Beaumont's Letter

Okay, so for those who don't already know this... Beaumont started sending out an annual Christmas letter 3 or 4 years ago. It kind of started as a joke to poke fun at some of the more obnoxious Christmas letters wherein people brag and brag. But then Beaumont began to getmore proud of his own family and found himself bragging. After a year or two, I personally thought the letters were getting old, but was told by MANY people that Beaumont needed to continue putting pen to paper. So for those who missed it (probably because of an addressing snafu which will likely garner its own post) here is Beaumont's xmas 2008 letter.... and hopefully a copy of the pic which was sent on the card.

Season’s Greetings,
It is my pleasure to once again treat you to the Maguire Family’s annual Christmas card as well as to bring you up to date on some of the exciting things happening around here in the last year. In what has become something of an annual tradition, Lenny once again thought he would get to write the letter. Don’t worry, I saved you. I told him there was a criminal hiding in the woods behind the house. He should be gone long enough for me to finish this thing in peace.
The year started off pretty quietly. You can rest assured that Mom went out and bought dad some new socks after last year’s Christmas card went out. In February Mom went off to Greece and Italy to wrangle a bunch of high-schoolers as they travelled Europe. I thought it was bad enough that she left us all behind, but then Dad left to see his friend in Washington, D.C. I got to stay home with Grandpa… and Lenny. Mom came back with lots of exciting stories and knick-knacks. Dad came home with blood-shot eyes.

March brought another well-celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and then in April Mom and Dad took a foreign adventure together. On one of Mom’s many breaks from working, they took a train to Toronto, Ontario. They said that I couldn’t go with them because it was in a far away land called Canada and I don’t have a passport. Once there they saw the Royal Ontario Museum, a police museum, and the CN tower. This is a big pointy needle thing 130+ stories in the air where Mom and Dad walked on a glass floor, looking straight down. I stayed home with Grandpa… and Lenny.

May was a very busy month. Mom made Dad start running again. They went to Grand Rapids where they ran a 25 kilometer race. I am not good at math, but they tell me this is over 15 miles. Later in the month, they also ran the Dexter-Ann Arbor half marathon. Another long run. I am not sure if they were trying to save money on gas or what, but Dad really hasn’t run any great distances since then. Heck, he can barely muster up a half mile walk for a certain beautiful dog. May also brought their yearly trip to Mackinac Island for Mom’s debate and forensics conference. They stayed in the really nice, but awkwardly decorated, Grand Hotel. And as a special surprise, Mom was named Debate Coach of the Year. Leonard and I enjoyed the spring blooms and muddy yard with Grandfather. He is really becoming quite good at taking care of us due to our absentee parents. Oh yeah, Mom says I should tell you that Lenny and Dad went to some police dog trial thing and won some trophies. Call me when he wins a beauty contest.

June was a month of new beginnings. Mom and Dad started a new chapter in their camping endeavors by buying a camper. They got a little one that pops up. They were all excited to try it out and Mom was convinced this meant Lenny and I could join them on camping trips. So we ALL went on an overnighter and were rained on the entire time. I gotta admit the camper was nice and stayed dry inside, but was a little cramped with all of us in there. Lenny and I decided that we much preferred hanging out on the couch with Grandpa. Mom and Dad went on the rest of their camper trips without us. They also returned to Toronto where they saw a concert and went to the NHL hall of fame.

June was also the month were Mom sat Dad down one night after work and told him he was going to be a Daddy. I know. I was equally confused. I mean he is already my dad… and Lenny doesn’t know he’s adopted so he calls him “Dad” too… but mom said something about we are going to have a baby with two legs and no fur here pretty soon. All I know is it better not eat my food or interrupt my afternoon naps. This news caused much excitement in the house and they have begun repainting rooms and shopping for all kinds of weird junk we have never had before.
In July Mom complained about being nauseous all the time. I thought she ate some bad kibble, but Dad said it was something about this ‘baby’ who’s on its way. Mom and Dad took their new camper to northern Michigan and camped near the Mackinac Bridge. They also took their bikes and logged about 25 miles in one day.

In August they took the camper to Grand Haven and went to the Coast Guard Festival where they saw lots of neat boats and a big fireworks display. They also went to some place called ‘The Gorge’ very far from here where they saw their favorite band perform near a big canyon. You would think they would get tired of always seeing the SAME band. I stayed here with Grandfather… and Lenny. Dad started building his ‘shennel’in August. It is part shed for his tractor and lawn toys and it is part covered kennel. Lenny is afraid we are going to get moved outside. I told him it’s probably for this baby.

In September I noticed that Mom seemed to be running a little slower. At least it was taking her longer to get back from her runs. Dad keeps saying that it’s about this baby. I don’t get it. Maybe she was slow because she was out LOOKING for this baby? Mom took her last class to get certified in History so now she can teach even more subjects than before. Dad and Lenny went away again for another week – which was kind of nice – and came back with a bunch of trophies. One said something about ‘First Place’ in ‘Obedience’. I’m pretty sure they stole it since Lenny is always on the couch.

October brought the change in the leaves and weather. It was time to break out our heavy clothes. And just between you and me, it was just in time. Mom seems to be putting on some weight. She ran the Detroit Marathon, but instead of running the whole thing like she originally planned, she ran it as part of a relay team with a bunch of other ladies who have babies on the way. Oh yeah… October starts ‘Inflatable-Crap-in-the-Yard’ season. Dad put up his ghosts for Halloween.

November was when things just started getting weird, if you ask me. Mom appears to be hiding a basketball in her shirt. Maybe that’s what Dad is getting for Christmas. Dad repainted the guest room green and they both refer to it as a nursery. Maybe since mom killed her garden they are going to try growing stuff indoors? Mom keeps talking to Dad about names for this baby and they debate whether it’s a boy or girl. I don’t get it. We have somebody coming to live with us who we don’t know, has no name, and gets their own room right off the bat? Crazy. Anyhow, the inflatable turkey joined us for November.

December ushered in a birthday which Dad tried to ignore as he feels old now. The inflatable Grinch went up along with a way-too-fat Christmas tree and all the trimmings. The hustle and bustle has set in big time and Mother is looking forward to yet another long break from work. Dad looks forward to skiing this winter.

Despite all that is going on in the world, The Maguires are blessed with health, family, and many blessings (like me). We hope that this letter finds you and your family enjoying the blessings of Peace, Love, and Joy this holiday season.
Merry Christmas,
Beaumont, Hattie, Patrick
…and Lenny.