Tuesday, December 23, 2008
January 4th - Family Day
Please make sure to bring your calendars we need to talk about the Trust at some point in January/February.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Emma and Santa
Emma handled her first encounter with old St. Nick pretty well. She smiled a couple of times (lousy camera guy missed the smiles) and tugged on his beard, which we think was real...oh Emma!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Christmas 2008 (to be held in 2009, but who's counting...)
Hey everyone!
I second all of Rene's comments about Family Day 2008 and can't wait to see all of you again at Kristie and Ranier's wedding on December 20 and then at our Christmas brunch on January 4, 2009 (at 11am at my house).
As a reminder, the results of the Christmas drawings were as follows:
Kristie will buy for Mike
Ranier will buy for Kristi
Kristi will buy for Katie
Adam will buy for Karen
Cheryl will buy for Adam
Rene will buy for Darin
Darin will buy for Cheryl
Karen will buy for Ranier
Mike will buy for Kristie
Julia will buy for Shawn
Brianna will buy for Cheyenne
Samantha will buy for Emma
Cheyenne will buy for Julia
Shawn will buy for Tyler
Tyler will buy for Samantha
Emma will buy for Brianna
Adult gifts should be around $40 and kid gifts should be around $15.
My address is 44 Pulido Court, Danville, CA 94526. From Turlock, take 99N to 120W (in Manteca). Merge onto 5S toward SF/LA. Merge onto 205W toward 580/SF. 205 W becomes 580 W. After about 20 miles, merge onto 680 N toward Sacramento. Exit the 680 at Stone Valley Road-East. Turn right onto Stone Valley Road. Stay on Stone Valley Road for about 5 minutes (you will pass Round Hill Country Club on your left and Monte Vista High School on your right.) Once you pass Monte Vista High School, you will make your first right onto Green Valley Road. Then make your third left onto Verde Mesa Road (you should see a sign saying no left turn between 3 and 4pm on weekdays -- that is where you will turn left). Turn left onto Pulido Road and then another left onto Pulido Court. Our house is on the right hand side at the bottom of the court. It should take about an hour and 15 minutes or so from Turlock. Of course, if you have any issues, just call my cell phone.
Also, Dad wanted me to mention again the idea of having monthly family dinners. We could have a set day (i.e. first Sunday of the month, third Saturday of the month, etc.) and could rotate locations. If you have a chance, think about the idea and we can chat about it at our Christmas brunch.
Lastly, Dad wanted me to mention that he would like assistance putting together photo albums of Louise. If you would like to help in any way, let him (or me) know and we can try to coordinate a day to sit down and put the albums together. I know Dad would like to get as much information as he can about the photos so that he can write comments about the photos in the albums...
Okay, I think that's it for now. Let me know if I forgot anything!
See you all soon,
Karen
I second all of Rene's comments about Family Day 2008 and can't wait to see all of you again at Kristie and Ranier's wedding on December 20 and then at our Christmas brunch on January 4, 2009 (at 11am at my house).
As a reminder, the results of the Christmas drawings were as follows:
Kristie will buy for Mike
Ranier will buy for Kristi
Kristi will buy for Katie
Adam will buy for Karen
Cheryl will buy for Adam
Rene will buy for Darin
Darin will buy for Cheryl
Karen will buy for Ranier
Mike will buy for Kristie
Julia will buy for Shawn
Brianna will buy for Cheyenne
Samantha will buy for Emma
Cheyenne will buy for Julia
Shawn will buy for Tyler
Tyler will buy for Samantha
Emma will buy for Brianna
Adult gifts should be around $40 and kid gifts should be around $15.
