The Solari Sentinel, August 31, 2011

Better late than never!

I got off track with the regular schedule, and will try to do better.

It's good to hear from all of you and to see what you've been up to over the summer!

Happy Birthday:

 

Finley S (June 2)
Kristen H (June 3)

Terri S (June 3)

Olivia S (June 5)

Joe H ( June 18)

Amy H (June 22)

Jared F (June 23)

Jesica S (June 30)

Matthew B (July 2)

Colin G (July 8)

Carolyn F (July 12)

Taylor Z ( July 14)

Kyle C(July 18)

Dustin S (July 21)

Dianna B (August 2)

Larry H (August 3)
Piper S (August 7)

Brandon B (August 14)

Kelly S (August 14)

Marianne H (August 16)

Bryan B (August 19)

Matt H (August 22)

Melodee C (August 25)

Kurt Z (August 31)

Deb S (September 7)

Dale F ( September 10)

Matthew G (September 18)

Andrew G (September 28)

*Let me know of any birthdays that are incorrect or that I've missed!

The Cooper Clan

Howdy!

It's been a busy summer for us.

First, our big news:  Surprise!  We're having baby #3!  This was unexpected and unplanned, but after the awesome cruise we went on earlier in the year....we are expecting another baby boy due in November.

Stephen is LOVING his job, and I couldn't be happier for him.  He's earned it, and I don't think I've ever seen him so stress-free.  It fantastic!

Kyle started preschool this week.  He is having a great time, has made "ONE HUNDRED friends," and only got in trouble "a little bit."  I'm so glad he has this time to get used to the routine and having some other adults that also give time-outs.  It makes things a little easier when what we do at home is reenforced elsewhere!

Ryan is growing and keeps me on my toes.  He's really easy-going, and seems to enjoy having some one-on-one time with mom while Kyle is at school.  He better enjoy it while we can since it will be gone in only a few months!

I'm staying busy and am starting to get acclimated to being back in Texas.  That would be SO much easier if we could get some rain and/or temperatures under 100 degrees once in a while.  It's good to be back and we're looking forward to buying our first home soon.  What a happy day that will be!

We hope all is well with all of you.

Until next time,
Stephen, Mel, Kyle, & Ryan :)

Boulter Bunch

So it's the end of August and I'm wondering what happened to the summer of 2011?!!!  For Mike and me, it was mostly spent working to catch up a bit from 3 weddings, trying to get some relief from my back pain, (still working on that!), and helping some of our children move around!  (Brandon & Melinda moved north to Bountiful, Utah where Brandon is doing a clerkship in 2 district courts while waiting on results from the bar exam!  Meanwhile, Emmy & Eric just moved to Midland where Eric is going to school on scholarship from Chevron.  We're glad that they have a great support system with Mom, Deb, Mark & Terri, and some of our Texas friends still around!)  We're glad that we've been able to be around our granddaughter Paisley, who is almost 5 months old-what a cutie!  (That, plus Mel's blog, helps me get through the days NOT getting to see Kyle & Ryan until November!)  We also enjoy Sunday dinners when most of the Utah children (and their dogs...) can come. :)
Even though we haven't traveled outside of Utah this summer, we're so grateful that we can hop in the Fiat whenever we want, head up the canyon, and sit by the river surrounded by pine trees.  Those "mini-vacations" have been lifesavers!  We're also hoping to get a few overnighters in the mountains this fall in our camper.  Mike & I are still adjusting to being "empty nesters"-I miss talking to the kids as often, but it's nice to be able to be together and enjoy that time.
So that's about it-not very exciting, but that's okay!  We wish all of you a wonderful, healthy fall season and hope that you'll be safe wherever you are.  Lots of love, Dee & Mike

Ange & Marie

This has been a busy summer with visits from the Savano's, (Marla Sue, Devin, Karen, Nicklaus and Sam) and Collin and Nikki.  Next two months are also going to be busy.  We fly on Sept. 7th to San Francisco, then commuter bus to Santa Rosa to spend a week with Marla Sue.  The reason for our visit is Kenny is getting married on 9/10/11.  The ceremony will be at Kenny's home land at the top of the pasture with cocktails on the deck, reception in the barn which was a famous chicken barn in years gone by.  They have been busy fixing it up by power washing, installing windows and generally fixing it up.  There will be dancing outside.  A  well known florist and party planner, (relative) is coming from Hawaii to decorate.  Kenny is a sergeant in the Petaluma police department so has lots of friends to help with the fixing.  Carolyn and Dale are driving up.  The rest of the family down here can't make it.  Our next adventure is October 4th when we leave for New York to spend a night, then get on the Crystal Symphony cruise ship and end up in Montreal.  We are hoping to see the fall colors.  We also spent a week at Mammoth earlier in August.

We are very happy for Brianna as she finally got a teaching job at Canalino School after working there for 3 years doing intervention.  She is teaching a first and second combination.  Casey helped her a lot fixing up her class room.  She had a week after she found out she got the job before school started.  The two grandmothers were a big help to.  Callie is now 14 months and is walking all over.  She is in the early child hood learning center at Cate School.  She is able to go there because of Carolyn's job at the school.

This last week we were very concerned about Danielle living near Boston with the hurricane Irene.  She kept us posted by email.  They had heavy rain for over 24 hours but no flooding where she was.  We will be anxious to hear how her school and farm survived.  On Saturday, October 8th we will be in Boston harbor for the day.  Danielle plans to rent a car and spend the day with us.  It will be so good to see her as it seems like ages since she went east.  She has signed up to continue classes and working for another year but says she will come home at Christmas.

It will be good to hear about everyone so we hope you all contribute to the Sentinel.  Fall and winter is around the corner so hope you all had a good summer.

Lots of love to all,

Ange & Marie

Wendi, Joe, Piper, and Finley {The So Cal Solaris}

Hi all,

Piper ended her Kindergarten year with a bang.  Two field trips (one to the zoo), pizza parties, swim parties, and a sweet luau-themed Kindergarten promotion ceremony.  We had two great Kinder teachers.  Both Joe and I were able to volunteer in Piper's classroom and on field trips quite a bit and that made our experience such a great one.  She started first grade on August 15 and it took her about two weeks to decide that she likes it!  She is learning a lot about story structure and writing and we are having fun watching her grow.  She still loves gymnastics and as she moves up in her classes the requirements are more challenging.  I think at first Piper was intimidated by it but now she finds such satisfaction in conquering a skill she couldn't do previously.  It is great to see.

Finley was in pre-school a few days a week but we took her out for the summer.  She loves school and is a sponge when it comes to learning.  She is turning out to be quite the little athlete.  She does well most anything she attempts.  She is in gymnastics and also dance (ballet/tap) and loves both.  Fin had her very first dance recital in August and it was so adorable.  Her class danced a ballet routine to "Broadway Baby."

Both girls are currently in a two week swim class to end the summer.  Piper is learning freestyle and backstroke.  Her backstroke is quite impressive and as a former backstroker on my high school swim team, I'm so proud!  :) Fin is in a tiny tots class where parents do not participate.  She was successful swimming on her back on her first try without the instructor holding her.  Both he and we were pretty impressed.  Finley has never wanted assistance while swimming (even as a one-year-old), and trying to help her only makes her try to swim on her own even harder!  Our pool pump went down, the new one arrived damaged, and a series of hoops to be jumped through to get a new one sent has prevented us from swimming the past two weeks.  Can't wait for the pool to be up and running.  We use it A LOT!

