Forever Fosters

2010 Reunion Schedule Revised

2010-07-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

Hi Family! Here we are: It's already Tuesday before the reunion! But I wanted to let you know that this schedule is just one revision and can still be edited. I think some things might have gotten left out in the revision, so if you notice anything missing, tell us because it was probably just an oversight and we want to get it right. We're all about customer satisfaction here. :)

You'll notice a couple of assignments with question marks, so if those people can respond and say whether they accept, that will be helpful. The assignments aren't exactly evenly distributed... sorry. If someone wants to volunteer to M.C. the talent show, that would be awesome. Also, no one has made specific plans for adult musical numbers at Helen's party. (Does someone have the music for "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" that you guys used last time?) Also, as of this evening Carson didn't know which of the Rustand men will be there Saturday morning for basketball, so we may have to be flexible about that.

Mostly just get ready for a good ole' time! I was talking to the Mick, Margaret, Megan, Adam and Laura tonight and there's a lot to be excited about. Let's just enjoy this time we have and realize how lucky we all are to have each other and to be a family!

Thursday

People arrive and settle in

Snacks

Dinner-- Taco Salad (Mickey, Margaret, Megan)

Friday

7:30 Breakfast Available: Bagels, Fruit, Juice (Drew and Kristen)

9:00 Crossword and Family Trivia Challenge (Mickey)

11:00 Golf for the Fellas (Mickey)

12:30 Lunch for whoever's around: A.W.T. Sandwiches (Drew and Kristen)

4:00 Homerun Derby (Mark)

6:30 Dinner: Cafe Rio (Drew and Kristen)

7:30 Put younger kids to bed

8:00 Nertz Tournament

9:15 Leave to see Inception in Prescott (Liz watching kids)

Saturday

7:30 Breakfast (Ty and Dana)

8:30 Foster/Rustand Showdown

Planned Leisure Time

11:00 Hike to and family photo at Humpty Dumpty (Megan)

12:30 Lunch (Ty and Dana)

2:00 Ping Pong Tournament (Drew and Kristen)

4:30 Talent Show

6:30 Dinner (Ty and Dana)

Root Beer Float Party w/ Rustands and Boices

Late Evening: More visiting cousins

Sunday

7:30 Breakfast (Adam and Laura)

10:00 Devotional (Megan)

12:30 Lunch items available (Adam and Laura) everyone make their own

1:30 Answers disclosed to Trivia Challenge (Mickey)

3:00 Patti, Bob and Helen arrive

4:00 Dinner: Lasagna (Margaret and Mickey)

Program and dessert (Kids songs by Liz, Adult Songs to be determined)

7:30ish Mad Gaming Night: Settlers, Mexican Train, Hearts, Blokus, etc.

Monday

7:30 Breakfast Available (Jeff and Angie)

9:00 Girls Morning Out w/ Baby Shower for Kristen (Having a girl....congrats!)

12:30 Lunch for whoever's around (Jeff and Angie)

1:30 Rock Climbing

3:00 Leave for 3:30 showing of Toy Story 3

6:30 Dinner: (Jeff and Angie)

7:30 Put kids down

8:00 Family Council (Mickey)

Tuesday

7:30 Breakfast Available (Mark and Liz)

9:00 Classic Match-up

12:30 Adult lunch, kids babysat at Adam and Laura's house

3:00 Drew and Kristen leave

6:30 Dinner (Mark and Liz)

Wednesday

7:30 Breakfast Leftovers

Ty and Dana Leave

9:00 Planned leisure time

12:30 Lunch Leftovers

1:30 Planned leisure time

6:00 Dinner Leftovers

Thursday

Clean up and head out.

2010 Reunion Schedule

2010-07-12T23:55:00.000-07:00

Alright folks! Here is the proposed schedule. Keep in mind, if you don't like something but you don't make your voice heard, it's your fault if we do it that way at the reunion and you hate it. In other words, speak up now and we'll try to accomodate. I'll add menus as people choose to disclose them.

Also, the assigned times are ballpark. I wrote "planned leisure time" for activities like going to the Iron Springs Store, smaller groups going hiking, rock climbing, visiting cousins, and anything you want to do. Dana, I think swimming is on this list, but I think there will be enough time to go. The Yank Fosters would love to go with you.. we'll make sure and bring our swimming gear.

Finally, not a lot of assignments have been made. If you see something you'd like to be in charge of let me know. Hopefully the revised edition will indicate exactly who's going to be doing what.

Thursday

People Arrive and Settle in

Snacks

Dinner—Taco Salad (Mickey, Margaret, Megan)

Friday

8:00 Breakfast--Bagels, Fruit, OJ (Drew and Kristen)

9:00 Homerun Derby

Planned Leisure Time

(Maybe a crossword competition by the Mick?)

12:30 Lunch--Apple Walnut

Turkey

Sandwiches (Drew and Kristen)

2:00 Nertz/Card Games/Settlers

Planned Leisure Time

6:30 Dinner--Café Rio (Drew and Kristen)

7:30-8:00 Put kids to bed

Late Evening: Movie night in Prescott for interested adults

Saturday

8:00 Breakfast--Ty and Dana

9:00 Classic Match-up

Guys showering (please) and planned leisure time

12:30 Lunch by Ty and Dana

2:00 Rock Climbing

Planned Leisure Time

Dinner: Ty and Dana

After dinner: Root Beer Float Party w/ Rustands and Boices

Late Evening: More socializing while M&M hang out at our cabin w/ kids

Sunday

9:00 Breakfast (Adam and Laura)

10:30 Devotional (Any volunteers?)

12:30 Lunch (Adam and Laura)

2:00 Family Trivia Activity (Mickey)

5:00 Dinner w/ Patti, Bob and Grandma (Maybe Jamie and Freddy)

Also dessert w/ Grandma’s birthday celebration

Festivities end whenever they end...

Monday

8:00 Breakfast--Pancakes (Jeff and Angie)

9:00 Hike to Humpty Dumpty

11:00 Family photo (Megan)

12:30 Lunch—French Bread Pizza (Jeff and Angie)

1:30 Talent Show

3:30 Toy Story 3 in Prescott w/ kids

6:00 Dinner--Spaghetti (Jeff and Angie)

7:30 Put kids down

8:00 Family Council

Tuesday

8:00 Breakfast-- (Mark and Liz)

9:00-12:00 Ladies morning out

Menfolk do puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, card games, entertain kids

12:30 Lunch-- (Mark and Liz)

2:00 Ping Pong Tournament

Planned Leisure Time

Evening: Couple dinner (Mark and Liz footing the bill, Ha ha, Just kidding…) M&M watching kids

Wednesday

8:00 Breakfast Leftovers

Ty and Dana leave

9:00 Any visiting, hiking, climbing, games we haven't gotten enough of yet

(planned leisure time...)

12:30 Lunch- Leftovers

1:30 More Planned Leisure Time

6:00 Dinner Leftovers

Thursday

Clean up and head out. Thanks for a great reunion!

The 2009 Foster and Boice Reunions Are Bearing Down on Us!

2009-07-12T16:59:00.000-07:00

***Updated July 16, 2009 after taking input from the people***

The time is short and the anticipation is building for the 2009 Foster and Boice reunions in Iron Springs. Unfortunately, we will be down a few families, namely the Matthew Fosters, the Jeffrey Fosters and the Andrew Fosters. You will be missed sorely, but we will try to have a good time anyway.

I figured I would restart a conversation from email a few weeks ago about the schedule. Please make any comments you want and don't be shy as this is just to start the discussion. Nothing is set in stone and we can change things around as much as we want. I made tentative assignments in parentheses.

For meals, I propose that we only assign dinners. Maybe we should coordinate some simple breakfast and lunch stuff. Mick has requested to prepare 1 breakfast

Friday:

PM-Arrive and settle into cabins

Mom and Megan(?) will already be there

Tyler Foster's will hopefully arrive around 6 or 7 pm

Everyone else?

Dinner-Margaret and Megan

Saturday:

AM-brunch at pavillon

PM-activities*

4PM-dedication of Tom Arnold Memorial (new ping pong tables, equipment, plaque)

(Lots of Carson relatives, too)

6PM-Dinner at tennis courts (Foster Family in charge, Taco Salad)

Later-evening activities*

Sunday:

AM-devotional and brunch

PM-afternoon activities*

Dinner-Adam and Laura

*Activities will include: climbing, hike, ping pong tourney, b-ball, scavenger hunt, relaxing, conversing, etc.

Monday:

AM-Mick and Mag do babysitting and the boys take their wives on a short rock climbing tour (Meg can come too, but you better not bring a husband!)

later AM-matinee movie for all (kids too! Hopefully, Jane will just sleep.) Adam seems to think that Jane will not be interested. Possible movies are G-Force and Ice Age @ ~11:00 am.

PM-Early evening family trip to Flat Rock (Adam and Laura)

Later-Ty challenges Mark to a "Stars" rematch, Hearts or Nertz tournament

Breakfast-Mick

Dinner-Ty and Dana

Tuesday:

AM-Golfing (18 holes) (or maybe in the evening we could get a better rate?)

