The Family in 2012 — When Dan and Nazy moved to California

Geographic coalescence was balanced with population increases. Christiane gave birth to Leandra, our first and grandest daughter on May 31st. In July, Nazy and Dan flew to Lebanon to meet (and ‘oh and ah&rsquo the newest member of the family. We had a wonderful time in a beautiful part of the world enjoying and sharing the happiness that comes with a baby. We even provided baby sitting services that led to Darius and Christiane’s first date night following the arrival. (It worked out very well: Dan is good at putting girls to sleep.) It has been a transformational year for Darius and Christiane: New Baby, New Job, New House, New Country. They’re meeting the challenges and excitement with happiness and skill.

Darius and Christiane and the Lovely Leandra

Dan and Nazy not only visited Lebanon, we even scored an Emirates Airlines upgrade. And, on the transportation front, we revisited and corrected a problematic automobile decision made three years ago — when we got a red, two-door, sporty BMW because we “didn’t want to look like grandparents”. This year it occurred to us that “Oops! We are grandparents.” Accordingly, we retired the BMW and acquired a four door white Volvo. (It’s much easier to get to the dual car seats and the car is still sporty.) While we moved to California primarily to be closer to the family, the weather was an attraction. This year we’ve had two major wildfires and a small earthquake. But the sun was shinning all the time. Ever romantic, Dan took Nazy to Death Valley to celebrate her birthday. We’re also had a fun-filled year with our offspring and our wonderful grandchildren: Tiger, Arrow and Leandra.

Nazy and Dan at Dante's Peak, Death Valley

It has been an exciting and transformative year for Mitra and Stefan as well. Mitra and Stefan are onto new endeavors having passed the reins of Oxygen Tango to a capable next generation! Mitra is launching the Tango Hatchery, which, amazingly, combines her research, peer-learning, and tango passions. Stefan is studying traditional National American spiritual practices with deep interest and passion. Following the transportation theme, they retired Stefan’s van just before it hit the 500,000 mile mark. It was replaced by an all electric Kia Soul which has just enough range to make it to our house (if Mitra is driving) or plenty of range (if Stefan drives). And they saw “Hamilton”. Twice!

Mitra and Stefan — Aunt and Uncle

Melika and Tom’s continued use of their costume closet culminated with their annual trip to Burning Man 2017. They also continued to bolster the local economy with ongoing improvements at their Nirvana estate high in the hills overlooking Santa Barbara. Their boys, the grandest ever sons, remain amazing. Tiger has memorized several songs from Hamilton and loves his pre-school. Arrow loves having books read to him: he is especially diligent about turning the pages. And, after 15 months of being perplexed by Tiger’s sometime jealousy, Arrow, seeing Leandra, finally comprehended what that was all about.

Melika and Tom and the grandest sons

As always… May next year be the best 2018 eve

The Core Family Unit in the 1980s