MacKay Clan Courier

EDITION # 68 JULY 2007 MacKay Clan Grand Council Chieftain’s Message Kenneth MacKay, Chieftain Bob Sutton I hope that this note finds everyone in Gary Martineck good health and enjoying the summer. Marvin Dunn This has been a busy year for all of us, as John MacKay I am sure it has been for you, and it Roy McCready seems like only a few months since the Donald Martineck last MacKay Clan Reunion. Roger MacKay This past January I was invited to speak Edward MacKay at the Annual Robert Burns Dinner held Jim Sarra by the “Royal Scottish Dance Society”. It was a rather intimidating experience, Advisory Board made more so by the gentleman who Ginny Clark preceded me. He recited (from memory) Marilyn Cash the lengthy “Toast to the Haggis” in an Milford Dunn impressively assertive Scottish brogue. Jerry MacKay (Although I have to admit that it did not, Mark McCready in the end, improve the taste of the Greg Sutton haggis.) My charge was “The Toast to Robert MacKay the Lassies”. Despite extensive research, Tom MacKay I could find no official traditional “toast to the lassies’ that I could memorize. I Chaplain: Rev. Raymond Dunn recited “Handsome Nell”, a poem written by Burns when was only 15 years old. Historians: Dawn Sutton I think that it went over well, although Adele MacKay later I was required to get up and dance and was unable to determine if this was a This edition of the Clan Courier is reward or a punishment. Since this dedicated in loving memory to Joyce particular ‘Robert Burns Dinner’ was MacKay, who passed away August 8, “dry” (a word my grandparents probably 2006. used during Prohibition), the crowd seemed overly somber. Perhaps Scottish The MacKay Clan Courier has been traditions are more fun when shared published since 1968 and will continue among family. only with your support. It is each I hope to see all of you next month and if family’s responsibility to submit articles. it’s any enticement, if requested, I’ll Without these articles, there would be no recite “Handsome Nell” (but I refuse to Clan Courier. Please do your part to dance). keep this tradition alive! Regards, Chieftain Ken MacKay 39TH ANNUAL CLAN MACKAY done to get us to this point. Our parents, REUNION grandparents, aunts and uncles were first and foremost committed to family. They This year’s reunion will be held again at chose to honor and remember “Mama the Knight’s of Columbus, 1841 and Papa” by formally forming our Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY branch of the MacKay Clan and creating 14072 on Saturday, August 4th. the Annual Reunion. Their vision for the reunion and the ensuing Clan Courier Change of Locale for Bowling was for all MacKays to honor their heritage, to retain the closeness of family Please note that the location for and stay in touch, to gather together, Sunday’s bowling Tournament has support each other, share experiences, changed to Mil-Sher Lanes, 1840 and have fun. Military Rd, Kenmore, NY 14217 Since all 10 Children of Robert and Jane New Members to the Clan MacKay have now passed on, it is up to the 2nd, 3rd and future generations to keep Audrey Lou Daisher, born 12/4/06 to the vision alive and well. Our Nikki and Miles Daisher. predecessors spent considerable time and effort each year to see that everything Camilla Marie Ippolito, born 2/18/07 to was tended to. They enlisted the help of Karen and Joe Ippolito. many and I’m sure many of us remember being “asked” to do some task, with “no” not being an acceptable answer. It WELCOME TO THE CLAN got folks involved, and was a lesson in MACKAY!!! what it took to run a successful Reunion. Since their deaths, we have worked to keep the Courier, Reunion, Clan “alive”. We have achieved success, but. . . . Clan Finances Attendance at the reunion has dwindled The Clan’s finances have improved to about 70 in recent years, from over since last year at this time. However, we 100 in the 70’s and 80’s. Those not will still be collecting donations, attending are missed. We all miss out on contributions, or “dues” at this year’s the opportunity to connect, our children Reunion. These extra funds help pay for miss the opportunity to get to know their Clan expenses, and allow us to keep the cousins and form memories for a food charges affordable for all our lifetime. With the family now spread families. throughout the country, it’s understandable that not everyone can attend every year. But, what a wonderful Editorial tribute it would be to have a record turnout for the 40th Reunion. Make the Did you notice that this year marks the commitment! 39th MacKay Reunion? Next year will be the 40th, an incredible feat! It’s cause to think about everything that has been The Clan Courier has continued to be notice when you change your email published, and it’s often the same group address. of families that contribute articles. The links for each branch of the family Again, we’re missing out on that are there to be used in any way you’d connection, the sharing and support on like – family info, pictures, etc. At the which its’ formation was based. When reunion last year we asked for someone Dorothy and Jean published the paper from each branch of the family to type they would make many phone calls, the biography of their original sibling in gathering information and writing a Word document and submit, but we articles themselves. Certainly, no one have only received two! Please help us has stepped forward to take on that role. complete this project. Items you would All we’re asking is for families to like to have posted should be e-mailed to contribute – to stay in touch. Keeping [email protected] (This is a track of addresses, email addresses, new email address for me – Time family additions is easy when that Warner has taken over from Adelphia.) information is shared. Take the time to We can also have links connecting to send in your updates – we have several other web sites of interest to Clan families for whom we have no address. members – if anyone has a business site, etc. Let us know your ideas! We have a tremendous number of young, talented, creative people in our Clan. We need an infusion of this youthful vigor into our Clan’s present and future activities. The future of the MacKay Roger MacKay Family News Clan is in your hands! Greetings to the MacKay Clan and friends, MacKay Clan Web site It seems like the requests to submit an article for the Courier come closer and www.clanmackay.org closer together as the years go by. I think that means that time is truly flying Please note this is a new website. Our by faster than we may want it to! “domain name” has changed from We