From the beach to the mountains

It is hard to believe that just 3 weeks ago, we were in sunny Florida. Now, here we are in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at Squaw Valley resort just outside of Tahoe (Mom and Dad were on the beach in Florida at the same time with the Brogato's, the Shuber's, and the Prater's). The kids enjoyed a day of sledding.

We borrowed a cabin from a friend, and got our snow fix for the year. I forgot how dirty a car can get in the snow. (Hollyn and Lexi are in the doorway).

Even Pepper had fun in the snow!

Love to all,

Tom, Dorie, Hollyn, Alexis and Pepper

Merry Christmas

I hope you all had a great Christmas Day!

Wii had a wonderful time. Wii wish you a Happy New Year!

Dorie, Hollyn, Alexis and Tom

http://www.jibjab.com/sendables/view/8eTk5ACmFX7Utro8dccf1P3F

Let's hope the link works.
Starring: Tom Karounos, Stephen Hollinden, Phil Hollinden, Dorie Karounos, George Karounos, and Alexis Karounos

A Note from Caroline

John and I have so enjoyed scrolling through all your Karounos family pictures…you guys have a great thing going there! Once I hook my camera back up to our laptop (help Peter!) and start downloading our pictures again I’ll send one. Merry Christmas to all of you and keep us on your distribution list. Its fun to hear how everyone is doing.


Love, Caroline & John


P.S. Alex wrote this for school (7th grade). He got mad when I typed it red and green (come on Mom that’s so stupid!)

Christmas

Christmas comes this time of year
Homes are abundant with laughter and cheer
Parties, presents, lights on the tree
Families filled with happiness and glee
It’s the season of giving, that’s what they say
Children anticipating that one special day
Candy canes, nutcrackers, stockings to fill
Grab your sled, call your friends, meet at the hill
Curl up by a nice cozy fire
Christmas carols ring out in the night from the choir
Putting all the ornaments on the Christmas tree
There is no place like home, that’s a guarantee
The city covered with a thin blanket of snow
Good memories and togetherness is what we’ll bestow
While giving is the spirit of the season
Why don’t we do it with a sense of reason
Give some clothes, spare change, make a donation
Give to the less fortunate, weeping of desperation
Enough with the chit-chat, the message is clear
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Ain't she cute....

Recently, Alexis came downstairs to talk to Dorie.

"Mommy?" she said very seriously. "I need to talk to you about something."

Dorie was very concerned. She listened intently to Alexis.

You see, Alexis was upset at the arrival of our new dog, Pepper.

"I feel that Pepper is taking away from my cuteness," Lexi said.

Dorie tried not to laugh, and she assured Alexis that she was still cute.

So I ask everyone to take a Vote - Who is cuter, Lexi or Pepper?

Let's start with our first contestant - Alexis Karounos. Here we see her at her birthday party. She is showing great love for her sister, Hollyn

On the Cute-O-Meter - I give her a 10

Our next contestant is Pepper Karounos.The Cute-O-Meter also gives her a 10.


We now go to the Swimsuit Competition....

Lexi is sporting a One Piece, Old Navy bathing suit. She displays the ultimate cuteness on the Cute-O-Meter with another unprecedented score of 10!!!!

Wow - Ain't she cute.

And Pepper submits her photo for bathing beauty...

Ummm.....The Cute-O-Meter is not registering...


Lexi Wins!!!!


Merry Christmas from the Ghost of Christmas Present...

Tom

A Great Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving came and went, but not without making a stop at Thia Katina's house first, where the Northern Karouni (and their loved ones) sated their monstrous holiday cravings.

Although he never stopped asking where the goat was, Stratis carved the bird heroically.

Christos loves the ladies!




Who would've guessed that the guys would be by the bar?




Thia Katina helped set the stage with a big smile and a lot of hard work!


Michael stopped by too, showing that he's not afraid to gobble down a plate or two!



The kids table is looking more and more like an adults table!




Dina helped Yia Yia with her birthday cake.




Happy Birthday Auntie Pat!

Pizzelles at Praterposte

Come to my blog for more pix and commentary.

Christmas Party

Last night was my work Christmas party. I carefully planned my outfit, jewelry, hair, etc for weeks. Fifteen minutes before we were supposed to leave, Mark was standing in the closet drinking a beer in his skivvies. He threw something together and looked great.

The boys slept over at their buddy's house so no pix of them. It was a real date.

Thanks for the dress, Mom.

Pepper Karounos

As you all may have heard, we had to put Gabby down in August. Like all pets, she was a valued member of our family.

That was in August, and the family was very sad. We will miss you Gabby! Enjoy the snow drifts in Heaven.

We decided to get a new pet for the Girls for their birthdays and for Christmas. This Sunday, 12/09/2007, we got to meet her for the first time, and it was love at first sight for all of us.

Please welcome Pepper to the Karounos' household!

She's Sassy, Yappy - and as you can see....very small (Almost 3lbs).

With only two speeds....Hyper and passed out, we are all enjoying our new baby.

Happy Holidays,

Tom, Dorie, Hollyn, Alexis, and Pepper

Invasion from California

Tom and Dorie and Hollyn and Alexis made the long trek from Sacramento, California to spend Thanksgiving with Papou, Nana and the Shubers in Sunny Florida. It was a great trip with beach fun, a visit to Disneyworld, a Horse&Boat Show, Lion Country Safari, and a nice getaway for Tom and Dorie to Key West. Now Tom and Dorie and the girls are back in California with their new puppy, Pepper.

First we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Papou, Nana, and the Shubers

One of the first things we did was to hit the beach. Had to ride the Jet Ski !!

We made a sand alligator on the beach

-And then we stomped that sucker flat !!

Tom is attacked by a huge lizard outside our door!!

Tom and Dorie made new friends (hic) in Key West and Dorie got the "Fairfield Flu"

We hobnobbed with Donald and Royalty


Disneyworld's Magic Castle at night

Went to the Horse and Boat show by the Shubers - Zachary and Alexis want this one for Christmas.

Lion Country Safari was next - and a big Giraffe with a slithery tongue ate my cracker.

Auntie Kim made some new friends

We're proud - Nick is a finalist with his Science Project.

Thanks everyone, we'll be back !!


HELP!

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas

Trying to get these two to pose for a Christmas picture...Yeah Right!!

Dina's first snow...she said, "Mommy I no like it..it scare me." I of course laughed

THANKSGIVING DAZE

Ooooops, left out one picture - forgive me. Tom was present too and he pointed out that there are 3 photos with Kim and none of him. Duhhhh

What a wonderful holiday, Thanksgiving, to give thanks for all the wonderful gifts God has given us in this most wonderful of countries. We had family, friends, and neighbors over to help us give thanks and to celebrate birthdays for Alexis (6), Kim (39), and George (really old).

A lot to be thankful for, but where are Reese and Connor?? - See you four at Christmas - the Praters were sorely missed.

Preparing for our New Years Eve skit as the "Flatliners" and singing the Lighthouse Bay Blues. George, Antonio and Lenny.

A "pause for the cause" while preparing the feast for the 16 Givers of Thanks.

I sent the Family a video on how to cut the turkey for Thanksgiving. I then armed myself akin to Edward Scissorhands and prepared to cut the turkey the proper way for maximum results. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Barb supervised my new technique.

Here's the result of my artistry.
HOPE YOU ALL HAD A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING