Teresa and Andrew wish you all a Healthy 
and Happy Holiday Season
Here's what have been up to in 2011:

Every time we put one of these e-cards together, our first thought is, "we haven't done anything this year... what are we going to write about?"  After looking back over photos to clear some cobwebs from the memory, we're able to say "Oh yeah, that's what happened!" 

As always, we've been fully enjoying life out here in Colorado. While the skiing thus far this year looks questionable, Andrew managed to ski up at Monarch numerous times last winter with friends, and even catch a few days at Vail with his family.  We also did a good bit of snowshoeing and hiking around the state, including trips with our friends Gautam and Donna, Andrew's family, and others.

Andrew and his friend Mark mountain biked many days in the summer of 2011.  They covered many of the local trails, some of the local forest roads, as well as trails through Vail and Crested Butte.  Much of it was in preparation for a 60 mile round-trip ride between Leadville and Fairplay, climbing (and dropping) 7100 feet over two major mountain passes, Mosquito and Weston.  It was a success, albeit a painful one.  (Teresa provided support.)  As if that wasn't enough pain, Andrew managed to climb two 14,000 ft plus peaks, La Plata (with Phil, friend and owner of Andrew's employer InfoTank) and Quandary (late spring back country ski ascent with Mark).

Teresa and Andrew took mid-year mini vacation to Grand Junction, Colorado.  (You have to remember, we live in a small town, so a trip to a place like Grand Junction is an opportunity to enjoy all the "big city" has to offer, including sushi!)  We enjoyed mountain biking some of the fabulous trails of Fruita and the Colorado wine country near Palisade. Later in the summer, we took a trip with friends Gautam and Donna to Telluride, Mesa Verde, and Durango.  On the way back, we met up with Andrew's co-worker (back when he worked at Nexidia), Maria and her friend Victor, at the Sand Dunes while on her big move across the country.  We also traveled again to Lyons to enjoy another music festival, the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival.

In other travels, we had both joyous trips and solemn ones as well.  In May, we welcomed Andrew's first nephew, Jordan David Koransky, son of proud parents Todd and Meghan Koransky.  Of course, he's adorable and charming, like all the Koransky men!  We look forward to watching him grow and spoiling him rotten as any loving aunt and uncle would!  We attended the bris at the end of May and enjoyed visiting with much of the family.  On a sadder note, in mid-December we received the news that Andrew's Grandmother, Evelyn Koransky, died after many years of poor health.  Although Teresa never really got to know her, Andrew remembers good times, and we enjoyed seeing the family together again in Munster, IN.

We also had to take an emergency trip to Fort Collins (home of CSU's world renown veterinary hospital) after a lump was detected on Simon's spleen.  Thankfully, after a CSU diagnosis and trips to our local vet, it was removed and discovered to be non-cancerous.  Simon beat the odds, and is one lucky dog.  Although he is definitely slowing down and has a couple of problems that come with age, he is still quite spry.

In other random news, Andrew was mentioned in the local, online publication, the Salida Citizen... on April 1st.  We also we won an award for our Halloween costume at the KHEN Halloween Bash.  We went as the "one percent," dressed to the hilt with pig noses and signs that read "keep calm and carry on."  We won third place!  (Not bad for a last minute costume.)  Teresa participated in a fun FIBArk event called the Cruiser Criterium (a costumed bike-ride fundraiser) as the farmer's wife chasing after the three blind mice.  (FIBArk is our towns largest festival celebrating all aspects of whitewater sports.)  Wife and mice won honorable mention.

Andrew, after a very long hiatus, has started singing again, first with the "Freedom Choir" at Fourth of July and later with "You've Got Male".  The group just finished their Christmas performance with the Noteables, and they will have another set of spring concerts in April.  He is really enjoying singing again!

Work wise, Andrew continues working for InfoTank, Inc., a Georgia based company. In the past year, he has produced both iPhone and Android applications, as well as finishing up a video processing engine which allows customers to easily publish audio and videos to multiple devices. He continues to enjoy working on websites and apps for various InfoTank clients, as well as providing IT support for a few local customers.

Teresa left PakMail in October to refresh her Tanda CAD freelance drawing and design services.  She's still working on getting the business she wants in a questionable economy.  In the meantime, her artistic endeavor called HiFi Follies, creating art from old vinyl records, has been picking up interest.  HiFi Follies is in EarthSong Gallery in Salida and she's had several art shows in the Salida area with some success.  She just sent a package to Florida for sale in a shop there.  She's had a bit of luck online at Etsy.com (a site for handmade/homemade goods) and she's beginning to sell on Ebay. 

On the home front, we have completed a number of renovations on our home.  We finally installed our wood stove (which was purchased two years ago!) after talented masons built a beautiful rock wall / hearth (see here for time lapse construction video).  In the fall, we completed a major landscaping project (see below for before and after photos).  We also had our crawlspace (and garage door) insulated and installed thermal blinds and curtains. The house already feels warmer this winter thus far, but with windows and stucco planned next year, we hope to keep our home even warmer in the coming winters when the temperatures drop below zero.

That about does it for this year... we hope all of this finds you well, and.....

May the Universe smile on all of you with Peace and Happiness!
Teresa, Andrew, and Simon

What a long strange trip it's been...
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"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch", performed by Urban Method, NBC's Sing Off competition.