The Rowdy Family

Shredders

2012-01-19T23:02:00.000-08:00

2 wheeler!

2012-01-18T22:45:00.000-08:00

Rowdy and Dad have been practicing and now Rowdy can ride a 2 wheeler past our little four houses worth of side walk!!!

Yay Rowdy! We are so proud of you for not giving up!

First day of school!

2012-01-17T22:40:00.000-08:00

Here he comes...

virtually.

Cody really is going to BYU-Idaho online. For his first year he has to go to a class up in Denton. He has been doing it for 2 weeks now. So far so good. We are all really proud of him. Rowdy thinks it is especially cool his Dad goes to school too. love you, hot college boy

Better when..

2012-01-16T20:00:00.000-08:00

we're together.

Even though that is not always true of our family picture attempts. Thank goodness for Photoshop.

Happy Martin Luther King Day.
Today felt like Saturday, and Saturday felt like a Saturday too so that was nice.
We went to a service project in Denton redoing some trails. The kids had fun playing in the dirt. Then we went to the latin grocery store for tacos with the Canciarmacks. We made quite the impression there. But hopefully they were flattered because their tacos are legit. mmmmm.
Then Rowdy got invited to a little Texan wrestling practice. He was the smallest litttle guy there & he was nervous but he was really excited before and after so? we need to talk. It was held at our local high school's indoor practice field! It was super nice. It seemed like we were at a college sports complex. Love those taxes.
Saturday we rode family bikes down to the new Taco Mayo.
It was yuummy.... and they sell Chaco-Tacos!!
and then we had a Nacho party...as in we ate nachos and watched Nacho Libre. Naaaachoooooo!
Whenever we are together it really is the best day ever

Light Brite

2012-01-15T22:30:00.000-08:00

I wish I may I wish I might ...

Food Truck Park

2012-01-14T22:28:00.000-08:00

Yuum. This place was fun. Its back in the alley of this industrial area and all these gourmet food trucks strut their stuff. The crowd was pretty artsy and fun. We tried 4 out of the 5 trucks and loved everything.

It was a pretty cold day so I got some chili from The "Good Karma Kitchen" truck parked right across from the "Bacon Wagon" where Cody got his chili from :) both really good. My mom got some crazy good tacos and the boys had a yum-ola pizza. Ezra's face is because he wants more, I am sure.

Definitely visiting again. I wonder what trucks will be there next time?

Elliot's ham & lemon

2012-01-14T09:48:00.000-08:00

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Here she comes again

2012-01-14T09:26:00.000-08:00

Nevermind Rowdy's side comment

Here she comes

2012-01-14T09:09:00.000-08:00

Elliot in the past 2 days has gone from us majorly prodding her to walk to: standing up and cruising around. falling down getting back up turning corners changing directions. Bending over to pick things up then standing back up & walking. I guess she just decided it was time.

mombelina

2012-01-12T22:04:00.000-08:00

Week with my Mom

I feel so lucky we got to have an extra new years week w Yaya.

She finally won Ezra over :)

She helped us sew a bunch of stuff including roughly 100 blackout curtains

(j/k in just seemed like 100) & reflective-ness on Cody's crazy orange Michelin man jacket.

We took the kids to the Bob the Builder exhibit at the Dallas Kids museum. They looved this water pump machine. I like all the blue. Elliot was on the other side grabbing the balls out of the spout.

Elliot got so used to Yaya taking pictures, she started doing her best cheese anytime she would see a camera. (awesome video clip to come) You can see her single bottom tooth so good in this picture too :) She now has 4 on top and just that little one on the bottom. Its so funny/cute

We showed her the water gardens in Fort Worth.

It was all fun and games until Cody let Ezra fall into the freezing cold reflective pool. haha just kidding. He did it on his own accord

I think we sent poor Rowdy to pre-school this day. It helped us all fit in the car ;)

Also got some jump house action in there.

Yep that face is one for the memory books. I think I am having way more fun than my kids...I was just trying to help Elliot have a good time.

Yaya also let Cody and I go on a few dates. We got a new computer desk so she showed the kids how to do a puppet show for Elliot

Post-Movie night!
Rowdy must not be used to staying up that late :)

Anyway we had a really nice week. Thanks for visiting Yaya it was hard to say goodbye. Rowdy got all teared up at the airport. and Elliot and Ezra could have too if they weren't sound asleep. Hope to see you again soon

New Year

2012-01-12T21:36:00.000-08:00

= New Church clothes!

One of Elliot's first words was "porta-potty"!
How many points is that worth?
The boys were playing Nan's game and Elliot liked the sound of it I guess.

We always have to remind our Boys to say Thank yous in their prayers. So we were all tickled when Rowdy sincerely Thanked H.F. that dinosaurs weren't alive so they wouldn't eat us.

& Ezra is thankful for "Super-Why"

yeah and we aren't even messing with resolutions to eat healthier....

mmmm creme brulee french toast

This is how our New years morning started out. Then we were off to church. It was so nice having my Mom around. I was so glad we were able to snag her for that extra week

Once a minion always a minion

2012-01-11T21:54:00.000-08:00

He does have his moments.

After Christmas Sale!

2012-01-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

Guess who is going to have the craziest fun yard next year?!Elliot was so excited an waving when these guys were blowing up but then when she really saw Dora she got kinda frieked. It was pretty funny

The boys always get crazy excited to help put stuff up in the attic. They love the pull down stairs, plus its just so cool to see our house from up there

Released

2012-01-08T23:10:00.000-08:00

I was realeased from YW today.

