Monster Family

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/OWpzGbBfT8EjIHRC

(Thanks, Cousin Jo!)

The Trip to Wisconsin

Not long after Tracey was hospitalized, I went to Wisconsin to both see her and to be with family. Jason lives in the state and brother Doug had flown in from his home in North Carolina.

Here are my brothers:

The cousins (minus Eddie in Texas and Tracey, of course) gathered on the footbridge at Dad's and Jan's home:

Doug; Ted (Joanne's fiancee'); John and his wife Anne; Karin; Joanne; Kristen; Jason.

Cousins.

Brothers.

Anne and John.

Marsha; Donna; Jan; Jan's daughter, Angie; Russ.

Awww, witness the hug!


Ted and Jo.

More photos to come.

Tracey

After a busy day that included lunch with Dad (Russ) and Jan and a trip with a carload of kids up to Green Bay some six weeks ago, my sister wrapped up her day with a visit to her friend's home to check on that family's pets. As she stepped up to the front door with her 10-year-old son, Max, she had a heart attack, which most likely triggered a stroke. Unfortunately, she fell backwards off the steps, hitting her head.

"Family" is an amazing concept and I am proud to be a small part of ours. The way parents, step-parent, siblings, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, step-siblings, nephews and nieces all came together in support during this tough time was wonderful. Tracey spent weeks at St. Luke's Hospital in the Cardiac ICU before being moved to the care facility that she's at now. During that time, a lot of decisions had to be made and a lot of action taken. So many helped, but special kudos go to Jason and Amy, who- in part simply because they live within minutes of Tracey's home- had to really step up. I feel helpless living so far away, but there is comfort in knowing how strong and responsible Jason, Amy and the rest of our large extended family has been during this family crisis.

That's what "family" is for...

The Three "T"s

Lucas had torn his tricep tendon, and that is why his arm had swollen up so. After a few weeks in a sling, he's now healed and has been back on the football field.

What's Been Happening in the Last Month?

WHEW! We just came off of one of our busiest months in recent memory.

To catch up:

The Greater Arizona Greek Festival, held here in Phoenix at our Holy Trinity Cathedral campus, is always on the 2nd weekend in October. Basil and I are both on the executive committee and our volunteer jobs began months earlier with the planning, prepping, list-making, ordering and sorting of many of the details that keep one of the largest ethnic festivals in the state of Arizona successfully rolling along. My emails alone, with "Festival" in the subject line, easily exceeded multiple hundreds.

Our whole family gets involved. In addition to helping with set-up, Sammy also created many, many delicious Baklava Sundaes at the Kafeneo (coffeehouse) booth.

Lucas ran supplies to booths, helped out in the Hot Dog stand and danced with his troop.

This is my favorite dancin' photo of Lucas this year:

That's Stella, his long-time buddy, that he's spinning around.

Even Mom (Sheila) puts in loooooong hours every year! Here she is with Sammy constructing Mezadakia (appetizer) trays.