There is Beauty all around!!!

Do these pics bring back any memories? Thanks for the traditions Mom and Dad!

The Forsyth Clan!!!!

The Forsyths are having quite an adventure with their eventful lives! Lets start with some

GENERAL UPDATES:

Halloween!!! Amy's family had super cute costumes (yet again!), way to go Amy, it sure looks like you made Halloween fun for your kids. Here are some pics.

In addition to Halloween festivities, including getting costumes ready and planning a chili-included trunk-or-treat (make sure you ask Amy how it went, she was in charge :) ), The Forsyths have been working on selling their house. This means keeping the house clean with three little kids. That sounds like lots of hard work Amy! We all hope things work out with the house situation.

Amy and Josh have been enjoying the football season, talking trash about each other's teams, taking trips to Grandma's house to watch the game... We'll just have to wait and see where Ella's, Preston's and Luke's loyalties lie in the end.

The Forsyths just got pictures taken! They turned out awesome, make sure you get Amy to send you the link because they are just awesome. What a handsome family you have! Amy and Josh, I'm sure you are very proud :)

INDIVIDUAL UPDATES

Josh:

Josh's sister Kara just had her first baby! She is beautiful, and they named her Hazel Bell.

Josh is working hard at his jobs and with his school. Josh, school will end one day! (at least that is what I hear...)

Josh is preparing for two really big races next summer. He is doing the Wasatch Back and a race in Las Vegas. They are both a 100 mile run , and Josh is splitting it between some friends from the fire station. Josh, we know you are going to do awesome! We are all inspired by your discipline in keeping fit!

Not only is Josh keeping busy with all of these things, but he is still a great dad, and he is the Sunday School president at the ward. Thanks Josh for being wonderful and for making time for family and callings in your busy education and work schedule!

Amy:

Amy is reading the Harry Potter books again, right now she is on #5 and is liking that.

Amy is transitioning from being a mother of babies to a mother of school kids! Amy is helping Ella remember to do her homework and also helping her with the work. This means lots of reading, adding and subtracting, and other very important things for Ella.

Amy, you work so hard for your family every single day, and I know you are an example to all of us sisters trying to be moms and wives and future moms like you! You are such a great leader and supporter to lots of people around you.

Ella:

Is in Kindergarten! Ella is doing homework! Is she really that old? Ella just had a program for school, where she performed a nursery rhyme with actions! Ella, you are such a beautiful girl and are such a good big sister to Preston. The other day I (Anna) listened as Ella patiently helped Preston remember how to wash his hands the right way. She is going to be such a good mom someday

Preston:

Preston sure is a ball of energy! Preston you are trying so hard to learn to be nice to everyone, and you are so cute and fun! Preston, you make such a great Halloween pirate too!

Preston is growing up too. He is now attending preschool twice a week.

Amy told me this funny story about Preston. The other day, he came up to her depressed and said, "mom..." Amy says "yes?" Preston says, "I'm not a real Pirate." Amy: "How come?" Preston: "I don't have a treasure map!" Amy was kind enough to make him a really nice treasure map, even making the edges burnt so it looked authentic. Then after he came up with a similar attitude and asked, "Mom, I don't have a ship!" Amy didn't know what to do about that. I wouldn't have known either.

Luke:

Luke is learning tons of animal noises and words! How do these kids keep growing up into real people that can talk? Luke has also discovered the T.V. He especially loves this episode with a horse in it. Luke with ask for it by saying, "horse."

Well to tie up this post about the wonderful Forsyth Family, I will just put up some recent pics Amy sent me. We love you guys!!!!

K is for kool

I is for irregular... in a good way

M is for muscles in her leg that are growing, slowly but surely

B is for blushes when she sees that she gets asked to the dance by funny boys

E is for every cats favorite girl

R is for runny nose, who knows where that name came from but it stuck.

L is for leg replacements, so if anyone has some good legs, let her know.

Y is for yummy salad and gravy maker

Kim is everyone's favorite gal. We wanted to get a slide show of her with all different members of the family because I'm sure each of us can think of a funny story or event that happened with kim. She has great energy, smile and personality. She's everyone's favorite gal, especially all of the nieces and nephews(sorry Dave you come in second with Abby). Kim is loud and always wanting to play a game or do something fun. Lately Kim has been working on getting her legs back to proper function. Just this week she graduated from a partial squat to a full!! That's huge! Her PT is letting her ride a bike and pretty soon she's going to be spinning away in a really really good indoor cycling class.(with a way awesome, super cool, attractive humble teacher). Homecoming week is this upcoming week and she's going to the dance with Marcus Winston.. . . we'll just mention his name and you can ask her for details. Also this week Kim is hosting the soccer feast night dinner. She has been such a sport not getting to play, she still goes the to the games and is the designated photographer with her new camera she got for her birthday. East soccer did a great job this year and is still going strong, keep your fingers crossed, two more weeks.

