Proud Uncle

Here is Ben holding Carson just before they went to church. As you can see Carson is not lacking for food, although he would tell you he is. He has gained over 3 lbs in a month, pretty good for a little feller. Speaking of growing boys, Ben has put on 25-30 lbs since August plus an inch or so.

Carson was blessed in sacrament meeting yesterday. It was a beautiful blessing. Jenn was able to get the blessing down word for word. Both Dave and Melanie bore their testimonies which were very touching. Melanie testified that in her new role as a parent of how she has learned about how our Heavenly Father feels about us as his children. She told of how she knows what Carson's cries mean and how much she wants to comfort him- whether he is hungry, cold, hurt, and just needs to be held. She connected that thought to how Heavenly Father knows our cries and what we need. He knows us well, how to comfort us, and how to take care of our needs.

An Idaho Thanksgiving

Grandma and Grandpa, Vance, Kirsten, Maureen, Blake and families had a marvelous Thanksgiving feast together. We all met at the church to enjoy. Well, let's just let the pictures say it all...

We came...

We talked...

We ate...

We cleaned...

We played and then rolled out...

Pumpkin Carving

It is a long standing tradition in the Vance 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...

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 and he was pulled up to varisty for the upcoming state tournament.

Below are some pictures of a recent game.

Clearing the balls is what Ben does in the back row of the defense again , again , and again. (He is #6)

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

After the game.....