Christmas Letter 2012

Merry Christmas from the Reyersons!

The holidays are a crazy time, so if you’re too busy to read our letter right now, no hard feelings, here’s the short version: we’re fine, we went fishing this summer, the kids will be in college next fall and there’s a new patio in our back yard. But if you have a few minutes to spare, the long version is below:

Collin and Adrienne are now seniors at St. Louis Park High School, and the countdown is on. They both have a short list of schools to which they will apply after the 1st of the year. Adrienne is perhaps closer to choosing than Collin after visiting the very impressive campus of the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire. Collin visited the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology out in Rapid City earlier this fall. He might wind up there, but he’s still evaluating options closer to home. Connie and I have made peace with the idea that both kids are going to start at a 4-year school as opposed to living at home and collecting their freshman Gen Ed credits at a nearby community college. Thirty years ago, I was at mile marker #18 and itching to get out there on my own, so we’ll support them no matter what they choose, simple as that.

In the past, the sum total of Connie’s Holiday baking has exceeded the Gross Domestic Product of most third world nations, but she throttled back on production this year, electing to prepare fudge, cookies, peanut butter balls and her world famous popcorn cake for friends and relatives only. She MIGHT switch it up next year and whip up a few holiday baskets to sell, but she wants to see how THIS year feels first! This fall, she began her 11th year working for the St. Louis Park School District, subbing in 2 of the 4 K-5 schools here in town. She loves those little kids, and she always has a funny story about what happened that day when we go out for our walk.

Far as vacations go, a lot of people I know like to do something completely different every year. I am not one of these people. This year, we rented the same cabin on the same lake, fished the same spots, drank the same brand of beer, played the same card games and told the same dumb jokes. And it was AWESOME. There were 21 of us up there altogether, including my cousin Wendi and her boyfriend Dan, who announced their engagement about halfway through the week. The weather was spectacular, Lake Owen was beautiful, I slept like a rock. DREAM VACATION!

Back in September, Dad finally sought a surgical solution to the back and leg pain that has been getting more severe the past few years. He jacked his back up back in 1960 (not a typo) playing football, and finally got around to doing something about it half a century later. Doesn’t like to be rushed I guess. At any rate, he’s feeling a lot better and is already talking about getting his golf clubs out next spring, and I have volunteered to serve as his first playing partner.

The holidays are a good time to take inventory of all the blessings in your life. This summer my golf buddy Reid finally talked me into putting a patio in the backyard. He helped us plan it, which was nice, but then showed up early one Saturday morning for the HARD part: helping me dig, scoop gravel and sand, and place the stones. By 4:00 pm we were enjoying ice cold beer on the new patio with Justo and Full Nelson. Turns out that Reid is good for something else besides outdriving me by 70 yards on the golf course. Connie and I have a lot of friends, but none that are any better than Reid. His name comes up just about every time we sit out there.

I don’t spend a lot of time talking about work when I’m not AT work, but I will tell you that I’m still at Best Buy and these last 12 months have been pretty wild. Lots of shake-ups at the tip top of the organization made for some interesting newspaper articles, but the work that I perform continued uninterrupted and during times like these, I feel mighty lucky to have a paycheck that takes care of all the bills.

This is our 17th year in St. Louis Park, and looking back, I think Connie and I picked out a pretty good place to put down roots. The kids have never known a house as home other than this one, we have good friends and neighbors here, and we’re just a short car ride away from home in Iowa. PRETTY GOOD GIG.

Well, that‘s our year on one sheet of paper! If you’re ever in town, be sure to stop by. Our house is just a few minutes from downtown Minneapolis and we love to have visitors. We hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits, and we wish you all a happy and safe holiday.

Warren, Connie, Collin and Adrienne