did not travel south this past mackayclan.org to clanmackay.org. The winter, but did take a couple of short new web site is going strong – check it trips with friends to PA for indoor out! It includes Clan Courier issues – festivals. It was a wonderful way to current and former, the Clan Directory, get our "bluegrass fix" before we started info about the Reunion, and results from our travels this summer. all the events at last year’s Reunion. Winding roads took us to the We hope to continue to expand the web Leatherstocking hills for our first site, especially in the area of Clan bluegrass festival in May. Living in the History. motor home has become a favorite The link for lost family members has pass time for both of us. Several more grown; please give us updates on your trips are planned during the upcoming families. There are more members months. whose email addresses are no longer Rog has continued to practice playing valid – please remember to send us a the guitar and dulcimer and Phyllis has continued playing cards with the girls while the boys make beautiful music! Bob Sutton Family News Blessings to all and hope to see you in August. This winter was the first full winter Rog and Phyllis MacKay that Bob and I spent in our home in Sarasota, FL. Bob retired in May, 2006; and I retired last December. We enjoyed the beautiful, sunny days and didn’t miss Lawrence Family News the cold, snowy weather at home. Bob played golf 5 days a week, fitting in some time for kayaking. I played golf We are doing well, running and walking but not as frequently. more for fitness than competition these In March Greg and Lea visited for the days. We still participate in races, both NCAA basketball tournament which was locally and out of town. This year we held in Tampa. Later in March Jim and are focusing on half marathons (13.1 Sue Sarra spent a long weekend with us. miles). So far we have run one at Jim and Bob played in a golf tournament Disney World and in Cleveland. We at our club while Sue and I shopped and also have them scheduled for beautiful sunned. The golf was not so great, but a Presque Isle Park in Erie, PA and in good time was had by all. Philadelphia. In early April we traveled to Las Vegas for a wedding, and we made a In October we are planning a Disney vacation out of it. Needless to say, we Cruise and stay at Disney World. This did not return as millionaires, but we had trip Eileen received for winning the a great time. Presidents Award at Merchants Kelly and Pete joined us in Orlando for Insurance Group where she just recently a week of fun. We went to Universal celebrated her 25th anniversary. Studios and Epcot, fitting in some rounds of golf. We have also been making some Greg and Lea are doing well. Greg is improvements to our home and are just working on his master’s degree while about at completion of a major still working at Johns Hopkins. Lea construction project which included received a prestigious award and should replacing several windows, a new roof, be getting a raise in rank in July. and an addition expanding our front Although they travel frequently, they entryway. enjoy their home on the water south of Annapolis, MD. We look forward to seeing everyone at Kelly and Pete have wonderful news the reunion. --- Kelly is pregnant! Naturally, Bob and I are thrilled with the upcoming arrival Dave & Eileen Lawrence of our first grandchild. Kelly is due January 8th, so we will delay our return to Florida after the holidays until the blessed event occurs. Don Sutton is doing okay. He decided to remain in his apartment instead of moving in with Hope. He is familiar Rio Rancho. We were there to take care with the area, close to the grocery stores, of that and what can I say if it happened doctors and the American Legion where to be the same weekend Rick Springfield he often visits with his pals. was having a concert. :-) Hope and Pat moved into their new In May, Kelly was moving to Portland, home the week before Christmas. They OR. After what seems like an are very busy with the kids’ activities. amazingly short time in the sun, (3 Hopefully, Hope will write an article for years) Kelly has finished her Au.D. the Courier. We haven’t seen the house, classwork and is heading out of Arizona. only pictures; but it looks lovely. Pat did She is spending the summer in Portland, a lot of the work himself. They are OR performing auditory research. In planning to add a pool this summer. September, she will be returning to We’re waiting for the house warming Rochester, NY where she will be party! finishing her clinical work at the We’re looking forward to seeing National Technical Institute for the Deaf everyone in August. (NTID), a part of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). So I flew to Tempe, AZ to help her pack up and make the long drive. It was an exciting and fun filled trip. CA is a long state!! LOL In August I get to fly back to Portland and drive cross country to Watts Family News bring her back to NY. I can't wait to do Let's see what did we do this past year?? that ride, I have always wanted to drive Watched plenty of hockey that's for sure. cross country. Will be exciting!! Had the NHL package deal. Still in In June I flew down to visit Kris & Jon. shock over the Sabres. But yea there's They picked me up at the Baltimore next year!! :-) I still work at the airport and we went to the Baltimore elementary school, can't believe it is 16 Harbor and to the Cheesecake Factory years already. Jim is still working too for lunch. Next we went to the aquarium. much. Still travels all over and has an That place is huge and very interesting. office in Rochester NY and Phoenix, We walked all over the Harbor area, AZ. Speaking of Phoenix, this past Feb. very impressive. Last on our day's events Jim, Kris, Jon and I took a vacation to was a concert at Pier 6. You guessed it~ Phoenix to visit Kelly. We went up to Rick!! Saturday we went to a craft and Sedona and did site seeing. Spent time in arts festival. Had a good time!! Tempe, Scottsdale and Phoenix and had Kory is still working at Invitrogen on a real good time. We even attended a the island, around the corner from me. I hockey game. Kory couldn't go with us, have the pleasure of his company for he couldn't get off work so in March he lunch almost every day. It's nice!! flew out to visit Kelly and see AZ. And Looking forward to seeing everybody they went to 3 hockey games!! :-) in August. In April Jim and I flew to Albuquerque, Jim & Lynn Watts NM and Kelly flew in a day later. Jim's Dad had requested that his ashes be scattered on the property he owned in Martineck Family News