My address is 44 Pulido Court, Danville, CA 94526. From Turlock, take 99N to 120W (in Manteca). Merge onto 5S toward SF/LA. Merge onto 205W toward 580/SF. 205 W becomes 580 W. After about 20 miles, merge onto 680 N toward Sacramento. Exit the 680 at Stone Valley Road-East. Turn right onto Stone Valley Road. Stay on Stone Valley Road for about 5 minutes (you will pass Round Hill Country Club on your left and Monte Vista High School on your right.) Once you pass Monte Vista High School, you will make your first right onto Green Valley Road. Then make your third left onto Verde Mesa Road (you should see a sign saying no left turn between 3 and 4pm on weekdays -- that is where you will turn left). Turn left onto Pulido Road and then another left onto Pulido Court. Our house is on the right hand side at the bottom of the court. It should take about an hour and 15 minutes or so from Turlock. Of course, if you have any issues, just call my cell phone.
Also, Dad wanted me to mention again the idea of having monthly family dinners. We could have a set day (i.e. first Sunday of the month, third Saturday of the month, etc.) and could rotate locations. If you have a chance, think about the idea and we can chat about it at our Christmas brunch.
Lastly, Dad wanted me to mention that he would like assistance putting together photo albums of Louise. If you would like to help in any way, let him (or me) know and we can try to coordinate a day to sit down and put the albums together. I know Dad would like to get as much information as he can about the photos so that he can write comments about the photos in the albums...
Okay, I think that's it for now. Let me know if I forgot anything!
See you all soon,
Karen
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Family Day 2008
Another great Family Day! We all headed up to the cabin for a day of football on the TV, trays filled with veggies and monster shrimp, and picking on Mike Riley. I'm glad we were all able to get up there. Thanks very much to Katie for coordinating the Bunco game. Congratulations to Karen for winning first place!!!
We had a great turkey (squash for the veggie-oriented ones among us) dinner at the Ocean Sierra restaurant. It was a classic moment when the waitress asked Darin if he wanted a drink. After he asked her what sodas were available and she got this deer-in-the-headlights look about her and turned to go and ask. It's for moments like this that we haul ourselves up to the woods!
We were missing someone very dear to us. There was some sadness. Knowing how she felt about the grandbabies, however, she must have been proud of us for going there and carrying on the family tradition. The kids seemed to have a good time cruising in the Mule and giving everyone knuckles, and for her, that's what mattered. I'm glad we did it and I'm already looking forward to next year. One of these years, I'm going to get it together and get Family Day t-shirts made...
We had a great turkey (squash for the veggie-oriented ones among us) dinner at the Ocean Sierra restaurant. It was a classic moment when the waitress asked Darin if he wanted a drink. After he asked her what sodas were available and she got this deer-in-the-headlights look about her and turned to go and ask. It's for moments like this that we haul ourselves up to the woods!
We were missing someone very dear to us. There was some sadness. Knowing how she felt about the grandbabies, however, she must have been proud of us for going there and carrying on the family tradition. The kids seemed to have a good time cruising in the Mule and giving everyone knuckles, and for her, that's what mattered. I'm glad we did it and I'm already looking forward to next year. One of these years, I'm going to get it together and get Family Day t-shirts made...
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Emma's Baptism
We baptized Emma on Sunday, November 9th. Thanks to everyone for coming out to help us celebrate. We know it may have been a bit difficult since the mass was in Assyrian, but it really meant a great deal to have Rene's dad participate as deacon. Also of interest, the gown that little Emma was wearing was the same one that Rene wore when he was baptized so many years ago.
Again, it was great for us to be surrounded by our loving family for this special day. By the way, after earning the knucklehead of the year award the night before while loading the cupcakes into the back of the minivan and breaking his big toe, Rene is doing okay. He's hobbling around with a massive Star Wars-looking boot, but generally speaking, he's doing fine. The only pain he suffers is from his bruised ego. And if anyone asks, he was attacked by ninjas, at least that's what he's telling the folks at work.
Again, it was great for us to be surrounded by our loving family for this special day. By the way, after earning the knucklehead of the year award the night before while loading the cupcakes into the back of the minivan and breaking his big toe, Rene is doing okay. He's hobbling around with a massive Star Wars-looking boot, but generally speaking, he's doing fine. The only pain he suffers is from his bruised ego. And if anyone asks, he was attacked by ninjas, at least that's what he's telling the folks at work.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Family Day 2008
Hey everyone,
I think the plan for Family Day (the Friday after Thanksgiving) this year is to spend the day up at the cabin. I don't know details at this point, but dad wanted me to let you all know to mark your calendars...
