Even though I sent out hard copies of this, I’ve decided to post it as well for hyperlinking purposes and such.
Dear family and friends,
In an effort to make my first Christmas letter unique, I was brainstorming all the things people do to make these letters more fun. Some write in the perspective of a beloved pet, others in the perspective of the baby. Since we have no pets, and certainly no kids, I wanted to write in the perspective of my sperm, but Tara was having none of that.
This past year has been awesome for us. Here are the highlights in condensed form. More verbose accounts/anecdotes can be found on my blog (absolutelyandrew.com).
January:
– After a brief period of unemployment, I start my job as Systems Engineer at Procerus Technologies, manufacturer of unmanned air vehicle avionics. Things are still going great.
– Isaac’s family comes to SLC for skiing. Fun times skiing, hot tubbing, and hanging out with Leah and the Zohner Clan.
February:
– We fly back to Omaha for Rachel & Jesse’s wedding.
April:
– Epic powder day at Solitude resort. Tara and I enjoy fresh all day, thanks to all the suckers that have already packed up their gear.
– We take a weekend trip down to Moab with Heidi and friends. We see the Delicate Arch, and can now officially call ourselves Utahns.
May:
– Tara graduates with her master’s in genetic counseling.
– To celebrate, we spend a week at Snowbird Resort, lounging in the rooftop hot tub while the snow falls, relaxing in the steam room, and sipping tea in the solarium.
– Tara’s family visits for the commencement ceremony. We stay up until 2 AM drinking New Belgium and wine (I guess Hal and Cindy were probably drinking Coors)…
– Tara travels back to Yankton for a week while I stay in UT working and mountain biking.
– Tara starts her job at the Neurology Clinic at the University Med Center as a coordinator/genetic counselor.
– We drive to Tahoe and spend Memorial Day with my Uncle Larry and Aunt Sonja in their cabin. No more skiing, but the weather is absolutely amazing for hiking and biking. Sushi consumed by all.
June:
– Attempt 2 climbing 9,026 ft. Mt. Olympus with married friends Josh and Brianna. Strenuous climb, but success this time.
– We spend a weekend backpacking/hitchhiking in Capitol Reef National Park.
July:
– My family visits for 4th of July weekend. We meet up with them in Eden, UT for hiking and bike riding.
– We spend a weekend backpacking in the High Uintas.
August:
– Tara’s family visits again. (kidding) We move Becky into her new SLC apartment and enjoy Park City for a week.
– We spend a weekend in the Ozarks for our annual college friends bash.
– Tara takes her board exams to become a certified genetic counselor.
– We move from our apartment to a rental house that we have been quite pleased with. It is complete with a screened in porch, cute little yard, fireplace, and man cave for me.
September:
– We spend Labor Day weekend camping in Flaming Gorge, in what happens to be the same campground that my family stayed at in 2000 with my Grandma and Grandpa Newcomb.
– We travel back to Yankton for Shannon & Michelle’s wedding, for which Tara is a bridesmaid.
October:
– Tara finds out that she passed her board exam and is officially a certified genetic counselor.
– Back to Omaha for Kevin & Sarah’s wedding.
November:
– We travel to Las Vegas to spend Thanksgiving with my family in a condo. Benjamin drives up from Yuma. We see a couple mid-grade shows, and Ben and I smoke a ceremonial birthday cigar with Garin in honor of his 18th birthday.
December:
– Robert comes to visit. We show him around SLC and take him up to the slopes.
As you can see, 2010 has been packed with blessings for us. We may still be getting used to this whole “Grown-Up” thing, but we’re sure having a blast along the way. Well, Tara and Becky are busy holiday baking as I write this, and it has escalated to loud hammering. I didn’t realize such measures were required for cookie baking, but in any case, my concentration is shot and it’s about time to close anyway. Tara and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and an outstanding year. And never forget: Snow IS a good thing!
Sincerely Yours,
Andrew, Tara, Andrew’s Sperm
Sunset at Flaming Gorge
Absolutely Andrew 
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