12/26/2004 FLORIDA TRIP
Joan, Russell, and I (John) just returned from a week in Florida. First and foremost we visited Will and Anna and Jessica, Josh, and Benjamin. We hadn't seen them for a year and a half. We all went to St. Augustine and visited the Casillo, St. Augustine is the oldest city in North America. The Castillo was built by the Spanish in. It was ceded to the British in.
We visited the Kennedy Space Center. We saw the Vertial Assembly Building (VAB) where the Apollo spacecraft, and now the Shuttle spacecraft are assembled in vertical position prior to being transported to the launchpads. We saw the two launch pads, 39A and 39B, where the Apollo missions, and now the Shuttle missions, are launched from.
We indulged in a Medieval Feast and show the last evening. The feast included soup, half a chicken, potatoe, and pastry, all without utensils. The show had a story to it and lasted throughout the meal. It included all manner of medieval battle--sword fighting, jousting on horseback, maces, Happily, the good guys won.
10/14/2004 JOAN'S MOTHER DIES
Joan's mother, Imlay Marie Allison, 89, died this evening. She had been in declining health for quite some time. She had lived with us (John and Joan) for the past eight years. A viewing and graveside service will be held Tuesday Oct. 19 at Mountain Green.
10/9/2004 BRAD & LISA NEWS
Riley Triplett was baptized Saturday Oct 9th and his new sister Natalie was blessed on the same day.
9/8/2004 A GIRL - BRAD AND LISA
Natalie Iris arrived in the Brad and Lisa family September 7, '04. She weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces, and was 18 1/2 inches long. Mother and daughter doing well. Click here to see announcement. Click here to go to Natalie's web page. Congratulations!
8/27/2004 DIVORCES
I have avoided posting divorces here because they are sad news. But they happen, and to keep this website current and accurate I should announce them. The following are no longer in the family: Angela Tangen (Will Tangen), Chad Hobby (Veronica Hobby), Tammy Triplett (Shane Triplett). I have taken their information off the website. We wish them and their spouses happiness and the best in the future.
8/18/2004 JOHN & JOAN VACATION
Joan and I just returned from vacation at our place on Whidbey Island, Washington. Nothing earthshattering, except......WE LEARNED TO SAIL! I don't mean boat, I mean sail, with the wind--no engine, just the wind silently powering us along. So when you visit, we'll take you sailing.
8/12/2004 BRADY GRADUATES
[from Lisa] Hi just wanted you to know that Brady finished up Cub Scouts tonight! He has earned his Arrow of Light (one of cub scoutings highest award) plus his religious knot. They go on with him to Boy Scouts! Riley just started Cub scouts two months ago.
7/18/2004 RUSSELL RETURNS
Russell returned yesterday from his year in Germany. He speaks German fluently, has red hair, and looks European. His experience is too much to relate here, but you can read his E-mails on his web page Russell's Web Page.
7/12/2004 GERMANY VACATION (pictures not yet available)
Joan and I (John) just returned from 12 days in Germany. We met up with Russell, then visited places we had known some twenty years ago and a lot of new places. We saw Rotenburg on the Tauber (river)--oldest walled city in Germany. This town is some 1000 years old and still in use. Life in medieval times was not the "good old days". It was a life of survival--against enemies, hunger, disease, fire (fire could wipe out an entire village, because the buildings were all jammed together), wolves and bears in the forests.
We visited Trier--oldest town in Germany. It was a major walled Roman town about 2000 years ago. There are ruins of a gate, a bathhouse, and a stadium (still in use). It then became a walled medieval town that dates to some 1000 years ago.
We saw "Rhein Aflame", a re-inactment of a castle burning and fireworks show. We visited the Dom, in Cologne--highest cathederal in Germany. It took 700 years to build. We visited the Muengstener Gebrueke--highest railroad bridge (350 feet) in Europe. We toured Schloessburg, a medieval castle. We visited Villa Huegel--residence of the Krupp Family (steel industrialists).
We visited several German families. Russell's host family is LDS--Brother Barluschke is bishop. He served a mission in Mississippi. They have four boys (5 to 14) and a newborn daughter. They had us for treats, and we took them to McDonalds (for the kids' sake). The boys will miss Russell--their 'big' brother.
We visited Russell's program coordinator and her daughter (who tutored Russell in German). A ward family (mother and daughter) had us for dinner. We met up with Benedikt (our German exchange student from six years ago) and his girl friend Sibel, and toured his budding software development company.