Its going to be tuff not seeing my girls as often

My family has totally been sustained as I have been serving with the YW. We have been witnesses of many many small miracles.

It has been inspiring to be around this group of girls. I feel like I have learned so much and had so many special experiences, and seen these girls grow up. So many of my sweet Mia Maids when I came into YW are now graduating! The girls have also reached out to me and my kids and offered so much service and love and friendship. It is so neat to have seen so many them be converted and change for good. but then there is also the heartache for those who are struggling to make good choices or having trials in their lives. I just love them. All of them. so it hurts to go. YW has been a big chunk of my life for the past couple years. and I have enjoyed most of it. I am thankful for the chance I had to share my testimony with them. I know its time for them to learn from others now.

So now I go, from probably the most social calling in church into Primary. Its going to be a shock. but at least Livee will be there to help me through it :)

I will go and do.

Thanks for your goodness Justin Ward girls.

My door is always open.

papa yaya week

2012-01-08T22:47:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more photos of papayaya week..

Yaya's cool cookie cutters..10 stars make a christmas tree!

Went to Cabela's to see the fish feeding.

Elliot cracked me up. Propping her feet right up and chillin' with the fish

Then we fed our own fish

The Fam came to my Friday night indoor game.

We ended up playing the hardest team ever so that was a little embarassing. but my mom ended up staying one more week so we got to redeem ourselves.

Elliot discovered this shoe game all by her self. She cracks us up stealing everyone's shoes, crawling around with them on her hands.

We ate some good food too while Papa and Yaya were here. mmmm. Anyway my Dad tried to take mom home on Saturday morning, but my sweet husband told me to sneak away and see how much it would be to fly her home after a week. So we did that and my poor Dad had to drive back to CA alone. Work was a factor though. Thanks for letting us snag her...even though it was probably even harder to say goodbye.

The most Exciting NEw YeArs EveR!!

2012-01-02T23:28:00.000-08:00

Camera 1.

Shortly after camera 1 we played flashlight tag and the Carmacks came over and played with us. Then the wind started picking up so we put water on our fire and went inside. We played games and ate yummy food and were having a good time.....

Camera 2

Then we look outside through the blinds an hour later and realize our backyard is on Fire! A coal we didn't see flew into the woodpile and spread onto our dead grass and was inches away from our dry old fence. Thank goodness Cody didn't pick those green weeds! We got the hose & stamped & dumped & got it out quickly. We went straight inside and offered a family prayer of thanks. Whew Thank you Heavenly Father.

And then we partied on.

Miles told us his Chubby story

& Elliot Decided to Walk!

She had to get it in before the year was out! Yay! Elliot!

The boys put together Cody's paper airplane launcher and we had a contest

Then at midnight we stuffed our faces with 12 grapes, well... Cody stuffed my face. and then we made some noise!!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

2012 Here we come

BYU Bowl game

2011-12-30T21:42:00.000-08:00

Wow! Letti helped us get hooked up with the Sorensen's family tickets because they couldn't make it to the BYU Bowl game at SMU.

It was the Armed forces Bowl so they had the whole fly by and smoke jumpers and armed forces moments. It was so neat. This was basically my first college football game. I went to one in San Diego but I can barely remember it was so long ago. It was Amazing.

The game was super exciting. and it was really fun seeing Danny and his cousin out there doing awesome and we were in the family section so everybody was super passionate..especially the Ogletrees sitting right in front of us

and the whole Dallas mission...

who got sat right in front of the cheerleaders

Somehow this combo ended up on my lap

The weather the game and the company were amazing. That's Jill Stewart and my Dad, who were cracking me up all game. Thanks a gazillion to my Mom for watching the grandchildren.

and the Gandys from our ward

yeah Cody and I totally wore the wrong color blue. which happened to be the Okies team color. oops.

The Cougs pulled through to win in the last 4 minutes. It was super exciting.

Thank you very very much Sorensens and Letti. That was neat

Great Wolf

2011-12-28T22:43:00.000-08:00

Yaya and Papa treated us to the Great Wolf Lodge. Its so fun (and embarrassing) to go swimming in the middle of winter :) We had a great time.

We couldn't help imagining next year fun with Locke & Katie family

My Dad called Ezra the lone wolf because he could have the best time all by himself if he wanted to.

Elliot's little hand-me down bathing suit was so cute on her.

She has sprouted! Look how long she is

Ezra looooved these little shoot'em up jet skis

and surprised us by waiting in line so patiently for the mini water slides.

Rowdy had a blast and even passed the general eyeball height test and onto a bigger water slide with his Papa and Dad. unfortunately the later lifeguard was a stickler for the above the line policy and so they waited a long time in line fer nuthin', but Rowdy had a blast he was everywhere. He is such a good boy. I have no doubt he was polite in all his adventures. Its nice to be able to have that kind of trust in a 4 years old.

We just stayed one night but had 2 days at the water park.

Thank you Papa and Yaya for the fun.

Christmas part deux feat. Yaya & Papa

2011-12-26T22:14:00.000-08:00

My Mom and Dad got here on the eve of the 26th. It was like Christmas!! They even brought Rowdy's requested hand puppets for Elliot. It was so nice to see them and get some QT

but then we always get so spoiled its even harder to let them go back home

Elliot adored Yaya. If Yaya wasn't holding her she would crawl through the house calling her

Aunt Katie MADE Elliot's hat!! Isn't it so cool?! It looks so professional. The top is a little flower stemmy bud. It is adorable and Elliot totally leaves it on! Thanks Aunt Katie.