Lisa and I enjoyed are first year with Dad was here from Thanksgiving until Natalle Elizabeth. She just turned one the middle of March. We took him to on May 31st! She is very excited to see Branson to see the Mannheim everyone this year, and plans on placing Steamroller Christmas show. After well in the water-balloon contest. Christmas we drove to Knoxville to visit Scott who was unable to make it home I ran in the Marine Corps Marathon back for either holiday. From there we drove in October. It was a tremendous to Orlando to see WI beat AR in the experience, especially finishing right in Citrus Bowl. We also went to Hot front of the Iwo Jima Memorial. No Springs when the race track opened up in plans to run another (at least this year March. We stayed with our good but maybe in ’08.) Lisa is busy chasing friends that recently moved there from Natalle, planting flowers, rearranging OH. furniture, and working hard. I cheer her on all the time. Scott's college chorus went to France for a week in March. Gary and I went to The only other exciting item of the year Knoxville in April to see the Spring was that I returned to my Scottish roots Concert and during the performance and started curling. That’s right, you’ve pictures from France were shown on a seen it in the Olympics (or if you’re screen above the stage. It was a great lucky and get Canadian television you program. Scott is hoping to transfer back can watch it all winter), and now I’m to UT in the fall. realizing the dream. I joined a novice league in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The We recently had the house resided. This funny thing is…we won our league thanks to some very persistent knocking off the heavy favorites. woodpeckers over the winter. We had at Perhaps I’ve found my calling. least a dozen holes in the wood siding. When birds started to get into the That’s about it… attic we knew it was time to do See ya soon, something. Let's see them try to get Chris Martineck through the vinyl!! But now the siding guys found that parts of the roof are bad and we are getting estimates to have it Gary Martineck Family News reshingled. $$$$

