Christmas Letters on Beaucoup Boku

2025 Christmas Letter

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In 2025 we sent out a pdf version since it was something that I only knew how to handle via LaTeX.

2024 Christmas Letter

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This has been a year of journeys in the Saratoga Springs Andrus household. We went to Catalina Island in the spring and then later to Texas to watch the eclipse. During the summer we visited Chicago, Boston, and Palmyra visiting family and (Avery) singing in a few choir concerts with Millennial Choirs and Orchestras. Ivan took work trips to Romania and to San Jose California. We also took some smaller trips, for example, to Bear Lake and Montana. But, as we all know, the real journeys we took are the metaphorical journeys of our lives.

2023 Christmas Letter

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Dear Family and Friends,

This year I thought I would try writing our Christmas letter with ChatGPT (one of those new-fangled artificial intelligence things). Here’s what it came up with (the prose is a little over the top, but the facts are mostly correct):

As we gather around the glow of twinkling lights and the warmth of the holiday season, we find ourselves reflecting on the extraordinary journey of the past year. In a world that constantly evolves, our family has navigated the twists and turns, finding moments of joy, growth, and resilience. This Christmas, we extend our heartfelt greetings to each of you, not just as a customary holiday tradition, but as a genuine expression of gratitude for the shared laughter, challenges faced together, and the enduring connections that make this season truly special. In the spirit of authenticity, let’s celebrate the uniqueness of our experiences and embrace the magic of togetherness that transcends the tinsel and lights. Wishing you a Christmas filled with the beauty of genuine connections and the warmth of cherished memories.

2022 Christmas Letter

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Dear Family and Friends,

This year we had a few really fun vacations. First, we went to Oregon. We stayed in Bend for a few days with a college buddy of Ivan’s. We explored some cool volcanoes there before going to the coast and then stayed with Rachel’s uncle in Portland. It was the perfect vacation: cool, interesting things to do and see but also relaxing and full of good company.

2021 Christmas Letter

Sun, 12 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

In 2021 we sent out a pdf version since it was something that I only knew how to handle via LaTeX. Maybe I should try converting it to HTML somehow, but in the past it’s never worked that well.

2020 Christmas Letter

Sat, 12 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This year started with a Christmas trip to Europe during Ivan’s sabbatical (1 month of vacation every 5 years). It’s a good thing we didn’t put it off much longer because it would have been impossible much later on. We flew in and out Barcelona, and got to know the city a little.

2019 Christmas Letter

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Merry Christmas everyone,

Ivan (old) continues to volunteer with the Utah Live Steamers railroad club. In fact, he bought himself a car. It still needs wheels and to be painted, but he’s excited to have some equipment of his own. This year was the sesquicentennial of the completion of the transcontinental railroad, so the club had their own Golden Spike ceremony, and Ivan got to see the Union Pacific’s Big Boy as it came through town.

2018 Christmas Letter

Sun, 09 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000

2018 was a good year. Here’s what our family has been up to:

Ivan: Ivan found a hobby in working on a small train track at a park near our house last year and continued this Summer. This year they got the track finished and began running trains and giving train rides. They did rides at a couple events this year including our city’s Fall Festival, which was fun. They even let him drive the trains, and none of us feel safe in our neighborhood anymore!

2017 Christmas Letter

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Dear Family,

We spent Christmas 2016 in Montana with Ivan’s family, where everyone got sick. We had a good time anyway and managed to see Ivan’s aunt and uncle on the way back through Idaho where the kids got a couple blissful days playing with their cousins.

School ended in May for Rachel and her brother (who is living with us). Anatomy was challenging, but not as annoying as the second Introduction to Physical Therapy Assisting class that they took together. In the end, Rachel’s brother decided to try a machining course and they decided against applying for the Physical Therapy Assisting program for this year. Perhaps another year.

2016 Christmas Letter

Fri, 16 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Dear Friends and Family,

It seems that all years are busy and 2016 was no exception.

We grew some cucumbers this year, and learned that if you miss one it will grow quite large and turn orange. I wonder how I have lived so long without knowing that cucumbers can be orange. It really should be part of the grade school curriculum.