We had lots of fun trips to the parks W Papa & Yaya

Rowdy has a style all his own :)

I love that he is so independent in getting himself ready

Elliot loves trying to ride Bikes w her bros. She just scoots along

Feliz navidad

2011-12-25T21:56:00.000-08:00

Since our bedroom is on the other side of the house we decided to utilize the underused, but full of potential, baby monitor. Rowdy had some fun with that before finally falling to sleep. He is super excited about Santa Clause this year. He wrote a sweet letter to Santa asking for smash and crash cars, a dinosaur, transformer shirt and a hand puppet for Elliot :) At 7:00 he woke up and we just woke up Ezra & Elliot.

We went to church at 11:30. Its was practically all music. It was Beautiful and it was super cool the Tad and Amelia Bowlers were there and Lynda and Paige and Zoe and a lot of our YW were in the choir. plus it was Christmas! IT was soo neat to go to church on Christmas. I loved it and the choir was Amazing. I know they worked really hard but it was like their efforts were being magnified. It was so cool. and I was especially glad they let us join in on a few songs. It was goosebumpy.

We came home and opened our presents. Ezra and Rowdy love angry birds so they were pretty stoked about the beanies, and also the razor scooters Rowdy had seen earlier in the month and told him they were for someone else :) Thanks for everything family and friends. Especially my new beautiful blogalicious macintosh :) It was a great morning. We finally got to put baby Jesus in the manger on the felt calendar my Mom made for us kids when we were little. I love that thing. I love my testimony too. We are thankful for Christmas.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T21:32:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve morning we had Biscuits, gravy, Fresh orange juice and the cousin gift exchange at the Carmacks

New tights!

Rowdy loved his new transformer costume

So did Ezra

& We were all fans of Paigee's reusable sticker tie

That was fun. and before we knew it it was noon.

We went home and made dinner for a family in our ward who had just had a baby. Then we headed over to the Brown's (as in Karin & Jill Stewart for you San Berdoo peeps). They really didn't know what to think about my Christmas jumper. Bryan was thinking of disowning me as a friend and Karin thought I should've come over with big hair so I would look like a sister wife. Anyway I forgot my camera but we enjoyed a fabulous Christmas Eve fiesta with delicioso Mexican food. Brian and Karin are such good cooks. And all the kids had fun together. It was a lovely evening. They pointed us towards an amazing Christmas tree on the way out of town. Wow

A couple of houses down had "Happy Birthday Jesus" written in Christmas lights. That's what its all about right? We've had to keep reminding Rowdy of that this year, and therefore ourselves. but what a lovely day, and a lovely time to remember.

Happy Birthday.

Beiber Ward Christmas Party

2011-12-21T21:57:00.000-08:00

...as in the Justin ward.

Something about this picture reminds me of American Gothic.

Maybe its my amazing Christmas Jumper

My First pie won the Best "Non-Traditional Pie" ...I knew the Dinos were a good idea

Elliot, loving life at the table of Lynda & Livee

It was really nice. They did a little Christmas around the world. Rudolph in French was pretty funny. My favorite tradition that I heard was in Mexico the children would go from house to house symbolic of Joseph and Mary not finding room at the inn. But at each house they would get a little treat and end up at a Christmas Eve Celebration.

We are loving our sister missionaries; Reynolds & Hawkes. Our ward got "pink washed" last transfer and it has been so so awesome for the YW in our ward to go on splits and just be around them. and plus Rowdy is now probably going to marry an RM.. (he'a mega-flirt)

Cody had to recoordinate his fingers trying to button up this lovely lady snowman shirt

Blessed are those who stary and clean up. Good man.

This picture had such potential.

Ah well Merry Almost Christmas everyone.

elliot gives him another chance

2011-12-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

Pre Production Christmas card

2011-12-20T21:04:00.000-08:00

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy"

Got a new computer for Christmas. Hopefully I will get my act together transfer files and remember to post our real Christmas card up here soon. The real one came out cute. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas

Alien children and The Monster House

2011-12-09T21:37:00.000-08:00

Our version of Gingerbread houses this year

We have since slowly devoured them. In the mornings I can hear the boys hanging from the kitchen counter and giggling trying to pick off candies before they see if we are awake :)

Changin' it up

2011-12-08T21:23:00.000-08:00

Rowdster is a good writer. He decided himself to master the capitals and lower case letters and has moved onto block letters. He does these letters with minimal help. I love them

Here comes Christmas!

Oscar Party

2011-12-07T21:13:00.000-08:00

The Tuesday after Thanksgiving was our YW in Excellence. We did an Oscar Party spoof. Here are some of our girls. It was such a nice night. I was on a little bit of a high for the next week. Thankful that everything went smoothly. Thankful it was fun and the spirit was there and that the girls felt really special. and the YM had a blast helping with the food that was Amazingly yummy. It was just a lovely night and everyone pitched in and our efforts were definitely magnified.
I love being in YW with these girls. I was so so nervous when I got called but the concerns I had were almost instantly taken care of. Lots of people have offered service, especially with the little ones, and we have grown closer as a family, extended family and to the YW and members of our ward. Blessings have poured out. What a great group of girls (39 of them!) and what a neat chance to share testimonies, make fun memories and learn together. There is so much more to say but it is are probabaly better suited for the journal. Love these girls, love the gospel, love these girls loving the gospel.

He's coming to town!

2011-12-03T18:53:00.001-08:00

I love grumpy Santa Pics. Ezra was not about to let us take another one.