Our summer was fantastic.  Piper was out of school roughly two weeks when we drove to Arizona to stay with my parents for a week.  From Phoenix we flew to Florida to visit all the family there.  Marc and Shelbe gave up their beds at various points through our two week trip so that I would have a cat-free place to sleep.  Joe and the girls bunked at Gran and Papa's house.  We were at the beach almost every day, multiple times a day unless there was a thunderstorm and we were swimming in one of many pools daily.  It was lovely!  We ate great food, were surrounded by great company, and had a great time.  Aunt Shel and Gran put together a fun shared  birthday party for the girls and there was even a pinata.  Luckily we let the two girls swing first because when Gran got ahold of the bat, that  was DONE!!  It was so funny!  The Women's World Cup was on while we were visiting so we made sure to be at a location capable of broadcasting ESPN for every game.  It was such and exciting tournament and we were shocked and heartbroken to see the US girls lose to Japan. 

I am working on my jewelry and other designs more since we are back from our trip.  Now that school is back in for Piper I am able to find a little bit of time to tackle that.  My photography season is ramping up so I will be working on that and my Wendi Solari Designs Etsy shop until the holidays.  Being busy sure does make the months fly so I try to enjoy the Fall while it is here.  Check out the blog if you get a chance.  Lots of photos.  http://www.wendisolariblog.com.

As I am typing this Joe is on an airplane en route to the Maldives where he will work for two weeks filming a women's surfing contest in 3D.  The Maldives are a chain of islands between Africa and Australia.  His travel time to and from is unreal but I am hoping he has a fantastic time.  Joe took most of the summer off of work as we had many things planned with the girls.  Since our return from our Arizona/Florida he has been working quite a bit. Some fun things have been a music video for the new Muppet Movie (by the band "OK Go") and on the tv series Bones.  I'm excited for him that he has the chance to work on such a variety of projects.  I think it keeps the job fun.

We hope you all had a great summer and we look forward to reading of everyone's adventures.

With love,

Wendi, Joe, Piper, and Finley {The So Cal Solaris}

Joe, Dawn, Amy, & Joey

Okay so where to begin…..

 

Dawn has a great new project for a Reality TV show that she is pursuing with a couple of stand out producers and talents all ready on board.  She is shooting interviews on the 18^th and will then be pitching to the Networks and Cable channels.  She has also been working on a patent with Joey that should be pending this week. Dawn and Joey are working on all his College apps, essays and information.

 

Pops and I have been working on a new software program for the legal industry and expect to be doing our demo in the next week or so.  I started back into shooting with the local SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) Club.  I have always loved Western Movies and love the idea of shooting ammo at metal targets and dressing up like old west cowboys (besides wearing a pair of six guns is fun).   

 

Amy is doing well and has been working hard this summer as a Nanny.  She interviewed for a position with a celebrity without knowing who it was.  Isn’t Pepperdine great for connections with the Movie Industry?  Turns out it was for Ms. Crawford (yes the model and star) and her family. Her weekend of initiation included a crash dose of family at their lovely home in Cabo with neighbors George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio. They loved her and increased her hours upon hitting American soil and now treat her as family including a beach party with Owen Wilson, Laird Hamilton, Gabrielle Reece, doctor from Scrubs and many other celebrities. She has been having fun and has even been to the store for her to get a birthday present for Owen.  She is just now starting her junior year at Pepperdine.  She was able to get into a condo this summer so she now lives in Malibu .  She and Mare and Aunt Sue are sharing in the Sorority life of Delta Gama (DG).  Amy is in charge of preference night this year during Rush.

 

Joey is entering his senior year (which means that we will be empty nesters soon) of High School.  He got to go to an Engineering and Robotics conference this summer at Berkley and had a great time.  He is really into the Robotics and has designed his own robot.  He is in Advanced Engineering class at his school and his teacher informed him that he will not learn a thing in class as it just touches the tip of the iceberg in comparison with Joey’s knowledge. He spends his free time doing what he loves, creating.  He is working on an invention with one of Dawn’s filmmakers that is extremely accomplished and deals with the struggles of being deaf.  Joey and Austin are creating a solution for 10 percent of the world’s population that deals with movie going for the hearing impaired. We are excited to see where this leads. He spends all his free time between the Robot and his Girl friend.  He is looking seriously into the Robotics field for college.  Finding a college will be the fun part.  He is currently looking to Pepperdine and USC but things can change.  An Ivy League school in New York is aggressively pursuing him.  We will wait and see.

