Electronic greetings this year from Iowa. We figured that we could save a few trees and some paper folding by putting out an eUpdate blogstyle. I am penning this just a few days after the worst blizzard in 35 years yet we are still planning to stay. Actually if we tried to leave it would take a few months to dig out. For all of you that bet that our stay in the Hawkeye State would be limited it may be time to realize that you may lose your wager. We have another great year to report and hope that this update finds you surrounded by peace and love.

Owen, 4, relishes his post as the family baby. His quiet charm and wit continue to grow, but Owen still remains on the lower percentiles of the growth curve. Lucky for all of us he has reduced the use of his world famous paralyzing shriek. Owen began using his skills on piano and soccer this year, very adorable. He has also become quite the little singer. Perhaps we can loan him out to Broadway, or the circus if he stays petite. Hero: Indiana Jones (He renamed Hillary’s old cabbage patch doll Harrison).

Zachary, 8, had another big year. The highlight was certainly his baptism in October. He still keeps busy with Tae Kwon Do, piano, and the sport of the season. He is just beginning to realize that homework will be a permanent activity cutting into his life of leisure going forward. Zachary started cubs scouts a few months ago, earned his bobcat and is eyeing the upcoming Pinewood Derby. Hero: Man Versus Wild’s Bear Grylls

Hillary has spent most of her time coordinating our touring schedule. Nielsen Family Tour 2009 included visits to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco, Boston, Utah, Iceland, Lake Powell, New York City, and a few Midwestern venues. The highlight was Jared’s retina meeting in Iceland. It was absolutely gorgeous, clean, safe and abundant in seafood. She continues volunteering at the boys’ school and in the Relief Society at church. Despite her busy schedule she has been able to add a few Tae Kwon Do belts and has become a menace to boards with her kicks. Hero: Bear Grylls, after eating reindeer, whale, and puffin Hillary has some respect for a man who will eat anything.

Jared continues to remain very busy at work. Iowa must simply be the epicenter of a massive retinal disease epidemic. (State fair mascot: the deep fried twinkie.) Some of the research that he is still working on at Northwestern has been going well. Good enough to have a podium in front of a few thousand other retina surgeons at the World Retina Congress in New York this fall. With no mountains or surf Jared’s free time usually equals golf; a bit challenging with about 2 feet of snow and 50 mph winds on the course. Jared reports that he has now enjoyed 1 year entirely free of rental car damage but managed to burn through one new car in just a few months. Hero: Captain Sully

Love and peace to you throughout 2010!