PM-Manliest man competition *I have some ideas about this to make it a "real" manliest man competition*(Tyler), family games for everyone, Crossword challenge? (Mark and Liz)

Later-movie in Prescott (not all can go due to babysitting)

Dinner-Mark and Liz

Wednesday:

AM-Women do something equivalent to men's golfing in Prescott

PM-A short hike around the railroad tracks (Mick and Mag)

Dana and Mick free throw contest, Laura has said she wants in, but with some very tough (unfair?) rules :-) We'll see if the Mick can handle it...

Later-Dinner at a resteraunt in Prescott (any ideas? Mick's buying so the sky's the limit! He says "no" but I know him well enough to know he really means "yes!")

Thursday:

AM-say our goodbyes and depart

Breakfast? - Margaret

Happy Birthday to the Goose!

2009-01-31T18:45:00.000-08:00

Foster Family Thanksgiving 2008 Schedule, Take 1

2008-10-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

Well, Thanksgiving is upon us, which means it's time to get together! Below is the proposed schedule of events. Nobody's feelings are going to be hurt if you don't like something about it. However, no one will know you don't like it if you don't post a comment on this blog, send out an e-mail, or speak out in some other way. So please let your voice be heard and let this upcoming Thanksgiving be fun and fulfilling for everyone!

Also, I wasn't sure when everyone would be arriving and departing from out of town, so that will be included on one of the revised schedules after y'all know when you're getting here. So I've just planned from Wednesday through the weekend for now. The assignment of who is in charge is listed after each item.

Wednesday
AM (around 9:00) 9 holes of golf for the guys--Mickey in charge
Lunch at M & M's--assigned by Dana
PM Tecmo Bowl Tournament--Drew & Kristen
Dinner at M & M's--assigned by Dana

Thursday
AM Ken Caryl Turkey Trot--Mark & Liz
Lunch at M & M's--assigned by Dana
PM Service at Soup Kitchen--Megan, Mark babysitting
Dinner at M & M's Possibly Wendi's Butternut Squash Bisque--Matt & Wendi
After Dinner--Game night: Nertz, Settlers, Scrabble, etc.--Adam and Laura

Friday
AM Getting ready for and taking a family picture at 11:00--Margaret
No Planned Lunch Snacking and hors d'oeuvres at Mark and Liz's
PM Thanksgiving Dinner at Mark and Liz's--food assignments by Liz (for the dinner and hors d'oeuvres before...)

Saturday
Early AM (8 ish) Classic Matchup--Tyler
AM (10 or 11) Temple Sealing Session--Jeff and Angie, Megan babysitting??
Lunch at M & M's--assigned by Dana
PM (2 ish) Foster Family Council--Mickey, (including slideshow presentation--Jeff)
Dinner at Jeff and Angie's
After Dinner go see a movie, to be decided when we're all together

***Now that I'm looking over this, I see that I haven't planned any breakfasts. I guess that gives those of us who live in Denver a little longer to get our kids ready and get out the door, but maybe Dana could assign people to make breakfasts for those people staying with Mickey and Margaret. We'll talk about it on the conference call tonight. :)

Breckenridge Bash 2008: Revised

2008-06-01T14:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all of your input. I've tried to incorporate most of it into the revised agenda below. (Changes are in red.)

Please comment on this post about your thoughts or additions, and then I'll make one more revision next Sunday:

Wed, June 11:
Morning: one group of intrepid climbers leaves early to climb a Fourteener in the Breckenridge vicinity. TY (Mark, Elizabeth, Adam, Laura, and Ty have confirmed. Who else?)
Afternoon: The other group leaves Denver later in the day and arrives in Breckenridge by 3 pm, sets up the cabin, gets dinner ready.
Evening/Night: Settling into the cabin, just hanging out. I suggest roasting marshmallows and marinating in the hot tub.

Thurs, June 12:
Morning: Family Nature Hike MARGARET / Manliest Man, Revisited DREW
Afternoon: Hangin' Out
Evening: Foosball/Pool Tourney MICK
Night: Campfire Concert MARK/ELIZABETH (Part of this will be the Family Cheer/Chant competition--kind of like the old Foster theme songs, like "Little Addie Bad, Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah," etc. Come up with your own family theme song and debut it at the campfire. Beware: ours will be tough to beat!)

Fri, June 13:
Morning: Whiffle Ball/Kick Ball DREW/KRISTEN Classic Matchup Basketball/ Park time for kids (All of this could be done on the same morning at that park close to "the Eagle's Nest")
Afternoon: Hangin' Out
Evening: Family Council / Family Photo MICK
Night: Family Movie Night (This could be "Indy and the Whatever", or it could be a DVD for everybody, kids included. My vote is for "The Incredibles" or "Sound of Music.") MEGAN

Sat, June 14:
Morning: Outdoor game (more like "Mole Hunt", less like "Cold War") MARK (I'm taking this one over. Gotta idea that'll knock your socks off . . . literally. Either "A Man on the Boat" or "Incognito." You like? You teased?)
Afternoon: Afternoon in Breckenridge JEFF/ANGIE
Evening: Family Karaoke Concert MATT/WENDI
Night: Stargazing trek ADAM/LAURA

Sun, June 15 (Father's Day):
Morning: Yummy Breakfast for the Dads
9 am Family Devotional ADAM/LAURA
Clean up cabin ADAM/LAURA (by themselves)
Out the door by 11 am

I think this revised schedule incorporates all of the suggested changes. It is looking pretty busy, but still with ample time for just chillin'. Post any additional thoughts or suggestions by next week, and we will revise one more time if necessary.

Breckenridge 2008: Foster Family Reunion III

2008-05-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

All kidding aside, I want the Master Bedroom.
(Actually, I am just kidding.)

Okay, here's a tentative sketch of the Breckenridge happenings. Assignments are in CAPS after the events. For your assignments, remember to include ways for everyone to be involved, especially the kiddos.

Please comment on this post about your thoughts or additions, and then I'll make a revised schedule.

June 10: When is everybody actually arriving in Denver?

Wed, June 11:
Morning: one group of intrepid climbers leaves early to climb a Fourteener in the Breckenridge vicinity. (Ty, you're in charge of this activity since it was your brilliant idea. Randy might have some good input on a good half-day summit hike.)
Afternoon: The other group leaves Denver later in the day and arrives in Breckenridge by 4 pm, sets up the cabin, gets dinner ready.
Evening/Night: Settling into the cabin, just hanging out. I suggest roasting marshmallows and marinating in the hot tub.

Thurs, June 12:
Morning: Family Nature Hike MARGARET
Afternoon: Hangin' Out
Evening: Foosball Tourney MICK
Night: Campfire Concert MARK/ELIZABETH

Fri, June 13:
Morning: Whiffle Ball or Kick Ball Tourney DREW/KRISTEN
Afternoon: Hangin' Out
Evening: Family Karaoke Concert MATT/WENDI
Night: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of . . . (Is it just me, or is this a lame title?) MEGAN

Sat, June 14:
Morning: Outdoor game (more like "Mole Hunt", less like "Cold War") TY/DANA
Afternoon: Afternoon in Breckenridge (Concert? Museums?) JEFF/ANGIE
Evening: Hangin' Out
Night: Stargazing trek ADAM/LAURA

Sun, June 15 (Father's Day):
Morning: Yummy Breakfast for the Dads
9 am Family Devotional ADAM/LAURA
Clean up cabin DREW/KRISTEN/MEGAN (by themselves)
Out the door by 11 am (Worland Fosters at least need to be on the road by 11 am. How about everybody else?)

Lots of fun things, several competitions, daily outdoor activities, and plenty of downtime. In a word, brilliant. At least that's what I think. How about you?

In other words, if you have read this far, please take the time to comment on it.
Like right now.

Justin's First Year

2008-05-21T21:06:00.001-07:00

The Surprise

2008-03-29T17:41:00.000-07:00

Pick a day...any day!

2008-02-18T14:58:00.000-08:00

Okay, Fosters, here is your chance to win a DQ Blizzard! That's right, a blizzard of your choice - you pick the flavor and the size (above you will see the DQ Blizzard of the Month, but don't feel obligated to go that route). I know, I know...you're really excited. Please try to contain that excitement so that I can tell you what you need to do to claim this incredible prize.All you have to do is correctly pick the date that Kelly Anne Foster is going to make her entrance in the world. A few things to keep in mind: her due date is February 29th; Max came 1 week early (well, labor started one week early, but he was actually five days early); the doctor said that she has dropped significantly, but I'm not really dilated yet; I've had lots of little contractions and I exercise and walk to try and get labor going as often as possible. So with those things in mind, pick a date!

(You may have to remind me when I see you again, but I really do plan on coming through with the reward. It's time a new tradition was born of actually following through on the promise of the Blizzard! :) )

Good Times Had By All

2008-01-25T14:21:00.000-08:00

I thought I would post a few pictures of the wedding festivities. It was so fun to see everyone! Except I think that we all commented at one time or another how much we missed Matt, Wendi and Simon. Can't wait to ALL be together at Breckenridge. Congrats to the newlyweds! We sure love you both.

This picture (above) cracked me up...check out at all of the boys' mouths. :)

The Foster Table

Such a handsome grandpa

The Ladies

The Song

Tuckered out...

And, oh, was there dancing!

See you all in Breckenridge!

