The Forsyth Crew

Surgery anyone???

2011-02-12T23:47:00.002-07:00

Josh's foot hurt so he had a nerve taken out.
Kara gave away a kidney. Keven's cousin in Tennessee needed a kidney so of course Kara offered one of hers.
Kevin had his clavicle fixed after a long boarding accident. Following story told by Kevin.

"So here is the story. I was out longboarding on this nice trail when all of a sudden Ginger and I stumble across two men committing a grisly murder. I quickly bound into action. At a speed most people would consider inhuman I was on my long board. By the time the criminals looked up Ginger was standing there with the dogs and I was 1/4 mile down the trail. I guess my escape was a little too fast because the board started to squirrel. Left, right, left, right, and then one hard left and I found myself trying to run at a pace I couldn't handle. Down I went on my shoulder and head. Thankfully I was wearing a helmet. By the way if anyone hears from Ginger, have her call me."

No more surgeries PLEASE!

Christmas 2010

2011-01-30T21:49:00.003-07:00

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas. We had such a great time together!!! Everyone was there. Miracle!

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-28T23:01:00.002-07:00

Papa, why the long face? Nate are you scared? Meggie are you an angel? Kara finished her entire plate. Yes it was cold (like -16) and that's why all the beannies. Yes the kids are locked in the basement so we could enjoy our meal. Nothing like a Forsyth Thanksgiving.

We had an awesome Thanksgiving this year. We missed Kevin who was working hard and Ginger who was in Guam.

Hazel turns one!

2010-10-17T22:40:00.003-06:00

Well her birthday is really on Tuesday, but we celebrated and it was so much fun. The kids were giggling so hard and it was fun to see them starting to interact and play together. Hazel, you are beautiful and we love your smile. We can't wait to see you again and maybe we can even go trick or treating together.

Happy Birthday Grandma

2010-06-11T23:30:00.003-06:00

Fun events lately...Ella's dance recital, Meggie's birthday, new horse tire swings, Grandma's birthday, and fishing with uncle Keven. We love being part of this family! Grandma and Papa, thanks for starting this whole thing.

Quick family update...
David is working the parades this summer as Cinder Britches the clown.
Kathleen is back at work in the recovery room at the hospital after a break getting some new knees.
Keven and Kara moved into Grammy Forsyth's old home.
Hazel is growing up fast. She is so darling and watches her cousins every movements.
Josh is finishing his BSN from BYUI online and will be done mid July.
Amy is 34 weeks pregnant with the 3rd boy and is counting the minutes.
Ella, Preston and Luke are having fun together now that Ella and Preston are out of school for the summer.
Jonathan is in Egypt perfecting his Arabic and will be there until August.
Nate and Megan live next door to Mom and Dad and are working hard.
Megan is back in school and they both work night shifts.
Kevin is home from Afghanistan!!! We love you Kev, welcome back!
Kevin and Ginger moved into a place in SLC. Finally back together after a long tour apart.
Kate is working hard at Gunnies Western Wear and is being the funnest auntie ever!

Family Pictures

2010-03-23T16:31:00.005-06:00

Everyone in the family was in town so we decided to take some family pictures. It is always an adventure but it was really fun to be together and laugh at trying to get everyone to look at the same place at the same time!!!

Party on!!!

2010-03-11T21:01:00.003-07:00

We've been having some fun lately! Kara had a birthday in February and Josh's in March. We've eaten Pizza, burgers, salads and ice cream...yes very healthy. And the best news is that Kevin is home for a brief visit before returning to Afghanistan to finish his tour. I'm going to get a little cheesy and just go ahead and say it, "I love this family!!!" Let's keep this up!

Kevin (Wookie) Forsyth

2010-02-21T15:49:00.003-07:00

I was just thinking about Kevin today decided that I wanted to tell everyone how proud of him I am. Kevin in serving in the Army in Afghanishtan. He is such a great example to all of us of selfless sacrifice and true patriotism. He loves our country and we love him. Kevin, thank you for all you do. Be safe and come home soon!

