Christmas Newsletter 2007

Christmas 2007 Edition

Hannah and Dylan enjoy a laugh in the playroom of their new home.

Bigger family leads to... bigger home

Home Improvement no longer just a TV show for the Reitz family

It was the day after Christmas last year when a sudden influx of gifts for the kids, and no place to put them, made the problem painfully obvious: the Reitz family had outgrown their Lititz townhouse.

While Rick and Lisa had casually looked for a bigger place over the previous two years, they eventually abandoned each search for one reason or another.

This time, they meant business. And in January, they found a house that seemed to have everything they were looking for: more space, a bigger bedroom for Dylan, playroom space, a garage, large basement, and located in Lititz so Hannah could continue attending Lititz Elementary School.

Well, it wasn't perfect...

They sold their townhouse three days after putting it on the market, and in late March the Reitzes made their move from Laurie Lane, where they lived for the past 10 years, to Arrowhead Drive (about one mile away).
The home required some significant upgrading, mostly in the way of painting (the previous owner's color palate left a lot to be desired), and some new major appliances were urgently needed.

So far, the completed painting projects include both kids' rooms, the kitchen, dining room and main hallway. Though there are still more projects to be done in the year ahead, the house looks considerably nicer than it did when they first moved in.

"I believe Mr. Home Depot's kids will be attending a nice college thanks to us," Rick says. "Lucky little Depots, they are."

This is our year in a nutshell

While the move was certainly this year's main event, there were a few other notable moments in 2007.

KINDERGRAD - Hannah graduated from Kindergarten in May, earning the Best Reader Award for her class. She is now doing very well in first grade, particularly in her reading class, where she is already reading on a third grade level.

D.C. TRIP - With all of the home projects, the annual pilgrimage to Ocean City, Md. just wasn't in the cards. But they still managed a trip to Washington, D.C. over Columbus Day weekend, visiting the memorials, Smithsonian (Hannah had to see the dinosaurs) and the zoo.

SOCCER - Hannah played her first two seasons in the Lititz Youth Soccer Club. Daddy was assistant coach for the Orange Crush in the spring, and head coach in the fall for the Yellowjackets. A video of her first goal is on YouTube & our Web page.

DYLAN TURNS ONE - It was a family affair for Dylan's first birthday, a Baby Einstein-themed fete. He celebrated as most kids do, with a lot of icing in places where icing was never meant to be.

DAY TRIPPERS - The Reitz family enjoyed day trips to Hersheypark, Dutch Wonderland and Cherry Crest Farm in 2007. Pictured here, they are riding the train at Hersheypark.

HALLOWEEN - It was another great costume year. For his first time trick-or-treating, Dylan dressed as Bard the Dragon from Baby Einstein; Hannah went as Sleeping Beauty, and Daddy dressed up as Morty the Camp Counselor from "Meatballs." Hannah and Daddy even marched in the Lititz Halloween Parade with Hannah's Daisy Scout Troop.

ALSO - Rick continues to write Generally Speaking and Lancaster General Woman, along with his Web duties at Lancaster General Hospital... Dagwood turned 14... Dylan has been crawling since the summer, but in late November, he began to take those first tentative steps. It seems likely that by Christmas, Dylan will be walking to his presents!... Rick saw The Police in concert this summer at Hershey... Hannah has been doing well in her swimming lessons. Summer days at the Lititz Springs Pool helped.... Babies born when Rick graduated high school turned 20 this year.

It's time to play... Hannah? or Dylan?

Who is it, Hannah or Dylan? Take this fun quiz to find out:

1. Celebrated a birthday at Accelerations gymnasium?

a. Hannah
b. Dylan

2. Loves Thomas the Tank Engine?

a. Hannah
b. Dylan

3. Favorite color is green?

a. Hannah
b. Dylan

4. Favorite breakfast treat is cinnamon rolls with icing?

a. Hannah
b. Dylan
c. Both

5. Almost appeared in a national TV commercial for Hallmark cards?

a. Hannah
b. Dylan
c. Both

6. Favorite activities include a weekly reading group at Lititz Library?

a. Hannah
b. Dylan

7. Sat on a real dinosaur bone?

a. Hannah
b. Dylan

Now check to see how you did:

ANSWERS: 1. A; 2. B; 3. B; 4. C; 5. A; 6. B; 7. A

Free counters provided by Andale.

KINDERGRAD - Hannah graduated from Kindergarten in May, earning the Best Reader Award for her class. She is now doing very well in first grade, particularly in her reading class, where she is already reading on a third grade level.	D.C. TRIP - With all of the home projects, the annual pilgrimage to Ocean City, Md. just wasn't in the cards. But they still managed a trip to Washington, D.C. over Columbus Day weekend, visiting the memorials, Smithsonian (Hannah had to see the dinosaurs) and the zoo.
SOCCER - Hannah played her first two seasons in the Lititz Youth Soccer Club. Daddy was assistant coach for the Orange Crush in the spring, and head coach in the fall for the Yellowjackets. A video of her first goal is on YouTube & our Web page.	DYLAN TURNS ONE - It was a family affair for Dylan's first birthday, a Baby Einstein-themed fete. He celebrated as most kids do, with a lot of icing in places where icing was never meant to be.
DAY TRIPPERS - The Reitz family enjoyed day trips to Hersheypark, Dutch Wonderland and Cherry Crest Farm in 2007. Pictured here, they are riding the train at Hersheypark.	HALLOWEEN - It was another great costume year. For his first time trick-or-treating, Dylan dressed as Bard the Dragon from Baby Einstein; Hannah went as Sleeping Beauty, and Daddy dressed up as Morty the Camp Counselor from "Meatballs." Hannah and Daddy even marched in the Lititz Halloween Parade with Hannah's Daisy Scout Troop.
ALSO - Rick continues to write Generally Speaking and Lancaster General Woman, along with his Web duties at Lancaster General Hospital... Dagwood turned 14... Dylan has been crawling since the summer, but in late November, he began to take those first tentative steps. It seems likely that by Christmas, Dylan will be walking to his presents!... Rick saw The Police in concert this summer at Hershey... Hannah has been doing well in her swimming lessons. Summer days at the Lititz Springs Pool helped.... Babies born when Rick graduated high school turned 20 this year.