Diamond Hunters

2011-12-03T18:50:00.001-08:00

Last weekend we went To Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds. Cody has been wanting to go for a long time now and it was the last few days of his vacation. Elliot stayed with the Carmacks. We packed up some grubbies. It was muddy and fun. The scenery was great. All the taaall trees turning fall colors. The boys had a blast, despite their faces in this picture

There were lots of nice rocks. Quartz and Calcite made our day more entertaining...

(They look a lot like diamonds)

We stopped to eat at the Burger King/Gas station in Texarkana with a group of nuns.They were so happy. and that made us happy.

The gas station was also selling Big Brownzz, stress relieveing brownies... not recommended for children or pregnant women and not to be consumed before operating heavy equipment!?!! Hopefully non-related to the nun visit

It was just a good time.

Thanksgiving Nan & Pops style

2011-11-24T21:05:00.000-08:00

Nan & Pops came for about 2 weeks, & Syd came for 1.

We had so much fun hanging out with them. Rowdy especially loved the sleepovers..and the i pad. Ezra loved correcting everyone.."No! I'm Ezra.."No!That's my Daddy!" and all the giggles he got. Elliot loved to growl at pop's growls and be toted around.

It was super nice having some Bowler love out here

& I wish Lynda would post some of her pictures so I could steal them.

Here are some pics from our waco field trip.

Dr. P Museum

Cool parks & Bridges & Murals

Nice acorns and cousins

Livee is the best to hang out with

Thanksgiving was awesome. We ate at Tad and Amelia's on Wednesday. It was fun getting all the food ready. The fam went in on an infra-red turkey cooker. mmmm The turkey was sooo good. Everything was so yummy. The older girls's read Abraham Lincoldn's Thanksgiving proclamation. It was just really really nice. The next day we turkey trotted around the Motor speedway at the grub run. That was super fun. Hopefully more of our peeps will come next year. I loved it. And I also loved the family soccer game. mmm thanks for taking me to In & Out Syd, & Tim Tam slamming. I have seen the light. It was really nice to have Nan & Pops & Syd come spend time. I am thankful for our family.

glowsticks in the tub

2011-11-17T20:56:00.000-08:00

Cody is the best. Wouldn't you love to have him as a dad?

Wee Feast

2011-11-17T20:49:00.000-08:00

Rowdy had his first little school performance. The kids sang thanksgiving songs, then we ate lunch with them. They were all soo excitied to be up there and having people taking their pictures and clapping. It was cute.

The 3 cousins even got to be right near each other it was perfect. The picture is lame, but..

...Happy Thanksgiving

Lunch at the museums

2011-11-14T20:33:00.000-08:00

We just decided to go have a picnic lunch at Fair park and visit the museums. It was a beautiful day

I love the sculpture pond. The turtles were sun bathing all over.

The kids also love the giant mammoth outside the natural history bldg.

Bob the Builder Exhibit

The kids dug it

In the musuem there was one of those huge electric ball thingees yoyu know you stick your hand on and it looks like lightning touching you. I was holding Elliot and let her touch it and totally got shocked by my metal necklace!!! Yikes, it was really wierd.

The Song

2011-11-13T21:30:00.000-08:00

The M&M

2011-11-13T21:22:00.000-08:00

Uno special girl

2011-11-13T20:12:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday ElliotThis year has gone by fastI can't believe how fast it has gone.
We love you sweet girl.
Your brothers adore you. You usually love them too.
I have to constantly warn them to stay out of your face, because you are a scratcher.

You can say Mom, Dad, UP & sign for more

You Love to eat

You make awesome faces and still like to growl. We had a lightning storm a few weeks ago and you got so excited when the thunder rolled in you were growling in response.

You crack up when animals move or when we make stuffed animals pretend to talk to you.

You are starting to let us put stuff in your hair and leave hats on.
You love your cousins...& Aunts
You are starting to cuddle again. You only like to read a couple favorite books. You crawl really fast, which is probably why walking doesn't interest you. But you will stand up & cruise around furniture or with your little old lady walker. The other day you pushed it into the couch and couldn't go anymore so you screamed!! and then bit the couch in anger. It was pretty funny to watch. You are starting to drink out of a cup and get so excited when you do it. & Whenever you see tissue or hear the word blow, you blow air out your nose. You weigh 21 lbs, have three teeth, and are the cutest little girl in our family... maybe the world.
Love you sweet Elliot

Birthday festivities...B day was on a Sunday
We made pancakes for breakfast and actually let you have syrup because it was your bday and you were crazy hyper at church. The YW wanted to sing to you in YW

Knew just what to do with your cupcake

The Carmacks came over to Celebrate and eat.

It seriously seemed like yesterday that Rowdy and I went to watch Seussical the musical, where he sat on my lap and probably squished you in utero. Then we drank that big ole' root beer float, that very well could have put me into labor at mid night. and then we helped postpone the Carmack's vacation plans so Aunt Lynda could come give Cody and I moral support. You were born at 9:30 ish it seems like. Everyone was surprised at how big you were. But you were such a sweet baby. You instantly began to sleep through the night which was a first for me, and a huge blessing. You are growing up to be a beautiful girl. Its so fun to be around you and continue to see you personality blossom. We really love you Elliot and are glad you came when you did. XO

3 little chompers

2011-11-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

"You wanna see my chompers?"