The Arkansas Martinecks Gary is getting more serious about

retirement, but he's afraid with all these We had the worst winter since moving to expenses he'll have to keep working and Arkansas. An ice storm left us without working (there is a method to my power or heat for 3 days. When the madness!!). Actually he's shooting for house became unbearable we packed up early next year. We'll have to see if he the bird, dog and Grandpa Carl and went can tear himself a way. to a motel. Fortunately we only had to And last, but certainly not least, we went stay for one night, while many others to Denver for Memorial weekend to see suffered for a week or more. Abigail (and Carl and Amy, too). We hadn't seen them since Thanksgiving so Sunday this year because I have to Abby had changed so much. Fortunately work. This will NOT happen again in I am able to keep up with Abby's the future as I will have more vacation progress and latest stunts on her web time as I gain seniority. I will miss all site which Amy very faithfully keeps of you, but I will be thinking of you. current. You will be able to see her in action at the Clan reunion. You won't Jim and Chrissy and the kids are want to miss it, so we hope to see wonderful. Taylor is 11 and enjoys everyone in August. basketball, soccer and her music at school. Matthew is 6 and he loves Have great summer. Bonnie and Gary baseball and King Kong! Daniel turned 1 year in April and he isn't interested in toys - he wants the remote, the telephone, the cellphone, and to climb on everything and throw stuff - he Don Martineck Family News really has a very good arm!!! We are blessed with the best, most beautiful grandchildren in the world! Hi Everyone, As of this writing Jim is still at GM on River Road, and Chrissy still works for Hope all is well. We've had a great her brothers' sealcoating business as year! their office manager. Jim finished his Finance Degree in December, (that Our biggest news is that Don was makes 3) and is glad to be done with elected Somerset Town Justice and online tests and homework!!!! began his 4 year term on January 1, 2007. He LOVES it and he is great We will be camping alot this Judge, dedicated to the job and the summer in the new camper of our right way to do it. We campaigned hard dreams - all trips close to home so Don and knocked on alot of doors, and we can be available to the Court. Next year had many people on his committee he will take some vacation so we can helping him - it all paid off! This is go farther away. We will be going to something Don always wanted to do in NY City the first week in October to his retirement someday, so he is very combine his schooling with a 35th happy. He is still at Newfane anniversary trip. That's going to be a School with his special student, and FUN trip!!! plans to stay with him until his graduation in 5 years. Travel safely to reunion and God Bless...... Linda I left the Town job last June to work 3 days a week at the Nursing Home, and it has turned out to be an excellent move for me. I love my residents and co-workers, and I'm glad I made this choice. The bad part is I will not be at reunion Saturday or Gerald F. MacKay Family News A lot has happened in our family since Rangers. I flew happily back home that the last Clan gathering but even more is Monday having watched Game 6 with coming up this month of June and early Beth and Jerry. The visit included July. Robert and his girl friend, celebrating and eating my way all Kathleen Deely moved to Charlotte, around Buffalo including the Anchor’s North Carolina where Kathleen’s family, famous chicken wings. originally from Rochester, had moved to neighboring towns. We expect an May also involved a couple of engagement announcement very soon special graduations. Our future and they are very happy with their new daughter- in- law received her Masters home. of Science in Education from Queens College and Mary Ellen received her For Thanksgiving, Mary Ellen Masters in Social Work from my Alma and I made the drive on Turkey Day and Mater, Fordham University. It is nice to celebrated the event in Buffalo with share an Alma Mater with your children Jerry and Beth. This year the - Jerry and Beth graduated from temperature was in the 60s! What a Canisius. Now, I also share one with difference from last year when the boys Mary Ellen! were shoveling snow. In any weather, their holiday dinner is a real treat and Our focus now is on Liz Gwin Beth and Jerry either watch a lot of and Chris’s wedding on July 3 at our cooking shows or have great teamwork parish on Long Island. All our other and culinary inspiration because the children Jerry, Robert, Liz, and Johanna dinner is fun and delicious. are in the wedding party. Doris, our granddaughter, is the flower girl. Hope Josie, Chris and I are involved in it’s sunny but not too hot. Texas Poker Night just about weekly. It even reached high points with close to I guess I could make the same twenty people participating in a Birthday wish for the August Clan meeting. We Poker Tournament for Chris in hope to be able to attend and look December and Josie in February. Josie forward to seeing everyone again. Until actually won at her celebration. then, the best to everyone.

