Every family has problems and challenges. But successful families try to work together toward solutions instead of resorting to criticism and contention. They pray for each other, discuss, and give encouragement. Ezra Taft Benson

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Announcing Hannah Ray Foister

Hannah was born Friday, August 27, at 6:54 p.m. weighing 8 lbs 11 ounces. That makes Hannah the heaviest of all the children at birth. She has quite a bit of black hair.

We are so grateful she arrived healthy and safe. Shortly before the birth, Anna had received a blessing promising her that angels would be present to assist. I asked her afterward if she had felt their presence, and she said yes.

Here is the whole gang. Our new family!


Mother and daughter.


Maryann is so excited to have a little sister. We have to keep a close eye on how loving she is.


This was the children's first time to meet their new sister. Look at her hair.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Nauvoo Pageant

This past month we had the opportunity to participate in the Nauvoo pageant. It was a lot of work, but tremendously rewarding. We really enjoyed every aspect of participating from the heat and humidity, to the chiggers and mosquitoes. Most of all, we enjoyed the wonderful people we met, and the strong spirit felt participating in such an event in such a place. It was a blessing to our life we hope to repeat in future years.


Nauvoo is such a beautiful place!


Participating in the pageant can be very tiring. How did the pioneers do it?


Boy was it hot and humid. Especially if you are eight months along. Anna is such a trooper!


Maryann enjoyed all of the new sites. Here she is with her security badge.


The children in costume waiting to begin.


At the sack race preparing for work.


Bethany with the Laird's. She had the largest part of our family. She was the daughter of Robert and Becky Laird, main characters in the pageant. What a great thing for her.


Here is a close-up of Bethany with the Laird's.


The finale! If you see the dots in the upper left-hand section, that's us!

Saint Louis

Earlier this summer Wesley, Emma and I took a trip to Saint Louis for the day. We enjoyed being together, and seeing the sites. We went to the temple, and took the tram to the top of the arch. Peering out the little windows made Wesley very nervous.


View from the top of the arch.


Beneath the arch looking up.


The museum and the tram are both located underground beneath the arch.


The base of the arch is massive

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Wesley and Emma in front of the temple.