After 22 years we saw some things changed, some the same. There are more American influences--a lot of advertising and commercial signage in English, McDonalds, Burger-Kings, Staples, Woolworths. There are a lot of foreigners. The Germans still drive horribly fast on the autobahns. They are rude and impatient when driving. And they are terribly warm and friendly when you get to know them.
7/4/2004 THE SISTERS RENDEZVOUS
June 28, 2004 through July 2 found all five of the Triplett sisters---Marie, Linnea, Priscilla, Christy and Iris---in Williston, N.D., for a Sisters' Rendezvous, an idea originating with Christy and carried out by the combined efforts of all five "girls."
A gala time they had at Christy's gorgeous, newly-remodeled, BETTER HOMES & GARDENS home with the big jacuzzi and bay windows overlooking a Garden-of-Eden yard. They talked, laughed, bonded, cooked and ate together for three days, went to a museum (Ft. Union) shopped and paid a visit to Canada one day, the border only 45 miles distant. They were mermaids in her big jacuzzi bathtub and, on their last evening there, watched a darling movie "Peter Pan." Afterward, much to their surprise and wonderment, Christy, the ever gracious and thoughtful hostess, presented all with gifts. To say the least, they were speechless at this unexpected generosity. The evening was topped off by a foot massage for each sister by Linnea. At the next Sisters' Rendezvous, they are all looking forward to full-body massages by Christy who recently completed her schooling to become a licensed massage therapist.
Hats off to Christy and to all the sisters who made this first rendezvous a success. They plan to make this a tradition.
6/21/2004 FAMILY PICNIC
Today was our family picnic/reunion, at Palisades Park, near Manila, organized by "Grandpa". We finally found out who "Grandpa" is, but if you weren't there you will have to ask someone who was there. We enjoyed good food and each other's company. We all reported a few memories from our youth at McKinnon. It only rained a little. The young folk went spelunking in Sheep Creek Cave. Some folk came quite some distance--Wayne and Pam from Idaho, Willy from Montana, a lot of us from Utah and Wyoming. Marie won $20 for guessing that "Grandpa" was Mark. Opps!
6/21/2004 MARK'S NEWS
Shane: Has remodeled his home. It looks nice.
Scott: Is recuperating from a back inuury and is doing much better. His family is involved in 4-H, raising very nice pigs and lambs.
Tyson: Got married to a very nice girl "Shannon" from Canada. They are living in Provo going to school.
David: Has a very sweet girl "Cristen". David is building a steam engine and Cristen is working in Manila.
Jared: Is working in Utah and Arizona and is starting to build his own home.
Kelvin: Is getting ready to go back to work to finance his schooling, etc.
Mark: Is building a new barn and try to keep up with everyone.
6/2/2004 ERIKA GRADUATES
Erika Gerg graduated from high school this evening with 36 other classmates. Her father, David Gerg, came from New Mexico. And I (John) also attended. Congratulations, Erika! (Click here to go to Erika's page.) Erika is the last of the Ruel and Veda grandchildren to graduate from high school!
5/28/2004 NEW WILKINSON
Erik James Wilkinson arrived today in the Rhodes and Alison Wilkinson family. Erik weighed in at 6 lbs 10 ozs, and is 20 inches tall. He arrived two weeks ahaead of schedule. Erik and Alison doing well. Congratulations, Rhodes and Alison! (Click here to go to Erik's page.)
5/28/2004 JAMES GRADUATES
James Lamb, son of Sara and Kenny Lamb, graduated from high school this evening with 20 other classmates. I (John) attended. Congratulations, James. (Click here to go to James's page.)
4/23/2004 BRAND NEW SPILKER
Daniel Larry Spilker arrived in the Joey and Aaron Spilker family April 21. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 8 oz., with red hair. Joey and Daniel doing well. Congratulations!
4/23/2004 TYSON & SHANNON TIE THE KNOT
Tyson and Shannon Spencer were married today in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. Shannon hails from Winipeg, Canada. They had a reception in Winipeg April 17, and a reception in Salt Lake City today. Congratulations, Tyson and Shannon! Welcome to the family, Shannon! Click here to go to Tyson's and Shannon's web page.