Mary Ellen and I celebrated our John R. MacKay daughter Liz’s birthday in January along with our six-year-old granddaughter Doris in February. Liz is manager of a busy Starbucks in NJ. and Doris is busy in her kindergarten program and playing with Mom’s cat, Mr. Lou.

May found me at my greatest sporting experience. Twenty six years after taking Jerry to his first Hockey game at Madison Square Garden NYC, we went again, this time to the fantastic 7.7 second finish game five against the Jerry and Beth MacKay

As of the last Clan Courier, we were in the middle of producing short films through our new company, Littleflick Pictures. Well, a few Jim Sarra Family News short films turned into ten, all of which will be premiering this year Christine has completed her Master’s as a feature-length compilation degree in Education/Literacy and has called "Release The Funny" (and moved to the Rochester area, hoping to yes, they are comedy films). One find a teaching position. For the summer film has already been selected she is working at a local summer camp for two film festivals around the in charge of organizing the program country, and hopefully more will curriculum. She recently got a new follow. Check out littleflick.com to Honda Civic and loves it – especially the stay updated on when the premiere great gas mileage! will be. Michael is still enjoying Charlotte, NC – getting used to the heat. He recently Despite all the filmmaking, we did attended the 4-day Bonnaroo Music manage to fit in a nice vacation Festival in Tennessee with a group of to Puerto Rico this past January. I friends and had a great time. He was was already going there for involved in a car accident in March a conference, so we were able to which nearly totaled his car, but was bookend my "work trip" with some miraculously unhurt, and it took 2 R&R. months to get the car fully repaired. The highlight of the trip was several Jim and Sue have been to Florida twice days in Vieques, a small island just this year, once staying with Bob and off the coast of Puerto Rico. We had Dawn and once in our condo in Venice – such a great time that we're planning both trips relaxing and enjoyable. Back on going back to Vieques in home we’ve been tending to much January. We're planning on renting needed yard work and other home a house and inviting family and repair/maintenance issues. It’s a never friends to come down as well. ending chore. This year golf seems like a If you're interested in spending chore – we’re both struggling with our some time with us (without games, but somehow managed to put it spending much money...it's very together for one afternoon to win the Tan reasonable), give us a call. Tara Mr & Mrs Championship. Looking forward to seeing everyone at Well, back to the films! the Reunion!

