Xmas Letter 2008

2008 is a year we won’t soon forget.

In January we decided it would be fun to sell our house and build a new one. Yeah we’re masochists. So we spent the spring, summer, and part of fall living in a 700 sq ft condo while building a house in Ferndale. Did I mention we are masochists? As if that wasn’t enough fun Bernie was pregnant for the duration (I had a vasectomy 9 years ago). One thing is for sure: this little shit is signing up for swimming. Nevertheless, I say you haven’t experienced the best life has to offer until you’ve crammed yourself into an overheated non-air-conditioned box with two pre-adolescent (and out of school) kids and a pregnant wife. I broke land speed records on my way home every day after work, couldn’t wait to get there.

The year got off to a rocky start for me. In January I had a tooth extracted (old root canal that fell apart) and ended up with dry socket which sucked. Apparently the pain gods felt I was too much of a pussy during that and decided a kidney stone would do the trick. Thanks. Then we found out Bernie was pregnant (not that it’s a bad thing, but unexpected is an understatement – do I have your pity yet?), though she had just returned from a Bahamas-Jamaican cruise (without me). Hmmm……..

The kids didn’t accomplish much this year. Neither Reilly nor Nathan got a job or moved out. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, Nathan can hardly clean his room. That said, they switched schools with the move which was difficult (particularly on Reilly) but they are adjusting quite well. Nathan loves living in Ferndale (because “we can burn stuff without a permit” – his words not mine). Reilly has a made several new friends, and has a few from her prior school she keeps in contact with. Nathan has been taking Kenpo karate this year and played soccer. Reilly has switched from violin to clarinet. I am still actively avoiding housework. I assume Bernie does something productive during the day.

The rest of the year in review: we went to San Francisco in the spring (I was there for work). Bernie and the kids saw the sights, had a good time, etc. Reilly’s hamster died, we buried it at the new house (it’s now covered in concrete), the kids each got a new hamster (Nathan’s has twice escaped….Reilly’s is too lazy to do so), I was able to see the Sooners play the Huskies, Bernie gained a bunch of weight.

In October we were able to move into our house, it was not 100% completed but Bernie was about to pop. One thing I learned during the building process is that just about everything should be done “tomorrow”. Bernie keeps asking me when I’m going to write this letter, to which I answer “tomorrow”. I’m thankful for my new answer to all these “when” questions.

The biggest event was on Oct. 28th when Nicholas was born. He looks just like me (see picture below) ………..what?

He’s been pretty good so far, though he’s not looking for a job either. He’s so lazy. At this point I’d say he’s fussier than Nathan was and less fussy than Reilly was (which is probably 99% of babies). Fortunately Bernie is a stay at home mom and has time to take care of him. She should be taking him to the pool to swim.

That’s everything that happened to us this year. Hope everyone else is having a good holiday amidst the economic turmoil (yet another reason to say “piss off 2008”).

The Leritz Family