Elliot smiles a lot but she does not show off her teeth unless she is cracking up

They are so cute funny. She has one on each side and one bottom one in the middle. Her other teeth have seemed like they would pop out anytime for like the past 2 months but still nothing. I want to get a picture with her and Carys (my 8 years old niece now missing her 2 front baby teeth) but good luck getting Elliot to smile for that.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T19:40:00.000-07:00

We had friends and family over for Soup in our monster garage.
What a good looking group of kids

Love my little Yodas

"Bring on the sweets Aunt Lynda"

Fun Night

...and Colleen brought full size candy bars! I went trick or treating for 2 seconds

Some Yard Ornaments the kids and I painted

Despicable Us

2011-10-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

Everybody say, "Squid Launcher!" "Oh YEah!"
Ezra went through a few different versions of Minion. This is what we could get him to keep on. Thanks Aunt Katie for the tip.

Rowdy, with his black haried bowl cut

She's so "FLUFFY!"

Elliot was happy growling all evening. It reminded me of the little girls deep scratchy voice when she says "It's so fluffy!"Ezra was soo cute at the trunk or treat part. He would walk up to people wiht both his hands in the air palms up ready to get all the candy they would give him :) and yell! "Trick or Treat!!"

Elliot made the rounds she was pretty grumpy today though. I had drug her around with me all day including to set up the trunk or treat.

Rowdy was so cute in the party part. He was out checking stuff out in the cultural hall but then he got sad for a minute and came to me because he didn't know who he should dance with :)

By the end of the first hour our kids just looked dirty :) all the hairspray had started flaking off. But everybody who had seen the movie, Despicable Me, got a kick out of their costumes.

Cody had gotten called into work and then let go early so he came to the first and last 15 minutes :)
The whole thing was kind of a blur for me. But I think everyone had fun.

Just in Case You didn't see it

2011-10-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

Vector=Rowdy Minion=Ezra

Agnes=Elliot Edith=Celeste

Gru=will be Cody and The Moon, played by The Moon

Pre Halloween

2011-10-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

Here were some of the runner ups.
Yaya sent a fun package. The boys are still playing "dress up"with. ( I am writing this at the begining of December) Rowdy will run in the other room and strip off all of his clothes to be buzz light year and then in 10 mintes he is sweating and will go change againA neighbor offered for Elliot to borrow their pumpkin costume.
She will not have anything on her head.

short lived

Rowdy's cutest friend obsessed with Frainkenstein, dolled Rowdy up with stitches at a play date. love it

It felt like the last day of summer

2011-10-22T23:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday we did chores then drove down the road, with snacks to watch an airshow
The boys were pretty stoked about all the rocks. They would get excited if a jet flew right over us, but it was mostly Cody & I... & Elliot :)

Then our friends invited us to go boating with them on Grapevine Lake. It was sooo cool. We grabbed a babysitter for Elliot and Ezra and took Rowdy. I think that was my first time ever on a tube. It was exciting. (hold tight knuckles white) It was just sweet to be out in the middle of the lake after enjoying it so many times from the shore. We were going to wakeboard but it started getting cold and the sun was going down. As soon as we decided to go back to shore Cody got called into work. perfect timing.

Fall Festival

2011-10-21T22:48:00.000-07:00

Fall Festival at down the street at Justin Elementary. It is one of my favorite things to ride my bike or walk to community events. Love that small town feelin'.

Friend, Neighbor, YW, babysitter, McKay, rockin as Raphael. Love this girl (and her peeps)

Bowler Boys and a lovely sunset

Punky Elliot

Fun had by all. Hair courtesy of Aunt Lynda and girls working their PTA magic

and one of the most memorable parts o.f the night when Cody unintentionally offended a girl in a motorized wheel chair and was almost taken out :)

Galveston Getaway

2011-10-15T22:26:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, we knew Cody would have at least 2 days off so we scooted down to Galveston (on the Gulf for the non-familiar). We had such a nice time. The kids were pretty good in the car we went old school with no movies :) , and had a fun time.

I walked out far into into the water with Elliot and let her ride the waves after like minute she was pretty limp and relaxed ( I had her under her armpits) and ended up fast asleep. It was a nice kid beach. Loving the sand, as usual. And it was fun to watch the crazy little shell creatures dig themselves back into the sand.

The weather and water temp and crowd was perfect.

It was just refreshing and lovely. The amazing texas shaped waffles at our resonably priced hotel one block away from the water also certainly helped. mmm those waffles were good.

On our way home we drove on a nice senic highway up to Austin and stopped at Bobby and Tiffany's. Yay for the Quicksilver sale, Yay for cousins, and yay for getting away.

elli-ven

2011-10-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

It is a rare thing to catch Elliot sitting still any more.

She is self entertaining ( most of the time) & busy checking things out. She loves the... love sac, and will crawl up and down it for half hours. She likes to play peek-a-boo, but she thinks if she can't see you/ you can't see her. So she just turns her head back and forth. She loves baths. She has 2 teeth now. The top sides :) but that doesn't stop her from grubbing down on the table food. We haven't found anything she doesn't like yet, but if she isn't in the mood for softy baby food she is a great spitter = not so great if you are the feeder.

She walks along things and is starting to let us walk her with our fingers. She is a fast crawler. and fast to swipe at your face. She head butts backwards if she wants to be let go or out of her high chair. She says more with her hands and hi/bye. She says mama and dada but compared to the boys at this point she isn't much of a "talker."
She Loves Dogs/animals. Or even stuffed animals that we make talk to her. She has a cute laugh when she gets around them. If she likes something and you are holding her she still wags her leg :)
Can't believe how fast this time is passing.
Love you Elliot.