I hope you all will be able to make it!
Karen
I think the plan for Family Day (the Friday after Thanksgiving) this year is to spend the day up at the cabin. I don't know details at this point, but dad wanted me to let you all know to mark your calendars...
I hope you all will be able to make it!
Karen
Monday, October 20, 2008
Susan G Komen walk Saturday, October 25 at 10:30 a.m. in Fresno.
Susan G Komen walk Saturday, October 25 at 10:30 a.m. in Fresno.
Here is a picture of Mom and me eating frog legs in Mazatlan.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Cabin Open House!
I am pretty sure everyone is aware of this info, but I thought I'd add it to the blog just to be safe. The cabin "open house" will be next Sunday, September 28. Dad mentioned a possible 10:00 or 11:00 arrival time. We will have lunch after everyone arrives. Look forward to seeing you all there!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Julia's Birthday
Hello Family,
Next Saturday, September 27, I will be having a party for Julia's 13th birthday at our house at 3:30. There will be food and cake to usher her into teenagehood.
Julia has a concert October 23 at 7:30 at Downey High; another October 28 at 7:30 in Tracy for the Central Valley Youth Symphony; December 11 at 7:00 at LaLoma Junior High; Sunday, February 8 at 3:00 in Lodi; Last Thursday in February at 7:00 at LaLoma; Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 at Delta College; Sunday, April 26 at 3:00; May 5th at 7:00 at Modesto High; and May 14 at 7:00 at LaLoma. Some of these are for LaLoma orchestra, Central Valley Youth Symphony, and LaLoma chorus.
She is in her second year of confirmation training this year, so will be confirmed May 8 or 9.
Kristie
Monday, August 18, 2008
Update
I am in that mysterious place where I may or may not be graduating soon from a master's program. It's that place thats not fun. I have begun to ask lots of questions because I am ready to move on. I have spent the last 11 weeks revising the ABSTRACT (10 times).
Also I am starting a new job later this week. I am grateful to have had so many opportunities available in this economy.
The wedding planning is plodding along a little at a time. Cheryl came to Modesto to try on dresses, and we decided on the color and style. A couple days later I received a phone call that the dress was discontinued, so I went down to the bridal shop on my way out of town last Friday and selected a similar style in the same color (antique plum). Later that night in Los Angeles Ranier and I selected a shirt, vest, and tie that he will wear. We also discussed the groomsmen's attire.
The girls and I returned late tonight to two very lonely cats waiting in the driveway. Julia will welcome the incoming seventh graders as part of the WEB program at her school at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow. She practiced her phone skills earlier this weekend by inviting several new seventh graders personally to tomorrow's orientation.
My coffee is beginning to wear off now, so I will say "goodnight".
Also I am starting a new job later this week. I am grateful to have had so many opportunities available in this economy.
The wedding planning is plodding along a little at a time. Cheryl came to Modesto to try on dresses, and we decided on the color and style. A couple days later I received a phone call that the dress was discontinued, so I went down to the bridal shop on my way out of town last Friday and selected a similar style in the same color (antique plum). Later that night in Los Angeles Ranier and I selected a shirt, vest, and tie that he will wear. We also discussed the groomsmen's attire.
The girls and I returned late tonight to two very lonely cats waiting in the driveway. Julia will welcome the incoming seventh graders as part of the WEB program at her school at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow. She practiced her phone skills earlier this weekend by inviting several new seventh graders personally to tomorrow's orientation.
My coffee is beginning to wear off now, so I will say "goodnight".