Forsyth Cousins

2009-11-12T15:29:00.004-07:00

The cousins finally got to meet for the first time! Hazel hopefully wasn't too scared of the faces she saw. The kids were getting ready for a fire dept. Halloween party. We love you Hazel!

Proud Daddy, Keven, showing off his baby girl. She won't be spoiled...right?

These are some of the pumpkins that Kara grew out in the ginourmous pumpkin patch in Meg and Nate's backyard.

Hazel Belle has arrived

2009-10-27T22:04:00.000-06:00

Hazel Belle is finally here! Hooray!!!

Kara and Keven had their baby!

2009-10-23T23:56:00.002-06:00

She's here, she's here! Finally here! We are so excited to have a new cousin in the family. Baby Hazel Belle Cottle was born on October 19th. Everyone is healthy and we'll post pictures and birth measurements etc. as soon as we can!

Kevin in Afghanistan...we miss you

2009-09-13T22:34:00.007-06:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

Summer Fun

2009-09-13T22:34:00.006-06:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

Ute in their blood. Go UTAH!

2009-09-13T22:24:00.000-06:00

Cranney Reuion

2009-08-06T23:46:00.007-06:00

Afton, Wyoming with Dad, Mom, Kara (and baby in belly), Ginger, Jonathan, Katelyn, Josh, Amy, Ella, Preston, and Luke. After difficulty in trying to convince everyone that we wanted to camp with 3 young children...we didn't get any sleep, but we did have a blast! It was so fun to see Ella and Preston play with the Chase girls and it was great to catch up with Alisa and Scott and all the other cousins, aunts and uncles that were there. Josh was nominated to be the auctioneer and he was fantastic. After a yummy breakfast we swam at the hotel and then took a detour to the Cheese Factory (not to be confused with the Cheesecake Factory). It is always an adventure to be with the Forsyths and the Cranneys. Josh and Ginger tried to catch Ella a pet lizard and a pet snake but to my relief they both got away.

Ginger said I was the only normal one in the family...true huh?

Third child bonding

Ella and Preston had a great time with Allison, Ashley and Livvy Chase!

Duck, Duck, Goose and other variations

Saying goodbye

2009-08-06T23:33:00.005-06:00

Bill and Jodi Forsyth moved to Las Vegas and so we got together with a few of the Forsyth cousins to say goodbye. We BBQ'd and played some great games. There were horse rides, tuk tuk rides and a display of animals of all kinds. It was fun to get reaquainted with some and laugh with all. Thanks for the party Dad Forsyth!

Preston and Aaron showing us their muscles.

Orem Summerfest Parade

2009-06-28T22:53:00.003-06:00

Cinder Britches makes another appearance along with a few beautiful firewomen. The cruised along in the tuk tuk fire engine. It was perfect and the rain held just long enough for the parade to finish.

Happy Birthday MOM!

2009-06-28T22:47:00.001-06:00

Celebrating at Olive Garden

Celebrating at TOSH (the hospital where she had both her knees replaced) It was a great party! I know you don't remember it mom but you were heavily medicated! J/KGinger, Kevin, Megan, and Nate

Kevin leaving for Afghanistan

2009-06-28T22:01:00.002-06:00

the latest news...

2009-05-31T23:44:00.006-06:00

Starting with Kathleen, she is having both knees replaced this weekend (for her birthday). Good Luck MOM and Happy Birthday! David is still working hard as ever but now he is also doing his own hydro testing business with Keven Cottle.

Kara is pregnant and is still sick...yuck. I'm sorry. I wish I had a magic nausea removing wand. We can't wait to find out what gender it is. The ultra sound was too early to tell. Keven is bouncing off the walls because he is so excited.

Josh is working too hard with two jobs, a nursing class, and training for a half ironman. Amy did her first triathlon and survived it! The grandkids are spoiled and love it.