Kids n Kid

2011-10-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

High Fives

2011-10-13T14:22:00.000-07:00

Elliot giggles

2011-10-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

Ezrigedy

2011-10-12T19:21:00.000-07:00

Do you see what we have to deal with?!Hee hee just kidding.
Ezra is such a great kid. He is our snuggler and our giggler. He is also the one we have to sneak out of the house for if we are leaving the kids with a babysitter. He is pretty good at making us feel loved.

He is talking (and singing ) a ton, but at times needs translation.
"Did you see that?!" He says that one sooo much now its funny. He will do something awesome or crack up at something and say it totally excited, "Did you see that?!"
"No!!!! Don't tickle Mommy!" -Yells this if Cody is tickling me or even hugging me
"Window down please" "Praise to the man please" "I'm a baby" or I'm a doggy" and will come lay down in our laps. "Under-dog please!"

He loves playing with Elliot and Rowdy. He cried this past Sunday when Rowdy left him to go sit up on the stand, and still cries when Rowdy goes to pre-school. I love watching the brothers together. They melt my heart all their hugs and giggles and cuteness. Ezra likes Elliot too. He will get little toys for Elliot or try and feed her. He will pat her back or kiss her if she is crying (even if he just finished biting her! :0 that has only happened once (that I know of ! )) aww, but most of the time he is a sweet sweet boy. He loves riding his mini glider bike and goes super fast on it. all the neighbors get a hoot out him riding his little bike. He often will pull the chair over to jump off onto the love sack. He is getting good at counting, and lots of primary songs. He has been super excited about nursery lately and will talk about it on Sunday and just walk right in there now. (big change from a few weeks ago) He also loves to read. One of my favorites right now to read to him is Goodnight Little Dinosaur because unscripted he will give me kisses and hugs when the dinosaur gives his Mom kisses and hugs.
Mmm, Love this boy

Praise to the Man (an early version)

2011-10-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

C.O.G.

2011-10-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

Rowdster

2011-10-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

So big :) :(

I love it in the mornings if Rowdy hears Elliot he will sneak in there if no one is around and do a "puppet show" for her. Lately he hasn't been able to sneak so he will beg us to wait while he goes and does a "show" which lately is just running around singing silly songs. She gets all excited when he comes in. Its so cute
Rowdy has found the place in my phone where all the picture ID's are together and so I have been getting reports of muffled sneak phone calls from Rowdy. Now if I hear the boys giggling in the other room I just double check to make sure I know where my phone is.
Rowdy gave his first talk in primary prob. a month ago now. He did so good. He has an amazing memory. He had the primary teachers in awe. Through my mom tears I saw one other lady crying. How dorky I know but I can't believe how big Rowdy is getting and he has a sweet little testimony. Any way you've probably all heard his talk because he saw how impressed everyone was and told us he was going to "tell our whole city" his talk.
I was asking him what his favorite part of pre-school was and he said he liked going outside with Grayson and Miles and he liked his daily jobs and maybe something else and then he said , "but Mom do you know what my very favorite part is? Coming home to you."
awww. Melt my heart.
Rowdy loves to draw and write right now. & He just discovered punctuation. He especially likes exclamation marks.
Big words by Rowdy:
Praise to the man, "blessed to open the last invitation."
He told me a couple of weeks ago Elliot is "on a journey over here to us."
Couple of months ago when he first got his big bike,"Mom, I am practicing applying my brakes. So if I am ever in a race and the man talking to the bike rider says, "Rowdy apply your brakes" then I can." :)
Love you Rowdster

Rowdy's Primary Talk

2011-10-11T19:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Papa!

2011-10-09T21:43:00.000-07:00

Love,

Us We made you some birthday brownies tonight. They were finger lickin' good

but you"d better hurry out here if you want any.
We Love your Old Man guts!
Hope you had a good day

(I just noticed Ezra's hands in this picture :) the rest is mine!)

Love these piggies

2011-09-28T21:30:00.002-07:00

this just in

2011-09-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

First tooth!
Its her upper right tooth next to her middle teeth. Her new nickname is Snaggle, & that is chocolate on her tounge.

Elliot 10 mo

2011-09-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

Happy 10 months ElliotShe is getting so big. She is in the vacuum stage. She has been crawling most of the month. She just started saying "more" with her hands. She does the cutest little wave with just three of her fingers to say, "Hi".

If I can't find her I go to the toy room and she is usually standing up on something playing with toys. Cars and balls are her favorites (and the new monkey :)

Likes to explore..and taste new things

and her brothers do her hair

(here the styling tool was the shop vac)

Love you Miss Elliot

Fur Real (wait for it)

2011-09-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

Fur Real Monkey Hug

2011-09-09T12:09:00.001-07:00

Fur Real

2011-09-09T12:05:00.002-07:00

Fur Real

2011-09-09T12:05:00.001-07:00

Say Pre-K!

2011-09-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Sonya & Mrs. Marie

Yesterday was Rowdy's first day of Pre-School this year. He did some pre-school at Lynda's house last year and learned so much! This year he is going to the Baptist Church at the other end of Justin.
We got him a new thermos and a new shirt and he was so excited for his first day. Mom on the other hand was a little tender-hearted. I know its not even kindergarten or anything! but it is the beginning of the end. I am so excited for him, because I know he is going to love the whole experience. He's just my little man and.. well, I hope I've taught him the things he needs to know up to this point. Its just so crazy the Baptists will be teaching him now. Ha ha! just kidding. I know he will do fine, He is a good kid.
Ezra had a hard time when we dropped him off too. Ezra started crying, " I want my Brother. I want Rowdy!" It was sweet, sad. Ezra and I cried together for 2 seconds at the car. Then we had a fun day together

Rowdy loved playing at the playground with Miles and Grayson (They are in the classroom next door). He liked to sing Ring around the Rosies . He learned about the letter A and Zero. and He loved his lunch. He liked it when someone held the American Flag and he sat by his friends. "That's all my favorite parts."

