephen enjoy the sunset at icy Upper Lamarck Lake

Eric The Braveheart

Self portrait

Mealtime at Upper Lamarck Lake
Stephen, Eric, Aunt Jemima (Nathan wearing a bandanna to protect his ears and neck from sun), Ryan, Jeff

Spirit Rock, by Upper Lamarck Lake
Brent gathered us here for a family council,
planning session and testimony meeting on Sunday afternoon.
This large, flat rock is actually about 6 feet above ground level, if you look carefully.

Camp Snowman, at Upper Lamarck Lake
We made a snowman from the snow cleared from our tent site.
Stephen, Brent, Eric, Ben (I think)

Summit Team, early in the morning as they headed towards Mt. Lamarck
Eric, Josh, Ben, Nathan, Greg, Brent
Mt. Lamarck is the small looking peak to the right of the pyramid. Its actually the tallest mountain in the immediate area but looks smaller because its farther away.

Pointing to collapsed snow bridge--100 yards distant
Two days previous, going up the trail, we crossed the stream on this snow bridge,
right where the huge chunk is missing.
On the way down we found it had collapsed, sending its melting snow into the swollen stream.

Happy Hikers--coming down the mountain on our last day.
Ryan, Nathan, Josh, Debbie, Brent (behind Greg), Greg, Stephen, Matt, Eric (seated), Ben, Jeff
Lower Lamarck Lake in background

The Three Amigos
Brent, Jeff & Greg

Me and the "Sons of Mt. Lamarck"
Stephen, Jeff, Ryan, Eric

Judge Greg, about to get a ticket
for parking his tired bones in the "NO PARKING" zone, at the end of the trail.

My idea of good trail food:
Pack out the discarded rusty cans you find along the trail, and if they contain some disgusting pork & beans & hot dogs--so much the better.

***
I hope for a repeat hike!

***

Hap & Jannetta Robinson Family Reunion June 2011

Stephen Davis and I had a great time attending the annual Hap & Jannetta Robinson Reunion in Farmington, Utah on June 27th. Here are a few photos.

Dad and Mom, conducting the ceremonies

Our family pavilion, ready for the reunion to start

The reunion attendees, listening to the family reports

Scott & Heather Robinson Teran

Paul Freed and family reporting

Hap and Jannetta are with us in spirit, as their oldest son reports on the doings of the Greatest Robinson Family in the World!!!!!!!!

Memorial Weekend 2011: Barbecue and Beach!

Saturday May 28

The Martin and Robinson clans gathered at the Rachel & Austin's UCLA married student apartment for a wonderful BBQ picnic to celebrate Rachel's graduation from Cal State Long Beach: Master's Degree in Structural Engineering! Go, Rachel!

Austin, The Host with the Most
(Sorry, I didn't get a good picture of Rachel!)

Waiting for the burgers to cook....

Katie and Grandma Robyn feeding Bennett

Two of Four generations present from the Robinson side

Serving the lip-lickin' pies brought by Susan & Brian Martin & Family

Susan Martin has the touch with Bennett.
Dylan is running around someplace. The other toddles in the park followed him around, up and down the jungle gym.

Monday, May 30
Greg and Jillair and Nathan invited us to join them at Trails 6--a beach at San Onofre State Park.

Our spot at the bottom of the chocolate mudstone cliffs.

Jillair and Greg

Yours Truly

"The Girls" had a lot to talk about.....

Nathan and Ryan on the beach

Nathan and Ryan coming in

Eric getting ready to surf

Jeff and Robyn, all smiles