Over the river and through the woods...

This is the scene in our car on our way home from visiting Grandma on Christmas day! Megan was also asleep seconds earlier!!!

And the winner is...

NOBODY!!!

I don't think that I would ever guess a SCORPION either!!! Russ found it and showed it to the kids last Saturday! The crazy part is trying to figure out where it came from and how it ended up in our BASEMENT!!!

Maybe we will put diamond glaze on it and mail it to Ben!

Successful Hunt... Well sort of!

Zack, Meg & Russ went out hunting last Saturday. Meg and Zack both had tags and Zack shot his at 8:30 that morning. I think that by the time they finally hauled this huge cow to the Excursion they were all exhausted! Needless to say there will have to be yet ANOTHER hunting trip so Meg can fill her tag!!!

I have a contest for you all...

Whomever can guess the dead creature that Russ found in the basement...

will get to keep it!!!

We've just heard from Ben!

Sorry, he insists on writing in pink ink!

You might have to click on each picture to be able to read them!

He sounds good though!!!

Winter Dance

Zack had his winter dance last night. This is his date Jenica.

From what I understand she helped to make her dress!

This is one of the few pictures that I have seen Zack in that he looks a little short! He said that they had a good time and were safe on the snowy roads last night!

Last Goodbye's

It is hard to believe that all of one's STUFF could be whittled down to THREE suitcases!

We stopped for lunch at the Chuck-A-Rama in Draper and after we sat down and were eating a family came in and they had a missionary that they had just picked-up FRESH from the airport!!! We kinda just guessed a little and eaves dropped a little and then as we were leaving we talked to them for a minute. They asked about Ben and we told them we were dropping him off in an hour... their missionary had just come from New York City that morning and still had his ID badge on! He asked Ben if he needed a hug. It was pretty funny!

The curb side service at the MTC is great!

No funeral to go to any more!

This is the missionary who helped us drop Ben off.

There wasn't really any time for tears!

One last perfunctory wave goodbye for Mom!

We will see you in TWO years Ben!!!

Tuesday night @ the Steeneck house!

Tuesday night Megan had a choir concert at 7:00. All of her friends couldn't believe that she made her own skirt!!! She has a solo and did a great job!

At 9:00 we met with the Stake Presidency for Ben to be set apart as a missionary. It is now official! One last picture of the kids!

This is Ben trying to be taller than his LITTLE brother. Maybe he will grow on his mission and catch up... you never know, MIRACLES can happen!

Thomson Christmas Party

Monday night we had the Thomson Family Christmas party at our house. It was so funny to see all of theses shoes at the front door! (only 1/3 of the total shoes!) There were 38 of us and we had a ball! Laura was in charge this year and everything was fabulous!

This is the THIRD attempt at getting a picture of Laura... It is pretty bad when it is easier to get a good picture of the BABY!!!

Pumpkin Pancakes

Saturday the 5th we spent the day as a family. (our last one before Ben goes to the Missionary Training Center) Russ made some fabulous pumpkin and choc. chip pancake with cinnamon syrup & we watched movies and just played all day!

Stringing the lights!

We have not had Christmas lights up at our house for at least 6 years... Last week Russ got them out and decided to put some up. Ben is a mountain goat and loves to climb all around the roof. I have to go inside and cover my eyes! I wonder who will help Russ next year???