Things We Take For Granted

I arrived in Mexico City today.  I have not been to a country like this for a long time.  Although I have seen lots of poverty and such in Brasil 26 years ago and India 6 years ago and such, I realized how blessed we are for living in the United States.  As I was driven from the airport to the hotel, I saw lots of poverty and more.  Lines at the hospital just to be able to get in and see a doctor.  45 deep or so it appeared.

We live in a great country and I am so lucky to do so.  My wife and Children are also blessed beyond belief.  I am sure that I will see lots over the next week whilst I am here.

Wake Up Johnnie and Start Posting Again - Boyack Reunion Planning

Well It has been almost 13 months since our last post and it is about time I start posting again.  Last night I had a wonderful call with two of my cousins, second cousins me thinks, and we held a debrief on the Boyack Reunion that they planned and hosted in August.  It is my 'clans' turn to host the reunion in 2012.  It is an even year so that means Boyack fun with 200+ cousins.


The Merrill Clan did a great job and now the Wanda Clan gets to do the 2012 reunion.  I am quite excited for this next reunion as lots of ideas danced in my head throughout the night.  You see, Boyacks have been holding reunions for 60+ years, every two years for four days.  It is a time to bring the family together from near and far for a fun filled four days.


The Boyack.com website is being transposed into a Blog thanks to Cousin Dave in Vegas and I encourage you to turn to that page for updates and more about the upcoming reunion.


Our last participation was at the 2006 reunion in Park City just days before Kurt-Erik arrived.  Here is my post from that reunion http://knechtions.blogspot.com/2006/08/boyack-reunion-2006-fun-times-galore.html.  There is nothing quite like reunion time.


Love to all and we look forward to 2012

Christmas Eve 2009

We had a wonderful night with family.  Usually we have friends as well but since Hans and  I just got back home we had to limit it to family.  Hope you enjoy the sites from our home as Santa came to visit.  Somehow he finds us where ever we are.

Erik at School in Sweden

Here are pics of Erik at the school he went to in Sweden. We wish we had more but these will have to do. They had removed most of them from their computer the week before I asked. Oh well.

Our Trip to Paris - Big Kids Tagging Along

We finally did it. No More London...Paris was the choice and so we went. We all had fun...for the most part. Hans was sick and missed a big XBOX Tournament...but survived.

We had a great time at the different sites France offers...but were especially moved as we went to Normanady and saw the beaches of Omaha and Utah where the American Troops came and fought. To see the Cemetery there with over 9000+ bodies was also spectacular. Words cannot express our gratitude to the men and women {mostly men in those days} that died in the cause.

We saw families with three and possibly four generations walking around Normandy. We heard languages from around the world being spoken there at the site. It was awesome to think that peoople from all around the world come to see...pay respect to or just wonder about this historic area.

The kids went swimming in the waters on the Omaha beach. We dipped our toes...but...that was it.

As one walks the beach, a person cannot help but think about the beautiful rocks and sea shells that are found there. One also wonders if the red ones were originally another colour but are red in honour of those that gave their life for freedoms of many.

I also loved the pictures of the foot prints being washed away and going their seperate ways. It reminds me of the poem 'footpints in the sand' where it is talked about two sets of prints and then only one when Christ is carrying us.

I post many pictures....so that all can share in the personal experience we had.