"Miss Them Profoundly"????

As always, there were many wonderfully inspiring talks given at General Conference. The one talk, for me, that has had the most lasting impression was President Monson's entitled, "Finding Joy in the Journey." I loved every single word of it, but the phrase that has lingered in my mind is, "If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly." It is there on the fridge, right next to a plethora of fingerprints. I find it hard to fully believe, but I hope that if I keep re-reading the quote, it will sink in and make me feel a bit less stress as I look at the level of uncleanliness we live in at this stage life.

The High Price of Christmas Magic...

A few months ago, as the topic of Christmas is a year-round conversation at our house, I asked the boys if they would rather go to Breakfast with Santa at Thanksgiving Point or on the Polar Express. The immediate response simultaneously was "Polar Express." I tried my best to point out all of the advantages of Breakfast with Santa; a yummy breakfast, sitting on Santa's lap, getting a Christmas design painted on their face, making an ornament, seeing the Grinch and Cindy Lou, and every other fun activity I could remember. I was met with strong resistance. I was scrambling, but there was not any reason I could come up with that would dissuade them.

My reason for NOT wanting to go on the Polar Express is as follows: It's way too expensive for what it is! This is what the experience is for me: getting on an old rickety train that is cold, has a string of Christmas lights strung up the side, some volunteer teens running around in felt elf outfits, the Polar Express book being read over an intercom system that is crackling and you can't understand what they're saying, two hours is way too long for the kids- they're all restless and many of them crying before we're even half way through, when we finally reach the "North Pole" it's nothing more than a few lights strewn around over some picnic pavilions at Deer Creek, and then we finally get back to the Depot and it's time to head home. So why do we do it? Because there is not one cell in Oakley's or Eli's body that does not believe that we actually go to the North Pole on the official Polar Express, that the Santa that boards the train is the real deal, that the bell he gives each of them is really from Santa's sleigh, that Mrs. Claus really did make the cookies that are handed out and the copy of the recipe she shares is absolutely the one used in the official North Pole kitchen, and that the elves you talk to really do report right to Mr. Claus himself.

That's why we do it. That's why we'll continue to make the annual trip on the Polar Express as long as that magic still exists - because to watch the boys on the journey to the "North Pole" is PRICELESS!!!

There it is! Time to board the Polar Express.

"Tickets please!"The train conductor walks through the train punching everyones tickets.

Asher spent most of the train riding climbing back and forth over the back of the seat...

... and trying to tear down the decorations.

Oakley finds great pleasure eating Mrs. Claus' cookie...

... as did Asher.

Skippy the Elf hanging out with Oakley and Eli.

"Next time you see Santa, can you tell him how good I am at sticking out my tongue? You can see how much it thrills my Mom," Asher tells Lula Bell the Elf.

The much anticipated visit from Mr. C.

"I rode all the way to the North Pole and all Santa gave me was this bell?!?!?!"

Oakley will always believe and hear the magic ringing of Santa's sleigh bell.

Baby Brother has a Baby!!!

Colt with Baby Lucas Colt Fotheringham

My Baby Brother Colt has a Baby of his own. Surreal- definitely. Welcome to the Family Baby Lucas! We're so glad you're here! Oakley has been more than anxiously awaiting Lucas' arrival- he loves babies! He told Sophie on the way to school all about seeing Lucas in the hospital. At Cousin Grace's birthday party, (yep, Grace and Lucas share a birthday!) Oakley asked Grace, "Do you know what exciting thing happened today?!?!" I'm sure Grace was thinking of the celebration of her own birthday, but Oakley announced, "Lucas was born!" with absolute glee. We look forward to getting to know Lucas and his personality. He definitely looks like his Dad, but will he be the life of the party like his Dad, too?

Taking a Breather...

Scott has been so busy finishing up the fence project, I insisted on an overnighter in Park City. I knew that unless we actually physically removed ourselves from the house, we wouldn't be able to give the boys 100% attention because we've always got, "just one more thing to do, then we'll play with the kids."

We had dinner at a pizza place on old Main Street, swam in the pool and soaked in the outdoor hot tub, and watched, "King Fu Panda." But the boys favorite activity at the condo has always been "swimming" in the giant tub.

It felt so great to get away just for a short time and to enjoy being a family. It was a good reminder of just how delightful the boys are when we aren't at home under pressure to get one more task completed.

Warning: contains "graphic" images!

One Month Isn't Enough...