Ho, Ho, Hummmm . . .

2007-12-22T19:24:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

from Grant and the disinterested Santa
at Pamida.

The Mick and The Mags

2007-12-05T12:46:00.000-08:00

I love these pictures! I take no credit for snapping them - they came from Angie and Jeff's camera - but I figured that Jeff and Ang wouldn't mind me posting them. We are so lucky to have such a fabulous patriarch and matriarch for this family. I get so excited to get together with everyone because we all have a great time and I know that is in large part because the greatness starts at the top. Thanks to Mickey and Margaret for raising such a wonderful family and for your continued love and support of each of us. We love you!

Foster Fall Festival

2007-11-18T21:04:00.000-08:00

Here's a proposed agenda for the upcoming week's festivities.

Theme:

Keepin' It Loose, Keepin' It Real

Wednesday, November 21
Morning: Introduction to rules of Foster Film Festival /

Mark and Elizabeth to the Temple
Afternoon: Open
Evening: Open / Late Flick ("Bee Movie" or "Dan in Real Life"?)

Thursday, November 22
Morning: First Annual Foster Turkey Trot
Afternoon: Leave for Haag's approximately 2 pm
Evening: Feasting on the Bird at the Haag's

Friday, November 23
Morning: Basketball "Clash of the Titans"
Afternoon: Family Council 1:30-2:30 pm / Family Picture 3:30 pm
Evening: Ty's 30th Birthday Party
Late: Family DVD Night

(Let's come up with some sort of elaborate nomination / election system to select the night's movie, something that will generate endless controversy)

Saturday, November 24
Morning: Temple?
Afternoon: BYU vs Utah at noon
Evening: Megan's Recital / Foster Film Festival

Whaddya think folks? Can't wait to see you all in a few days!!!

Why Not Trot?!

2007-11-16T18:50:00.000-08:00

Hey fam! Dana here, and I am proposing....The First Ever Foster Fam Turkey Trot! Picture it: a crisp Thanksgiving morning, the Mick in his running shorts, the whole fam getting limbered up for a little walk/jog. There are turkey trots happening everywhere, so why not start one with our own fam? We've got the numbers and the able bodies. Now the question is do we have the desire?

I am thinking that since we will all have other responsibilities that morning, like getting our good grub ready, that we do it somewhat early and don't go for very long. I don't know what that would mean exactly. A full 5k or just a run through the neighborhood? I just thought I would throw this out there first and then plan it if there is interest. This could mean whatever you want it to mean for you. You could be among the front-runners, going for the coveted 1st place "trophy" (and by trophy I mean the kind that you picture in your head) or just out for a shorter version of the race with a baby in tow or hang out at home and cheer as the runners and walkers come back through the door. I think it would be fun to all get out there and do something active like that together before we go and gorge ourselves on the good grub previously mentioned. Let your voices be heard!

*Please don't feel badly telling me if you think this is a bad idea. I just read it on a friend's blog and thought, "Hey, that could be really fun with the Fosters." That's about all of the thought that's gone into it. Just tell me that you think it's a bad idea in a nice way since I have been known to be a little more emotional as of late. Last night I was explaining the meaning of a country song to Ty and broke down in tears. :)*

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-28T21:21:00.000-07:00

Hiya Fosters, Wendi here. It's been ages since I've blogged, I know -- Sy keeps me pretty busy these days (I'll try to get something posted soon, promise). But in the meantime, here's a great little animated piece that Matt and I saw recently -- it's called "Mysterious Mose", and it's fitting for the season (as well as being appropriate for all ages). I thought it was clever and fun, and I hope you do too...so enjoy, and Happy Halloween!

Unbelievable film footage

2007-08-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

I was with Uncle Bob this last week and he showed me the video, of which I have attached a link. It takes about 10 minutes but stick with it. It was filmed by some smuch who just happened to get lucky....right place at the right time. There are professionals that have spent a lifetime trying to film such an event. It is really fascinating. Turns out good so dont' worry but watch it till the end.

The morale of this film is don't every tick off an water buffalo as they have terrific memories and lots of friends.

Enjoy,

Dad

http://ugv.abcnews.go.com/Player.aspx?id=556758

Celestial Fireworks

2007-08-12T21:49:00.000-07:00

Just wanted you all to know that there are several celestial events that are happening this month and you should try and see them if you can. Here are the ones I know about. Lest you think I've suddenly become some kind of a astronomy nut, this was in an article in the paper this week and I thought you all might want to take a crack as seeing some of this.

Astronomically yours,
Love, Dad

1) There will be a major meteor shower this month. It happens on August 12th (tonight) and August 13th. Those are the peak times. It will also be a new moon so it should make for some great watching. This meteor shower is caused by the earth going through the debris trail of the Comet Swift-Tuttle as it makes its 130 year orbit around the sun. This is called the Perseids meteor shower. As many as 100 'falling stars" can occur every hour. Unfortunately the best time to watch this is when it is darkest which is between 1 a.m and 5 a.m. Tomorrow, the 13th is the prime time, but don't worry because you will have a couple days after that...it just won't be as intense. I have seen this once and it is really amazing.

2) We wil also have a total lunar eclipse on August 28th. This is when the Moon passes through the earth's shadow. The full moon will darken and and turn deep orange near dawn. The further west you are the better as in California you will be able to see the entire eclipse from start to finish. Not sure what you will see up in Seattle Ty and Dana. As you go farther east the more the eclipse's end will be cut off as the moon sets. Total lunar eclipses happen up to 3 times a year all over the world. but he continental US has sometimes gone years without seeingone. There will be another one next February if you miss this one.

3) The constellation Taurus, (the bull) is know for the "V" of its head and horns, with the red star Aldebaran forming an eye. I have never seen this myself. Apparently, between Aug. 18 and Aug. 24 after Mars passes close to Aldebaran, the planet will form a second red eye, completing the bull's fiery gaze and making for a striking sight from anywhere in the USA, especially between 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. Th situation occurs only every few years so it is somewhat rare. The hour of the day isn't the greatest for sure. I think you look somewhere to the western sky for this.

4) This last one takes a telescope or a strong pair of binoculars. On August 29th, Jupiter will get a new neightbor in additon to its 4 moons that can be seen from a telesope. It is Vesta, the brightest asteroid in the sky named after the Roman goddess of the hearth. It was the 4th asteroid every discovered It is about 330 miiles across and has a highly reflective surface that rotates about every 5 hours so as to be visable. It is the only astroid visible to the naked eye. It hasnt shown this bright since 1989. Since none of us has a telescope it doesn't do us to much good but it is supposed to be pretty spectacular if you see 5th "moon" appear around Jupiter. Maybe if you look for Jupiter....not sure but I think it is in the western sky, maybe you can see it.

Let's Belly Up to the Bar

2007-07-06T09:39:00.000-07:00

All,

It is time to make sure we are all square on the finances for our recent reunion at Iron Springs and that we committ for our reunion at Breckenridge next summer. (Date to be determined)

Iron Springs

Cost of Gemma Cabine --------- $750
Mom and Dad paid for laundry - $50
balance - $700
Mom and Dad ----------------- $200 Paid
Mark and Liz ---------------- $150 Unpaid
Ty and Dana ----------------- $150 Unpaid
Jeff and Angie -------------- $100 Paid with a Ben Franklin
Drew and Kristen ------------ $ 50 Paid with 2 Andrew Jacksons and a Hamilton
Adam ------------------------ $ 50 Paid with sweat and blood
balance - $0

All other costs were absorbed by the group so there is no other costs. Is that okay with everyone or do we owe something so someone? Just send a check to Mom and I when you get a chance.

Breckenridge - summer of 2008

A great place that sleeps 16. It is going to be great. We will have 8 kids at that time so it will be crowded but we will make do. I paid the $1000 cost and then Mark paid me back as I didn't have that much in my checking account. So the Man (and woman) from Worland are on the hook. We need to pay Markus back as soon as we can so they are not destitute for long.

total cost --------- $1,000
Mark and Liz ------- $ 250
Mom and Dad -------- $ 250
Ty and Dana -------- $ 150
Matt and Wendi ----- $ 100
Jeff and Angie ----- $ 100
Drew and Kristen --- $ 100
Adam --------------- $ 50
total $1,000

Costs were allocated on what was perceived as to how much each of you could afford at this time in your situations. It is arbitrary and if it seems unfair or too much please let me know and we can change it to what you think it should be. We don't want anyone to feel like they can't come because they can't afford it and let's face it, some of us right now are in a bit better condition than others so it isn't the same for everyone. On the other hand, I think it has value in everyone contributing something according to what they can.

The good news is that once we get Mark paid back, next summer is paid for except for the food and other actitivies. Mark and Liz has been very generous in putting this money up front for us and we need to get him paid back as soon as you can. We can't leave the man with no wallet swinging from a palm treeing grasping for his money for too long. Just pay him when you can.

Let me know if this isn't okay in any way. Don't want anyone upset about this and we are already looking forward to it.

Love,
Dad

Grandparents

2007-06-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

I thought these thoughts about grandparenthood were funny and sometimes maybe even true!!