Jerry MacKay Geist Family News

Jeff's family - Ashley is very active in competitive gymnastics and works at it year round. Ryan is on the Rapids Soccer team - a traveling team that now he's jumping off cliffs in Norway. competes around the state and Red Bull also has him Skydiving into sometimes Nevada & Utah. some of the pro football and baseball games - that's really fun for him - he Wendy's family - Jackson started piano get's great seats to watch the game after lessons this spring and he is obviously he jumps. Nikki works part-time as an very talented - unlike anyone else in all occuptional therapist for the Twin Falls of our family. The teacher plays a song School District. Their big news this past for him and he plays it back by memory year is the birth of Audrey Lou on - does not yet read music - he's already 12/4/06. She now starting to interact playing classical and jazz music - we are with her big sister Dorothy Sarra who all in awe of his talent. Brandon is also will be turning 3 in August. They sold on the Rapids soccer team - they have a their 2 year old home last fall and bought team for each age group. Kevin is a 1910 Craftsman home in the older area learning to play the guitar. This summer of Twin Falls. They love living in the the family is staying at their 2nd home in downtown area - can walk to the park, Hailey, Id. (Sun Valley) and having a church, library and friends' homes. It's a great time. huge home and they are slowly redoing Karen's family - The big news is they it taking off the layers of paint on the adopted a baby girl - Camilla Marie - original woodwork etc. Their new born 2/18/07 - what a joy for their family address is 204 7th avenue North, Twin - the four boys adore her. Both Stephen Falls, Id. 83301. Same phone #. and Michael are on the Rapids Soccer Harry and I still stay very busy - I'm still team - different age groups - Soccer is in Real Estate - our kids are very active big for our grandkids - keeps us busy in Real Estate so it is fun for me to stay going to games. They sold their big in the business. Harry takes care of our home and have actually moved into one rentals and maintaing the outside of of their rentals. They are purchasing a home. I have made a labryinth on the home in the country south of Filer but hill behind our house it was quite an their address is P.O. Box 1596, Twin undertaking - I think Harry thinks the Falls, Id. 83303. whole thing it a little bizarre. It is 40 Pete's family - Laurie is an incredible feet across and it is a circular pathway newborn nurse and the hospital keeps leading to the center. her very busy - she loves working with We are planning on coming to the these newborns. Looks like Jonah will reunion this summer See you in August. be the basball player in the family - He gets a hit every time and is really a good Love, little player whatever base he is playing. Miranda as in kindergarden this past Dorothy and Harry year and what a beauty - it's a good thing Daisher Family News she has 3 older brothers. It's hard to believe but their baby Jake just turned 2 Hard to believe another year has passed. in June. Our biggest news is of course the birth of Audrey Lou. She was born 12-4-06. Nikki's family - Miles is still jumping Dorothy Sarra loves being a big sister all over the country and world - right and Audrey loves to watch and giggle at Dorothy playing around. Miles stays would be a nice way to celebrate. One of busy with Red Bull and other BASE our favorite cruise lines, Oceania, had jumping adventures. He has many trip from Venice to Lisbon so off we shows on Rush TV an HD channel. I am went. Venice was a new port for Dan working a bit for the school district and and as we had been to several of the have started a festival to raise money for stops before we used the time to see children with special needs. We traded things we had misses on our last visit. A in our house we built 3 years ago to train strike in Florence forced us to hire remodel an old 1910 house. Well, that is a private car and driver to get there from as old as they get out here. It is the port. We shared with a couple from beautiful, but lots of work. We hope Toronto and it turned out to be one of the to come out for a reunion, maybe next highlights of the trip. year. We would love to show off We also loved our shore excursions to our girls. Dorothy Sarra has the spunk Aix (which looks like a Cézanne of her great grandma. painting) and Seville (with its beautiful cathedral and Royal Palace) Hope all is well with you guys- nik We took a quick Disney Cruise with Tim, Michelle and the three grandkids (Monica, JJ and Reese). My Dan McCarthy News birthday was on the first formal night so I was treated to a decorated stateroom and big cake at dinner. The wanderlust has kept us on Ginny Clark was down for her the move for the last couple of years. annual snow escape in February. We I’m not sure if it’s because Dan really kept her busy with a few projects and enjoyed his first cruise or that Dave and visits. Eileen Lawrence gave us a copy of We just returned from a two- “1000 Things to See Before You Die”, week river cruise tour from Moscow to but we have felt the need to travel. St. Petersburg. We loved the circus in Last August we toured China by Moscow, the ballet in St. Petersburg, the plane, train, riverboats (large and small) beautiful churches and royal palaces, but and a MagLev train that reached 237 I really loved seeing the beautiful mph. What a wonderful place. Beijing flowerbeds full of every colored tulip is really excited about hosting the and the lilacs just starting to bloom. We Olympics in ’08. All the sights were just don’t see that in Florida. spectacular: the Great Wall, the Terra We’re off again in July and again Cotta Warriors and the Three Gorges in September, but I’ll save that until next Dam, but is the very friendly and helpful time. There are so many more places to people we’ll remember best. see in the book. Some photos of our We celebrated our 40th Wedding trips are posted on Dan’s web sites: anniversary in November (a little late, but Dan Jr. was in the hospital with http://homepage.mac.com/djmjmcc495/ complications from a ruptured appendix China-Aug.2006/PhotoAlbum11.html in June so we were busy baby sitting our granddaughter Mallory on the actual http://homepage.mac.com/djmjmcc495/ date). Of course we decides a cruise Oceania- Nov.2006/PhotoAlbum151.html if you’d like to see more. Unfortunately, we can't make the Clan Mary Jane Reunion it is Jeff's busiest time of the year at work and he can't take time off during that month. Our family Jeff Geist Family News always enjoys reading the Clan Courier and we really appreciate all of you who take the time to put it out each year. Not too much news our way compared to Take care. the rest of the Geist families here in Idaho. This year we have both of our children in Jr. High school. Ashley will Janice, Jeff, Ashley & Ryan Geist be going into 9th grade this fall. She was selected to be in the advance all girl choir called Chantaire when she starts school this fall. Ashley has also been doing competitive gymnastics and has moved up to a level seven which means Nau Family News she is doing more difficult skills than she has done before which makes her parents a little nervous to watch her, ha. Ryan is We are all well. John continues to play going to be in 8th grade this fall and has in many bands with a wide variety of been doing competitive soccer for 3 genres. And his business is doing great. years, and eventually hopes to be on the Eileen, Dave, Ken, Monica, their kids Junior Varisty soccer team when he gets and us went to the Great Wolf Lodge into 9th grade. Ryan has also been doing after Thanksgiving for a fun time at the junior golf which is a competitive waterpark. Be sure to check out the summer league here in Twin Falls. Jeff roller coaster slide if you go. We and I are not golfers so we are surpised travelled to Mrytle Beach for Spring we have a golfer in our family. Jeff is Break. We had a lot of fun even though preparing to do Ironman Couer d' Alene there wasn't great weather. in Idaho at the end of June. Once he is done with the triathon we will travel to Lisa is continuing in college at Monroe Lincoln, NE to visit my parents and Community College, and considering family. We are hoping to get a few where she wants to transfer. camping trips in this year and finish up a few projects around our home this Lisa and Marjie were television stars in summer. I am of course managing Rochester. They were on a morning rentals and transporting kids every news program filmed at Wegmans where. I also do volunteer work at the raising awareness about Celiac Disease. junior high school, manage Ryan's Marjie has had this gluten intolerance for soccer team in the spring and fall, and 3 years and Lisa was diagnosed last year. just keep busy with family things. Jeff and I feel very blessed to be surrounded Julia just completed her Junior year in by his family and it is so nice to have all high school. She pulled off a Fun Day the cousins growing up together. project for her Girl Scout Gold Award.