4/21/2004 MURRAY & FAMILY VISIT GERMANY
Murray, Dusty, Daven, and Kasey (Dusty's sister) just returned from a visit to Germany. Until (and if) we get an account from them, here are a couple of E-mails that recount the visit:
This from Murray:
We just got back from Paris and Disneyland Europe. Daven was thrilled with his surprise, and Dusty has taken a million photos with her new Nikon D-70 (Megan, we just can't imagine another lens - it's awesome). Russell is coming down to Reichenbach this evening (fri) and staying with Jackson with us til Sunday. It's going to be a full house. Then we all go up to Wuppertal and see a few things up there before flying back out of Frankfurt on Wed.
See you all soon - and expect to watch 4 hours of vacation photos!
Murray
This from Russell:
Last Friday, I took a train to Aalen, a small town close to Stuttgart, where I was met by my brother Murray, his wife Dusty, his son Daven, and his close german friend Jackson. We drove back to Jackson's house, where Dusty's sister Kasey had stayed behind. We mostly caught up that evening and just went to a club for a couple of hours.
The next day we Murray, Jackson and I drove to Stuttgart to watch a soccer match between Stuttgart and Frankfurt. Normal tickets were no longer available, so we had to sit with the Frankfurt fans. It was great all the same. German soccer fans are the best. Some them brought huge flags, some close to 20' across. There was even a man that sat on the fence to the field with a megaphone, screaming and leading all the fans in chants. Of course there was also the other fans, who spilled beer on their comrades, passed out in their own laps or just plain screamed at their team to play better. We got a Wurst, which is the german equivalent of a hot dog, and some cokes and enjoyed a great game of soccer.
Sunday we drove up to Wuppertal and ate a delicious meal with my host family. It was already pretty late by this time, so Murray and his family turned in. The next morning we drove to the Müngstener Brücke, the largest railway bridge in Germany. It was built at the same time as the Eiffel Tower and is 107 meters tall and 500 meters long. It was a pretty day, though a little cold, and we wandered around under the bridge for a while. We then drove about 30 minutes to Schloßburg, a large and old castle. It is built on a small hill, which we ended up hiking to the top of. Everything was closed at the bottom, so we feared the castle would be closed also, but luckily it wasn't. We toured the entire castle and took tons of pictures. It was really cool to see some of this really old stuff and actually see how it was, to be right next to a two handed sword, larger than yourself, which is hundreds of years old. After several hours at the caslte we headed back to Wuppertal and had ourselves a Kebab Döner, which resembles a Gyro.
I then took them on the Schwebebahn through Wuppertal, because, as the motto says, Ein Mal ins Leben, schweben, Once in your life, hover. Schwebebahn literally translated is the Hover Train. Kind of amusing. After we had traveled back to the car and said our goodbyes, Murray and his family went on their way to Frankfurt to fly home and I went home.
Russ
1/27/2004 MARIE & STEVE TO ALASKA
Dear John and Joan, So nice to hear all your news, Joan. And it was such a pleasant surprise to see you in the store in Ogden. It sounds like you guys haven't slowed down either. We had a very nice trip to Alaska, just got home this afternoon and had to take a long nap after only cat napping on the plane. There wasn't much to do up there. We were going to go on a dog sled ride, but for some reason the dog sleds weren't running. Weston took us on an interesting drive up a back road covered with about a foot of snow and at least two feet on either side of the car. Ii was very beautiful. We went into Fairbanks a couple of times and to the BX and commisary several times. And to Church on Sunday. It was very cold and the parking lots and side roads icy. We mostly enjoyed the family, getting to know the little girls again, holding the baby, playing games, etc. A mother moose and her baby walked right past their living room window. I ran out and took pictures...hope they turn out nice. Wes and Wendee's baby is beautiful, of course I would say that.
I just got a letter from Christy. She also mentions a reunion this summer and offered her place. We will have to plan a time. What are the best times for you?
Sounds like Russell is doing exciting things, and I'm glad he is going on a mission. It's hard for you with your mother so old and needing care. There's not much you can do but what you are doing.
Chris and Vida are going to be transferred to Argentina this summer, maybe in June. They are excited to go there. Chris will be going to a school, I'm not sure what for.
Rhodes and Alison had the ultrasound on their baby. It's a boy...that will give them three boys and a girl. At least they have one girl.
Well, so long for now. Write again.
Love, Marie
1/18/04 CADEN WESTON WILKINSON
Caden Weston Wilkinson was born to Weston and Wendee Wilkinson Nov. 30, 2003. Congratulations Weston and Wendy! This is late, but I just received the news.
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