Dad

Grandparents

A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead of the television. ~Author Unknown
Never have children, only grandchildren. ~Gore Vidal

Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric. ~Pam Brown

Grandchildren don't stay young forever, which is good because Grandfathers have only so many horsey rides in them. ~Gene Perret

When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the window. ~Ogden Nash

Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete. ~ Marcy DeMaree

Grandmother - a wonderful mother with lots of practice ~Author Unknown

A grandparent is old on the outside but young on the inside. ~Author Unknown

One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grandbaby around the finger of a grandfather. ~Joy Hargrove

It's amazing how grandparents seem so young once you become one. ~Author Unknown

Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old. ~Mary H. Wald!

You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to
your grandmother. ~Proverb

An hour with your grandchildren can make you feel young again. Any thing
longer than that, and you start to age quick ly. ~Gene Perret

Grandmas never run out of hugs or cookies. ~Author unknown

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts
forever. ~Author Unknown

If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren, I'd have
had them first. ~Lois Wyse

If your baby is "beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses, sleeps on
schedule and burps on demand, an angel all the time," you're
the grandma. ~Teresa Bloomingdale

Grandparents are s imilar to a piece of string - handy to have around and
easily wrapped around the fingers of their grandchildren. ~Author Unknown

My grandkids believe I'm the oldest thing in the world. And after two or

three hours with them, I believe it, too. ~Gene Perret

If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice, I should advise

every one of you straight away to become one. There is no fun for old

people like it! ~Hannah Whithall Smith

It's such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother - that's why the world

calls her grandmother. ~Author Unknown

The best baby-sitters, of course, are the baby's grandparents. You feel

completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods,

which is why most grandparents flee to Florida. ~Dave Barry

I wish I had the energy that my grandchildren have - if only for

self-defense. ~Gene Perret

Grandmother-grandchild relationships are simple. Grandmas are short

on criticism and long on love. ~Author Unknown

What is it about grandparents that is so lovely? I'd like to say that

grandparents are God's gifts to children. And if they can but see, hear

and feel what these people have to give, they can mature at a

fast rate. ~Bill Cosby

Grandchildren don't make a man feel old; it's the knowledge that he's

married to a grandmother. ~G. Norman Collie

Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting. ~Author Unknown

What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change, and

they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure. ~Gene Perret

Grandmothers are just "antique" little girls. ~Author Unknown

Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild. ~Welsh Proverb

Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little c hildren. ~Alex Haley

We love you guys.

Dad

See you soon!

2007-06-17T18:48:00.000-07:00

Can't wait to see everyone in a few days!

Remember to learn these lyrics . . .

Neil Diamond - Soolaimon Lyrics

Come she come say
Ride on the night
Sun becomes day
Day shall provide

Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon

God of my want, want, want
Lord of my need, need, need
Leading me on, on, on
On to the woman, she dance for the sun
God of my day, day, day
Lord of my night, night, night
Seek for the way, way, way
Taking me home
She callin'

Bring home my name
On the wings of a flea
Wind in the plains
Dance once for me

Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon

God of my want, want, want
Lord of my need, need, need
Leading me on, on, on
On to the woman, she dance for the sun
God of my day
Lord of my night
Seek for the way
Taking me home

God of my want, want, want
Lord of my need, need, need
Leading me on, on, on
On to the woman, she dance for the sun

God of my day, day, day
Lord of my night, night, night
Seek for the way, way, way
Taking me home

God of my want, want, want
Lord of my need, need, need
Leading me on, on, on........

Revised Reunion Plans

2007-06-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks for everybody's comments and suggestions. Basically, I've tried to incorporate all of them into the revised plan below, revisions in green:

Wednesday, June 20th

Mick, Mag, Meg, the Worland Fosters, and Drew, Kristen and Adam arrive very late at Iron Springs, approximately midnight.

Thursday, June 21st

Breakfast and Lunch: Everybody on their own

Morning: Margaret and Megan make a run to the store

Jeff, Angie and Cal arrive mid-morning.

Ty, Dana, and Max arrive early afternoon.

Afternoon: Settling into the cabin, visiting, and arguing over the topic of your choice.

Late afternoon: Expedition to the Boulder Pile. We'll see who can still fit down Phil the Tooth.

Dinner: Mickey and Margaret

Evening: Guitar playing, cards, etc.

Friday, June 22nd

Breakfast: Mark and Elizabeth

Morning: The Classic Matchup on the courts

Lunch: Megan and Adam

Afternoon: The Mole Hunt revisited--remember that game from the Ranch?--or some other creative Foster competition at Little Flat Rock (Jeff and Angie in charge) (To answer the Mick's concerns: bring your two walkie talkies, and anyone else that may have access to some, bring 'em. But I'm counting on Jeff and Angie to come up with some game that's even better--is that possible?--than the Mole Hunt, one that may not even need walkie talkies . . .)
Dinner: Ty and Dana

Evening: Catch a flick in Prescott. Ocean's Thirteen, anyone? (Megan in charge) (Megan is previewing Ocean's Thirteen for us. Any suggestions on what to do with the kid's this night?)

Saturday, June 23rd

Breakfast: The Girls have a Baby Shower/ Brunch for Wendi; the Boyz is on they own

Morning: The Boyz have a totally open morning. They'll need to be watching the kids anyway . . .

Lunch: The Boyz eat at Sonic; Girls on their own after the brunch

Afternoon: Ping Pong Tourney moved to the afternoon so the women can participate . . . specifically to give Kristen her shot at glory!

Late Afternoon: Everybody gets cleaned up for Pictures on the tennis courts (Margaret in charge)

Dinner: Potluck with the Boice Clan on the tennis courts

Evening: Nertz tourney? Night-climbing? Guitar playing? We'll just let this night sort of happen . . .

Sunday, June 24th

Breakfast: Mickey & Margaret

Morning: Sunday Devotional in Iron Springs with the Rustand Family (Drew and Kristen in charge) (Drew and Kristen: give Carson a call to work out details on the devotional. I'm envisioning something with just the Fosters and Rustands, but it's your baby. Don't let us down.)

Lunch: Drew & Kristen

Afternoon: Hike to the Old Mill? City Hill? Railroad loop? Humpty-Dumpty? (Ty and Dana in charge) . . . somewhere on this hike, Mark will challenge (and defeat) Drew in a ten-yard dash (and Mark gets a five yard head start)

Dinner: Jeff & Angie

Evening: Official Foster Family Council (Mickey in charge)

Nighttime: Final family guitar session, featuring a group rendition of Soolaimon by Neil Diamond. Please listen to this song carefully, master its lyrics, and ponder its message deep in your hearts. We must do Neil proud on this night . . (

Monday, June 25th

Breakfast: Ty and Dana

Morning: Golf Tournament, nine holes at Antelope Hills (Mark in charge)
Everybody clean up cabin and head for the hills by noon . . . on your own for lunch.

Reunion adjourned. To be continued next summer at Breckenridge thanks to Mick and Megan.

Other issues:

Forget the Video contest--postponed until November due to technological limitations as pointed out by Jeff.
Food: Sorry about the confusion. Dana's idea is a good one--I had forgotten about it. How about those who want to buy food communally and then split the tab give Mom a grocery list by Thursday morning? Otherwise, you'll get the food on your own. Be aware, though, that it is probably at least a ninety minute round trip to Prescott for that will need to be worked into another day . . . But as you all suggested, someone would need to make that trip anyway to re-stock milk, etc.
Cabin space: we'll all be cozily together in one cabin, but we need to be cognizant of everyone's space, and specifically of the little ones (and newborns) who need their bedtimes, naps, and peace and quiet. 'Nuff said. Just to reiterate . . .

There's the revision. Again, comments and suggestions are welcome, and we'll keep fine-tuning it.

2007 Family Reunion in Iron Springs

2007-06-03T20:11:00.000-07:00

In two and a half weeks, we'll all be together in Iron Springs for the Second Annual Foster Family Reunion. (See picture to the left.)

With extensive input from Grandma Maggie, here is a proposed schedule for the weekend's festivities. (It looks kind of busy at first glance, but it's actually quite loose and allows for plenty of leeway and down-time.)

Wednesday, June 20th

Mick, Mag, Meg, the Worland Fosters, and Drew, Kristen and Adam arrive very late at Iron Springs, approximately midnight.

Thursday, June 21st

Breakfast and Lunch: Everybody on their own

Morning: Margaret and Megan make a run to the store

Jeff, Angie and Cal arrive mid-morning.

Ty, Dana, and Max arrive early afternoon.

Afternoon: Settling into the cabin, visiting, and arguing over the topic of your choice.

Late afternoon: Expedition to the Boulder Pile. We'll see who can still fit down Phil the Tooth.

Dinner: Mickey and Margaret

Evening: Guitar playing, cards, etc.

Friday, June 22nd

Breakfast: Mark and Elizabeth

Morning: The Classic Matchup on the courts

Lunch: Megan and Adam

Afternoon: The Mole Hunt revisited--remember that game from the Ranch?--or some other creative Foster competition at Little Flat Rock (Jeff and Angie in charge)

Dinner: Ty and Dana

Evening: Catch a flick in Prescott. Ocean's Thirteen, anyone? (Megan in charge)

Saturday, June 23rd

Breakfast: The Girls have a Baby Shower/ Brunch for Wendi; the Boyz is on they own

Morning: The Boyz have a Ping Pong tournament (Adam in charge), then head to town to catch a matinee flick (something with high testosterone content)

Lunch: The Boyz eat at Sonic; Girls on their own after the brunch

Afternoon: Everybody gets cleaned up for Pictures on the tennis courts (Margaret in charge)

Dinner: Potluck with the Boice Clan on the tennis courts

Evening: Nertz tourney? Night-climbing? Guitar playing? We'll just let this night sort of happen . . .

Sunday, June 24th

Breakfast: Mickey & Margaret

Morning: Sunday Devotional in Iron Springs with the Rustand Family (Drew and Kristen in charge)

Late morning: Hike to the Old Mill? City Hill? Railroad loop? Humpty-Dumpty? (Ty and Dana in charge) . . . somewhere on this hike, Mark will challenge (and defeat) Drew in a forty-yard dash

Lunch: Drew & Kristen

Afternoon: Video contest screening (see below for details)

Dinner: Jeff & Angie

Evening: Official Foster Family Council (Mickey in charge)

Nighttime: Final family guitar session, featuring a group rendition of Soolaimon by Neil Diamond. Please listen to this song carefully, master its lyrics, and ponder its message deep in your hearts. We must do Neil proud on this night . .

Monday, June 25th

Breakfast: Ty and Dana

Morning: Golf Tournament, nine holes at Antelope Hills (Mark in charge)
Everybody clean up cabin and head for the hills by noon . . . on your own for lunch.

Reunion adjourned. To be continued next summer at Breckenridge thanks to Mick and Megan.

Other issues:

Video contest: to be explained further at the reunion. Teams will be formed, videos will be made over the course of the reunion, and a final screening will occur on Sunday afternoon. Ty, I need to talk to you about your laptop capabilities in editing/ showing the videos.
Food: I propose that Margaret be in charge of making a run to the supermarket on Thursday morning before everyone arrives and buys the food for the whole weekend. This way, we don't need to make many separate trips and we can consolidate on items like butter, milk, cheese, etc. We can then equitably split the total tab amongst all the families. To this end, everyone needs to plan their meals and gets their grocery lists to Mom prior to the reunion . . .
Cabin space: we'll all be cozily together in one cabin, but we need to be cognizant of everyone's space, and specifically of the little ones (and newborns) who need their bedtimes, naps, and peace and quiet. 'Nuff said.

That's it! What do you think?

Give me your comments, updates, criticisms, suggestions. We'll try and incorporate it all into the big picture and make this an unforgettable reunion!

Introducing . . . Justin Mark Foster

2007-05-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Born on May 21, 2007 to Mark and Elizabeth Foster, weighing in at 8 lbs 0 oz, 20 inches long. He's a keeper!

Kristen's Graduation

2007-05-13T21:20:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Kristen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kristen is officially done with school. These are some pictures and a movie from her graduation. It was a great ceremony! Except for the fact of it being 90 degrees and taking about 2 hours due to the 1500 names they read. Other than that it was great. It was really exciting for the 5 seconds Kristen was on stage as you can tell in the video. Honestly, congratulations Kristen!!!!!!!!!!!! Being a college graduate is not small feat!!!!!!!! You are done with school forever!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I guess you are a school teacher. So forever isn't the right word, but at least until fall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Base Jumping at the Reunion

2007-05-03T17:05:00.001-07:00

I saw this video of some relaxing base jumping, and I thought this might be a fun activity for our Iron Springs reunion. Do you think you'd have time to pull the rip cord once you leapt off of Dead Man 77? Might soften the landing the bit.

Enjoy the Coldplay tune as well . . .

Dead Man 77

2007-04-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

In preparation for the Reunion this summer, I thought I would instigate an official family inquiry into one of the most controversial tales of Iron Springs.

The question is this: did Scott Rustand ever actually make his famed leap off of Dead Man 77 onto Flat Rock?

(I unearthed the photo to the left and scrupulously evaluated it for authenticity, only to conclude that, due to poor image quality, the issue remains in doubt. This guy looks a little to too thin to me.)

I want to investigate this matter using the most thorough scientific methods, by the rigorous application of modern physics, and by evaluating what effects such a jump would have on the human body.

I began to carefully calculate the forces and velocities involved, but I got lost somewhere after "Force=Mass x Acceleration." (It's been 10+ years since I took physics, fellas. Are Newtonian physics still applicable?)

Here are the the basic subquestions to be answered:

At what velocity would Scott have struck Flat Rock? With how much force? Would he have left a crater? What would have happened to his femurs?

Here are the proposed constants involved:

Height: 60 feet

Weight: 250 pounds

I'm looking for Matt, Ty, Adam or Drew to figure this out. I don't think Jeff can handle it. Definitely not the Mick.

Armed with this knowledge, I can then rationally evaluate if I should attempt to recreate this legendary leap this summer.

Let me know, guys.

Reunion in Iron Springs

2007-04-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Reunion in Iron Springs

This weekend we talked with Mark and Liz about the logistics for the reunion at Iron Springs this summer. It will be a challenge but I think we have come up with something that will work. Would appreciate comments as I think we need to be buying some airplane tickets pretty soon if we are going to do this. Here is what I think we came up with on a tentative basis. Mark and Liz, correct me if I'm not right on this.

1) Sometime early in the week of June 18th, Mark and Liz will drive to Tremonton
to spend some time with Liz's family, they get to meet Justin, etc.

2) On June 20th Mark takes off for Iron Springs with Joy and Grant. He will
probably stay somewhere like St. George to get up and arrive at Iron Springs
on Thursday around noonish or so.

3) On Thurs. June 21st in the morning, Liz's folks drop her at the SLC airport and
she will fly to Phoenix with Justin.

4) Dad, Mom and Meggie fly to Phoenix to meet up with Liz on Thursday morning. Need
to coordinate this time so Liz is not waiting around for a long time. We rent
a car and drive to Iron Spring to arrive as early as possible.

5) Sometime on the 21st, Ty, Dana and Max arrive from Vegas by car. Drew, Kristen
and Adam arrive from Provo. Jeff, Angie and Cal come up from Phoenix. I think
Matt and Wendi will arrive sometime on Friday or Saturday. Matt what are you
guys thinking? They will drive in their new car.

6) We can get into the cabins we are renting by sometime around noon or so on
Thursday the 21st.

7) We think the cost of the cabins will be around $1,200 so we will figure out a
way we can all share this cost equitably. We will need to figure out a meal
schedule like we have in the past. Maybe Dana or Angie can put that list
together. I suggest we just keep track of all the food and split that cost
between families. Other ideas on that?

8) The best part of the whole thing is Fri, Sat and Sun. where we can just enjoy
being together. We want it to be very relaxed for everyone and not to be
too scheduled. There are some things we need to talk about. I think we will
be with the Rustands and Boices on Sat. night and Wendi will have her shower
at some point. Maybe the guys can shoot a round of golf? I'd like to have
another family council at some point. Any ideas that are out there need to be
discussed, so state you case while you can of what we should do. Movies in
Prescott are a must at some point.

9) I have to be back in Denver on Monday night. I will have to go to Phoenix with
Liz and Justin on Monday morning the 25th, and she will fly back to SLC and I to
Denver. Mark and the kids will leave for Tremonton where he will hook up with
Liz and they drive back to Worland on Tues.

10) Jeff and Angie will be making the move up to Denver in that next week so the
plan is for they and Cal, Adam and Margaret and Meg to drive down to Phoenix
get them packed up and drive the moving truck to Denver, with one car in tow and
driving the other. Adam will help with the drive.

11) Adam will fly back to SLC once they get up to Denver.

12) T&D&M drive back to Vegas and fly back to Seattle...on Monday? Drew and
Kristen drive back to Provo. Matt and Wendi drive back to Denver at some
time....not sure when they need to be back.

13) We probably have to be out of the cabins by Monday afternoon but I'm sure the
Rustands can accomodate us for any that want to stay over and for Margaret, Meg
Jeff and Angie and Cal who will stay another day or two.

Advantages to this is that Liz doesn't have to make that long drive with Justin. The flight to and from Phoenix will make this much more enjoyable for her. I am also happy that we will not be making that 14 hour drive from Denver, even though we will have to spend some money on airline tickets....I still think it is worth it.

What have I got wrong or what have I missed? Please think about this and lets settle on a plan so the logistics part of this is put to bed and we can concentrate on how much fun we will have being together at one of the choice places on this planet for families.

Love you,
Dad

"To tha HOOP, y'all!"

2007-03-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

Hi folks, Wendi here. I know Matt and I haven't been participating in the March Madness activities, but I thought I would submit the following link for your enjoyment (sorry, couldn't post the video directly on the blog -- also, there's a commercial you have to sit through first).

OK, Kurtis Blow is singing about professional basketball as opposed to college, but hey -- the spirit is there. And the breakdancing is cool too. :-)

Enjoy!

The Skype's the Limit - I.M. serious!

2007-03-06T20:04:00.000-08:00

This is Jeff writing:
As we all know, the internet is the greatest invention since orange juice flavored breakfast cereal(thanks, Al Gore) and it is high time the Foster Clan started using the "net" to it's full potential.

