Dear Family and Friends,                               Christmas 2014

What another incredible year in Oregon. (Astoria, Warrenton, Seaside, Oregon)

Brandon is still living in San Diego with Sophia and their baby Ethan. (born 7/27/13) Brandon works for a company that builds drones (unmanned flying machines) and he has been flying to many places representing his company.  He also flies monthly to DC.  Sophia won a BIG award at her lab, finishing her PhD and continues to take care of Ethan. OUR BABY !!  Ethan is a trip.  Loves the parks and loves all his balls and books.  And he loves his Popi.

Austin got his Master’s degree in Accounting.  He also passed the CPA !! and he bought a house in Tampa.  He is still dating his high school sweetheart Andrea who is finishing law school in Gainesville (UFla).  Austin also got inducted into the Berkeley Hall of Fame.  We are so proud of him.

Kathy is working hard at Seaside Hospital.  Many of my bridge partners tell me she is a wonderful Nurse Practitioner !! (ARNP)  She has really enjoyed the cooler weather of Astoria and the rains.  This place is just beautiful.

Manny continues to sub at the local 5 high schools (Astoria, Warrenton, Seaside, Jewell and Knappa).  He got to teach a Pre-school class that is a story in itself.  He also got 2 NEW knees for Christmas !!  Kathy took good care of him. Manny also travels once a month to San Diego to babysit Ethan while Sophia works in the lab and Brandon travels.

Austin, Andrea, Brandon, Sophia and Manny all traveled to Miami this summer for the Gaston Family Reunion.  They had a BLAST !!  Andrea got to meet the 200 cousins and Sophia introduced Ethan to the clan.

We are so blessed and grateful.  We could not ask for anything more.  PS: Manny’s nephew Alex Mooney got elected US Congressman from WVa.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (2015)….love, Kathy, Manny, Austin, Brandon, Sophia, and Ethan

2010 Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends,                                             Merry Christ-mas and Happy New Year !!

This is truly a joyous Christmas as Brandon and Sophia announce their engagement and plans to get married next summer Aug. 20, 2011 in California.  As many of you know Sophia is a MIT grad and D3 national gymnastic champ.  She is studying for her PhD in San Diego and Brandon plans to join her in California after he finishes his Masters at MIT this spring.  Brandon and Sophia have been dating for about two years.  Brandon is putting the finishing touches on their wedding website with many pictures of the happy couple and some stories.  (Mel and Susan will surely miss Brandon as well as Brandon missing his partner in crime in Boston)

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/BrandonSuarez&SophiaHarrison

Meanwhile Austin also has some exciting news as he transfers from UCF in Orlando to the Fisher School of Accounting at UF in Gainesville.  Austin earned his AA degree at UCF early since he received credit for AP classes taken in high school.  He will miss UCF as they enjoy a tremendous year in sports.  He will also miss many good friends he has made at UCF.  (especially Chad and Jennifer Young a great basketball player from Tampa who took care of Austin in Orlando these past 2 years)

Kathy continues her work at the Clinic.  She has also gotten “back on the horse” but this is a bicycle (too many stories to tell here).  She is extremely excited about the wedding this summer and making all kinds of summer plans.  We had a blast this past summer traveling for 2 weeks through the mountains of Colorado.

Manny is at his 33^rd year at Berkeley.  The big news there is the New Headmaster who will arrive in the summer of 2011.  Headmaster Mr. Merluzzi retires at 70 years of age and 23 of those at Berkeley.  A good friend of the family and a mentor to Brandon and Austin.  He will surely be missed.

Manny is also taking the boys to Cuba Dec. 19, 20, 21 for a short visit.  Their good friend Steve Kitchens is going with them.  Pray that all goes well and they come back safe.  They hope to visit the Suarez house in Havana, one of the sugar mills close to Havana and the family farm.  Manny had to get a Cuban passport since Cuba does NOT recognize US citizenship.

Hope all is well with everyone, love, Kathy, Manny, Brandon and Austin