Dianna Travels to Europe

ianna and Martha and Jess visited several countries in Europe this year including France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Belgium.

They arrived in Paris and stayed in the Place de L’Opera district.  This area is full of excitement, near the Louvre and the Champs Elysee.   After 3 days of enjoying Parisian food, wine and entertainment (including drinks at the Ritz and the Lido) they went to Rome.

It was difficult to take in all the Roman attractions in just 3 days, including the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, the Coliseum, Spanish Steps, St. Paul’s Cathedral and many more.  They took several tours and attended the Pope’s Wednesday blessing.  Italian food lives up to its reputation!

The group took trains along the Rhine River and to Belgium, visited castles, and shopped for local goodies in Czechoslovakia and Belgium.

In Austria, they took a riverboat tour and visited Mozart’s home and saw the filming location of the Sound of Music.

And, no visit to Germany is complete without a visit to the Hof Brau Haus!

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Dad’s 70^th BDAY

om and Cris brought together so many friends and family to celebrate Dad’s 70^th Birthday.

The party included a delicious assortment of catered food, a bartender, piano player, and party décor.  We all appreciated the fact that people came from near and far to join in the festivities. 

 

   Home Improvement

ianna designed our basement remodel, hired the contractors, and managed the project.  She converted an unfinished area into an extra bedroom with a fireplace, a great room – complete with gymnasium - and a bathroom.  Congratulations, Dianna, it looks GREAT!  So, who’s reserving space in all the new rooms?  Come visit us!

A Visit Home

 

Mom and Aunt Cathy came to visit Paul’s parents in Granite Bay this Spring.  We visited the Old Town in Folsom and explored all the antique shops.    It was fun to see the same items that Dianna’s mom has been collecting for years at garage sales and auctions proudly displayed as historical pieces and works of art.

 

Mom and Dad made their famous pasta with sausage and meatballs and everyone enjoyed it so very much.  Thanks!!!

Highlights of 2001

·        The year began with an incredible snow-filled New Year’s celebration with the Merrills and the Dorans.  This season was particularly gorgeous.  I couldn’t believe how fast we moved when Patrick, Scott, Tevor and I went sledding together behind the snowmobiles and down the hill by the water tower.

·        Joining Verity proved to be a very good move.  I am back with several friends from Versant, Adaptive Media, Accrue and Black Pearl days.

·        Had a blast trying to keep up with Schwendler at Vail!  Dianna and I stayed at a cute mountain lodge called the Black Bear Inn and played the weekend with Dan and JoJo, Serge and Kathy, and Jeff and Sally.  We had lunch with David and Janet who met us in Vail that weekend.

·        We decided to try again the train to Glenwood Springs, CO that follows the Colorado River through the mountains.  Dianna and I spent the night before departure at Denver’s Brown Palace Hotel.  On the train, we upgraded to a sleeper car and had such a wonderful time watching the scenery pass by in private luxury.  Then, we met Gogo and Chantelle and played miniature golf, went on a cave tour, and rafted down the river.

·        Running into Barker, Yeager, Shilling and Sullivan in a Chicago Hotel, and laughing until the wee hours of the morning.

·        Always appreciating the fact that Dr. Telco makes every effort to get together when he swings through Denver.  This year we enjoyed dinner at Morton’s, golf at the Olde Course at Loveland, and the special treat at McCormick’s.

·        We enjoyed a grand birthday celebration for Martha at Morton’s with Jess, Gogo and Auntie.

·        Gary had a terrific, poolside Labor Day party.  Jason barbecued all day and I got to see so many great friends like Rick and Laura, Mike and Nancy, Scooter, Bob, Claudia, Anthony and Dominick, Rusty, Diane, Brooks and Shannen, Serge, Stacy and Gina, and many others.

·        SeeingLove, Janis and 42nd Street in Manhattan with Brad.

·        Lunch with Kobayashi and Sullivan in SF, and a couple of months later, a night of drinking and laughing until all debates were settled.

·        I worked so hard dismantling the Bronco, straightening dents, sanding it, applying body filler, sanding some more, spraying primer, sanding, applying putty, sanding, sealing and painting it.  Well, something went wrong in the process, so I sanded some more and sent it to a pro.  Now it’s a beautiful Bahama Blue Poly.

·        Seeing Mike and Reggie at Lee and Cindy’s for a terrific dinner.  Chris and Dave showed me all the things they are doing to a “real” Bronco.

·        Being able to celebrate Ros’ 40^th Birthday at the cabin with Doug and Ros and their crazy friends Steve (Joey) and Bev, Gary and Renee (Helga), and KC Sara.

·        Congratulations to Johnnie and Susan on your wedding.  We are so sorry we were unable to be with you on your wedding day and look forward to celebrating with you soon.

·        Wendy and Gary – congrats on your new addition – Camron Doran.

Memorable Times & Coming Attractions

 

rian – I enjoyed meeting Roseann and Sarah over dinner at your home and hope to meet the youngest one, Jason, soon.

Dan and JoJo – thank you for making such a wonderful meal at your new home. Anthony and Kim – thank you for that wonderful meal at your home.  I gained 10 pounds that night.

Dinner with Jerre, DT, Austin and Gavin, and the Kob’s – William, Claudia and Kaioko – was terrific.

Dinner with the Peterson’s and Moore’s after a perfect day of wheeling was a treat.

I truly enjoyed getting to know some of Casey’s good friends he made over the years.  I ate too much, drank too much, and had way too much fun at your party.

Ed and Tracy have somehow packaged their love and charm into three terrific children.  Thanks for the great day with Carson, McKenzie and Dillon – and Frank and Joan!

We had an early mountain snowfall the day Dianna and I went with Mom, Auntie and Aunt Cathy for brunch at the mountain lodge where we had our wedding rehearsal dinner.  We went hiking to Bear Lake in Estes Park, which was so beautiful in the snow.

Dianna and I will meet the Girons and Scott in Kauai in December.  If this trip is anything like our last adventure together, we are in for some great times.  Then, we’ll celebrate an early Christmas in CA and return to CO.  This year, New Year’s with the Merrills and Dorans will be in CA.

Thanks again to Jason and Cris for all of your hospitality on my many, many, many, many, many, many visits.  I cannot wait to see the grand 2^nd-Floor you’ve added.  The Hotel Koukis continues to be the premium location to stay in the Bay Area!