Happy Halloween!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!"

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!

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

Blood on the Moon

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!

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

(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

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