Ode to Snow!!

It's funny when you get what you wish for! After several days of epic snowfall it occurred to me that this was exactly what I had been praying for. No, not that the entire region’s transportation would be virtually paralyzed and that retailers already diminishing bottom line would dive off as shoppers stayed home warm, safe, and dry. My wish was for more family time before Christmas hit. More time to play, decorate, bake, and enjoy the true joy of the Christmas season together. And, with all the cancellations of various activities, we did indeed have more time together. As it turned out, it was mostly more time to whine about being bored, more times of cleaning up dripping snow clothes and boots, more time to shovel the walk and the driveway (uselessly, I might add!! Good workouts, though!)and more time to panic about all the things I hadn't and couldn't finish before Christmas! Curse that more time! But, actually, we did have some good times. The kids had great times playing in the snow several times each day. Luke really began to like it and wanted his boots on every time the older kids got theirs out. We had some fun family adventures in the snow. We made many, many, Pizelles (and ate many, many, too!) and got to give some away. The girls really enjoyed hiking through the neighborhood to make Christmas goodies deliveries. We played many games and drank much hot cocoa and listened to hours of Christmas music. All cozy in our warm house surrounded by FEET of snow. Love it, crazy, crazy, snow! Now, it is time for you to go...

A Very Snowy Week!

Turkey Bowl 2008

Daryl got to play in the Annual Elder's Quorum Turkey Bowl (flag football) over at the high school behind our neighborhood. I know Daryl always looks forward to this (or is he just looking for a way out of the house so he doesn't have to help with dinner prep??) and it is usually lots of fun. I think this year they played "old" guys verses "young" guys and the old guys won! At least that's the story Daryl's telling--thanks to our brother-in-law Bob for the pictures!

First Snow!!

We had the first snow of the season this weekend. Last night, as Ally and I were leaving Costco--which really wasn't that busy for this late in December!--we saw the first few flakes and we were very excited as we drove home. We had just a dusting this morning, but it got serious later this afternoon and I think the temperature must have dropped because the road became covered in just a matter of minutes. The neighborhood looks beautiful and I'm sure it will be very sparkly and fun tonight with all the Christmas lights under the snow! Luke loved looking out the window but wasn't very sure about the snow when he went out with me to take some pictures. We loved watching it fall all day and it really makes us want to sing, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

Santa Food Drive

Every December the local Fire Department spends several evenings driving through neighborhoods collecting food for the food bank. They bring a few emergency vehicles, including fire engines, and flash lights and sound their (earsplitting!!) sirens as they creep around the block. Our kids always enjoy raiding the pantry so they have food to hand off to the helpers who walk the streets collecting food and handing out candy canes in return. This year, as Santa stopped right in front of our driveway, a helper asked if the kids would like to come and talk to Santa. Emily took Luke right to him and handed him up to Santa on his sleigh. Luke just sat and stared at Santa's face the whole time the other kids were talking to him! It was pretty cute! This is one of the December traditions our family loves.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Thanksgiving

We were thankful to have many family members join us for a fun Thanksgiving Dinner. I think we had 19 guests in all and the house was crowded and noisy but we really enjoyed the company and were grateful you all came for the visit--long or short! Our kids enjoyed extra cousin time and were exhausted by the time all our company left on Friday. Funny, even with all the relatives, we didn't really take any Thanksgiving Day pictures--Dana got a few at our house, check out her blog!--but we did take a few when we took the Kendall cousins to Cabella's on their way out of town. Thanks again for sharing all the food and fun of Thanksgiving!! Christmas is just around the corner!!

UTAH 48 BYU 24 FINAL

A Sea of Red--Go Utes!!

Daryl had the opportunity to go down to Salt Lake this weekend to attend the big rival game--Utah verses BYU. Thanks to Craig and Jennifer for giving him a place to stay and for a great visit! Always good to see old friends!! It is always an exciting game with a lot of trash talking from fans and alums but this years game had even more at stake with Utah's perfect record and BCS busting dreams. These teams usually have close games which makes it even more exciting and tense but this year it was a blowout by the UTES!!! Let me just re-emphasize that--UTES WIN in a huge victory by the score of 48-24!! Whoo hoo! Daryl said it was a great game, very exciting, and he was seated in the right place to see tons of 4th quarter scoring by his team! Some of the pictures may be a little fuzzy as they are taken from the camera phone and likely the stands were shaking with excitement. He came home with some great gifts for the kids--Utah t-shirts and ball caps!! They were totally excited to see him, get their presents, and hear all about the game. One more time--(yes, totally obnoxious, but you know you Cougs would do it, too!!) UTES WIN!!!

Dinner memories 11/9/2008

We'll we just finished dinner. The chicken was delicious. Emily especially loved the mashed potatoes. Ally enjoys mixing her corn into her potatoes. Trevor hates peas and subsequently takes 30 minutes to eat two tablespoons worth.

Halloween and Chili

Our family was once again happy to entertain friends and neighbors with a chili or soup dinner before they ventured out Trick or Treating through the neighborhood. It had rained most of the day but by dark it had cleared and then turned a little foggy here and there--perfectly creepy for Halloween!! And it wasn't at all cold--maybe due to the fog--making it a perfect night for the kids & parents to wander the neighborhood. Great weather this year! A few of our overachieving neighbors had set up haunted houses--so fun! We enjoyed all the kids (and some adults, too!) in their costumes and appreciate everyone who came to eat and hang out. Happy Halloween!

Fourtner Halloween Night Party

Trunk or Treat

We had a fun night at the annual Trunk or Treat and Carnival at church. This year our family included a fashionable Witch, complete with purple sparkle eyelashes, a Star Wars Clone (trooper?), and Little Red Riding Hood with a friendly Wolf. This was Emily's first year to be working in a booth and she really enjoyed helping the Primary kids get prizes at the fish pond. She also got to take Luke around for the candy gathering during Trick or Trunk. The kids scored lots of candy but much of it the girls couldn't enjoy--pesky braces!! It was a great night--no rain and unusually warm for Halloween time. Now, on to the next night of fun during the Halloween season...

Haloween 2008

Third Annual Mt. Rainier hike 9/1/2008