A SUMMER POOL PARTY  2008
By Jay de Leon

July in California usually means summer, hot weather, pool parties, cool drinks, good eating and just good old times. And so it was for the July monthly gathering of the de Leon clan on Sunday, July 20, 2008.

I wrote about the de Leon gathering last April, 2008 and I thought that it would be a while before I would write about another one. But this one was a little bit different, more meaningful and probably more enjoyable for the kids from the usual gatherings that it merited another write-up. Also, some people just enjoy seeing their mugs or even their names in print. So here goes.

It was a little bit different first because the venue was at Maria and Brett’s house in Canyon Country, which made it a little bit of a farther drive for some. But we agreed on this venue for July so people could swim and cool off in their swimming pool.

Also, this July occasion celebrated not one, not two, but three birthdays for the month and one graduation. The birthday celebrants were Cris, Martin and Grandma, who celebrated her eighty-eighth (88th) birthday. Mitch graduated from Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta last month on Friday, June 13, 2008. While he had his own graduation celebration that day, most of the de Leons except for Jay and Cris were unable to attend
due to the distance and the late hour.

This brings us to the fact that this gathering saw the rare participation of Jay’s family who drove all the way from Murrieta, California (a 3 hour drive one-way)—Jennifer, Mitchell and Paulina, and Michael whom they picked up from his residence in North Hollywood.

We were also glad to see Al, who was recovering from cataract surgery and also Diana (Rey’s daughter) who was home for the summer from UCLA. Mikhaela is a four-month old baby who is Maria’s temporary adoptee. We learned she might be going home for good, so we bade her farewell and a good life.

As usual, food and drinks were plentiful, including three huge birthday cakes and several of the usual sinful desserts like sans rival, cheesecake, and bibingka that Jennifer brought especially for Grandma.

For the record, here is a complete list of attendees of this particular gathering, in no particular order.

1.  Maria Arneson
2.  Brett Arneson
3.  Rachel Arneson
4.  Tabi Arneson
5.  Mikhaela (4 month old baby)
6.  Rey de Leon
7.  Gigi de Leon
8.  Diana Rae de Leon
9.  Martin de Leon
10.  Tracey de Leon
11.  Marissa de Leon
12.  Sabrina de Leon
13.  Leo de Leon
14.  Nancy de Leon
15.  Michelle de Leon
16.  Jay de Leon
17.  Jennifer Long
18.  Michael Long
19.  Mitchell de Leon
20.  Paulina de Leon
21.  Cris Rugprayoon
22.  Chalo Cordova
23.  Mark Rugprayoon
24.  Fria Rugprayoon
25.  Ken Rugprayoon alias Beyken
26.  Al de Leon
27.  Pacita de Leon
28.  KROQ the pooch

As usual, a good time was had by all. Thank you to Maria and Brett for hosting this time. We give special thanks for Grandma’s eighty-eighth birthday. May you have many more to come. Also, thanks to my friend and Ateneo classmate Manny Tiangha for calling in his birthday wishes to Grandma during the party.

Till the next gathering…

Da Group.


Da Boys

Da Girls. Notice that da pooch is in both groups???

This would have been a nice family portrait for Fria, Ken and Mark Rugprayoon
except for the Joker, and I don’t mean Heath Ledger either.

3 generations of Rugprayoons. Cris, Fria, Ken and
Mark Rugprayoon, and Martin de Leon.

The Rey de Leon family. Gigi, Rey and Diana.
Now you know who the joker is among the de Leon siblings.

The Jay de Leon family. Mitch, Mike, Jay, Paulina and Jennifer.

Rogues Gallery – Martin, Jay and Mitch all surnamed de Leon.

Grandma has it made in the shade, with cool shades.
Rachel Arneson, Pacita de Leon, Jay de Leon

Al de Leon (center), flanked by bathing beauties Rachel and Tabi.

Whose good looking kids are these?
Michael, Paulina, Michelle, and Mitch.
Answer: Michelle belongs to Nancy.
The other three belong to Jennifer.

Nancy de Leon, Cris Rugprayoon, Michelle de Leon, Michael Long, KROQ

Paulina de Leon and mom Jennifer Long

Sabrina de Leon alias Binay alias Butter.
A joint project of Tracey and Martin de Leon.

Poolside beauties Rachel, Marissa and Tabi.

Grandma and Mikhaela. 
We will miss you, Mikhaela.

For the record, the Lakers lost to the Celtics in the NBA 2008 Finals.
Do not remind Grandma if you value your life.

Party animal KROQ covered with stickers.  Leo was upset
 KROQ was not featured in the last article.  Happy now, Leo?

Copyright, Jay de Leon, 2008