I recently took part in a 5 way "Skype" session with many members of Angie's family and it was a blast. It was like we were all in one room chatting, instant messaging, watching family videos and having some laughs. It was awesome! For the uninitiated, Skype(and I'm sure there are other services) is totally free and allows you to have a video conversation with 1 other computer, or an audio only conference call conversation with up to 5 computers-and it's all for free! That's right, totally free. Skype makes it's money by charging to call real phone lines from your computer. All you need to use Skype is a computer, high-speed internet connection and a microphone and/or webcam. It's possible to get a half-way decent webcam with built-in mic for under $50!

So here is my full proposal:
1. All Foster family households purchase a mic and/or webcam.
2. All households download Skype and sign up for an account at skype.com and clicking on "download." It's totally free and easy to set up and use. After you get signed up, you can add friends and family members to your contacts and then calling them is a piece of cake.
3. We all enjoy talking to each other(not conference calls, though) using our "video" phones whenever we want. It will be like StarTrek.
4. Once a month on a Sunday evening (maybe the 1st Sunday of the month?) Adam goes to Drew and Kristen's and Matt and Wendi go to Mom and Dad's and we all have a super fun Skype session. Everyone could take turns updating everyone else on events and we could discuss family plans, debate heated political issues(or not) and crack some funny jokes. The dynamic of having everyone able to converse as if we were sitting around the dining room table in Denver is really cool, trust me.

I really think that this could be a fun way to stay in touch and enjoy each other's company more often than when we can all get together in person, which distance and schedules make difficult. I don't think this should or will replace the blogs. In fact, it will enhance them because it will increase communication and give more reason to post thoughts for discussion and video and pictures for sharing. I have some more specific ideas about how to structure our monthly sessions, but I will leave that for another time. Please comment on this post to let me know what you think.

Jeff(not Mark)

message for Matt-a little late

2007-02-27T08:42:00.000-08:00

Blood on the Moon

2007-02-10T19:18:00.000-08:00

As my children grow up, I increasingly recognize certain inalienable Foster traits, both physical and sociological, being transmitted to the next generation. Grant Guy's big head, stubborness and silly humor; Joybear's blue eyes, creativity and feistiness.

Language is an integral part of this trans-generational identity, as seen in certain linguistic Fosterisms, such as, "Blood on the moon!" When have you ever heard use of this very violent and graphic phrase, except in the context of either getting in trouble from the Old Man or humorously remembering such incidents? This phrase has become a part of our new family's lexicon, but mostly in the context of Grant purposely spilling his drink at dinner just so he can hear me say, "Blood on the moon, Grant. Blood on the moon." It engenders laughter, not fear, and thus carries no weight except as verbal stamp of indelible Fosterness.

So here is an invite to all of you: what other phrases are anchored deep within your soul that, when uttered, exude your undeniable Foster heritage?

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-23T19:42:00.000-08:00

Joy, Grant, and Cal wish you all a very merry Christmas! They're just missing their cousin Max and their unborn cousin . . . Pat (?)

Foster Fam: the blogging action has died down considerably. Let's pick it up. Only a few people chimed in about the upcoming week's schedule, so here's my best effort at a revision:

December 25th: Merry Christmas!

December 26th: The Wyoming and Washington Fosters arrive in Denver

December 27th: Daytime: Ski Trip to Winter Park in the day
Nighttime: Drew's Tool Shower/ Kristen's Woman Shower

Dec 28th: I propose the Basketball Matchup be held at 11 am at the Webster.
--Ty and Dana's Anniversary Escape
--Late movie for everyone else

Dec 29th: (I propose a Foster Biannual Family Council be convened at 10 am this day. Everyone to attend if possible. Potentially an early afternoon temple session this day?)
--Set up for the Big Event
--Rehearsal Dinner at Guadalajara's

Dec 30th: Drew and Kristen's Wedding and Reception

Dec 31st: New Year's Eve Celebration with games and dancing. I am going to request from everyone 2 favorite songs for the New Years Dance, and we'll make a playlist. Email me, or I'll call you.)

Jan 1st, 2007: (I propose the boys sit around, watch football, and eat junkfood all day . . . while keeping a (lazy) eye on the kids. The women can then all go out shopping or do something fun on their own that day.)

Jan 2nd: the Wyoming Fosters head back to the sticks.

If there is something missing, please post a comment.

See you in a few days!

Christmas Together

2006-12-18T12:23:00.000-08:00

(This is Mark here.)

In just a week, the whole Foster clan will be together again. Let the chaos begin.

I am most looking forward to receiving gifts from each of you. I've been told on good authority (by Tyler) that it's going to be a VERY merry Christmas for the old Sparkle T. (Just kidding, of course. I expect nothing from anyone. I am a rock, I am island.)

Actually, what I am most looking forward to is being all together again. Just like at the Ranch this summer, I think a general schedule of activities would be helpful to everyone, so that we can know what to expect and how to plan for it. Thanks to Dana for already taking the bull by the horns and getting the dinner schedule arranged.

Here's a proposed schedule for Dec 26th through Jan 2nd (the confirmed events are in bold, the suggested events in italics):

December 26th: The Worland and Washington Fosters arrive

December 27th: Drew's Tool Shower
(I propose a ski trip to Winter Park on this day, to be back by 7 pm for the festivities. Lessons for those who want to learn to ski or snowboard.)

Dec 28th: (I propose a renewal of either the Classic Match-up or the New Millenial Match-up sometime on this day. We may need to recruit the Old Man for this game since Addie's back in action. Maybe we all catch a flick that night?)

Dec 29th: Set up for the Big Event/ Rehearsal Dinner

Dec 30th: Drew and Kristen's Wedding and Reception

Dec 31st: New Year's Eve (I propose a family celebration/ game night until the stroke of midnight, and then all of us old married folks hit the hay. Adam and Megan have permission to stay up and party all night long since they're still single.)

Jan 1st, 2007: (I propose the boys sit around, watch football, and eat junkfood all day . . . while keeping a (lazy) eye on the kids. The women can then all go out shopping or do something fun on their own that day.)

Jan 2nd: the Wyoming Fosters head back to the sticks

(Finally, I propose a type of "Steel Cage Match" between Ty, Jeff and myself for the downstairs room on Dec 26th: we all start at the top of the stairs, and first one to make it into the room gets to stay. No rules. May the best man win.)

Those are my proposals. What are yours? Am I missing something? Post a comment with your ideas or corrections, and then I will post a revised version for all to see.

See you soon!

Back Home Again

2006-11-22T17:43:00.000-08:00

It's Thanksgiving time, and the Foster Clan is spread out all across the Western U.S.--Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Washington, Saskatchewan . . . (what, didn't you all know about our Canadian Great Aunt Fergie?)

Here's hoping that everyone enjoys their turkey dinner, and feels the subtle, sweet strains of nostalgia pulling your spirit back home, though you may be thousands of miles away. Christmas will come soon enough.
The immortal words of the late, great Johnny D come softly and comfortingly into the mind:

Back Home Again

There's a storm across the valley, clouds are rollin' in,
The afternoon is heavy on your shoulders
There's a truck out on the four lane a mile or more away
The whinin' of his wheels just makes it colder
He's an hour away from ridin' on your prayers up in the sky
And ten days on the road are barely gone
There's a fire softly burnin', suppers on the stove
But it's the light in your eyes that makes him warm

Hey its good to be back home again
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long-lost friend
Yes 'n hey, its good to be back home again

There's all the news to tell him, how'd you spend your time
What's the latest thing the neighbors say
And your mother called last friday, sunshine made her cry
You felt the baby move just yesterday

Hey its good to be back home again - yes it is
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long-lost friend
Yes 'n hey, its good to be back home again

Oh the time that I can lay this tired old body down
Feel your fingers feather soft upon me
The kisses that I live for, the love that lights my way
The happiness that that livin' with you brings me

It's the sweetest thing I know of, just spending time with you
It's the little things that make a house a home
Like a fire softly burnin' supper on the stove
The light in your eyes that makes me warm

Hey its good to be back home again
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long-lost friend
Yes n hey, its good to be back home again

Kristen is up and running

2006-11-12T21:55:00.000-08:00

Please note that Kristen has now joined the Foster Bloggesphere and is linked on the Forever Foster page.

Her and Goose now complete the picture for us.

Let the Blogging begin!!

Dad

Forever Family Portrait - July 15th, 2006

2006-08-25T16:57:00.000-07:00

Mom finally had some time to go over and get a copy of the family portrait we took this summer. I took a picture of a picture so it is a bit fuzzy. They all really turned out nice. You are going to like the individual family ones. Thanks so much for making this happen.

This summer has been a blur to all of us so I really hope we can all get back in the mode of posting blogs. I sure love to hear your various musings. I feel now that the rantings can begin on my blog.

Mark we need to get Goose up on the blog as well and as you might expect, I've already forgotten how to do that. Can you help?

Love you all,
Dad

First Annual Foster Family Reunion

2006-07-09T20:02:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone. This is the Markster speaking.

These are a few random pictures from our family's wonderful autumn out at the Skalla's ranch last year. (Pay particular attention to the extra-manly shot of a man with his downed bird. I remind you all again: ain't no other Foster can prove hisself as a man fit to put meat on the table for his fambly the old fashioned way ---by killin' it dead!!!)