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Article about Karen
Hi everyone,
Here is a link to Karen's article in the Sac Bee:
http://www.sacbee.com/creamer/story/1101556.html
This is a good one for the kids to read :)
Kristie
Here is a link to Karen's article in the Sac Bee:
http://www.sacbee.com/creamer/story/1101556.html
This is a good one for the kids to read :)
Kristie
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Samantha's Birthday Party
Hello All,
We will be having a family birthday party for Samantha on Sunday July 20th from 5-7. We will be having Chinese food (Sam's favorite). If you are able to attend please let me know what types of dishes to order. The pool is ready so if you'd like to swim, please bring your swimsuit.
We hope to see you there!
Kristi
We will be having a family birthday party for Samantha on Sunday July 20th from 5-7. We will be having Chinese food (Sam's favorite). If you are able to attend please let me know what types of dishes to order. The pool is ready so if you'd like to swim, please bring your swimsuit.
We hope to see you there!
Kristi
Friday, July 11, 2008
Emma Florence Saroukhanoff
New Mom and Dad's baby imaginings 
; Emma in actuality
Isn't she cute
; Dad Rene celebrates
; Emma in actuality
Isn't she cute
; Dad Rene celebrates
Monday, July 7, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Ranier and Kristie Engaged
Hello all,
Wow! This was not hard at all. Thank you, Karen, for sending me another invitation.
Ranier and I are now engaged. We went to Napa for a hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley. This was followed by a champagne brunch and then the proposal. He had had the pictures from our spring break trip processed and had included pictures of colorful, handmade posters that spelled out "Kristie", "Will", "You", "Marry", "Me?". He was very sweet, and I said, "yes".
We are getting married on December 20 in San Francisco at Saints Peter and Paul in North Beach.
Kristie :)
Wow! This was not hard at all. Thank you, Karen, for sending me another invitation.
Ranier and I are now engaged. We went to Napa for a hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley. This was followed by a champagne brunch and then the proposal. He had had the pictures from our spring break trip processed and had included pictures of colorful, handmade posters that spelled out "Kristie", "Will", "You", "Marry", "Me?". He was very sweet, and I said, "yes".
We are getting married on December 20 in San Francisco at Saints Peter and Paul in North Beach.
Kristie :)
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Update (and a few pics from our recent trip to Chile)
For those of you who haven't yet heard, Mike and I are heading off to Bangkok, Thailand at the end of February (and will be there for six months). I am going to be volunteering with an organization that provides legal representation to refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand, and Mike is in the process of lining up a job over there. Even though we will miss all of you (and Oscar) dearly, we are absolutely thrilled about this opportunity. As you all know, I have really been searching for fulfillment in my legal career and I think I am finally on the right path . . . .
Hopefully we will get a chance to see all of you before we leave!
Love, Karen
Hopefully we will get a chance to see all of you before we leave!
Love, Karen
Back in the saddle! :)
Congratulations...
. . . to Cheryl and Rene! We can't wait for the new addition!
Love, Mike and Karen
Love, Mike and Karen
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!
Happy new year, guys! I am looking forward to a healthy, happy 2008 for all of us!! And, congrats to Fresno State, Oregon, and USC on their bowl victories!! (Tough loss for UCLA...)
Sorry Mike and I couldn't make it up to the cabin this weekend -- we ended up heading up to Tahoe for a friend's birthday. Hopefully we will be able to make it up another weekend. (Perhaps in February? January is pretty tough because my Inn of Court team has our presentation on January 15, so we have rehearsals the next couple of weekends, and then Mike and I are off to Chile on January 18.)
Any plans for Louise's birthday on Thursday?
Will someone post some of the pictures from Christmas (especially the group pic)? Thanks!!
Love, Karen
Sorry Mike and I couldn't make it up to the cabin this weekend -- we ended up heading up to Tahoe for a friend's birthday. Hopefully we will be able to make it up another weekend. (Perhaps in February? January is pretty tough because my Inn of Court team has our presentation on January 15, so we have rehearsals the next couple of weekends, and then Mike and I are off to Chile on January 18.)
Any plans for Louise's birthday on Thursday?
Will someone post some of the pictures from Christmas (especially the group pic)? Thanks!!
Love, Karen
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