I have thoroughly enjoyed the two radio stations that I have found that play Christmas music starting 1 November. I do believe I'm not in the majority with these feelings. Many feel like a traitor if Thanksgiving isn't given 100% full attention until it's passing every fourth Thursday of November. I still feel complete loyalty to Thanksgiving despite my enjoyment of the holiday music before the official Turkey Day has passed. What other time of year do we actually get to hear songs about Christ, His birth and the significance of His life, played continually on public radio? Not only the religious music; but the fun, catchy, cheery tunes of Christmas are much too wonderful to only be enjoyed a short four weeks of the year.

Now I don't enjoy seeing Christmas merchandise being put on display in September. I do find this annoying. I think the commercial aspects of Christmas should be limited to four weeks of the year, but Christmas music - no! It needs additional playing time to lift spirits and to enjoy many sing-alongs while driving in the car.

So if you take offense to Christmas music playing before the passing of Thanksgiving, please don't ask me for a ride anywhere.

Halloween Lessons Learned...

Halloween 2008 - it was a great celebration for all. Eli is so totally in love with and excited about Halloween, he would announce first thing every morning for the past couple of weeks how many days until Halloween. I seriously doubt he slept much on Halloween Eve. The weekend before, Grandpa and Grandma Fotheringham had their "traditional" Halloween Party. It's only been a tradition for three years now, but it is so wonderful it is the topic of discussion throughout the year. The traditions include jack-o-lantern shaped pizzas from Papa Murphys; a large cauldron of Witches Brew (homemade rootbeer) smoking in the center of the table; touching all of the scary items placed in bowls under a towel- things like Goblin eyeballs (peeled grapes), dead mans veins (spaghetti noodles), witches hair (cooked Ramen noodles), etc.; and everyone coming in costume. This year we were in charge of the games and decided on Halloween bingo, the Mummy game, bean bag toss, and bobbing for apples. The funniest part of the games was Asher's insistence in playing all of the them. He has no doubt that he is able to do everything his big brothers do. Yes, he did bob for apples and did actually get one without drowning himself. He was quite proud. When we started the Mummy game, where two teams are wrapping up their "mummy" with toilet paper, he started into a major tantrum until I finally figured out he wanted a roll of toilet paper of his own to start wrapping up Dad with. Once I supplied him with his own roll, he was so happy and felt like a major contributor to the team. Lesson learned = don't forget the little guy, who has no idea he's the little guy and is positive he's just as capable as the big guys.

Grandma Fotheringham - Creator of the much-anticipated Halloween Party

"Look what I won playing Bingo!"

Even though you know it's not real, feeling all of the gross Halloween items under the towel does get disguisting!

Asher was a major contributor to Mummy Team #2 after he finally got his own roll of T.P.

Uncle Colt as Mummy #1 with his team, who claimed victory.

Dad as Mummy #2

On Halloween day, Oakley and Eli both dressed up for school and had party's with their classes. That afternoon, Grandma Fotheringham and I braved the crowds at the Pleasant Grove Park where there was trick-or-treating with many of the local businesses setting up tables and handing out candy. All Oakley wanted to do was play at the playground and couldn't have cared less about obtaining any candy. Because it was crowded enough I couldn't have seen him at the playground from the trick-or-treating line, I told him he had to stay with us. He was not too happy and continued to pout until we finally reached the end of the line and he could go and play. I think all three of the boys would have much preferred the playground equipment to the trick-or-treating. Oh well, another lesson learned.


After the park, we went back to the house where Great Grandma Moore and Grandpa Fotheringham joined us for a quick dinner before we headed out for the neighborhood Halloween activities. Many families in the neighborhood had signed up to have specific activities at their houses and Eli was especially looking forward to the Weaver's spook alley. Oakley did not want to go. He wanted to go home with Grandpa and Grandma Fotheringham and sleep over at their house, which he does every Friday. Scott was trying to insist that he go with us. Oakley doesn't eat candy, so he doesn't care about trick-or-treating. Oakley doesn't like scary things, he gets way too freaked out. Oakley doesn't like wearing costumes, and he'd been wearing his since 8:00 that morning. Why did he want to force Oakley to go out in the cold, wearing an uncomfortable costume, begging for candy from neighbors, all when it was late and all he wanted to do was go to sleep? Lesson learned= you can't force people to like something they don't. Just like we can't convince Eli NOT to totally love everything associated with Halloween, we can't force Oakley TO love it.

The trick-or-treat gang ready to hit the trail.

A lot of life lessons to be learned every day, including Halloween.

Asher is amazed at all the candy he got trick-or-treating.

Eli is quite pleased with his bowl full of candy.

Asher is giving Dad strict instructions that the candy in this bowl is his and no one is to touch it, including Dad.