Three hip hip hoorays for Kim, we love you!

Eric and Lindsay, Ne How Ma

ERIC and LINDSAY, welcome home!!!!



Eric and Lindsay will soon be home from China. They started in Beijing, followed by the Great Wall of China, other sights in the city, then Eric shadowed a doctor for a couple days. They next flew to Gua ling which is Beautiful city with unique mountains like tombstones with a river running through them. Grandma Richards and Grandma Sorenson took it upon themselves to spoil Abby and Sara for two weeks. Eric and Lindsay will soon arrive in SLC, pick up their kids, and return to Oregon. It is true, Eric has been deeply missed as the Cub comittee Chairman. (Eric has a reward for anybody that can guess what his duties are). Lindsay has also been missed by her 5 piano students. If you would like to become one of her students, be sure to grab the Bastian Books, they are Lindsays prefered system of teaching. Find them online at http://www.allegromusiconline.com/bastien.htm. Her students are lucky that they do not need to take from Suzuki, Happy farmer and Go tell aunt Rhodie can get a little boring.

Abby just finished swimming lessons at Water Fountain Parks. In Oregon, the kids run through the water rather than swim. It looks fun!




Eric, Lindsay and family will make it home just in time for "So you think you can dance." Eric has entered his Popin' repitour with the Cub Master. To get a sneak peak of their dance, watch their dress rehersal at. (Eric is the one in the White).http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wcg6VWW7LE&feature=related

(Thank heavens Eric's the guy in white. Way to choose the right Eric. You're living proof that CTR rings really do work. We love you two! Hope you had a blast in China!

Welcome Home!!!

Labor Day boating

And fun was had by all!!! Thanks Dad for a fun day out on the lake (even though it wasn't glass) and to Mom for tending the babies.





Amanda and her wakeboard, Dad and his ski, Sam and his costumes and Amy and the kids. There's nothing like it!

The Groove Train - Dave's Band at the Utah State Fair

A sweet day

Dad was released from being Bishop of the Monument Park 2 Ward. It was a really sweet experience for our family and I am so grateful to him for his years of dedicated, selfless service. And to Mom too who stood by him and was very patient with the demanding schedule. Way to go! Now what???

FACT or FICTION

Let's Play a Game...

Fact or Fiction:

There is only one human on earth who can eat two bananas in a row for a snack. In fact, this person was given the Medal of Honor at the United States Capitol for surviving such a high load of potassium and not gagging on them the whole way down.






FACT:
This is partially fact. Dad, who is the only human on earth that has eaten two bananas in a row, did just fine. He also won the medal of honor. But that was for marrying the Elizabeth Cook, Miss Marie Calendar's. Did you know that this is how Dad got mom to marry her? He dressed in a really creepy but romantic fake beard and snuck into Marie Calendar's and called the waitress over, (mom) and said watch this...he then ate two banana's in a row, managing to only gag a few times and getting only a few banana strings tangled in his beard.

OK. fine...this is not fact. This is just part of the story. Dad did dress up, but mom could see right through that handsome costume and fell in love. And that is how their story bega. What a great pair they have turned out to be. If you can't find them, they are probably on a walk, holding hands, walking really really really slow so they can enjoy just being together. You may also catch them snuggling on the love seat, or relaxing up at Woodland. This is what won them the Medal of Honor. They are the greatest couple around.

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FACT OR FICTION:

Mom has been training her wrists lately. In fact, she has gotten so fast at the "chinniper-choppiner" move. She has been practicing at home and tried it on Dad. Unfortunately, she did it so good that it ended up taking much of the skin off of dad's face and he has since had to cover his face with Desitin to help it heal faster.


FICTION:
He had to use"Product" from the brown bookshelf in their bathroom instead of Desitin.

OK fine, it is true. Mom is the best there is at the "chinniper-choppiner" move. But that is because she can't stand not loving her children. She has been the best there is. Have any of you had a moment where Mom gives you one of her great hugs...not the tight bear hug kind, but the soft gentle hugs and then she tells you how proud she is of you and that she loves you? Don't you all remember every event you had, and she was right there cheering you on? Don't you remember her leading the way, morning after morning after morning teaching us the scriptures...waking us all up with a shriek from Tiger rubbing her leg? Haven't we all been blessed by her selfless acts of charity...picking us up from school, taking us to the beach, letting us go to the dollar store at hebgen, bearing her testimony at family home evening? I have to say, She can chinniper chop me all she wants, she has been the best mom there is.

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FACT OR FICTION:

Every so often, Mom and Dad sneek away on a little jaunt to their dream cottage.