Jonathan is in a Masters program at BYU and is studying ARABIC. Marhaba......

Megan got married! Yes you read that right, Megan married Nate Walters on a beach in Hawaii on April 14th. They eloped and didn't tell anyone until a few weeks later. We love Nate, good job Meggie.

Kevin and Ginger moved back to Utah and then Kevin promptly left for military training and Ginger is in Provo with a pit bull, a chiwawa (I know that spelling is wrong but I couldn't figure out how to spell it right so I did it phonetically), and a horse.

Katelyn is also home from Eprhiam and is taking care of her new filly, Rose's baby horse. She is so cute (Katelyn and the baby horse).

2009-05-03T15:16:00.001-06:00

Forsyth Awards

2009-01-25T22:53:00.001-07:00

Yes I think we need to start the forsyth awards for 2009. I have submitted an entry for January but if you have something you think will top it then please submit. I love you all!
Amy

HO, HO, HO

2009-01-12T14:04:00.006-07:00

Santa was good to us this year. It was funny because we didn't even open presents until 1:00 pm and that was thanks to Katelyn's strong persuasion. We missed having Kevin and Ginger with us and hope they'll be around next time.

Papa got new glasses, oh wait those are Katelyns, Mom got everyone great gifts. Kara gave Amy a knife and Keven showed her how to cut carrots by dropping them. Kara got a super duper lighter...look out...do you have fire insurance?) Jonathan gave sweet gifts from Mexico and he shaved his mustache.From Kevin and Ginger, Kate got a $50 gift card to Subway...

what better gift to give a starving student. Meggie came home later and opened gifts like it was her birthday with all of us watching, and even opened a cute one from Nate's mom (a stuffed bear and cat)-so cute!

Josh gave Jonathan some guitar music so he can seranade us all with the correct words and the grandkids had a ball opening everone elses gifts. Ella never left Kara's side, Preston drank and drank and drank eggnog, and Luke even spit up on Papa's head. We ate great food and had Kara's homemade eggnog. Overall we had a blast! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night...except for Preston who got sick. (Really I don't think it was the eggnog.)

To Grandmother's house we go...next door

2009-01-06T17:06:00.003-07:00

Over the grass and through the gate to Grandmother's house we go. The dogs know the way to bark all the way along the short and quick walk we go-o-o-o.

It is so fun to have Grandmother Cranney right next to Mom and Dad's house. We see her quite a bit more and she seems so happy to be there. We visited on Amy's birthday and she accompanied on the piano while we sang Christmas carols and Primary songs.

Thanksgiving was a total blast

2008-12-08T10:26:00.004-07:00

Since Dad's birthday is on November 28th and Thanksgiving was November 27th we decided to have a turkey birthday. Kara, Keven and Mom decided to get him something out of the ordinary. They organized a scavenger hunt where he had to go to neighbor's houses to get the clues and then solve the riddles to find the next location. After a long walk through the neighborhood he finally found it...a tuktuk(spelling???) or a city tricycle. It is very similar to the mode of transportation used by the Kara and Kev in Sri Lanka. It drives like a motorcycle but has three wheels and a semi enclosed body. It is fire engine red, very appropriate, and he seemed to love it. Later that evening we had a driving contest weaving through orange cones and backing up. Let's just say that Kara has a lot of experience so she took the trophy. We'll see about next year!

The food was great and the company was even better. We ate with the neighbors, Dale, Mo, Josh and Erika.

We also had a lot of fun making turkey placecards with Ella, Preston, Kara, Kate and Amy. They were pretty goofy looking made of pinecones, oranges, google eyes and pipe cleaners. Since when are turkeys cute?

