We tried the below approach for our holiday card/update last year and it seemed to work well. So we’re trying it again — let us know what you think and remember to click through to the various links!

[W] Winter proved to be a very busy time for us. We enjoyed a vacation in Florida visiting Peter’s Aunt Linda and Uncle Vinnie, a vacation in Costa Rica for the wedding of Megan’s childhood friend Rachael, and a few trips to the White Mountains and the AMC Maine Lodges for winter hiking and cross-country skiing. We were joined on one such trip by Grandma and Grandpa Straughn and were able to introduce them to the wonderful destinations we have discovered through Megan’s job at AMC (and Megan climbed her first 4,000-footer!). By staying active and busy in the outdoors, we think we may have finally figured out how to make winter in the Northeast much more enjoyable!

[S] Spring was extremely enjoyable as we watched with bated breath as the daffodils, hyacinth, and tulips began blooming and the trees started turning green again. Caleb got so much joy out of pointing out the newly surfaced flowers. Megan spent a wonderful and relaxing long weekend in Santa Barbara with her college girl friends while Peter and Caleb took the opportunity to go camping and hiking in the White Mountains. They had magnificent weather – 20 degrees warmer than the coast of California! Peter also enjoyed a solo 3-day backpacking trip in the Pemigewassett wilderness that took him over the summits of 12 mountains.

[S] Summer absolutely flew by. Not only did Boston have the second rainiest summer on record, but between work trips to New Hampshire, Peter’s annual MBA reunion in California, and a visit to Minnesota, before we knew it, the leaves were starting to change. We also managed to squeeze in some time at the beach, blueberry picking in Western Mass, Caleb’s first 4,000-footer, a sort-of-first-backpacking-trip for Caleb, some more hiking, and a pirate party for Caleb’s 4th birthday. Other big news from the summer include a new position for Megan at AMC, working part of her old job in Development and now also assisting the Executive Director. The transition went really well and she is enjoying her new role at AMC. Another big change was that Caleb started attending a new school. A Pre-K program in Medford had an opening so we visited the school and decided to make the switch. Now Caleb is enjoying learning how to read, speak Spanish, and play organized sports like football and soccer. He also surprised us one day by blurting out our full address. It’s fun to see him soak up so much information! Also this summer, despite a weekend of festivities with his MBA friends Peter managed to climb two mountains while in CA (Mts. Brokeoff and Shasta) and returned home (mostly) unscathed, and we took Caleb on his first successful backpacking trip.

[F] Fall — we’ve had a wonderful fall with great weather and beautiful foliage. We enjoyed a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Straughn as well as Nonna and Boppa Begley. Megan again traveled to Maine and New Hampshire for work with Peter and Caleb accompanying her during a few of the trips. In November, to celebrate 7 years of marriage, we took Caleb to Disney World in Florida. We had a great time at the Magic Kingdom, and also playing mini golf, playing on the beach, and discovering the secret places that the Orlando area has to offer. Thanksgiving was spent in the White Mountains with Nonna and Boppa and we all hunkered down for a fantastic snowstorm that left us without power for 24 hours and downed countless trees in the area. We look forward to spending Christmas in Minnesota this year and ringing in the New Year at home.

We wish you and yours a healthy and happy holiday season and a wonderful and blessed 2010.

Love, Megan, Peter, Caleb & Nadine Begley