Alex's Basketball Banquet

In the end of the basketball season, we had a baskeball banquet to celebrate the seniors and the other players.

JV Team. Best friends Tyler, who couldn't play at all this season because he tore his ACL in the fall, and Alex.

 Alex getting his certificate and thanking his coaches.

Riikka's 40th Birthday in St. George

My very good friend Riikka celebrated her 40th birthday in St. George and we were invited. Rod had golfed all week in Mesquite so I met him in St. George.

Anne-Marie, Riikka, the birthday girl and me. I made a new friend in Anne-Marie. What a fun and sweet woman.

Matti. Old and good friend from Finland.

Riikka's parents Jorma and Mari staying with Riikka for a month or so. They are getting ready to travel back to Finland. Hoping to see them in the fall again when they come back.

Me, Darla, Sarah and Matti. Great friends from Finland.

Darla and I. Darla is from St.George but lives in Kemi, which is WAY up in northern Finland where the sun won't shine in the winter at all.  She stayed the whole winter in St. George after the whole family came for Christmas. Matti went home, the others stayed. I don't blame them.

Jyri's Visit to Utah-March 2012

Our old friend, Jyri came to visit Utah from Finland in March. He is trying to sell some equipment to Kennecott so while he was here, he went skiing with Rod. We met him for dinner one night.

Jyri, Marja and Rod

Jyri, Marja and Rod

Marja's Finland Trip-Helsinki

After almost a week in Jyvaskyla, it was time for me to travel to Helsinki for a day and then fly back home.

I bought a train ticket to Helsinki and the train was supposed to be a Pendolino, a super fast and comfortable train but instead they sent us a train from 40 years ago. So old that when you used the restroom and flushed, all the flushed stuff fell on the train tracks. The white in the picture is the snow on the train tracks. Super!

When I arrived to Helsinki, my best friend Paivi was there to greet me. We headed straight to Stockmann for lunch. It was so great to spend some time with Paivi. I wish I could take her home with me,

After lunch, we walked to my half sister's, Etta's house. We chatted and exchanged news. I met her husband of 10 years for the first time.  Sadly I forgot to take his picture. I think Etta looks like my dad.

Etta and I. So great to see her after 10 years.

 

Best friends, Paivi and I.

After visiting with Etta, we dragged my 60 lb suitcase to the train and rode to Leppavaara where we drove in Paivi's car to her house in Lohja.

A fun evening with Paivi and Jasmi.

Samuel was there too.

And Paivi's husband Jyrki. A Navy Captain (Komentaja Kapteeni) who is gone a lot, so it was great to see him.

It was an early, early morning when I had to fly out of Helsinki to Amsterdam. I wish I had time to tour the city. I flew on KLM from Amsterdam to Chicago and then home.

Marja's Finland Trip-Back in Jyvaskyla

After leaving the big celebration in Juva, Kalevi drove us back to Jyvaskyla.

We went to see Tati, my nanny, who is not in good shape anymore.

My mom is exchanging news with Tati.

Tati and I.

Tati saying farewell to us. I'm hoping to see her in the summer. She is hoping that she will not live that long.

We went to Figaro for lunch with my mom. We had blinis which were so yummy. Yes, that white glob is sour cream and the orange is fish roe. Could lunch get any better than this? Don't think so.

Yes, they sell cow's blood in the grocery stores. If you haven't tried blood pancakes, you are lucky.

One of my favorite Finnish desserts. Mammi.

Looks like s*@t 

Yes, it looks like a cow had a crap on my plate.

But you cover that crap with plenty of sugar and cream and boy, it is yummy.

Before leaving to go home I went to see Tati one more time.  While I was there, her nurse came to see her and take her blood pressure.

Dinner with my sister, Riitta and her fiancé Sampsa at Fransmanni.

Yes, we look alike. I'm hoping I could be as beautiful at 85 as my mother is.

My mother on her cell phone outside of Sokos. Probably calling either a taxi or one of her friends. This woman leads a very busy life.

My dad passed away on March 13th 1997 and the date was close enough that we decided to take a candle to the memory grove at the cemetery in his memory.

Marja's Finland Trip Continues in Juva

Sirkka is getting ready for the big Kirkkoherra celebration

All done with primping.

Mr. and Mrs. Pylkkanen

Ake and Sirkka

Sirkka's new work place. Juva Lutheran Church.

Helena, Kalevi, my mom and Kimmo are walking to the church.

Kalevi and my mom walking up the church steps.

Sirkka is arriving in a processional.

The Bishop of Mikkeli Hiippakunta

Sirkka is giving an uplifting and sometimes funny sermon.

Sirkka is blessed and "set apart" as the new Juva Kirkkoherra.

Introducing Juva's new Kirkkoherra.

Sirkka's brother, Kalevi and his son Kimmo were in the attendance.

My mother, Sirkka's husband Ake and the Bishop's wife Maria.

My second cousin Suvi and her husband Reijo.

My cousin's grandson, Miro. The sweetest boy ever. I finally got him to smile.

The church service is finished and Sirkka and others are leaving.

My lovely relatives. So somber.

Ake watching his wife. So sweet.

My cousin Pauli (Miro's grandpa) and his girlfriend Aino.

The Finnish flag is flying in honor of Sirkka.

The arch outside of Juva church.

Sirkka, the happy Kirkkoherra.