I post these photos now to whet your appetite for the upcoming First Annual Foster Reunion.

Yes, I term it a Reunion, because I believe that with Drew's homecoming, we have entered into a new age with the Fam. We are now scattered across four states (soon to be five), there are now four grandchildren in the mix, and the opportunities for us all to be together will become fewer and fewer. With that in mind, I have a few proposals for the approaching shindig, which will begin on the evening of Sunday, July 23rd when we all arrive at the ranch around 7 pm and last through the morning of Wednesday, July 26th.

First of all, I think the majority of the time should be unstructured and carefree. Just a lot of 4 wheelin' and guitar playin'. But I do think a few planned activities would be good.

My proposals:

1) The Manliest Man Competition: each Foster boy will invent some sort of wilderness test of might and machismo, such as log chucking or woodchopping. We will then all compete in each others games and declare an overall winner. I propose that Adam and Drew be in charge of this.

2) Official Campfire Night: Every one that wants to gets to perform up to 2 of their individual songs, and then we have a program of 5 or 6 classic campfire songs, such as Rocky Mountain High or We're Not Gonna Take It Anymore. :) S'mores will be provided, of course. I propose that Jeff and Ty be in charge of this.

3) Foster Films Presents: We take a couple of hours one afternoon to make one final Foster Boy Movie, complete with a new villain in the mold of Darth Orchtch or Santa Claws. I propose that I be in charge of this, since I'm so dang good at it, along with Megan's help. We'll premiere the show that night in the cabin.

4) Official Family Council: agenda to be decided soon, but this is a must. A key item to discuss will be setting times and places for the next few years of similar reunions so that we can all begin to plan accordingly. This important meeting would naturally fall to the Big Fella, as the Patriarch of the Family, the Old Man on the Mountain, so to speak. The Sage of the San Juans. The Confucius of Colorado. The Buddha of the Bahamas. (?)

Beyond those planned events, I have a few other ideas:

1) Every family will be in charge of one meal. There will be a total of eight meals, and so that means that Mom and Dad, Mark and Elizabeth, Ty and Dana, Matt and Wendi (if they can make it), and Jeff and Angie all will have one assigned meal. Adam and Megan can be in charge of one (we all might want to skip out of that one:), and so can Drew and Kristen, if they so desire. That would leave one extra meal; maybe the Matriarch of the family wouldn't mind headin' up a second one. Mom could also be in charge of generating these assignments.

2) At every meal, the assigned family should also have a Music Playlist, a healthy helping of 5 or 6 songs to set the mood for the meal. These could be classical, new age, rock, folk, whatever your little heart desires. It's kind of like Donny Osmond once said: "Life is just what you make of it." :) The Old Man could be principally in charge of making sure this happens.

3) Lastly, each person at the reunion should bring one "coffee table book". For instance, I'm bringing a book (that I stole from Dad) called "1,000 Years, 1,000 People" that purports to list in order the 1,000 most infuential people of the preceding millenium. Quite interesting to read. Maybe you have a Dilbert collection or a National Parks Book or whatever. It would be fun to have an eclectic collection of books on the coffee table to provide some light yet illuminating reading. If Matt and Wendi can make it, then this can be their baby.

There you have it.

As I've said before, I'm an idea man. Got lots of 'em. And there's more where these come from. Please respond to this post by making a comment and letting me and the family know what you think. Pending your input, I will put together a rough outline of activities and meal assignments. Remember, all my ideas are great, so you cannot dispute them. Just remember that.

It's going to be a great weekend at the Ranch, one to remember forever!

New basement - Rev 2

2006-06-18T22:08:00.000-07:00

Upper left - Nook in bedroom

Upper right - nook at bottom of stairs

left - looking into bathroom

below - looking from storage room (by water heaters)

upper left - family room from bottom of stairs

upper right - family room from bedroom wall

left - family room looking toward nook

Here are some more pictures from our new almost completed basement. As of Saturday, June 17th they have most of the drywall down and will finish the bedroom early next week. Hopefully it will be ready by the time Angie and Jeff get here in July. Probably won't be by the time you are here this week.

Love ya all,
Dad

New Basement Pictures

2006-06-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

Thought you guys might like to take a gander at our basement as it goes up. Should be done in about two weeks.

We are excited about it and are very pleased so far.

Dad

This is looking into the hallway from
the family room toward the new
bathroom

This is taken from the bedroom looking toward the nook and the new bathroom

This is the family room looking toward the bedroom

This is the bedroom taken from the bathroom

Sorry for the poor quality but I will get some more in the next few days.

Summer Schedule (July Mostly)

2006-06-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it is the middle of June already!!? On our recent trip to Seattle, Mom and I were talking about the summer schedule and how hectic it appears to be on paper at least. I thought it would be good to get it down for everyone to see. If there are mistakes it is the mistakes of man, not of mom or me.

Sometime in June the basement in our house will be completed (hopefully) They have started on it and the framing is basically done and the electric will be done in the next couple of days. It is looking good so far and pretty much as we thought.

June 22nd - Jeff, Angie and Cal fly to Denver so they can go to Mark's graduation.

June 23rd - Mark's graduation from Residency. (big dinner and party in Greeley) He is now
officially a doc extraordinaire!!

June 25th (Sun) - Jeff and Angie and Cal leave to go back to Phoenix

June 28th - Mark and Liz leave for 10 days in Costa Rica. Much needed R&R. Joy and Grant
are with Mom and Dad and Meg

July 5th - Jeff starts his first rotation in Denver and Jeff , Angie and Cal start their month
stay at Mom and Dad's while he is doing that.

July 7th - Mark and Liz return from Costa Rica.

July 13th - Adam flies in from SLC, arriving at 6:30 P.M. Drew arrives at DIA at 6:57 P.M.
from L.A. Drew goes to President LaDuc's to get released and we all go home
and party with the Goose. Kristen will be there too.

Now it gets interesting

July 14th - Ty, Dana and Max arrive from Seattle and the fight begins for the new bedroom
downstairs.

July 15th - We are thinking about a reception for Drew for his freinds to welcome him home.
My mom arrives from Denver to spend a month up here. She will be at the Haags
most of the time as our house will be filled to the brim. We also want to get a new
family portrait done on this day if we can.

July 16th - Report to the High Council, Drew talks in church, Ty blesses Max with all of us and
Dana's folks there as well, the Foster Boys sing in sacrament meeting

Week of July 17th - JAC, TDM, Addie and Goose all at our house. Hopefully we will see a lot
Matt and Wendi this week also. Mark and Liz getting ready to move
to Wyo. Ty in training for Lockheed Martin for 3 days. On Monday
July 17th, Addie returns to Provo to work.

July 22nd - Ty's 10 Year high school reunion for Chatfield. (Unbelievable!!)

July 23rd - Leave after church to go to Skalla Ranch with everyone. Kristen will join us. Adam
joins us from Provo.

July 26th - Return to Denver and Ty and Dana and Max leave for Seattle that evening.

July 29th - Jeff, Angie and Cal, Drew, Kristen, Mom and Dad and Megan leave for Iron Springs.
JAC go to Phoenix as Jeff's next rotation is in Tucson, I believe.

August 4th - Dad, Drew and Kristen return to Denver from Iron Springs. (driving)

August 10th - Margaret and Meg fly back to Denver from Iron Springs.

Sometime in early August Mark and Liz make the move to Worland and Mark starts work on August 14th I think.

Wow!! It makes me tired just looking at it but what a wonderful month it is going to be. I hope you are all looking forward to it as much as we are. The house will be crowded but with the new bedroom it should be a bit better for all.

We have to crank in some time for a family counsel while we are all together and look at everyone's schedule for the coming year, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Be thinking about all of that kind of stuff as well. Would love to get in a temple session or two while we are all here as well. Lots to do and great times.

Please check this out and let me know if there are mistakes or not. (I'm sure you will all be most willing to do that!!)

Love you all,
Dad

Mom is up and running

2006-06-09T21:50:00.000-07:00

While we were up here in Seattle, Ty and I got Mom signed up on the Blogosphere. She is linked to the Forever Fosters blog and now all we have to do is to get her comfortable with using it.

We now are all officiallly linked except for the Goose and we will have to wait on that one.

Dad

Sunrise or Sunset? The Future of the Family Blog

2006-06-09T07:54:00.000-07:00

Is this a sunrise or a sunset over the Forever Fosters Blog?

This is Mark here, and I'd prefer to think of this as a sunrise, the beginning of a bright new blogacious day.

Since we've all had a couple of months to acclimate to the blogosphere, I think we're now in better shape to know what we want from this website and from our own individual websites. All kidding aside, I see this blog (and our appendaged individual blogs) as wonderful tools to keep us all in close contact, to provide a universal, instantly accessible venue for communication, and a clearinghouse for the dispersal of important information.

It has become abundantly clear that the current management of the Family Blog, a.k.a. the Grandmaster Blogger Dad, needs some assistance and some clarification of his duties. He also needs the reins pulled in a bit, as in an unforeseen power grab he changed the password to this website so as to exert sole dominion over its contents. However, he was foiled in his nefarious scheme as he promptly proceeded to forget his new secret password, and he had to come to me to bail him out. Now humbled, he has agreed to relinquish some of his sought-after power, placing it back into the collective hands of you, the Foster democracy. I will email the new password to each of you later today, so that you can once again help carry this Family Blog forward towards its full potential.