Fact: Mom and Dad have been building the dream since they were married. They dreamed of a place to take their family for fun, memories, and pull up contests. They wanted a place where Chamois could run wild, just so they could spend hours picking the burrs out of her silken black coat. They wanted a place where Sunka could be played game after game, shell after shell until all the shells ended up in some couch cushion, or under the fridge. They made a place where feasts have been had, laughter and testimony and campfires, and yes... tubing the river has been enjoyed. Woodland has become a part of the Richards family. It has been something that only our family understands, a place where dreams and family ties have been laid one stone, beam, and fly at a time. Thanks Mom and Dad for making Woodland our dream "Inn."

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FACT OR FICTION:

The Washington Monument stands 6 feet 4 inches tall to honor Dad who is yea tall, and is made of 64,598 bricks in honor of how many meters per second Mom can run. (Have you ever tried racing her?)



FICTION: The Washington Monument has nothing whatsoever to do with Mom and Dad other than it makes a nice post card. But seriously, what is monumental...(nice play on words, huh) is the incredible guidance and leadership that mom and dad have given to this family. All who know Mom and Dad would be the first to pledge what great lives they each lead personally. Dad is the worlds most humble person. And yet it is incredibly remarkable how boldly and precisely he has led his ward as bishop for the last 6 years. He has mastered the scriptures, gained the trust and respect of all of his coworkers and patients, is a beloved neighbor and friend. Mom is everybody's best friend. She is quick to smile and even quicker to forgive. She also gave so much to help build her ward. Not one ounce of complaint, but one ton of encouragement to her family and the ward. How many other people do you know that even know what extracting is? Finding lost souls through geneology? Thanks for being so Monumental.

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FACT OR FICTION:


Dad will be leading the runnway in this fall's latest GoodWill fashion line. See how great his red's match?



FACT: lets just say look out Zoolander, you may have a new fashion battle to fight.

Here are a few shots from their latest portfolio in the Fall catalog...

Mom and Dad, We want you to know how much you mean to us, how much fun we have with you and how much you have impacted our lives for good. We love you!

As Josh likes to call them..."SAMANDA"

We have had so much fun with Sam and Amanda this summer! It is great being the "in-towners" together. We see each other at Sunday dinner, birthday parties, and every once in a while at Mom and Dad's house. They are both working hard in school and at work and they discipline themselves which I think is very impressive. They even make time to have fun and you can tell they are a happy couple.

They are both in YM/YW and Amanda even got to go to girls camp. I am excited to hear how it went.

Sometime ask them about there recent couples dating experiences with their friends in their ward. It's funny.

At the beginning of May, Sam and I did the St. George Triathlon. It was so fun getting ready and talking about our training. I was really glad to have someone else do it with me. The trip was a blast too. We had a lot of fun swimming, laying out, eating out, and of course doing the race. When is the next race/trip?

Amanda and Josh were great to be our cheering squad / babysitter.
Sam recently had a big birthday!

Since Sam is such a caring husband, he bought his sweet wife a bike for HIS birthday. Luckily she is a cycling teacher and can show him how to use HIS new bike.

(Yes he got a bike too.)
She has been teaching cycling classes all summer at 6:30 a.m. She has awesome music (so I hear and I think she even had a beach day and was going to give the people leis to wear while riding). Someday I am going to be in your spin class...just you wait. Amanda and Sam have been good friends to Kim as she has gone through some rough things recently. They are the first ones she calls to talk about any troubles and just last week they bought her Cafe Rio and sat with her after she hurt her knee in a soccer game. Some of the siblings said that they are way too nice. I'd have to agree. Next time I need something, I'm calling them. Hooray! Sam and Amanda got out on the boat this last week. When I asked Josh if he had anything to contribute to this post he said that, "Sam and Amanda are the hippest couple in the family!" Need we say more? No really we think you are such a fun couple and I was telling Lindsay just the other day that I think you two really are great together. You are happy and you take care of each other. That is so important and you do it well.

Good job finding each other! Sam is still the first one to volunteer to ski and he shows us all up! It is awesome to watch someone perform with such grace and intensity. Seriously, it is really fun to watch Sam ski!
Yes, Amanda has been converted...she loves being on the boat too. It's fun to have her there although she is still hiding her wakeboarding skills until she can really show us all up in July, at Hebgen. Look out boys!This last picture is my favorite. This typifies Sam and Amanda. They are incredible to our kids. Last week they called and offered to let Josh and me go out on a date while they tended. It was a Friday night and we stayed out late and they were still happy when we got back. It really meant a lot to us both to be able to go out on a date together and we didn't worry about the kids. We knew they were in good hands. You can tell the kids love their uncle Sam and aunt Amanda!

We love you too!!! Love, Amy (and Josh of course)

Trip for Calvin's Baby Blessing