Denner Family Christmas letter 2021 pdf
December 15, 2021
Dear friends and family,
What a year it has been! While COVID-19 has impacted many things this year, as you can see, we have been able to seek some of a return to a form of normal. For example, we write this letter resuming one of our pre pandemic holiday traditions on the beach in sunny Pompano Beach, FL. So far it has been a relaxing vacation with plenty of beach time, an airboat ride, museums, and crazy Florida Driving. In other recreation fun, we have spent most weekends this summer in Bessie, our 1994 Pace Arrow Camper. The highlight of the summer was a weeklong trip to northeast Iowa including stops at Pike’s Peak State Park and Pulpit Rock Campground in Decorah. While on the trip, we were visited by Adam, Emma and Megan. Other trips have included Lake Red Rock, Lake Geode, Palisades Kepler, Call State Park, and several local campgrounds around the Des Moines area.
Thankfully, we have also returned to music this year. This summer we were a part of the Ankeny Community Band and participated in several community performances. We also were guests with the Ackley Little German Band at Octoberfest and the Memorial Lutheran Church Choir’s Christmas Vespers. Jess was able to put the larger kitchen in our new house to good use this year as the postponed Iowa State Fair resumed. She earned 14 ribbons out of 30 entries in the Food Competition with an eye staggering amount of cakes, pies, and cookies. She also displayed 2 crochet crafts and 2 paintings where she earned 2 ribbons in painting.
Andy remains the President of the Central Iowa Linux Users group and thankfully the group has continued to meet and thrive both via zoom and in a somewhat muted in person meetings. Jess spent the year as the Treasurer of the local AΣK Alumni group as well as serving on the National Newsletter Committee. Professionally, the year began with Andy starting a new position at Corteva, as a senior scientific software developer, three managers later, he is still at it and looking forward to many more challenges that the new role brings. Jessica is still happily at Kemin as a Senior QA Specialist. She will be transitioning departments due to some shuffling of the deck chairs, but will be doing a similar job. We have remained active in church at Bethlehem Lutheran this year. Jess served as altar guild, and as a scripture reader, Andy as cantor, and both as ushers, communion assistants, and helping in the livestream production. As well as attending the livestream service while traveling in the camper this season.
Here’s hoping that 2022 will continue to be a better year. May you and your family have a safe and Merry Christmas.
Jessica and Andy