The Octogenarian

As the reigning octogenarian of this motley clan I will expect the proper deference to my oncoming senility. In lieu of genuflecting in my presence and kissing my ring, I, will for this event only, allow homage to be paid by a vodka and tonic or at the very least a Miller Lite.

All kidding aside, I look forward to seeing all of you and renewing our familial bonds.

great idea!

Holidays 2007

Evan and Brigitte Holidays 2007

Rachel and Jodie May 2008

Dad and I in Vegas-April 2008

Hi everyone! Looking forward to re-acquainting myself and my family with all of you this weekend...should be overwhelming and fun!!! I am coming with my dad, Joe Nobleza, and my 2 kids---Rachel Barnes, 22 and Evan Barnes, 20. Rachel lives in San Diego with her boyfriend, Jodie---he runs a charter fishing boat business and he will be on a trip this weekend so you all won't get to meet him, but I will post a photo so you can see the happy couple! Rachel just graduated last weekend from SDSU---we are all very proud of her! This reunion was actually spurred on by a luncheon we had a few months ago with Auntie Milly---she visited with us one day in Hermosa Beach and we all went to lunch. Evan joined us and thought it would be a good idea for a family reunion since he hardly knew any of the Cruz side of the family. My mom was much better at keeping the family in touch...I know she will be watching over us this weekend!!! So what time is the Dallas group arriving? Are Steven and Teddy coming, too? My dad and I should arrive by noon on Friday or earlier. Rachel and I want to see "Sex In the City" ASAP so we might skip out to catch an early matinee if anyone wants to join us---bet you guys have already seen it---bring the DVD if you have it!!! I can play it on my laptop. Can't wait to see you all! Susan aka "Cruz"

Introduce Yourself

Hopefully, you received an invite in your email to come by and say hello. Maybe this will take the awkwardness out of meeting people you don't know outside of the fact that their last name is Cruz and we share a kinship. I'll start out..y'all just jump in.
I'm Reesa, daughter of Ted and Melanie Cruz. Born in Pasadena. Stayed in CA until the Beatles came to the US when we moved to upper NY state, where I went to HS. Traveled around, lived in NYC, Boston, San Francisco, Alaska, Dallas, Boston again, and back to Dallas. I have 3 kids, twins, Robyn and Kira who are coming to the reunion. They are 22. My son, Quinn, 26 is back in Boston, and can't afford the trip as he and his fiance are getting new digs. Robyn just set a date for her wedding next April.
Kira, me and her dad, Bob, live together with my dad. We have Robyn's dog and 2 kitties. Bob keeps a veggie garden in the backyard. He's writing a book about his life. My dad plays in a banjo band and teaches ESL classes. He writes movie reviews. We see over 100 movies a year and all for free. I run a advance movie screening group as Dallas is one of the largest test markets in the country. Kira takes classes at the local rec center that has a day program for special needs adults.
See ya in CA.

Cruz Family Reunion

Going back to California and meeting with family that I haven't seen since the early 60's is, needless to say, disconcerting. However, I was spurred to go out of curiosity, and the need to have my kids meet relatives which they lacked having around while they were growing up. Living in the Boston area, they didn't have the chance to dress in their new clothes at Christmas and head over to someones house and have dinner. To hide under the dinner table, while the grownups played poker while reaching up and stealing sips of everyones boozy drinks like I did when I was young. I never knew who exactly was blood related to when I was a child. Every grownup was called "auntie" or "uncle", whether they were actual family or just friends. I was never quite sure which of those little kids running around were actually cousins. But you got to see them at family parties, weddings, baptisms, holidays and picnics.

So in honor of this momentous occasion, this blog is created to help keep in touch with each other. You can post pics, family updates, rants, raves, and inform each other of what's going on in our lives so that we don't lose track of each other.