Mike Coyle Memorial Fun Run

What an amazing day!  Today was such a great tribute to Mike’s spirit and to the amazing support that Kristin and the Goyles have from their school and friends.  Almost 400 people registered for the run/walk and there were several more supporters:  it was a sea of green t-shirts (beautifully designed by Georgia).  Thank you to everyone that helped put this amazing event together (not to mention the raffle donations, crazy hair booth, and spray tattoos that were available).  There were a few tears, but mostly it was a fantastic celebration of Mike. 

Signs that the the girls' woke up to in their yard this morning

Pre-race 

Goyles got a special pick-up at the house

Ready.  Set.  Go!

I loved seeing Georgia this happy.         

Kristin and Fiona finishing strong

 

Georgia and Fiona getting their “Best Finisher Medals” (they had their names on them, too!)

Balloon Launch

   

    

Almost the whole family

A huge thank you to everyone that contributed to this very special day.  I am so happy that I was able to be a part of it.  

 

(And of course we had to finish with a post race meal of burgers at Bill Gray’s)

Amsterdam on a layover

Even though I’d only been back in Arusha for two weeks, I decided that I wanted to join the rest of my family for the “Mike Coyle Fun Run” being held in Mike’s honor this weekend.  I was having a hard time being away and this seemed like the perfect excuse to come back.  Since it was a last minute decision the flight schedule was not ideal…a 6 1/2 hour layover in Amsterdam (plus a dreaded stop at JFK).  Even though Schiphol is a great airport spending over 6 hours there seemed a bit much.  I did a bit of research and it seemed entirely possible to sneak into Amsterdam for a quick jaunt.  I’m glad that I did. 

Easy train ride from the airport direct into the Centraal Station.  Pastry for breakfast.  Walk across the street to the canal boats.  Hour tour of the canals of Amsterdam.  Quick 20 minute walk around the area (I knew Holland was known for the bike culture, but holy cow!).  And I still had enough time to get back to Schiphol, grab a shower, and eat a sushi lunch before my flight. 

 

 

Not a bad way to spend a morning. 

Summer Fun

Fishing Fishing Fishing

First thing we did was buy a fishing rod. We fished in 4 states and caught lots of fish this summer!  Anderson loves fishing.

 

  

Leadville and Boulder Colorado

Lots of ice cream, bikes, red-white-and-blue and even a four-wheeler with cousins Chuckie and Sova!

 

Missoula Montana

Tubing, Fishing, Rafting and Camping on the Blackfoot River in Missoula Montana with the Banks (Dave, Joey, Birch, Cole) and the Spataro – Allen family (Fred, Marcy, Cooper, Enzo). What an amazing river town and great friends.

 

     

Rochester New York

Many hours with cousins Georgia and Fiona, Marshall and Mikey, Chuckie and Sova! So much fun in the pool and hiking around Durand Park and fishing with Grandpa Chuck.  Although the circumstances of us all being in Rochester together was awful, it was fun to see all the young ones together for the first time.  We miss you every day Uncle Mike.

      

Cape Cod

Great time on Cape Code with Grammy Webb, Auntie Zard, and Grandpa Jeff!  We swam in the ocean, played wiffle ball, went on a whale watch, had delicious fish dinners and made a cool banner with Grandpa Jeff!

        

 

Now we are back in Arusha and getting ready for school to start… miss you all.