The Holtz Family: July 2007

Summer 2007

After 3.5 cold and foggy summers in Berkeley, we are so excited to be here in New York State enjoying this beautiful east coast summer. It is so utterly fantastic on the farm with the family that I am worried that I am going to make most of you sick with this feel-good post. I would imagine it is more interesting to read about the dark side of a family's life dealing with shitty kids,a cheating partner or some huge credit card debt and a vicodin habit that cannot be kicked, but I am happy to report that we are having the time of our lives. The kids are great, Elizabeth and I are blessed to have each other and we are very busy with work. Bobbi is now officially off the boob, so I will have my visitation rights reinstated in the near future.

Before I rattle on anymore about our bucolic existence, I will mention the bad news/good news that my mother-in-law has breast cancer and needed a mastectomy just last week. They removed all the cancer and she will live on to see her grandchildren graduate from either law school, art school or released from state prison with time off for good behavior.

As for details, you will notice from a few of the pictures that Veronica has been performing in a tutu. This was her first dance recital and she proved you can throw a fit on stage at age 3 and people will find it endearing. Seems like some other dancer was in her 'spot' so she decided to keep her back to the audience and stare down the little girl who wronged her during the entire song. She managed to pull it together for the second song in the program and was the hit of the show.

I am not one to be maudlin, but it truly is wonderful raising my family and having such a fabulous wife. This all makes the memories of my own depressing existence as a child more palatable. Yes, I stay up at night thinking about global warming, psychotic islamists and most republicans , but I savor every single moment with these kids and hope that one day they can be on this property and do the same with their own children.

I promise to tell all if my marriage goes down the toilet or if we ever get busted for growing weed, but for now, (except for my growing gut), life is good and getting better all the time.
Enjoy your summer and as always, come visit us for up to 3 days and 2 nights if you have the time.

Central Park with Uncle Norm

If you want to know what your prototype Godfather should be like, look no further than our own 'Uncle Norm'. The man loves our kids, adores my wife, tolerates me and is selfless when in the presence of our family. He spent 2.5 hours of utter hell waiting in line to get up to the top of the Empire State building(Miles spent less than a minute looking around before announcing his intentions to focus his time and energy on the gift shop) and never complained. He walks the baby, takes pictures, has started a secret college fund for the children that we don't even know about, and is beloved by the kids. Thanks Norm.

Veronica's first recital!

Bobbilicious

Dag, this child is easy. She smiles all day, never cries unless we drop her, and is easy on the eyes(and ears). Women who spend time with her are all secretly thinking of ways to breed with me. No doubt.
This will be the first baby of ours that Suzie Cortez will not be able to take care of and nurture in her special way, but we hope she will still turn out to be a productive member of society. Speaking of special caretakers, I would like to publicly thank anyone who has helped us raise these children over the last 5 years. Freeda, Suzie, Ying, our old neighbors Bob and Andrea, and of course their Grandma.A big tip of the hat to Susan, who has been amazing with Bobbi for the last year. Thanks.