Winter Scenes

A December snowstorm that dumped 4 inches in a couple of hours.

Ben making snow angels

How much snow we have now and have had for 3 weeks.

Somewhere is this snowbank is my cell phone.

As the thermometer dips into the single digits for the high in Idaho Falls, I have to remind myself how beautiful winter wonderlands can be. This winter has been the snowiest and coldest. We've had a foot of snow since December 24 and I don't think it's going to melt soon. Because I'm not a winter-sport person, I have a tendency to complain about the drab winter days, but then I remind myself of the holidays, the fireplace, and time spent indoors with my family playing games, eating popcorn, watching movies, and how good hot chocolate tastes and feels after being outside for awhile.

Todd and his family know how to enjoy the snow!

A winter from the past.

Pumpkin Carving

It is a long standing tradition in the Fager Family to carve pumpkins just before Halloween. The hunt for just the right pumpkin is the first step. It has to have a flat face and be able to stand upright without tipping over. Vance found the perfect ones at Sam's club this year.

Next is to select the desired pattern. (We do cheat and use a 1.99 kit.) I am one that usually goes for the easiest patterns. Vance, Ben and David like the moderate to difficult ones. Vance took my easy one so I could take pictures. Besides that, he is MUCH better than I am at carving.

Then the comes the cleaning out of the pumpkin. I must admit this is the least favorite and messy step for all of us. The cleaner and thinner the inside, the easier it is.

Making the dot-to-dot pattern and carving is next. This is the tricky part and it needs a patient and steady hand. It is too much like sewing for me - following a pattern and directions, plus I want it done in 15 minutes. We turned on church music (it was Sunday) and enjoyed the process. The boys completed their masterpieces in about 1 hour and 30 minutes start to finished. I was the cheerleader and cleaner.

The finished product! Vance carved "Boofus" , David "Prowler", and Ben "The Haunted House"

First High School Dance

Everyone remembers the excitement of being asked to their first high school dance. Ben had heard rumors that he was going to be asked and was really hoping it would be someone exciting. Sure enough, during family home evening on Monday there was a knock on the door and this is what was there....

Ben left the following reply on her front lawn...

Halloween Memories

Karaoke

"Duuuust in the wind" A-mer-i-can Wo-maaan, stay a-way from me -ee"

Ben got the garb for an x-box karaoke game and we have had more fun singing, laughing and competing. Both David and I were laughing so hard we cried watching Vance sing "Start Me Up"

Boys in the Kitchen

That's right you read the title right. A Sunday tradition started by Melanie is to make cookies and deliver them to people who did something nice for you, had a rough week, or just because. Ben has picked up on the tradition and invited his

friend, Wade, to help him make cookies. They made no-bake cookies and delivered them to four girls and a guy who was depressed about a girl. I am not sure if this a purely Sabbath day service project, but it was sure a nice thing to do. The girls didn't seem to mind.

About Ben

Ben is FINALLY in high school (sophomore) after 4 years of middle school/junior high. He has also turned 16 and is enjoying the freedoms of driving at night and being able to hang out in "mixed company and even numbers." The only problem with turning 16 in late August and being the oldest in his class, is the girls are not yet 16.

Meanwhile he is staying busy taking honors English and Math, Biology, and a couple of other time consuming classes. He felt a little trauma when he did not make the varsity soccer team, only 2 sophomores did and one of them does not get much playing time. As it is, he is one of the captains on the JV team and rarely is pulled from a game since he plays sweeper (leader of the defense); soccer has worked out pretty good. Below are some pictures of a recent game and a video clip.

Clearing the balls is what Ben does in the back row of the defense


again , again , and again

After the game

Ben in position to "head" the ball. He is notoriously good at it, perhaps because of a hard head.

Check out this video clip. IF vs Hillcrest (score 2-1 IF)