Happy Halloween

2008-11-02T21:59:00.003-07:00

Off to Never Never Land! We had a great Halloween with the kids. Why is it that when you have little kids around holidays are so much more exciting? We dressed as the characters from Peter Pan. Josh was Smee, Amy-Captain Hook, Ella-Tinkerbell, Preston-the crocodile, and Luke was Peter Pan. We loved showing our costumes off and Ella would give a narrative to each person we trick or treated to on who was who. She said, "mom, everyone is going to tell me how pretty I look." This was while I was putting on her make-up...look out world!

Christmas list

2008-10-12T23:31:00.004-06:00

So since no one replied to my questions about christmas gifts...seriously...I've just decided how I think we should do gifts. If you have any objections let me know.

Keven and Kara give to Josh and Amy
Josh and Amy give to Jonathan
Jonathan gives to Megan
Megan gives to Kevin and Ginger
Kevin and Ginger give to Katelyn
Katelyn gives to Keven and Kara

Next year we will just rotate down to the next person.

More fun pics

2008-10-12T22:24:00.001-06:00

Forsyth Reuion

2008-10-12T21:41:00.007-06:00

What a great weekend we had. It started out at aunt Gwen's for a BBQ and a fun movie under the stars. Next we headed to Raging Waters for sun and fun. That night we celebrated Katelyn's 18th bday at Chuckarama. The next day we went to temple square and saw the Joseph Smith movie followed by a great meal at Tucano's. That night we danced the night away with disco and 80's music. I never knew Keven had such great moves. The last day (Sunday) we had a really special tesimony meeting under the pine trees. What an amazing group of people. Thanks for sharing yourselves with us. Cuz, we love you!

Cleaning out the font...

2008-03-12T00:38:00.003-06:00

Brother Joe is about to get baptized, but Elder Olsen first needs to preside over the casting out of the frogs and spiders. The spider on the wall looks small, but it is 5 inches in diameter (yes, that includes the legs - are you unimpressed now?). These particular spiders are fun. They leap at you if you get in their territory (i.e. your cupboard) and when you hit them with Raid they keep coming after you, dragging themselves along the floor. Come visit me and if you can do this without screaming a little I'll buy you dinner.

Lumberjack Dave

2008-03-11T23:28:00.003-06:00

Yesirree, in spite of the difficulties Keven and Papa had a good time playing manly-men up on Lake Superior. They ate home-grown, -cured and -cooked meals (courtesy Gloria, the farmer's wife), played with monster farm equipment, cut down swathes of oak trees (winced as they did it, but I'll bet being Godzilla Destructo was as much fun as it was when they were kids playing with blocks) and probably didn't shower enough.
Nice eye protection, Papa.

What's going on?

2008-03-11T10:17:00.010-06:00

Well, since no one else cares about this blog I guess I will get things going again and post a few new pics. I was looking at all of your blogs last night and Megan is the only one with a new post in the last 6 or so months. That is sad. Anyway, I thought I do a rundown on what everyone is up to and if you have any new information or corrections you'd like to add please feel free.

Dad and Mom

Well, they just got back from a quick trip to North Carolina to take Kevin and Ginger another car. They had a long drive, a great visit, and a quick flight home. It sounded like a whirlwind. Dad is getting ready to leave for Hawaii (poor guy) to be trained (so he says) for something really important (I can't remember what). He leaves toward the end of March. Aloha! Mom is still superintendent of the two house renovation going on in her house and Stan's old house. It is amazing what they have done and it looks great. She works day and night and makes sure that the workmen are all taken care of. What a great boss. She is also still putting in a few hours at the hospital so she doesn't get much downtime yet she still finds time to be a fantastic grandma and friend to Maxine.

Keven and Kara

Well the two adventurers are wraping things up in Sri Lanka and if the stories are really true, they will be back in Utah to stay sometime this Spring. I'll believe it when I see them here. They have done a great job with their work especially considering the circumstances and we all are praying that they come home to stay.

