FAMILY, you gotta love 'em

When my brother-in-law, Bob, passed away, the girls and I caught the Amtrak train and spent two days traveling down to Los Angeles. At the service for Bob, some folks from his church spoke of his unshakeable faith and his passion for prayer. I knew Bob was a church-guy but I didn't know how deeply he loved God. I'm glad folks shared.
Though the reason for gathering was sad, all the brothers and sisters (and more) got together for Annie and her kids. We managed to get in some smiles together at dad's place. The Original Ogrens
Johnny started it! He and Carolyn posed first and then got all of us into the act. Here the original six pose together. Front row (left to right with birth order): me (5), Jeane (1), Annie (2), Patty (4). Back Row Boys (left to right): John (3) and Paavo (6).

John and Carolyn striking their pose.
They're pretty terrific and they live in New Mexico.

Scott and Katriina stop for a photo opportunity. Scott is our brother we picked up when Dad married Linda in 1992. He flew in from Colorado with his youngest, Pete.

Annie and some of her gang.

The youngest is Kayla and Katriina is the eldest of Annie and Bob's four kids. Kevyn looks a lot like his dad and is a strong young man.

The fourth kid is Kristen and she had left for home before we started snapping pictures.

Below is Kristen and to the left is her eldest, Adrian.

My younger brother, Paavo, and his two kids, Courtney and Kirk. Paavo has a heart of gold and is always good for a hug! He lives on the Central Coast of California in beautiful San Luis Obispo.My closest sister, Patty, with her husband, Bill, and some of their gang. The eldest kid, Leila, is in school in Virginia, but Emma and Patrick were able to join everyone in LA. They live on California's central coast also in Santa Maria.





Here's grandpa with Peter. Peter is grandchild #20 for Dad and Linda.

Catherine poses with her 'nino, Paavo. These two have something special together.

Leilani. Of all my nieces and nephews, Leilani is the eldest. (Pete's the youngest.) I sometimes refer to her as my Bicentennial Baby as she was born in the summer of 1976. I was fortunate enough to be staying with Jeane and Glenn when Lei was born. Unfortunately (for me) Jeane didn't like hospitals and opted to give birth at home. I took off when she went into labor and spent a couple of days with Annie and Bob. (Jeane ended up having all three of her children at home with no complications. What a woman!)

<--Patrick, Leilani, Emma, Mitchell (he took the train in from New Mexico), Kayla

Oh, yeah. Steve was there too!