Mantyla Reunion July 2008

Carl and I traveled to Sandy Pines Resort in Dorr, Michigan to attend the Mantyla Family Reunion & celebrating a 55th Wedding Anniversary this past week-end. Married for 55 years would be Nancy and George. Congratulations to both of you! That is so great! The weather was just perfect! Just like the party - perfect!
We ate and ate, we laughed and played a game call Cornhole! What a great fun game for all of us big kids! Dave and Lori made the game and brought it so we could all play. What fun!
Nancy (my sister) and George Mantyla, have 3 children. Richard who is the oldest has 2 children, Jack and Rachel (Rachel couldn't make the party). Lori and Dave Anderson have 5 children, 2 daughter-in-laws and 1 grandchild and one on the way in October. Tom and Cathy Mantyla have 2 children, Michelle and Michael.
John (Nancy and Sally's brother) and Connie (just like a sister to us) came over Monday from Clarkston to attend the festivities. John and Connie have 4 girls and a son-in-law. The Morgan girls couldn't make the party.
Sally and Carl have 2 children, Rick and Amy. Rick arrived on Sunday to meet this cousins and second cousins again. Lori, Amber and Courtney also came along to join the festivities. Amber got to drive around in a golf cart, they even ran into some buddies they knew. Amy who lives in Brandon Florida couldn't make the trip this time, she was missed by her cousins! Rick also came back on Monday.
The party started on Saturday night at the Anderson's home and then followed on Sunday and Monday at George and Nancy's summer place at Sandy Pines Resort.
Today Richard returned to Anchorage and Jack got on a plane for Columbus,Ohio. Tom and Cathy and family will leave tomorrow for Chicago and then they fly home to California.
We all live so far away! Thank goodness for planes, trains and automobiles!
It all started with Dick and Dora Morgan. The family count is 31 and one more to arrive soon! Way to go! Wouldn't they be proud!
It was so good to be with family! That is what life is all about!!
Until we all meet again, God Bless everyone!

THE MORGAN'S RIVER HOUSE

The Front facing road

Front door facing road
River view of house
Sorry there are two pictures alike!

We traveled to Burt Lake yesterday, (July 16)met John and Connie at their new River House Property. Then we went to the "Cabin" and went on their boat to Mullet Lake. Weather was awesome! The boat ride was great!

John and Connie Morgan just celebrated their 30th anniversary on July 15, the day signed the papers for the River House! Congratulations go out to you two for at least another 30 years!

We are gearing up for our next trip to Grand Rapids this Sunday. My sister Nancy and her husband George are having a reunion this week. We have been invited to attend, we are going to see Tom and Cathy from California and their children, Richard from Anchorage and his son Jack. Lori and Dave Anderson and their growing family. They have a brand new granddaughter, that would be my great, great niece! We haven't met her yet! And rumors that they expect a new grandchild in October, Jason and Lisa are parents! Congratulations Dave and Lori

Keep coming back there will be updates!

Thanks!

Welcome Home

This is the sign we had when we got home. Artist: Kayla Kassel

THE END......9,303 Miles

We drove into Elk Rapids at 6:30 tonight. We came from Escanaba, Michigan this morning. We got a late start, plus we ate breakfast at Elmer's Restaurant. The menu said Katy's Restaurant, I really don't know about the restaurant, because when we were leaving the area there was a Elmer's Grocery Store. Go figure!
We stopped by my cousin Rick Wilson's in Naubinaway. Had a nice visit with Rick and his wife Pauline. Haven't seen my cousin in a while so the visit was a special visit. It always is with Rick.
They have a beautiful home and beautiful setting right on Lake Michigan. It is a paradise spot.
Sadie was glad to see Kayla and her friends when we arrived home. Kayla was going to surprise us with a Welcome Home done with chalk on our porch, but we arrived before they were done.
The Kassel's gave us a big welcome home along with Lily and Jackson! Sadie was excited to see everyone but really she was more excited to watch the squirrel going up their tree!
All, in all the trip was fantastic, can't believe we drove 9,303 miles! We saw so much, met so many nice people along the way, and did I mention spend a lot of money? It was so worth every penny! My only regret that we didn't do it 20 years ago when Rick and Amy were younger so they could have had the same adventure! But it didn't happen so, Rick and Amy will have to do this trip when they can!
I recommend this trip to anyone who can do it! The roads were great, oh well, there were some spots that could have been better, but we got through them alive!
Take a GPS and let her do the directing!
Time to go to bed and start a new day tomorrow!

Badland Pictures

Just a few pictures so the Badlands of South Dakota

July 9 Mt. Rushmore & Badlands

Hi from the Badlands of South Dakota.

Today was just a perfect day for perfect weather! We traveled from Deadwood to Mt. Rushmore and then to the Badlands.

Mt. Rushmore is such a magnificent place. We could walk to the base of the mountain and take pictures. Of course I got a ton of pictures. I can't wait to get home and compare my Dad's pictures of Mt. Rushmore in 1955.

Won't be the same I am sure.

Then the next stop was the Badlands. There are peaks and gullies everywhere. This land is like a mysterious elsewhere! Like what might be on the moon, or Egypt or somewhere like that. They say the time of day changes the colors of the badlands. I remember that they were really red in color. They could have been and maybe not. I was just 9 years old then.

We had a good day! Saw some interesting things and met some nice people along the way.

Next stop.......Minnesota.........then Michigan!

Until tomorrow night.....

Sweet dreams.

Pictures

Pictures of Wild Bills grave

and Calmity Janes Grave

Sally and Carl in front of Peco Bills

Motor home setting

Downtown Dead setting

That's what we did yesterday.

Have great day.