It's great that Xmas comes around once a year because it prods all of us slothful correspondents into some sort of activity.  In spite of the sporadic messages we send out, we do think and laugh about all of you often.  1998 certainly observed some major changes in our lives, although not as drastic as Sandy had pessimistically expected.
    The year began for us in Rome, Italy.  Our Round The World trip started in November last year.  In Japan we learned just how different a culture can be.  In Thailand we enjoyed cheap and wonderful food, the people and hot sticky weather.  We spent Christmas in a little tourist town in Greece, and then New Year's Eve overtook us in Rome (with a BANG, ask us about it one day).  We then wandered around the Cotswalds in England with Warren's grandparents.  A power outlet shopping stint in Virginia finished off the trip.  The vacation was all we had expected and more.
    We came home to our old cat, Higgins and our old house with no nursery.  Sandy, being five and a half months pregnant, felt this was a reason to panic.  We dug into it anyways, hired Sandy's cousin Tal to do the dirty work, and the room was converted from bare studs and insulation in plenty of time (well, 2 weeks before B-Day anyways).  Colourful stencilled (you guessed it) cats wrapped up the project.
    As most of you know, Keiran arrived on May 26th.  Only one day late, which is just about a record for Sandy.  Keiran will seven months old as you read this, and has many talents.  Favourite pastimes include shrieking at high volumes, making farting sounds with his tongue, pounding on anything, gagging himself with his own fists or feet (he chews anything) and performing opisthotonic (for all you physios) arching when things don't go his way.  Basically he's a pretty easy going kid and we are thoroughly enjoying being parents.
    Summer 98 was spent at the lake.  It was a perfect summer for it.  Lots of nice warm days, and a very late fall.  Sailing, eating, running, eating, scrabble, eating, swimming, eating, hot-tubbing, drinking...
    As for 1999, Sandy goes back to work half time starting January 4 and will be doing neuro outpatients.  This will be interesting, because most neuro patients continue to have some residual deficits, and the biggest challenge is deciding when to "punt" them back into the real world.  When not at work, Sandy will be at home with Keiran doing "Household Management.  So far she has managed not to suck him up the vacuum hose. 
    It looks like SED is going to send Warren to England for April and May, so we are going to pack up the whole family and hopefully stay in a nice cottage in Goonhilly (come and visit us!).  Also planned are a ski trip and hiking the West Coast Trail (heads up, Gramma).
    Anyways, Merry Christmas to everyone, and all the best for 1999.