Greetings from the snowy and freezing state of South Dakota! Blah blah blah… It’s time for another earth shattering letter from the Monson household! The response from last year’s Christmas letter was not overwhelmingly positive (we had one complaint) but rather than change the format we just dropped the little whiner from our annual list. So if you are getting this, it must not have been you! December has found us in a whirlwind to complete the many tasks that go along with the holiday season. Angie has been organizing the weekly Christmas work detail and Rob has been trying to avoid involvement in the whole ordeal. So far, Rob has been successful in delaying most tasks at least a few days and some tasks for up to a week! Some tasks will NEVER get done. (An impressive record, one I’m sure most of the men are envious of).

Rob (AKA Clark Griswold wannabe) again took on the all-important task of “outside illumination”. It has been conservatively estimated that this endeavor involved 15 hours of hard labor, 10 hours of not-so-hard labor, 3 major marital disagreements, 6 minor marital disagreements, numerous discussions and oh, by the way, it turned out great! We were just thankful that no one fell off the roof, got electrocuted or divorced in the process! I must say Rob wasn’t too excited about climbing an icy rooftop this year to string the lights. However thanks to his mother-in-law he found that those little plastic clips really work much better than the duct tape he used last year! He wanted to put a Viking helmet on the front lawn, but Angie put her foot down.

Payton is now 7 and in the 1^st grade(first time around). He loves being in school everyday with dad. Rob has also enlisted him as an undercover school informant! So far all kids have buckled under the pressure after reporting to Mr. Monson’s Office! We are amazed at how he has learned to read so soon! We don’t remember ourselves reading at such a young age (or an old age for that matter excluding picture books). This year Payton even wrote his very own letter to Santa and asked for a number of things. Auto insurance was included on the list….. we are not sure why! He kept busy this summer with T-ball and swimming and now has started Tiger Cub Scouts. We now know everything there is to know about marketing, selling, and distributing Cub Scout popcorn (we are, by the way, taking pre-orders for next year).

Dylan just turned 4. His cavities equaled his age at his checkup last week thanks to the year’s supply of tootsie rolls that Aunt Marci & Uncle Brooks gave him! He is the only child we know who has been infatuated with garage doors, openers, and cars for 3 years running! He asked Santa for a garage door opener this Christmas… imagine that! (For anyone who really knows Dylan he’s serious too!) We are amazed that Dylan has taken an interest in the computer and can run it better than Angie! He currently holds the record for most applications open at one time (we are trying to get this certified with Microsoft).

Rob is busy with school and school activities (currently holding the record for serving on the most boards simultaneously in a town of 2,000 people). He enjoys his job and is excited that his new elementary school is progressing every day (he checks it twice a day to make sure)! They are shooting for August to move in. Rob is also working on his Specialist degree via distance education through a federal technology grant. His classes are through USD via the Internet and a VTEL (video television) system! This will allow him to become a Superintendent if he so chooses. He spends a lot of time on the computer in the basement. I am not really sure who or what he is talking to most of the time!

(Rob Talking) Angie is still at the hospital (8 ½ years of a life sentence)! She loves the flexibility of her job. She is still able to do most of the “mom” things at school, and with Payton’s Cub Scout group. She has recently been handed a few more responsibilities at her job, but enjoys the challenges it brings. She has always said that her “main” job is at home keeping things on an even keel. The pay is not that great but the benefits are very rewarding (having a husband like Rob)!

We are looking forward to dreading Christmas this year, as most of the Monson family has been paroled and will be getting together for the first time in a long time (not long enough for some)! Grandpa Charlie (currently heavily medicated) is busy lining up places to go when the kids are home. ‘Da boys may try and get in some last minute pheasant hunting before the season closes.

That’s about all from here…. We sincerely hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. As if the Internet didn’t have enough junk on it, we have our own web site and would love you to visit it. If you would like us to add some info or a link, let us know! www.santel.net/~munce123. Email us anytime…. We LOVE good mail!

angiem@santel.net or robm@santel.net

Love to you all~

Angie, Rob, Payton & Dylan Monson