Christmas Letter 2010

Dear Family and friends,
Here’s what the Tates have been up to in 2010.

Larry, the oldest at 6 foot even, has been outgrown by all of his sons. He’s currently a senior vice president at Strategic Properties and an executive secretary at church, proving that secretaries don’t necessarily have to be curvy and look good in high heels (although, I’m sure Larry would look great in a pair of stilettos if he wanted to wear them.)

Kristy (me) at 5 foot 7, is second oldest in the family, but no longer the second tallest. I’m serving as chef, chauffeur, personal shopper, and maid. I also teach piano, play the piano at church, and am president of my writing group, the Orange County Fictionaires. Check out my stuff on my blog kristystories@blogspot.

Adam, at 6 foot, has his dad beat in the height department by a hair, but since he has a healthy dose of Dickson genes and iis losing his hair, maybe Larry will come out on top – if he uses his comb wisely. Adam is in his last ( hooray!) year of BYU law school and is looking for employment. So if you know someone who needs to be sued…

Bethany, at five-five, had babies so that she wouldn’t have to be the shortest. She has two little boys, Chandler (age three) and Sterling (age 3 months.) In time they will out-grow her. Girls are clearly in order.

Brandon, at 6 foot 3, is the tallest, but since he’s an in-law, there’s debate on his rank on the height chart. Brandon is finishing his last year of chiropractic college in Portland, Oregon. There’s the fear that if the girls should choose spouses who threaten his standing as tallest that Brandon will use his chiropractic know how and cohorts to stretch his spine , thus ensuring his standing.

Nathan, at 6 foot 1, is so angry about being outgrown by his younger brother that he’s leaving for a business internship in Mexico, where he will surely be in the 90% for height. Nathan attends BYU and is getting his degree in information systems.

Jared, is also 6 foot 1, but his curly hair adds to his size. Jared graduated from Tesoro High School with a skyrocketed GPA and is using his smarts to study Mandarin Chinese. Currently, he’s in the mission training center, but he’ll be leaving for Taiwan in February, where he’s sure to be one of the tallest in the country.

Natalie, at 5 foot 8ish, is the tallest girl in the family. She also has the largest female feet. Natalie is a straight A student and sings in the Tesoro a cappella choir. She collects I-tunes, books, and loves everything literary.

Miranda, a carbon copy of her older sister, is slightly shorter and has much shorter hair. (That’s how you can tell who’s who, by the way.) Miranda just finished her acting debut in the Tesoro production of The Visit,. We’re really proud of Miranda’s dramatic flag waving skills (she played the station master, which was a perfect part for her; she loves to tell people when to get on board and where to get off.)

Grendal, at 18 inches, has pokey-up ears that help in the height department, and what she lacks in size she makes up for in volume.

Alfie, Natalie’s gold fish, is definitely the smallest and quietest Tate, just proving that love is no respecter of size or volume.

We love God, each other and all of you. My all your dreams reach the highest of highs in 2011.