Here's what I propose for the contents of this site:

1) All Fosters have equal access to posting information on this Blog, but the Mick and the Marge are chiefly responsible for its content.
2) Appropriate postings for this Blog could include:
---pictures of cute kids
---pictures of family events/reunions, etc
---general family announcements
---general family discussions
---declarations of love and harmony
---and, importantly, Mick, a monthly family newsletter summarizing important events in the individual families lives.
3) Inappropriate information would include:
---opinionated diatribes
---personal musings
---controversial debates
---any information that would be best left to your personal blog.

That's what I think. What do you all think? Please, everybody that reads this place a comment, as this should be a communal effort, not Mark's or Mick's or anyone else's individual project.

Is the sun rising or setting on the Family Blog? If rising, what does this bright new day look like for you?

Thought for the day - May 24th

2006-05-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

I was in the doctor's office the other day to get a physical. I think about doctors differently now that I have two sons that are going to be doctors with a possible third one in the form of Addie.

As the doctor came in and sat down and started asking me questions I had a epiphony pertaining to docs. He was on the computer and looked up my file from when I was in a year ago (I hadn't seen him since) He was confiming a bunch of stuff like the meds I'm on (Norvasc and TriCor), my latest blood test, did I have a colonoscopy and the like. It just struck me that this man doesn't know me from Adam (no pun intended Addie) I'm just a body to him. No relationship with me as a person. It was obvious that he hadn't even looked at my file before he came in.

I have nothing against this Doc nor do I think he was in anyway a bad doctor. When I only see him once a year, I can't expect him to know me from the hundreds of others he is seeing.

It is just the thought occurred to me that I want a relationship with my doctor that is beyond just a body he is seeing. It just gives me a funny feeling that he really doesn't know me, has little interest in me as a person and is just treating me as a kind a generic patient.

In a large practice it can be no other way, I suppose, but it just hit me that I hope Mark and Jeff and Addie really have the opportunity in their medical lives to get to know their patients and really be a part of improving their lives in a personal and professional way.

I also suggest that when you see a patient after the first time, that before you go into the patient you review the records briefly, try jogging your memory as to why and when you saw him the last time so that when you open that door you are approaching him or her like you are personally interested and informed about their issues. It makes the patient feel more than just a body. Don't know how you do that, but I sure think it would help. My doctor takes a picture the first time you see him so he can kind of remember what you look like and that may jog his memory. Seems like notes in the file to help you the next time would be a good idea as well as names the patient goes my. You should take a few moments to review that before you open that door. I'm sure that in the rush sometimes that happens and other times maybe not. The first thing he said to me was "Hi Michael." I knew right away he didn't have a clue about anything we had talked about before and didn't remember me at all. How hard would it be to make a note in the file to say this patient goes by "Mickey." A little thing and perhaps a bit artificial but it sure gives the patient the impression you know who he is.

Dad

Luggage Anyone?

2006-05-22T14:05:00.000-07:00

While your mother was in Seattle, I saw a chance to jump on a sale that Kohls was having for luggage. I have been wanting to get some new luggage for sometime and this was 50% off and another 15% if we bought it by Sunday. So I jumped all over that and got us a nice new set as well as an ugle pink suitcase for Meggie.

We therefore don't need our present luggage anymore. Before we pitch it, I wanted to know if anyone of you need some suitcases. We have one large one and two medium ones. It works fine, just missing the little pull things on the zippers. Nothing wrong with them at all and the best thing is it would be free for one time only!!

Let me know. If we haven't got any interest, I will get rid off by some other means.

Dad

Musings on Elder Foster

2006-05-14T21:47:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed talking to Drew so much on Saturday and realized once again how much I love him and how much I love what a mission does for young men and young women. I'm so impressed with his dedication and focused efforts. I had some other thoughts about him.

I feel he has been quite a bit sicker than he has let on. He told me kind of without saying much that he had come down with malaria many more times than he has indicated. I worry about the long term effects of this on him to tell you the truth.
I thought his speech pattern was a little different and he really had some strange way of saying things but overall, I think his talking was just fine compared to what I thought it would be. He just kind of talked with a funny way of saying some things, small, small. He certainly is "getting it"
I think the Goose is profoundly different than when he started his mission. I note a humility and humbleness that only comes from living so completely in that culture. I think we will have a person who thinks we are right on the border of decadent living when he comes home.
He told us they are the highest baptizing mission in the church. Before they split the mission he said they were baptizing 5,000 per year. Last month they baptized 259 in the mission...in one month. That is a ward a month. I hope they retain a lot, but they probably have a problem in that area.
He said that now in the mission they have about 40% of the Elders from non -African areas. I think this is a result of so many Africans not knowing how the church runs and they need more experienced Elders with how the church functions.
He is still very focused. Didn't want to talk about anything to do with coming home. School, living with Addie, Kristen, going to the Ranch....nothing. The man is a missionary machine at this point.

I am so grateful Drew is serving the Lord in this way. I am glad he is there but I will be glad when he is home. Thanks so much for each of you and taking the time to talk to him. It is amazing to me that spread out as we are, we were all able to talk to him like we did.

Have a great week.

Dad

Welcome to the World, Maxwell Tyler Foster!

2006-05-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

Hi folks, Wendi here...since no one else has beat me to the punch, I thought I would take the liberty of posting the pics of the latest addition to clan Foster...many thanks to Ty and Dana for sending them! ~W

Elder Foster's phone call on Mother's Day

2006-05-06T20:55:00.000-07:00

Sometime this week I'm going to try and get a hold of Goose and figure out when we can talk to him next Sunday, on Mother's Day. I hope you can all make yourself available sometime when we get this all figured out. We will tie you all in as we have in the past. Of course, Little Maxwell might have a thing to say about Ty and Dana joining in but we see how that goes and do what we can there.

Please let me know if you can join us and I'll give you the details later in the week.

Dad

The Forever Fosters

2006-05-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

Here is the family pic from Breckenridge. Thought I would try and practice uploading pictures on this site. Not sure why, but just wanted to see if I could do it. I just want you all to know this is my favorite group of people in the whole world.

I'm very excited about us all being together this summer.

Dad

Update on Grand Poopa of Blogging

2006-05-06T16:40:00.000-07:00

Mark has rebuked yours truly adn my arcane ideas on the Forever Foster Blog and so I take back everything I said. As I understand the puppeteer (I am the puppet just in case you didn't know) I am to try and just post updates, general newsy stuff and information that you all might be interested in. There will be no discussions on this site and we will leave it to your individual interests as to visiting the individual sites for entering into the deep discussions we all so know and love. I will comply with the Master and will do my best to move this thing along.

In all honesty, it is a swell idea....I hope we all can periodically check in and update your own sites and check into this one for other information.

Dad

The Future of the Blog

2006-05-01T06:50:00.000-07:00

(This is Mark writing this entry.)

OK, I'm starting to think that we made a mistake in appointing the Mick to be the Grandmaster Blogger of the Forever Fosters site. He apparently can't handle it, as he has yet to make a single significant entry into the blogosphere. I would suggest that we replace him, but I'm willing to give him one more shot. If he still can't walk the walk and talk the talk, then I think Large Marge should take over. The Mick has his own blog anyway . . .

Now, I would like to open up a question for discussion. What do YOU, the Foster Clan, want out of this Forever Fosters blog? Now that we each have our own blogs linked to this one, what type of info should be on this site? Who should manage it? How should it look? What is the purpose of it?

I see it as a sort of portal/newsletter/announcement site. Also, I haven't tried to figure it out yet, but I believe that we can set this up so that all of us are teammembers on this site, so that we can each make entries under our own sign-in names.

So, if you are reading this, please make a comment attached to this posting, and let's get some dialogue going here about the future of this blog. And maybe the Mick will do something about it. But probably not . . . :)

--Mark

The Grand Master Blogger weighs in

2006-04-23T20:51:00.000-07:00

Mark has cajoled me into saying something here. I am the all powerful blog master and I am now in total control of the forever Foster Blog. I too think this is a terrific idea and will do my best to keep it up to date. My goal is to be kind of a clearing house for Foster news so that by coming to this site you can get an update of the goings on. If anyone wants to weigh in that is great or you can go to the individual sites.

First observation is that Ty was very, very quite about his blog that he has had for over a year. This was shocking news and to say the least we all ought to have known about it. Ty what were you thinking.

Where are Addie, Angie and Jeffer, Liz on this thing? Let's all get involved.

I will try and get a feel for how this works but for now, suffice it to say "I'm on the job!!"

Old Number 30

2006-04-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

Hello, all Fosters!

This is the new Foster Family Blog! I am sending you all an email about how you may edit and post on this site. It's really very easy.

I think that this will be a great way to keep everybody in touch.

My feeling is that this site can be Mom and Dad's site, and that each of us can put a link here. Dad can send out a monthly email and pictures for everyone, as well as posting of important information. He can also pontificate to cyberspace in general, should he so desire. Let's hope he does not.

Questions?