I can’t believe it’s already the end of the year.  This year has been full of great events and memories.

Happy Birthday Art!  We had dinner at Caffe Maria in Northbeach and I have not heard what happened after dinner.  All I know is that I left my hand sanitizer with Alana and hopefully there was enough to go around. 

Earlier that day, some of us attended Linda’s baby shower and gender reveal party.  We had cupcakes to reveal the gender of the baby (bread was strawberry batter in honor of the baby girl, Grace).  The shower was totally canto style - people cooking constantly, generous amounts of food and drink, lots of enthusiasm during the games portion, etc.  Thanks to Karen and Lien for helping me out with games! 

I’m all caught up in my posts now.  Now, for some announcements:

1)  Lauren Shaman will be moving back to San Jose in January 2012 to work in-house for a Japanese company.  Welcome dinner to TBD (Dai - you plan it, ok?)

2)  Bennie Mackey was just admitted to the NY bar!  Next time you see him, congratulate him!  (yes, he’s the one that just passed the CA one as well!). 

3)  Rob has joined his wife in her practice.  Lien just moved her office to a new location in downtown Oakland - photos to come soon!

4)  Third Annual White Elephant on Friday, December 16, 2011 at 7 p.m. - I will be hosting this event for the final time at my apartment in San Jose (next year it will be in SF!).  Please bring a wrapped gift worth $20-25 and the potluck item of your choice (I will be sending out an e-mail).  Chez Rob will be helping cook a Lousiana style Cajun hotpot for dinner.  Games and alcohol to follow.

I think that is it.  If you would like the full-size of any of the photos or events, email me!  If I missed any announcements, e-mail me! 

xoxo,

christine ^__^

I have this theory that there are so many birthdays in November because their parents made them in celebration of Valentine’s Day.  Or maybe the season, weather, and ambiance of February just makes it a romantic month.

We celebrated Mike’s birthday at Bona Restaurant - a Polish restaurant that Gail chose in honor of Mike’s heritage.  The Russian borsch and potato soups were pretty good and the pierogis were awesome.  Thanks Gail on choosing a great restaurant and having us venture out to Menlo Park. 

Our dear Lien finally turned 3-0!  We celebrated her birthday at Astaria in San Mateo (great choice, Rob!).  The highlight of the night was Joost’s mile-high garlic fries topped with fried onions strings and trying every dessert they had (hoho’s, baked alaska, bread pudding, tart, chocolate cake, etc.).

Love these beautiful law school girls!  Friends Forever (as cheesy as that sounds) =)

We celebrated Matt’s 30th Birthday at Teske’s Germania back in October.

Aaley was there and she was entertained by her dad’s huge birthday hat.  All of Tina’s and Matt’s families were there and Aaley received plenty of deserved attention (she really is a mellow baby!). Thanks Tina for hosting!

Here are photos from several past gathering from the end of summer (Tibo’s birthday and Linda’s get together) and Rob and Lien’s Labor Day BBQ.  Thanks for hosting everyone!  As always, we had great food (always eat too much at those things) and great times.  Logan shared his bubble favors with other kids at Kelley Park, we found out Linda was pregnant(!), and Logan met a new friend, Fabio (Linda’s dog).

Congrats to Tina and Matt for the arrival of Aaley Hesby!  Most of us have already met her already.  She’s mellow like Tina and has a head full of hair like Matt.  She will be celebrating her first Christmas this year!

We celebrated Dai’s 31st birthday back in August (sorry so late) at Los Gatos Bocce Ball.  It was the first time the gang went bocce ball-ing and we finally got to meet the latest addition to the Schneider family - Jacob.  Kayla made her first appearance as big sister as well. 

I forget which team won, but we all had a great time.  Alana and Art were experts at measuring the bocce ball distances for both teams. 

Congrats to Dai on turning the big 3-1 and starting his first year of pharmacy school at UCSF!  You’ll do great!

My fellow working Oaklanders came to visit my office!  We ate lunch at the Oakland Grill (they loved it!) and the gals went to Blue Bottle Coffee for some serious caffeine (I was hyper until 9 p.m.), giggles and girl talk.  I am blessed with new friends, Linda, Richard and Quynh!  Linda and I hit it off immediately when we met at Rob’s birthday party and she’s the sweetest person you’ll meet (she’s the one I’m hugging in blue).  Love you Linda! 

Thank you for visiting ladies (and Richard!). 

<3 christine

Justin’s going away dinner at Thaibodia and Verde!  Good luck Justin and DREAM BIG!  We are rooting for you!  Justin! Justin! Justin!

Happy Birthday dear Rob!  We celebrated Rob’s 31st at Pandora Karaoke in the Tenderloin.  As usual, Rob was pouring generous shots of goose for everyone and had a great time as there was live entertainment (singing and the pole).  Epic two-hour birthday party (shortest one thus far!).  E-mail me for the pole video.  The End. 

Thank you for everyone who came out to Pampas and the bar after for my 30th birthday!  I feel really blessed to have so many friends that I hold dearly to my heart.  Turning 30 is not bad when you have awesome friends and family!  Thanks for the thoughtful cards, presents, cupcakes, food and love!  ^__^

<3, christine