Josh and Amy, Ella and Preston

Josh turned 30, Amy is 31 weeks pregnant, Ella is 31 inches tall and Preston is as busy as 3 kids put together. We're loving our house, Josh is adjusting to his job, Amy is surviving pregnancy, Ella is in heaven with her own room and Preston is getting better at talking instead of screaming. Luke should be here by the beginning of May. Keven, maybe you two can share a birthday (Sorry Meg, I'm not waiting that long) even though my due date isn't until the 13th of May.

Jonathan

Jonathan is a hard working landlord and bachelor. He is rennovating his kitchen (at least the cupboards) and is working long hours at the office. He is also making a little time for the ladies but he still is looking for that special someone. He is an incredible uncle and one of the few who will actually change a diaper.

Megan

Talk about a workaholic. This girl has like 10 jobs and still finds time to go to the gym. I think she also has a little time left over for a guy from the prison (oh yeah he just works there, Nate). She looks like a model and could probably beat any one of us up so look out.

Kevin and Ginger

If the two of you survive this month and make it out alive it will be a miracle. We are all praying for Ginger and her darling eyes. She has had some kind of eye correction surgery which probably is 100 times worse than any kind of training Kevin had to go through, not to mention a sinus surgery. What a tough chick. Kevin is being an outstanding husband especially considering most of the time he's in another state. Korean anyone? Just ask Kevin, I hear he is fluent.

Katelyn

DJ Kate is rockin Utah County at KOHS. She was on TV (the news) and she is the best DJ they've got. The news anchor even said so. She is trying to stay in school and is working hard at her internship where she is doing ride alongs with Dad and Josh at the Fire Department. She got to see some interesting calls last night with Josh. A head-on collision and an attempted suicide with a knife. It's all in a days work. What a babe!

As a side note I am emailing all of you the info on how to post a blog or make a comment and it would be really nice to hear from you SOON!

WE LOVE OUR FAMILY!!!

Adventures in Rock Canyon

2007-10-13T12:38:00.000-06:00

So since Josh and I were going to go and do a slot canyon, I needed some emotional and technical support from my Forsyth Sisters. I somehow convinced Megan and Kara to come with Josh and me up to Rock Canyon. As Kara said "the girly girl of the family" meaning me, needed a beginners lesson in repelling. I have to admit I was terrified but since these ladies are so tough I had to try and act brave. Megan showed me how it was done with her new man "York" oohing and aahing from below. Then Josh made me go. Kara was so kind as to belay(sp?) me from the bottom so I felt safe (I guess since I didn't know that it made a difference in the tall mountain I was climbing off). Thanks to my awesome family for your support and expertise. I couldn't have done it without you.

Cranney Reuion

2007-08-17T18:53:00.000-06:00

Look at this baby monitor, Dad!

2007-07-24T21:18:00.000-06:00

"Can I catch it?"
"No, they bite. Besides, they're way too fast."
"Aww, he's little, I bet I could catch him!"
"No you can't. I'll give you twenty bucks if you catch him."
(In high-pitched baby talk) "C'mon, little baby dinosaur, I'm not gonna hurt you, hold still now, I'm just gonna pet you, and give you a cookie."

You can't see how fast everyone's moving in the second photo, but after Dad stalked for a few seconds (the upper limit for ADD stalkers), Keven, despite being extremely startled, snapped the picture just as Dad did a full-body lunge and the monitor leaped over the edge of the slope (which is a lot higher and steeper than it looks).

Can I have $20 if I catch a bird?

2007-07-24T21:05:00.000-06:00

This is on the sea wall of Galle, a very ancient Moslem trading fort captured by the Portuguese in the 1500's, then by the Dutch (who headquartered the Dutch East India Trading Company here and built it into a huge fort enclosed by gigantic walls), and finally by the British colonists from 1800 until 1948. It is full of ancient mosques, wonderful old creepy churches and cemeteries, and surrounded by massive stone walls, 60 feet thick in places and cut through with tunnels.
We spent a very large portion of our time here feeding crackers to the birds.

