The Christmas Letter

2008 was a big year for us. Some highlights:

In March, I started a new job at Opera Colorado as Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations. I write grants, manage sponsor benefits, and plan some of our donor events, and I'm really enjoying it.

Also in March, Sam started graduate school. He is getting a Master's in Information Assurance at Regis University. Basically he is learning to protect company networks (though it's quite a bit more complicated than that). He is four classes in and has a 4.0 GPA. I'm learning a lot too as I help edit his papers, though I'm sure I'll never use the information...

In late April, strange cravings for Greek yogurt, Wheat Thins and lemon creme cookies sent me in search of an EPT ("the most advanced technology you'll ever pee on"). The doctor confirmed it and the ultrasound proved it - we were well on our way to becoming parents!

It was at that point we realized that it was probably time to buckle down and finish some major house projects, so we hired a guy to sand and finish the hardwood floors we had installed New Year's Eve weekend 2007.

We visited my dad, stepmom and stepsister for a few days at their vacation condo on St. George Island off the Florida panhandle in May. My brother and his family also came down and we enjoyed the sun and surf.

Our dear friends Mark and Tara Joffe announced their plans to leave us all behind as they embark on grand adventures in Texas and France - also leaving us their 18 year old cat, Chester. After selling their house and the bulk of their possessions, they lived in our basement for a week at the end of May before heading off on a last hooray rafting trip with the Colorado gang on the Chama river. I stayed behind to attend the National Performing Arts Convention in Denver and to spend time with my dear friend Keturah, who was in town from San Diego for the convention.

We volunteered for the Ms 150 bike ride in late June. It was good to see our old friends from the Courage Classic bike tour, and to make new friends. June also brought the sad news that Nikita, our 11 year old Malamute, had inoperable cancer and would not be with us much longer.

We finally had to put her down in July, which was very sad, but made room in our home to bring home Casey:

The rest of the summer is a bit of a blur - more house projects got crossed off the list (new windows, new doors and interior trim, work began on the nursery) and Sam started spending a lot more time at the convention center as they geared up for a string of major conventions, including the Democratic National Convention (at least that’s what he told me – he may have just been escaping the pregnancy hormones!).

In October we invited Scott and Heidi Hace to join us in Las Vegas for a “babymoon” weekend. I had never been to Sin City, and now I don’t ever have to go back! We enjoyed the company, but the heat and the extensive walking was a bit much for being 7 months pregnant.

The rest of the fall was spent waiting and preparing for Baby Fleming’s arrival. Finally, on December 4, my water broke while I was at work. After a stop at home to get our overnight bag and to play ball with the dog (hey, it helped get contractions going!), we headed to the hospital. Ten hours later, Ryan Arthur came into the world. His shoulder got stuck on the way out, but we had an experienced midwife who knew exactly what to do – and just like that, we’re parents - Holy Cow!

We’ve loved every minute of getting to know this little guy (okay, I haven’t LOVED the 2 a.m. feedings, but I’ll survive), and we look forward to all the new adventures life has in store for us.

We hope you all have a wonderful and prosperous 2009. Please come visit us soon!

Susan, Sam, Ryan, Casey, Star, Peter and Chester