Old Long Since

Remember this post?

Here’s how we measured up.

Michael:
Success!

• Start grad school (check)
• Not break his nose (check)
• Read a book unrelated to engineering (check)

… and not so much a success…

• completely read through the 2 general conferences Ensigns that come out this year
• get the basement entirely free of its musty smell (some things are just not possible) and set up workshop down there.

Angela:
Things I had the time and the will power for…

• incorporate more family history into our home (does writing a book, letting your son play with the drafts while your husband formats the manuscript count?)
• settle our home (unpacked boxes are in the basement or guest room)
• get back to basics in the kitchen
• get pregnant again

… things I didn't…

• try to read more “grown-up” books…FAIL.

Caleb:
A Year of Achievement

• Turned ONE
• Is walking
• Had his first haircut
• Sleeps through the night regularly
• Looks more like mommy and less like daddy (I don’t care what you say!)
• Obtained nursery status
• Tried some new cuisine
• Has followed in his father’s footsteps of being an over-achiever. (double check)

Resolutions 2010:
Michael
pay someone to paint the house,
read through the Priesthood session talks in the General Conference Ensigns.
Angela
add 30 meals to our food storage, become more active in my community,
finish the decorating the dinning room,
and get ready (emotionally, physically, spiritually)
for when I become pregnant again. Whenever that may be.
Caleb
Find a cure for Dentition.

Also, remember this post?

Aren't you PROUD of me? : )

Listen to this or this and read this.

Happy New Year!
consider this post to the effect of a sitcom clipshow... a postshow if you will.

The Afternoon Before Christmas

I don’t know if you got the memo, but the economic climate has affected Santa as well. (More so than global warming, if you ask me.) Due to the recession some of the elves had to be let go (no worries, they have other options, right?) and this has left the Big Guy short-staffed (hahaha… short-staffed, get it? Phft.)
Imagine our surprise when Santa stopped by the afternoon before Christmas… during Caleb’s nap (what a crazy random happenstance!)… to hand off Caleb’s gift, so we could get a head start on constructing the rubik kitchen. Thanks, Santa. But special thanks to Mike, who armed with a screwdriver and pliers, assembled the toy, pulled the Abominable’s teeth and helped Rudolph save Christmas.

Ahem…

Anyways, Caleb got a good stash this year, we went Old Skool. Caleb received a gender neutral kitchen (so he can leave mine alone), another car, a toy piano (so he can leave Marné's alone), clothes, and the Fisher Price farm box set.

After opening presents we gorged ourselves on the traditional Thomson Christmas breakfast. Every year I worry that I don’t make enough… this year it was cinnamon rolls, waffles with various toppings, bacon, biscuits and gravy, and orange juice.

And of course
there was enough!

I also made
my first pecan pie . . .

Oh.

My.

Gluttony.

Here’s the recipe I used for the crust and the filling.







So. Here’s the Christmas letter I didn’t get out in time. Oops. Read it if you want.

Maybe I'll strive to send out valentines this year. ; )

The Unsent Christmas Letter, 2009 edition

Dear Family and Friends,

It is suiting to start our letter this year as Charles Dickens began his novel The Tale of Two Cities. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…

Earlier this year our family was expecting to welcome a fourth member; however, an ultrasound during the second trimester diagnosed the baby with Trisomy 18, a fatal genetic defect. At thirty weeks gestation, our daughter, Emma Lane, was delivered still. The dispensation of being Emma’s parents during this life was a brief opportunity but invaluable.

Any parent could tell you about the immense knowledge gained from what the world perceives an unlikely source: a child. Just as we have learned much from Caleb and from Emma this past year, our heavenly Father has learned a great deal from His children. He has witnessed compassion, good will and love unbeguiled as many have helped and comforted us during this experience. We offer each of you our gratitude for your condolences. Thank you.

Rest assured we are being kept busy. Michael has completed his first semester at Harvard, and is learning to juggle family, work, studies and callings. Michael is still serving as the branch’s Activities Chair as well as a youth Sunday school teacher. Angela has been serving as the sole member of Michael’s activity committee (besides Caleb, who has been given the title of Chaos Coordinator) as well as the Sunbeam and CTR5 Primary teacher. She will also be ringing in the new year with a calling as a counselor in the Primary presidency.

Our adventures this year include travel to New York City, and Sharon, Vermont. We are excited to visit the West this summer! Making stops in Mesa, Flagstaff and St. George. We look forward to decent Mexican food and seeing everyone, of course!

As a closing thought we would like to express our heartfelt love for our Savior, namely, Jesus Christ. Through the best of times and the worst of times his affection is unchanged, it is sure. The sentiments penned by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in the hymn I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day “ring” true: “God is not dead nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevails, With peace on earth, good will to men.” What comfort the Gospel brings!

Wishing you the special gifts of this holiday season- Peace, Joy, and lasting Happiness,

The Thomson Family

Michael, Angela and Caleb