Merry Christmas from the Burns Family 2008!!!There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child." ~ Erma Bombeck
It’s 3:26 AM on December 19th and I’m just getting to the annual Christmas letter. Jen & I will be packing up the kids and driving back to Ohio on Saturday, so I’ve got to stuff the cards in the mailbox before we leave. Did I say Kids? Did I say drive back to Ohio? Yes my friends, much has changed in the last year… Sit crisscross applesauce and let me tell you a tale of a family that moved east.
First and foremost, on December 26th, Jennifer had her yearly appointment with her OB-GYN Kenobi. When she came home, she was glowing and smiling from ear to ear. She was pregnant!!! Of course, we were both like “HOLY CRAP!!!” This was a bit much to take in since she was told she couldn’t have any more children. We’d been trying since 2006 and had just given up. Funny how things work, huh? It was the best Christmas present ever. I should get the Stanley Cup for getting one past the goalie!
Just as the first pregnancy, this pregnancy came with its own challenges. Jen was considered a high-risk pregnancy and had to go to the doctor regularly to have her tires rotated and fluids topped off. On August 22nd, Jen gave birth to Heidi Rowan Burns. She was 18.5” and 5.9 lbs. She’s pushing 13 lbs. now.
In the midst of all of Jen’s pregnancy fun, I relocated to the Washington DC Metro Area where I had accepted a job with the TSA Office of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs in Arlington, Virginia. I moved to DC in March and Jen moved in with her parents.
We put our house on the market in March and it’s still for sale. If you’re interested in renting or buying, let me know. Feel free to make crystal meth and blow the place to high-hell. (My attorney advised me to add a disclaimer that I’m just kidding)
Fast forward to now and we’re all in Virginia. We settled in Falls Church. It’s about 10 miles from my office and 11 miles from DC. Factoid: The world's first wartime aerial reconnaissance was carried out in Falls Church from Taylor's Tavern by Thaddeus Lowe and his hot-air balloon. Falls Church later became the world's first target of an aerially-directed bombardment, courtesy of Lowe and his balloon. On a clear summer night, you can still hear ol’ Thaddeus hootin’ and hollerin’ from the skies above. Not really, I just made that up…
We’re all doing great. Jen is enjoying herself as a stay at home mom. She is lacking a bit of adult interaction, so if you want to visit DC, say the word! While the kids are sleeping, Jen strives to complete her African Horned Beetle collection. Hannah is currently taking Taekwondo, dance, piano and beginner’s quantum physics. Heidi is eating, sleeping and pooping. Clarence spends his time enjoying fine Cuban Diplamaticos with stiff Scotch & Sodas.
All is good on my end. But…I’m in search of a barber. I went to this place called the Father & Son Barber Shop. I walked in and didn’t see a father or a son. I saw three women. I sat down for a haircut. I asked for a #3 on the sides and a slight trim on top. Next thing you know, the buzzer was grinding and hair was flying everywhere. Already in a state of shock, I was then stunned by a whisk brush to the head. The woman began beating me about the head neck and shoulders while taking a few layers of skin along with the hair! You can only imagine the horror I felt when she pulled out the straight razor to trim my sideburns and neck. I subscribe to the glass half full philosophy, so on the bright side, I haven’t needed a haircut in over a month.
Merry Christmas! Bob & Jen