Rowdy is loving to draw and especially write these days. When he got a dry erase board for his birthday he just sat down and told us, "I am going to write all of my ABC's. and Did! with hardly any help. Then when he was done with that he did the abc's with the capital and small letters, all by himself. He loves to write letters and birthday cards to his cousins. and just discovered how to draw cactuses, temples, his people are improving, and he has his own fancy signature.

Love you Rowdy

Breakfast at Tiffany's

2011-08-31T22:03:00.000-07:00

We, spur of the moment went down to Tiffany and Bobby's this past weekend... The kids and I. We thought we might see Cody, but we missed him entirely. We pretty much missed Bobby too. But did that slow us down?
We went to Sea World! Yep just Tiffany I and our five crazy children. We had our hands full, but we all had fun. The Sea World in San Antonio has a full on water park and splash parks throughout, which is awesome because I always remember being hot at the San Diego park. We did half of our day at the water park and half at the animals and shows.
The littles loooved the sea lions and the sea lion show, with "Uncle Max" the big fat walrus.

We got to feed the dolphins. I say feed because Ezra didn't care. He was just chucking the 2 dollar a piece sardines in the pool.

Kodi Lynn was more savvy.

We sat in the splash zone at the Shamu show... Holy Wall of Water! poor Elliot.
(This is a before picture)
and eww it was all salt watery
Elliot loved the aquariums
Well we all did, but Elliot was the only one who would sit still long enough for a picture.

We stayed Sunday and went to church with Tiffany and drove back just as Cody was getting home, and just in time for a Laurel presidency meeting.
Thanks for the awesome trip Tiffany and thanks for always feeding us. We had a great time

Museo

2011-08-31T21:56:00.001-07:00

Cody has been on the road and I was feeling a little antsy to get out of the house. I invited Lynda and Miles to the children's museum, but she had stuff to do at home and offered to trade my littles for the boys. I had so much fun with them. It was nice having some quality boy time.

FFA Here we come
(Future Firefighters or Farmers?)

Yay for our museum pass. Already a big fan

Rowdy's first trip to the dentist

2011-08-31T21:52:00.001-07:00

I don't know if Rowdy had been reading books or talking to cousins, but for me it seemed out of the blue, he wanted to go to the dentist. He was bugging Cody and I to go for 2 weeks.

The nurse said he was the perfect 4 year old patient It took him a minute but after he got the hang of it he loved the spit sucker
He is now brushing 4 times a day and trying to floss more than that :)
Love your smile boy

Week before school

2011-08-31T21:38:00.000-07:00

I know.. its the week before school. why should I care about school... but I am going to miss all the extra time with the YW. We hadn't seen each other for mutual in a while because of a postponed Saturday service project. So we went rouge and had a non-mutual activity at my house on Tuesday night. It was sooo fun. I love love love the girls in our ward. and I am so sad they have to go back to school its been fun having the more laid back summer hours and crazy activities with them. I love this calling. (so do my kids)

Rowdy is turning into the biggest flirt and has like 3 different girls he has wanted marry.
And the littles also get plenty of attention
The following Saturday we went and did our lake clean up/boating activity. It was sooo fun! I am bummed I didn't bring the camera. Everyone had so much fun. The boys and I got a boat ride as well. Rowdy was soooo excited. He was telling everyone, "I got to ride in a jet boat!" and he pointed out on the boat, this was his first time in a "fast" boat. He got to go on the tube with Sister Haller. (I was holding Ezra). Rowdy was sooo stoked. Ezra love the boat ride too. He would crack up everytime the boat would bounce over a wake, and then... he was quickly rocked to sleep. Later we went to celebrate Zoe's birthday with some of the same YW. Zoe had a minute to win it party, which was also Sooo fun! Yay for the YW. and yay for the program. and yay we get to partake of it.

Pretty much daily

2011-08-31T21:15:00.000-07:00

The shots you are about to see were taken in a 24 hour period. We may have been a little more leniant and picture happy because it was his birthday, but Munchkin 2 year old does make a major mess in the kitchen area at least once a day. I have been going to bed exhausted :)

We made Ezra dirt cups for his birthday

Ezra is always cracking us up.

This picture was taken after Rowdy had been running around the house pretending to be Batman. Ezra, wanting to participate in the super hero-ness stuck the bucket on his head and said he was "Diaper Man"

It is bed time at our house. Ezra has been getting out of bed tonight. Earlier I heard the boys' door open and shut and some rustling around. He usually comes into my room. I went back to check and he was sitting inside the bathroom sink playing with the water.

Elliot 9 mo' yo

2011-08-25T19:47:00.000-07:00

Stats: 17lbs. 14oz (45th percentile), 2 ft 3 inches (45th percentile), head size 18.3 (90th percentile :)

Here she is on her 9 month/Ezra's 2nd b day enjoying a magic moiton picture ride with her bro's at Chuck E Cheese.

