Sunday, December 24, 2006

YIKES---WHAT HAVE WE GOTTEN OURSELVES INTO?


Well here it is.... 11-23-06

Don't pull your hair out...you can do it.

...And you did!! A great job, A great

THANKSGIVING.

READ ON.......

(martin and lisa in the kitchen before dinner)

Anita and Mel at Thanksgiving


We look forward to this holiday every year. We are never disappointed.

It is so great that everyone makes the commitment and shows up with food in hand and we share our year of stories.

Lots of hugs to go around. A great time was had by all from Wednesday to Saturday!!

Thanksgiving 2006



One of the two tables for Thanksgiving at Martin and Lisa's house. We had 25 people and filled their living room. There was so much food and all of it was hot, delicious and beautiful.

It was unforgetable! Thank you!!

Max and Daddy front and center.

Grandkids



What can we say but ADORABLE!

In blue superman shirt: Isaac (4) dark shirt, Max (6) these are Martin and Lisa's boys.

Ali (17) and Tyler (10) in green shirt, (son and daughter of Amy and David)

Amy and David



Amy and David are such a happy couple!!

I think Amy runs the State of Nevada single-handedly now (that's just a mother speaking). I think they're working her too hard!! But at least everyone knows that Amy Roukie, MBA is having phenomenal control over part of the NV budget. And David is literally working his buns off. Ahhh, youth!! Speaking of youth, Tyler is an "All Star" in his football league. What a hunk. And Ali is a "beauty" at 17. Stay tuned to where she will be next.

The Girls


Idee and Theresa are very happy and keeping extremely busy. This will be a special year for them coming up.

We are very proud of the important work they do. They are gratified each day when they get home because they know they make a huge difference in the world.

Marc Fidler



He is an architect and he lives and works in LA. Our father was an architect, too. You will read more about him and his children in this BLOG.

People say I look like him when we smile, but I don't see it...judge for yourself.

Dan and Norma Fidler



Dan is Anita's youngest brother. He is 6 years younger than Anita.

He and Norma have two wonderful children, Charlie and Carey. Carey is in college now and has a boyfriend, so she had to go to his family's home for Thanksgiving (that's the way it goes).

Dan has a son, Ben, who joined us last year. We missed him this year.

Dan, Norma and Charlie live in Stockton and are both wonderful teachers!!

Charlie Fidler

Charlie is a high school senior and lives in Stockton. He's a great kid and we love to have him at our Thanksgiving. He has his Dad's sense of humor (poor Charlie) and is very smart!

Relaxing on the deck


That's me, Anita. I did feel like "Queen for a Day". I was told I couldn't do anything, so I didn't (just because of my recent back surgery), but I still felt funny sitting around. That is one of my puppy dogs, Zachary, sitting with me.

What a great family I have. They did absolutely everything!!

Bas (Sebastian Fidler)

Marc and Ria's son Bas. He is a graduate of USC and works in New York in Advertising and Marketing. We are so glad he flew here to be with us for Thanksgiving. We would like to meet his girlfriend, Emily, some day.

Jessie and Marieke


These are two of Marc's three daughters. Jessie(L) goes to UCSB and Marieke is a high school senior. They are so beautiful, smart and charming. What great kids all around. Stacey is Marc's daughter who is a teacher in West LA. Sometimes she is able to come to Thanksgiving and we love having her with us, too.

Marc and Ria have 3 children Jessie, Marieke and Bas.

Marc


Anita's brother Marc needed to soak in the hot tub for his back problem. Oh, yah, that felt good!! Marc is 3 years younger than Anita.

Theresa


Lovely Theresa Mortilla is Idee's partner. Theresa and Idee live in Los Osos in their beautifully remodeled home with gorgeous gardens.

Rose and EJ


Theresa's sister and her husband EJ.

They are a lively part of our Thanksgiving!!

OOOPA


Doing a Greek Dance. Never on Sunday?

OOOPA OOOPA

Uncle and Rose

A Chorus Line?


Learning a Greek Dance or a Chicken Dance..
Whatever, it was fun to do and fun to watch!!

Our Entertainment


EJ and Uncle Mel with an original song to the tune of "On top of Old Smoky". We loved it and learned to sing along.

Second table


Please pass the sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey gravy....yummmm

Uncle and Nephew


Uncle Mel Rosenberg (Nana Reva's brother) and Charlie Fidler, brother Dan and Norma Fidler's son.

We think that this is an outstanding picture of both of them.

Gorgeous cousins


Ali (our 17 year old grand daughter) and Jessie, (Brother Marc and Ria's daughter, now at UCSB).

Don't they make a beautiful picture?

Dinner is Finished


We should be relaxed now. Everyone is fed!

Serious discussion


What could they be talking about?

They're not laughing.

A present for us all


Anita's best present was Mel's toast. He was serious and brought us all to tears.

We love you, Honey!

Ramon'


We love to have Ramon' at our Thanksgiving. He is warm and charming.

He and his wife Billie have become members of our family.

Billie


A good friend of Uncle Mel's who has become a member of our family. She is married to Ramon' and we see them every Thanksgiving.

Marieke and Sebastian


Marc and Ria's son and daughter. (our neice and nephew) It's always great to see their beautiful faces at our Thanksgiving. They're incredible people and we love them!

Ria and Sebastian (Bas)


Mother and son. Bas came all the way from New York to be with us. It was wonderful to see him.

Martin and Lisa


Our next door neighbors. Oh yes, Martin (our son) and Lisa, (our daughter-in-law) were our host and hostess for Thanksgiving, also.

Martin Shapiro, PhD teaches at Fresno State and Lisa teaches at Fresno State and the Community College. Martin makes pottery and Lisa makes glass so their hobbies keep them busy, too!

Just to catch you up if you don't know about them.

Ali and Grammy


Beautiful Ali!! Yikes, she really makes me feel old, but it makes me feel great and proud, too.

Roukie Family


Amy (our daughter) and David Roukie

Tyler 10 years old

Ali 17 years old

The family is really growing up. We are so proud of all of them!!

Cuddling is the Best


Auntie Idee and Isaac (4) Martin and Lisa's son.

EVERYTHING WENT SWIMMINGLY!


The end of Thanksgiving 2006. A good time was had by all!!

Anita and Sister-in-law, Ria, are doing the hot tub ritual soak. We will miss one another, but we look forward next year.

Keep well and happy one and all!! Thank you for a great time.

Mel and Anita @ the Red Hat Holiday Party 2006


We had a real good time! I tried to behave myself since it was my first real 'outing' since my back surgery.

We saw lots of people we hadn't seen in awhile. We have so many great friends!

The "funny kiss"



We love these guys. They are so much fun. They started our Holiday Party off with a big laugh!!

Well, Madam Queen!



Our table mates.

Maureen laughed so hard at the Queen's lips!


What can he say?

Darrel Loves the Red Hatters!


He has quite a look...doesn't he?

Such Drama!


Five of us did a skit from "Menopause the Musical". It was one of our trips that we made this year. We went to San Francisco and had a great time together.

We have nothing but fun, fun, fun!!!

"Hot Flashes"


We're having "HOT FLASHES" as you can see!

SINGING AND DANCING FROM MENOPAUSE


My "dear" friends included me in their rendition of songs and dances from "Menopause the Musical". I was still recovering from my back surgery and had to control myself, but I still had fun!

EVERYONE JOINED IN



By the time we were finished, everyone (at least the ladies) joined in to the YMCA!!

It was so much fun!

RED HAT HOLIDAY PARTY 2006


WE CELEBRATED IN THE FIRESIDE ROOM.


WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME!