2011 Christmas Letter
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years
Dear Family and Friends,
Well we really have to start with Dec.18, 2010 when Brandon, Austin and Manny went to Cuba. (our good friend Steve Kitchens also went with them…”Esteban Cuisina”). After being away for 50 years (Manny was born in Havana, Cuba in 1955 and his family left in 1961 after the Bay of Pigs fiasco), it was very emotional. They were able to visit the farm “La Finca” and the sugar mill “El Doloras” and finally the beautiful beach “Varadero”. It is a trip that they will always remember and a great cigar story to boot.
In January 2011, Austin transferred from UCF in Orlando where he got his AA degree early to UFla in Gainesville. He was admitted into the Fisher School of Accounting. We have enjoyed driving to Gainesville for basketball games and football games this fall.
In May, Austin flew to Boston to help Brandon move from Boston to San Diego. They rented a U-Haul and drove across the country. There are good Niagara Falls stories and Las Vegas too.
This summer Austin and Manny went back to Cuba (this time with the ex-Georgetown coach and his two sons). Again they had a blast and this time it was more of a tourist like trip.
Of course the big event in 2011 was Brandon and Sophia getting married in California in Aug. It was a beautiful wedding in LaJolla, California. About 10 of Brandon’s MIT bball players flew across the country and many of Sophia’s gymnastic friends too. We did play the traditional Suarez basketball game before the wedding. The church was glorious overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Father John from Boston flew in for the ceremony. The reception was a lot of fun and the newlyweds were truly radiant.
This Fall Austin and Manny along with two alums Russ and Richie won the Berkeley Open golf tournament. They shot an 11 under par, 61. They have their names etched onto the Merluzzi trophy.
Kathy still works for Tampa General (she took a second trip to Colorado and loves it there) and Manny is at Berkeley. Berkeley celebrating 50 years and Manny being there for 34 of them.
Love, Kathy, Manny, Austin, Brandon and Sophia