How about this goat? Can I have $20 for this goat?

2007-07-24T20:58:00.001-06:00

After he caught the goat, he tried saying soothing things to it in baby talk ("Ohhh, yes, him's a pretty little goat, isn't him?") and holding it on his lap and rocking it. But that was just a freaked-out goat.

A turtle! I caught a turtle!

2007-07-24T20:31:00.001-06:00

This albino Olive Ridley turtle was rescued from a fishing net years ago, and then got swept out of her pool by the tsunami, which swamped the whole hatchery under eight feet of water, destroying everything and killing the parents of the man who runs the place. Every household in these beach neighborhoods lost family members along with their houses, but somebody found Lily and carried her home.

Cuddly little things.

2007-07-24T20:24:00.001-06:00

Isn't it remarkable how Dad loves to cuddle with all animals regardless of how prickly or wet they are, how hard they bite, or how desperately they do not want to be cuddled?

Turtles!

2007-07-24T06:34:00.001-06:00

We followed this little hand-painted sign to a turtle farm on the beach; where supposedly this old man who buys turtle eggs from the locals hatches them and puts them out to sea. We pulled up and he started jabbering and showing us a fenced-in garden plot with little mounds staked out with initialed notes. Great, I thought, he's got nothing to show us so he's making a big deal out of his turtle graveyard. I liked him a whole lot better when he started scooping away sand from one mound, because anyone who is so willing to exhume a grave so you can have a look is okay in my book. He uncoverd some soft eggshell fragments and then suddenly there were flapping, struggling baby turtles everywhere. Live animals buried in the sand just seem terribly unnatural; we could not have been more startled if he had uncovered a squirming litter of puppies!
Afterwards we each took a handful of turtlettes over to the pool where they could swim for a couple of days before being released.

Hard at work on the job site.

2007-07-19T09:53:00.001-06:00

The two head honchos conferring while the worker bees wait for orders. We had great weather for working while Dad was here - cloudy enough to hold back the heat but no rain. Nope, it didn't start to storm until we took a couple of days off to drive around the south tip of the island. Then we got a nice typhoon/monsoon combo that made the gorgeous beaches and jungle temples really memorable. Oh well, Dad always enjoys leftovers and rejects and mistakes better than perfection anyway. He was a very Cappy Hamper.

Hard at work on the- Hey, I'll bet we can climb this thing!

2007-07-19T09:40:00.000-06:00

"Dad, you don't have a harness!"
Ok, yeah, gimme that tool belt, and a couple of t-shirts and your purse strap... Voila! I'll be real careful. Bye!
He doesn't look too high up on the last photo but he was actually 140 feet up. The workers were genuinely frightened.
Note to Mom: When he talked me and Kev into all three of us going up together we only went up to about 60 feet. It was exhilarating; the wind was fierce and the tower was swaying and you could see rolling jungle for miles around!

Still hard at work on the- RECESS TIME!!!

2007-07-19T08:39:00.001-06:00

Our tower install site was on the sports field of an elementary school, and when the bell rang, the kids would come tearing out to find their new best friend and Dad would drop whatever and race to get in the lineup (like his little worshippers would make him wait in line for anything). It was like Field of Dreams on meth.
Sorry these pictures take up so much room, but they're kind of priceless.

2007-07-19T08:29:00.000-06:00

This is what happens when you turbo up your trishaw. Tough to talk your way out of a ticket when you don't share a language with the cop. Especially when said cop is laughing too hard to listen. You still owe us 5 bucks, Dad. P.S. Yes, he's barefoot.

Move over Porsche, Dad's got a new toy!

2007-07-19T08:21:00.000-06:00

I grabbed the camera as quick as I could, but this was about 0.03 milliseconds after I showed him how to start the thing. I had looked forward to giving him little driving lessons, but... Two days after this, he navigated the bumper-car asylum that is Colombo ALONE, and a day after that he rigged the thing up so that it would go WAY over the speed limit (74 km per hour, I'm not kidding, and the limit is 40). It still flies like the wind, and the employees are in awe of David Racecar Man.