 

Is there a reunion in the near future?

 

We send our prays and ask that the Lord Jesus Christ Bless you all!

 

Love Joey, Amy, Dawn and Joe

 

Matt, Kristen, Riley and Kate

Dear Family,

April: We were able to get away for Spring Break and enjoy some time in Maui. The weather was perfect and allowed us to spend time snorkeling, paddle boarding, reading and of course eating delicious food. Riley and Matt even ventured out for a half day of sport fishing. Riley scored the only Dorado of the day. The captain filleted it and we were able to have a few pieces cooked for dinner at our hotel. A memorable trip.

June - August: Just before school ended Matt and I took a Baltic Cruise, courtesy of John Hancock. We made stops in Helsinki, Finland, St. Petersburg, Russia, Copenhagen, Denmark and Tallin, Estonia. So much history to take in and the weather was cool and perfect for traveling. We loved the churches, museums, castles, palaces, food and wandering the beautiful cities. As Matt says, I found my people ( I am a scandinavian mix).
We can't believe the summer is almost over. 1 more week and then the school grind starts. Our summer has been a little more relaxed because of Riley's knee and his inability to play sports. Kate has enjoyed her summer days spending them with friends, trips to the beach, dance and lots of pool time. Riley has spent a good portion of his summer in pool physical therapy for his knee, time with friends,church camp, trip to Catalina, beach time and enjoying the freedom that his new driving license has given him. He just got cleared to finally "run on land" so is in physical therapy 3 days a week gearing up for football and lacrosse seasons. During football practice, since he is not ready to play yet, he has become the team "gardener". His new nickname is "Forest", which is appropriate as he gets to sit atop the rider mower and mow the practice fields. Hopefully he will be cleared in mid September to play.

In June the family celebrated Mare and Pops 50th wedding anniversary together. Their wish was a for a small celebration with family. The evening was filled with good food, drinks at a wonderful restaurant at the beach and included many wonderful stories. We are blessed by their love for each other and our family. What wonderful role models for their grandchildren they are.

Our annual trip to Whidbey was 2 weeks filled with fun and family. Clamming and crabbing were on the menu as well as salmon. Riley caught a salmon this year which we were able to have for dinner. It's been a good couple of fishing months for him. Kate and I spent time taking walks on the beach and kayaking. A very special day was held for my mother's companion of 20 years, Mel Ryan, who passed away in March. Mel was a beloved member of our family and is the reason we found Whidbey. He was truly a blessing in our lives and we continue to feel his presence on our special island. A bright spot in our trip was the announcement that another (Galey) baby was on the way! My youngest brother Brian and his wife Vanessa, who were married at our house last summer are expecting their first baby in February. We are all very excited, especially Kate.

In July Matt chaired (hopefully his last) Golf Tournament- Football Fundraiser and continues to be busy with work, football boosters and being the lacrosse booster club president. As usual I am keeping up with everyone's schedule, soon to start my tennis league and NCL with Kate.

We hope you all have a wonderful Fall and can't wait to hear all the news from everyone.

Love, Matt, Kristen, Riley and Kate

Sue's News

Hi Sentinel Readers,

    Here I go trying to catch up.  April was a great month with a trip to Utah to attend Brandon's graduation from BYU Law School and then the wedding of Matt and Nicole.  I also got to meet my new great granddaughter Paisley.  A great time was had by all.  The in May we went to San Marcos for Michelle's graduation from Texas State.  The middle of the month I went to Berkeley, California for my 60th high school reunion.  It was great fun and I thought we were all in pretty good shape.  They didn't ask how far we came or how many grandchildren we had just how many operations we had had!  I got  home with a day to spare and I washed clothes and repacked my suitcase and left for Cabo to spend  a week with Deb .  Much fun. I was home for the next 3 months.  Midland has been HOT . Thank heavens for Mark and Terri's pool. We have had more 100 degree days than we have ever had.  We are also running out of water and can only water 2 days a week.  It looks so bad but the oil industrty is going great guns.  We have the lowest unemployment in the state of Texas.