And she will be working as a Junior He had an agenda (sort of)…After an Counselor at a 4H camp this summer. extended stay in Mexico’s capital, he traveled by bus through some of Central Marjie has surpassed her 5th year of America arriving at Honduras. Parker commuting from Rochester to Buffalo. stayed on a small island/Utila for about a We could have probably financed a new month learning and receiving underwater house with the cost of gas. Marjie is diving certification. He then headed still at M&T Bank as a Lending back up to Mexico City – Ken flew Compliance Deputy. Julia likes to say down there over the spring break and the job entails carrying a badge and gun. saw great architecture and his son! We Marjie says it is the equivalent of the were kind of up in the air as to when sheriff deputies at Fantasy Island. :) Parker planned to return home. Right before Easter weekend he showed late one night and he had a friend with him… a little six/seven week old puppy he had bought at the market in Mexico City. Ken MacKay Family News “Quetzali” is the sweetest little dog (who really won the lottery when Parker Dear Family, picked her and brought her home to America). However, Parker and I think this installment to the Clan Quetzali plan to return/move to Mexico Courier should be subtitled “trains, City sometime this fall and take up more planes and automobiles”! permanent residence there. Both will be greatly missed… Last December we took the family plus a couple friends to New York City for the Emily has plans this fall to travel to New day. We were all up at the crack of York City with her college class and dawn to catch the earliest JetBlue flight spend time in the fashion district. She is to the city. Fortified with AirTran and interning this summer at a small fashion Metro passes we hit the big apple! It publication firm in Buffalo. More was a gorgeous day in December – we traveling comes next spring when the explored Central Park, Fifth Avenue class goes to Paris, France! shopping, Rockefeller Plaza, and lots and lots of walking. We made it back to Stuart has his senior year of high school the airport at the end of the day and coming up. He is pretty involved with collapsed on the flight home. the retreat program at Canisius and is looking forward to traveling with The night before Ken had arrived back retreats/emergent trips to New Orleans from a two day trip to Ireland where he and perhaps the Dominican Republic. was a guest critic at the Limerick School of Architecture’s final semester review. As for me, I’m always along for the ride, (Ken was very, very tired at the end of whatever it might be! We’re looking the NYC trip!) forward to seeing everyone at the reunion. Best wishes and good health to Shortly after Christmas Parker packed up all! his backpack and flew to Mexico City. Love, Kenneth S. MacKay Family

Kristina Watts and Jon Krzos News

Jon and I would like to officially make it known that we are going to be parents! And in case that's not exciting enough... we just confirmed today that it is going to be TWINS !!

The due official due date is January 15, but twins are known to come early, so we're expecting the birth to be sometime in December.

For your viewing pleasure, I'm keeping track of the pregnancy milestones on Babysites.com: http://www.babysites.com/sites/krzosba by Hopefully I'll update it often with pictures and stories as they happen.

Happy 4th of July!

- Kristina