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| A family travel series from Grandparents.com |
Grandest Adventures: Alaska
Watch what happens — all the fun, all the excitement, all the special moments — when grandparents and grandchildren travel together
Luxury suites. Spectacular wildlife excursions. Breathtaking glacier expeditions. Our pilot installment follows a family of six — two kids, two parents, and two grandparents — on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise from Alaska to Vancouver.
Follow their adventure as they make their way to Alaska, adjust to life aboard the magnificent Regent Seven Seas Mariner, experience world-class activities and tours ... and navigate the extraordinary relationship between grandparents and grandchildren.
The Family
Meet the Coyles and the Johnsons! From fun-loving Grandma Pat to teenage twins Maddi and Kenzie, this Atlanta, GA-based family is always up for an adventure. Click each person's photo to read their bio.
And check back soon to watch our first webisode!
Competitive to the core, Jim loves sports. Watching and participating: He challenges his children and grandchildren to the 50-yard dash any chance he gets.
Love, Exciting, and New: Born and raised in New York City, Jim married Pat, his high school sweetheart, in 1960 and attended St. John’s University and The Harriman Institute at Columbia University.
Anchors Aweigh: After college, Jim joined Cluett, Peabody & Co., Inc. as a sales trainee. He was promoted several times within the organization; 39 years later, Jim retired from Cluett as their vice president of licensed products.
Amazing Voyage: Jim and Pat have been married for 48 years. They have five children (two sons and three daughters) and 13 grandchildren.
Shore Is Nice: In addition to spending time with his family and friends, Jim enjoys golf, boating, traveling, and anything to do with the stock market. He and Pat also volunteer at the local hospital.
Born: New York City, NY
Currently resides in: Atlanta, GA
An only child, Pat's dream was to get married, have eight kids, and live on a farm. Five children and 13 grandchildren later, she is over the moon.
First Mate: Born and raised in New York City, Pat married Jim, her high school sweetheart, and studied education at St. John's University.
Cruising Along: While Jim pursued his career with Cluett, Peabody & Co., Inc., Pat stayed home with their five children. But "home" was constantly changing; Cluett transferred Jim — and the family — eight times in 15 years, finally settling in Atlanta, GA.
All Hands on Deck: Pat and Jim have five children and 13 wonderful grandchildren. She works as a successful real estate professional in Atlanta. In her spare time, Pat enjoys spending time with her family and friends and playing bridge, reading, and traveling.
Hometown: New York City, NY
Currently resides in: Atlanta, GA
Family time to Cody means movies (especially comedies), outdoor barbecues, and deep-fried turkey on Thanksgiving.
Charting a Course: Raised in Albany, GA, Cody moved after college to Atlanta where he now resides with his wife Pam and twin daughters Maddi and Kenzie.
Destination: Success: Cody received a B.S. in Technology from Georgia Southern University. Upon graduation, he launched his career in the wholesale distribution industry, specializing in management, logistics, and warehouse management. He was most recently branch manager for a national wholesale distribution company.
Shore Thing: In his spare time, Cody enjoys fishing, playing tennis, and training the family’s border collie, Molly.
Hometown: Albany, GA
Currently resides in: Atlanta, GA
She quit college to run off to Vail. She came back for her degree, and then went on to professional success. She stops pickpockets in their tracks. Her secret? Self-confidence.
All Aboard: Raised through her early teens in New York City, Pam moved with her family (mother, father, two brothers, and two sisters) to Atlanta, GA, where she now resides with her husband, Cody, and twin daughters Maddi and Kenzie.
Staying the Course: Pam received a B.A. in Journalism from Georgia State University. She is now a successful sales and marketing executive in the telecommunications industry.
Smooth Sailing: In her spare time, Pam enjoys skiing, playing tennis, and volunteering at her local golf and tennis club.
Hometown: Northport, NY
Currently resides in: Atlanta, GA
Athletic, energetic, and artistic to boot, Kenzie's the more outgoing twin — she's been known to lip-synch and dance for the camera!
It Takes Two: Kenzie attends middle school with her sister, Maddi. They're in the eighth grade.
A Packed Itinerary: Kenzie runs track, plays violin in the orchestra, and plays tennis in USTA tournaments. She also volunteers in the community with her sister. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming and playing Guitar Hero video game.
Gangway! Shortly before their trip to Alaska, Kenzie, and Maddi participated in a triathlon to benefit the Special Olympics.
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Currently Resides In: Atlanta, GA
Passionate about sports and volunteerism, Maddi's motto (emblazoned on a T-shirt hanging in her room) is: Wish It. Dream It. Do It.
Twin Sails: Eighth-grader Maddi attends middle school with her sister, Kenzie.
Full Steam Ahead: Flute-player Maddi splits her time among band practice, track practice, and volunteerism. She and Kenzie volunteer in the community through their parents' country club. In her spare time she enjoys swimming, tennis (she plays competitively), and playing her Guitar Hero video game.
The Whole Crew: Maddi spends lots of time with her three pets: Molly, a border collie; Scooter, a rabbit; and Skittles, a guinea pig.
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Currently resides in: Atlanta, GA
| This is a fantastic idea! I lovew the bios of the selected Coyle/Johnson family.
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| I have enjoyed this grandparents site so much. The families that take time to share their life with all of us are amazing. My life is like 180 degrees from the one I started out making many years ago. I am 61 now, have three beautiful daughters and 10 grandchildren-this part if my life is the beauty of each day. My immediate family consist of myself and two siblings. We are all not far apart in age, I the only girl. Parents gone, we each now have our own little families but the sad thing is, we do not share any of it. I have not seen them since 2001 tho I continue to send holiday cards, birthday, etc and have called each of them over the years, even when tears rolled and that feeling of having made the call in the first place started up. Well, I have my gift around me close. I have not the best to say about my life choices and some have really been painful. You hope when you find a great friend and it turns into marriage, your dreams start all over again of having that complete family unit, but because that was not the case, the (emotional) damage done chipped away from a successful, fun loving and active person to one that had to "be guarded" so you don't bring that to your family again. Now, I am at peace, I love life, family and taking a hike or brazing the snow slopes, well - I survive for now. But for those of you who don't believe this, I still want that special person to share all of this with...as far as siblings, well you can do your part and after you try for so long, it becomes less painful. They were very successful in their lives and I was the duck that all of the water didn't run off of. This is just for those who think you can't be alone and happy, you may not really want that for yourself but you find happiness all around. To the Coyle/Johnson family, your story warmed my heart, thanks for sharing and God Bless!
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