We had Olivia come and stay 2 weeks and had a great time.  Mike and Kelly went to Cabo.  Now Emmie and Eric have now moved to Midland so that Eric can attend Midland College.  We are so excited to have them here. On the 17th Brian, Lacie and Paisley will come for a few days.  Then on the 22nd my favorite rock group Styx is appearing here in Midland.  The next day I fly to California to see Mare and Larry and gang.  The day after I get back Jules will come for a week  Now that Fall is here all my groups are starting up again.  We are opening our new performing arts center in November so that will be fun.  That will be the new home of the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale.  In November I will be going to San Francisco with my friend Maridell.  She has 3 sisters and they have a sister's weekend every year and this year they are meeting in San Francisco.  They are going to adopt me since I don't have any sisters.  We are planning to attend 3 operas and eat our way across the city.  My friend Linda Christian and I are planning a 50th birthday party for Mark and two of her kids.  It will be on November 19th and you are all invited to attend.

I hope you all had a great summer and look forward to this Fall. 

    Hope  you all had a great summer.      I look forward to the Fall and hope the weather will cool down.  I look forward to hearing all about your doings.  Stay well.

Love, Texas Sue

Mark & Terri

Greetings family!

Hope all is well with y’all.  Spring has sprung, Fall has fell, Summer is here and it’s hotter than…Usual!  We are on our 63rd day over 100 deg. We are ready for some cool.  Terri and I just got back from a trip to the Northwest to visit Michelle.  She has been back in Oregon working for a branch of the Forest Service where she works in the wilderness 8 days hiking and checking stream status then has 6 days off.  We flew to Portland, where Michelle picked us up. We drove through Washington stopping in Tacoma, Seattle, and Bellingham, ending up in Vancouver.   We spent a day there then went up to Whistler where Michelle and I got to experience some downhill mountain biking off the ski runs.  That was definitely an adrenaline rush.  We finished off the trip back with a stop at Mount St. Helens.  We had great weather during the trek with highs in the upper 70s.  I even had to put a sweatshirt on in Whistler. It was great to see Michelle.  She finishes up in late September then she plans to come home to prepare for her trip to South America to go WOOFing. (World Organization of Organic Farming).  She and her boyfriend are planning a trip to work on self sustained farms as they tour thru Peru and Ecuador. 

Earlier in the summer Terri and I went to DC.  For an early birthday present, Terri gave me tickets to the Manchester United vs. Barcelona soccer match at Fedex field in Maryland.  It was a great time that included a packed Metro trip.  We toured the Capital where it was a record 104 deg.  We thought we were getting out of the heat. HAH!  We just ran from museum to museum to get in the AC.

We also managed a trip to College Station to see Rachael.  She had spent the summer in Houston working an internship for Spectra; a natural gas pipeline company.  She was back to take a class in Business Management.  We towed the SeaDoo and made it down to Lake Somerville.  We had spent many weekends there when we lived in Houston.  We had a chance to meet her boyfriend John Ryan.  He is also a mechanical engineer student.

In mid-July, the girls came to Midland and joined us for a fund raising bike ride, The MS 150.  We rode 150 miles in 2 days in temps up to 105 deg.  We were joined by Terri’s dad and nephew along with our friends, the Boudreaux’s.  Terri’s dad inspired us all at age 73.  Our team managed to raise over $20,000.

No big plans for the fall until Thanksgiving when we plan to go to the Texas A&M vs Texas game.  We are planning a big tailgate Thanksgiving dinner.  This will be Rachael’s last season there and A&M’s last game in the Big 12.  BTHO Texas!! A!!

Love to All.  Vaya con Dios.