We are going to get every moment out of this holiday season! Sunday we took Alyssa and Rhys (and our little friend Cortnee) to Fashion Island to see Santa Claus. They wanted to be dressed appropriately to be in the presence of he who brings presents! It was pointed out to me by two teenage boys that the tree is the tallest Christmas Tree in the Western Hemisphere. Don't know if that is true, but it was REALLY tall!

Rhys' New Look

Rhys in the water at Lake Tahoe last summer.
Now, one year later he has lost 6 teeth and resembles a Jack-o-Lantern. How appropriate for October!

Back to School Again!

We are all back in school again...

Rhys entered first grade and Alyssa in fourth grade at College Park this year. We decided to take a break from the gas prices and do our part by riding bikes to school every day. The kids really love it and we have joined a growing group of parents and kids who ride each day. I am actually getting a little exercise! We have forged a bond with the crossing guard who has been at her post for something like 20 years or so. She shakes a mean stop sign!

Tristan is taking his first college courses at Irvine Valley College (IVC). I am trying to keep my nose out of his business so that he feels independant. I do remember quite well what I was doing (and not doing) my freshman year at Va Tech, so I am trying not to judge. :)

Chris' business is very busy right now. This is great news - as it is paying the bills, but we don't get to see him very much. Hopefully it will work out that he can get a little help and we can see him more!

June 2008 - Lots of activity!

Tristan graduates from High School -
Rhys graduates from Kindergarten -
Alyssa performs in The Lion King at College Park -

See pictures of all!

Alyssa goes on flower duty!

Alyssa relished the roll of Flower Girl, especially since it included a trip to the hair salon with all the bridesmaids to get hair and makeup done!

Thanks, Aunt Kelli, for including Alyssa in your wedding!

Tahoe Wedding!

Kelli is now a Signorino and headed for Cicily! Kelli and Marc-Anthony were married in Lake Tahoe on June 9th, 2008! It was a beautiful weekend full of fun.

Alyssa's choir "Shine" performed at the Friends and Family concert yesterday, Dec 1st, at Saddleback Church. Alyssa performed her solo in "The Candy Cane Song". Rhys performed in his choir "Cherubs", but since I was on stage with that choir, I didn't get to take pictures!

The Sundance Reunion at Chez Bitar... The Bitars were fantastic hosts, as usual! We lounged by the pool, heated by the outside heaters. We ate phenomenal Armenian food as well as all the food brought by guests. We drank, well, pretty much anything that was out! We got to catch up with each other as well as trade memories and laughs and laughs and laughs... Sylvi, Hasmig & hubby, me, Ramune and Darlene here.

Me, Tom, Ramune, Kim and Joe Bitar.

2007 Sundance Reunion at Sylvi Bitar's house! What a blast ~ all the regular suspects were there.

Around the firepit: Celia, Sylvi, Laurie, Tootie, Pam, Patti, Jeff Roberts, Janet, Ligia and Shari with Risa leaning in front.

Middle pic: Bottom row L to R, Ramune, Sylvi, Risa, middle row Kim Laurie and Kathy, Scott, back row Jennifer, Alan, Tom.

Middle 2 pic: Kim, Kathy and Sylvi. (Kim told us to close our eyes on "3" which we thought was really funny until we realized we ruined our own picture har har)

Bottom pic: Pam, Sylvi, Laurie

Alyssa, at Colonel Bill Barber Park, November 2007

The handsome cousins on Pine Island, N.C.
August 2007. From left to right, Alyssa, Scott, Niki, William, Robbie, (back row) Matt, Tristan, Rhys and Jack.