Easter 2010

Carrie and Benson are here for the week while Daniel is in Chad checking out the oil rigs. So we get the privilege of spending Benson's second Easter with him. That means we teach him about hunting eggs and baskets, etc. At the grocery store we were checking out and the male bagger saw a little bunny that we purchased for Benny. I said "Isn't it cute? and squeezed it for him to hear the bunny say in a Bugs Bunny voice "Some bunny loves you. " And then it makes that teeth clicking sound that Bugs makes. The bagger looked at us like we had lost our marbles. Then he saw a little wind up turtle toy and he shook his head and told Benson that his dad should have been there to pick out his Easter basket. Then he saw the plastic bat and said we had redeemed ourselves. We scattered big bright plastic eggs on the lawn and put the basket behind a tree but when Grandpa brought Benson out all he could see were the big dogs next door. He kept growling at the dogs while Carrie and I tried to show him how fun it was to pick up eggs and put them in a basket. He wasn't buying any of it. Easter this year was all about the dogs next door until... Benson figured out that the basket fit on his head. Then he reminded us that we forgot to teach him about Easter bonnets. Check out the stylin' hats he created. Seriously, this is not posed by Grandma. He just loved the basket.

Easter Bonnet Basket

Cool Dog Easter Basket BonnetHearing Aid Easter Bonnet Basket

Tanner MTC experience

Just before Tanner left for Russia they had a missionary conference. He said the room was filled with 2000 missionaries, both elders and seniors. He and nine elders sang this acapella arrangement of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. His companion in the MTC was a good friend of his cousin Jake in Rexburg. The companion's name was Elder Dana. He has been in Russia 4 weeks now and he is having a hard time with email. We have received an email only one week and that was in four little pieces, cut and pasted together. Hopefully he will get it figured out and we will hear how things are going.

MTC - Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

The House that Emilyn Built

This is the house that Emilyn built.

This is the tempting table that holds the house that Emilyn built.

This is Emilyn standing on the tempting table that holds the house that Emilyn built.

This the result of Emilyn standing on the tempting table that holds the house that Emilyn built and destroyed!!

BBFF Baby Ben Foster Forever - Photo Gallery

Benson's second favorite spot to hang out.

We wish we could know his dreams because he frequently smiles while asleep.

Giving Grandma the "evil eye" for disturbing his sleep by using a flash that was way too bright.

Welcome to Baby Ben

Welcome Benson Michael Foster, born January 20, 2009 at 9:57 am. Momma and Daddy Foster and Baby Ben are simply amazing. I have been able to enjoy this first week with them and I remember now why we have our children when we are young. There have been sleepless nights but he isn't fussy, just awake. He and I are bonding during these sleepless nights when the swing or the bouncer do not satisfy Baby Ben. Only Grandma's shoulder works for falling asleep after he enjoys his snack and awake time. Since the apartment is only 6 steps across, I have introduced baby ben to the ipod while we pace and discuss the latest BYU devotional or the novel Rebecca. Tanner came in last night and said "He looks different. He's grown up." I agree completely. He doesn't have his newborn look anymore. He has a very thoughtful, calm demeanor. Hal does a very good impression of Ben's thoughts and experiences. They are very mature and highminded. He is Benson, already.

My first trip with Dad as an empty nester was to St Petersburg, FL, Nov 8-11. I took my usual trolley tour to get a feel for the area and heard this great story. Below is a picture of of a restroom facility. Very nice right? Well, the man who built this designed it after the church (see above) in town that he built. When they didn't pay their bill, he got even by building this bathroom to look just like it. Is this what they call sweet revenge?