Poignant Moment

I just witnessed one of the saddest things I think I've ever seen in my own family.

The kids are outside playing in the pool and on the swing set.  They are a little too quiet so I go to check out the window like I always do.

I see the toys strewn across the lawn, having been left.

I see the pool overflowing with water from a forgotten hose.

I see the swings swaying in the wind.

But I don't see my children.

And then I find them as I scan the backyard.

They're next to the fence, hands at the 10 and 2 positions holding onto the chain links.  They are standing stock still and staring into the neighbor's yard where a little girl plays with her dog.  Their heads move back and forth watching the girl and her dog run around laughing and jumping.

See?  It was a bit sad as a mom and I am now determined that even if we don't get a dog when we move to Hawaii we will be getting some sort of pet for the kids.

Ward Christmas Party

Due to the calendar of events this year our ward party was quite early. The kids had a wonderful time and I didn't have to cook.  Chris was even able to get off a bit early so we could all go together.  It was fantastic.  The members of our congregation all provided the food and the activities for the children.  There were even crafts as well as coloring, a Santa that we got pix with, yummy holiday food, and a performance of a special Christmas story.  We even sang carols.  It was a good night for all of us.

 Liz and Joe worked hard on their masterpieces.

daddy and Ally made a bell necklace.  we knew where she was for weeks!

 my cutie pie smiles for the camera

 Ally really liked the bell - good eating I guess!

 Great picture Joe!

 Evie made a bell necklace too, but wouldn't keep it on

Singing carols after dinner and dessert

This was a good way to continue the holiday festivities.  We had a lot of fun with our ward and they were very nice about making sure the kids had fun things to do.  Our kids are usually so well behaved at things like this that we always enjoy taking them to activities like this.

December Birthdays

Oh my goodness this was such fun!  Our little Lizzy turned 2 and Daddy turned 33, sshhh!  We had a combined birthday which I think will be a regular thing until she gets bigger.  She doesn't mind and it saves mom a lot of time and energy during a time of year that is already very full of activity.

Anyway, so mom only baked one cake and we just sat down on the afternoon and had a little party.  It's so fun to have a big family.  We never have to worry if our kids feel like they had a big party - of course they did, we were all there!

We piled all the gifts at the end of the table and had a great time!  Just look!  Liz got lots of fun things and daddy got some comfy clothes, a tie, and candy (his favorite kind of gift).  We had a good time.

Lizzy had so much fun.  She's also the most careful present opener we've all ever seen.  She carefully opened the tissue paper and looked inside.  Then got all excited and pulled out the baby princess.  It was adorable.

Evie was our present giver.  She gave one to Liz and then one to daddy.  It was great and she felt very special and included.  It was fun to see how fun they all participated.

Chris was so cute.  He cracks me up!

This was a gift that Evie picked out special for Liz.  It took Evie almost 20min to choose so I was really grateful that Lizzy liked it as much as she did...

 ...it's a talking picnic basket

It's a family tradition in the Fosburgs to have to guess what their gifts are before they open them.  So here is where Chris is smelling his present to help him figure it out.

he was so excited to get his favorite candy - picked especially by Liz

Ally was so cute and happy just to be there.

Lizzy loved this little phone.  In actuality, everyone likes the little phone.

Joseph was really excited to pick out the tie for daddy.

more fun stuff just for Liz

it was more fun to switch off and on with gifts so this was dad's turn

see? careful Lizzy!  this gift took almost a full 5 min to open.  

the kids were going nuts waiting for her to open it!

 this was the gift from grama and grampa Fosburg 

Then of course we had the cake.  It was so hilarious.  Our kids love cake, but Lizzy seems to love cake more than anyone else.  She eats every bit and then licks the plate, fork, and anything else she can get her hands on that has cake.  It's so funny!

 this is the only picture with me in it from this day.  Sorry!

this is the gift from Nana and Papa - the singing card got so much attention from everyone that I eventually had to put it away to save mommy's and daddy's sanity!

It was a great day and both my little Lizzy and my sweet husband felt loved.  I was so grateful for the family members who remembered us on that day.  With us living far away, sometimes out of sight means out of mind!  Thankfully, that has never been the case with our families.  They got singing phone calls and thoughtful gifts.  Thanks so much everyone!