A Sri Lankan Wedding

2007-07-19T08:10:00.001-06:00

Dad's first day here we had to go to a wedding in a little village out by the factory. He fell in love with the flower girls of course, and the feeling was mutual, though they were so shy. I would post a picture of the special chickens they had cooked just for us, but it would be a little too graphic for a family blog. Dad sang "Fa ra ra ra ra" with his, but nobody got it. Mine had a tail. Not feathers, but a tail. I wish I could explain, but... there you go. I didn't eat the tail.

Kevin's Birthday coming up

2007-06-22T22:45:00.001-06:00

Hey Kev, what do you want for your birthday?

Forsyth Award-June Nominees???

2007-06-22T22:42:00.000-06:00

Anyone, anyone, didn't anybody do something funny, stupid or even worth mentoning? Josh would you like to tell everyone about the water heater incident on Ella's birthday?

Orem Summerfest

2007-06-22T22:37:00.000-06:00

Grandma, Katelyn, Amy, Ella and Preston all rode bikes over to Center Street for the Orem Summerfest Parade. We had a great time watching the parade and Papa as Cinder Britches. He even took us up on top of the Orem Safety building to watch the fireworks. He knows how to make a party a real party.

Kara and Keven's new Home where we wish they would come to stay

2007-06-22T22:35:00.001-06:00

Keven and Kara's jungle hut

2007-05-25T09:16:00.000-06:00

s
Kara and dogs in the Piaggio. Flopsy has to be dragged out of the trishaw by force if she suspects somebody might be going somewhere in it. As far as she knows she is the only dog in the universe who has ever ridden in a motor vehicle, and she eats it up.
As for the house... living in Sri Lanka requires us to make some sacrifices, but our house isn't one of them. Unfortunately, the only nice houses (with floors, indoor toilets, eckeltricity, etc.) are big ostentatious ones. We spend a lot of time conveying the idea that we aren't wealthy to the branch members and our employees, but those efforts are dead before they hit the ground the instant they see our house. Blamm! Like that. On the other hand, my car does have handlebars, and I don't own any shoes.

Idol-worshipping Jonny

2007-05-25T09:03:00.001-06:00

In this unretouched photo, our so called "Uncle Jonny" (on the left, with the prominent advertisment for tea on his sleeve) makes an offering to an image of Lord Buddha . Let us know how that works out for ya, Jonny.

Jane and Towanda

2007-05-25T08:49:00.000-06:00

There is a grassy little island in the middle of the rice paddy that adjoins our factory. As long as you are on it everything seems to be silenced; the world becomes like a painting of a peaceful landscape that is always dreamy afternoon. Megan and I sat there and watched the clouds drift for a bit, but not for long enough. I'd like to live there.

Happy Birthday to Keven and Megan!

2007-05-20T23:06:00.000-06:00

We love you both!

Where is everyone?

2007-05-20T22:54:00.000-06:00

OK this is ridiculous! No one is posting anything on the "family" blog or their own blog for that matter. I really want to see what is going on with all of you, especially those who are far away and we are forgetting what you look like. I know it takes a few minutes to do but honestly. I expected more from you all!!! I better see a post from at least one or two of you in the next week or else (I might even hire someone to come after you, i.e. little Kev). Please, we miss hearing from everyone.

Forsyth Award-May Nominee-Amy

2007-05-03T22:14:00.000-06:00

So I decided to take the kids out for a ride the other day. I got everything ready with the help of my wonderful hubby, and set out for a nice bike ride. Ella and Preston were buckled into the trailer nice and snug and I decided to try out my new biking shoes. As I headed out on the trail I clipped my feet in and out of the pedals trying to be as high tech as my gear headed husband. Feeling fairly comfortable I finally left them clipped in and really started riding. When out of nowhere came my turn onto the Center Street sidewalk. It was a sharp turn onto a steep little hill and since I have no biking experience I started to panic. As I turned onto the hill and started going up, my bike weighed down by the trailer and two 25 lb. children quickly came to a stop. As I was stopping I was desperately trying to change gears to the easier gear so I could keep riding while at the same time trying to kick my feet out of the pedals. I was a complete failure at both attempts. My bike stopped and I tipped over right onto my side and back. It wasn't a horrible injury, minor scrapes and cuts but my poor children were traumatized. Ella kept asking me why I fell over. I didn't quite know how to respond. I wasn't looking like the tough all-together mom she was used to. Anyway, I've nominated myself for the May Award. Are there any other nominations so far?

2007-04-22T15:54:00.000-06:00

Kara, Keven, and Uncle Jonny visited this Buddhist Shrine in the middle of Sri Lanka. They make you take your shoes off out of respect--hot hot! This statue is of a dead Buddha; you can tell because his eyes are open a crack (unlike creepy Megan, normal people sleep with their eyes closed). It's much larger than the picture makes it appear. Don't worry, we made sure we threw our rupees in the donation box.

Favorite uncle????

2007-04-20T21:35:00.000-06:00

I object to this "Favorite Uncle" competition. I thought that this contest would be put on hold until all competing parties could be with in spoiling distance of Ella. If this competition is going to continue I insist that I be given some sort of handicap since I am at an obvious disadvantage. I must warn you that if I begin to fall behind in this competition things could get ugly for my competitors. What can I say, desperate times calls for desperate measures. Watch out "Uncle Jon" or I may be cracking more than one coconut.

Favorite Uncle?

2007-04-20T15:48:00.000-06:00

This is a close race. Jonny is so much fun and having Keven here is a blast. He plays so cute with Ella. Kevin, you are slowly pulling behind. Where are you?

Ma and Pa

2007-04-20T15:44:00.000-06:00

what an adorable couple. cowgirl meets soldier. thanks for being so great.

picnic in the backyard

2007-04-20T15:39:00.000-06:00

We love having Keven and Kara here! It has been so much fun. Kara even helped Josh and Amy decide to buy a house. Kara has taken over as the favorite aunt. She set up a zipline in the backyard and sent Ella sliding. Anytime they separate, Ella says, "I want MY Kara".

Easter Sunday

2007-04-13T21:24:00.000-06:00

We missed those of you who weren't here in Orem for our Easter dinner party. Papa was at work supporting the family as usual, Meggie was playing in Moab, and Kevin and Ginger were too busy protecting our country to be here with us. We miss them so much. Well here are a few pictures from Ella's photo shoot. Enjoy.

Fresh air, what could be better

2007-03-22T16:50:00.000-06:00

Always an adventure.

We went cross-country skiing at Aspen Grove. Mom, Ella, Preston, Cynthia Vaughn and I all came. We put the kids in the bike trailer with the ski attachments and I, Amy, attempted to pull them. (Todd would have probably done a better job.) It was gorgeous weather and we had a blast even though the snow was super slushy. We kept sinking down in the snow and the trailer only came close to tipping over once. The kids had a nap they were so cozy and warm and the rest of us got a pretty good workout. All I have to say is Mom is an animal on those skis. You can tell she has been skiing a few times before.

Just the girls

2007-03-21T15:50:00.000-06:00

Feed the Bird!

Janie will eat it all. Look out, even chickens and people. The strange thing is that she doesn't scare mom. Ella on the other hand has a fake "I'm pretending that I'm not terrified" look on her face.

Let the games begin

2007-03-21T14:54:00.000-06:00

Official Contest for the Favorite Aunt or Uncle

So far it looks like megan is in the lead. Good luck to all competitors.

Papa David and Preston David

2007-03-21T11:56:00.000-06:00