She is mobile! She still won't crawl on all 4's for more than a stroke or 2 but she's all over with her army crawl. Especially if there is food involved. Ezra loves to feed her (he enjoys the perks) She is in the vaccum stage
Daddy's girl
She can say "Moma"! and she can screeeeam!

She loves to stand up. I found her crying doing the splits the other day.

Still no teeth, but the Dr. said any day now. She loves her a toothbrush Loves to eat, loves paper, loves to eat paper, is in her own room, laughs at brothers, loves water, hates car seats, semi-ticklish, still a good sleeper.

Breakfast with the Bowler children

2011-08-23T14:37:00.001-07:00

soggy cowboy jumping jacks

2011-08-23T14:33:00.001-07:00

Ezra's 2 year? interview

2011-08-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

Ezra is 2

2011-08-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

Ezra is always keeping us laughing.

If he isn't hamming it up, he has us laughing at his contagious laugh.

He loves accessories, mostly to get a reaction from people... Goggles, shoes, hats, glasses, bracelets.

This summer his classic outfit has been a diaper and the cowboy boots. but if he doesn't have those on he has probably snaked someone else's shoes.

He loves anything with marinara sauce

He still isn't a fan of bananas

He was sprouting a molar during his birthday celebrations. So he was terribly 2 right on the money :) that morning I heard him in the front room yelling at the top his lung "NO! Its MINE!!" I just smiled and thought wow that happened right on the dot.

He still loves to snuggle. He will lay down by us for 15 or 20 minutes just snuggling.

He love to jump on the love sack. and lately he will hold his hands together in little fists at his belly and just smile and fall face first into the love sac, from atop the blue chair.

He talks quite a bit, but sometimes it needs translation.

His favorite song is, "Praise to the Man". Every single time we get in the car he asks to listen to it. and will ask louder and louder until you put it on... (it was a primary program cd) but he can sing a bunch of other songs and his voice is so cute. I should record them. He can sing:

ABC's , Praise to the man (beginning), I am a Child of God, I love to see the temple, Give said the little stream, The Wheels on he Bus, and The wise man song.

He Adores his Dad. Talks about him all the time.

and he still loves milk but "Dad" has trumped "Milk" in the frequency of use.

Ezra is pretty shy at first, especially to people paying attention to him. He tends to be more friendly to those not paying attention to him :) but once you win him over he will melt your heart.

Whenever we go shopping he looooves to help push the cart or hang on the front. He usually loves to bend over and push the very bottom bar. The one that is like 2 inches from the floor. so he can't see where he is going he just goes for it.

HE is a sweet sweet brother. IT is soooo cool watching he and Rowdy share and play and wrestle together. they have a lot of fun. Ezra loves Elliot. He like talking to her in a baby voice and he also loves to feed her "puffs" or her bottle. He calls her "Ette"

He can be pretty stubborn. He is opinionated a lot of the time, and not easily distracted. He has been getting into trouble lately hitting and biting, but its probably just him not understanding how we are playing with each other (I always fake chew on Elliot's face).

He is getting so big he pulls up stools to climb up to the counter. He loves going potty on the toilet. flushing it and washing his hands.

He is loves the glider bike he got for his birthday and actually took off down the block a few days ago. Cody had to chase him down in the car. And he has started to say his own prayers.

Cute things he has said in his prayers.. "Please bless Daddy to get home safely" When I ask him what he is thankful for he says, "Dad." and the other night he said he was thankful for "Chuck E Cheese" (we took him there on his birthday.) and he says the end so excited "Aaaaamen!"

The other day Cody was tickling me and got stern with Cody and just said seriously "No! Don't tickle Mom!" until Cody stopped

He just melts our hearts. His hugs are the best, and his pouty lip kisses too. We are so grateful for all he brings into our home. We love your guts Ez-rig-idy

2011-08-13T21:16:00.000-07:00

Lets just go

2011-08-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

Its Katie and Locke's last week here. Katie and I are sick of putting on sunscreen, bathing suit scrounging, towels, too long to get wet routine. So we just decided to go today. Roanoke has some sweet little splash parks so we just ran over to one without all of that. just bits and pieces. The water was actually cool and there was a breeze. And we didn't stay long enough to get burned. It was lovely and refreshing. Elliot crawled out of her sun protection

Everyone say, "John Deere!"

Side note. Last Saturday we went to Grandbury Lake. There was a cool vintage town square. We found a cool little sandy beach and splash park. The lake water was... still warm. Its been 108 for as long as I can remember now. and that's probably the temperature of our little pool out back. At least its not humid. So anyway the cold water at the splash park was pretty refreshing

Rowdy's B day Festivities

2011-08-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

Mario party! I don't know who had more fun :)
We filled up Rowdy's room with balloons while he was sleeping. He woke up at 3 o' clock in the morning really excited!
We woke up the next morning and he was asleep in the living room on the love sac.
Guess next time we should turn off the fan :)

No one escaped the stache
We played some fun balloon games.( P.S. sharpie on balloons stains carpet :)
Then we went outside and played with Yoshi eggs.

Then some underwater Mario games

Afterwards we all had some pretty wacky facial shading from the grease moustaches.

Rowdy had a great time.

For Lunch he wanted Rice and beans (? didn't see that one coming) so we went to Taco Bell.

Rowdy got a new bike for his birthdayLater we went to see Kung Fu panda and got a little ice cream.
It was a great day

We love you Rowdy thanks for being such a fun little man. Mom has been a little sentimental. It seems like just yesterday we got to take you home from the hospital. You made us parents. We love watching you grow and learn, make connections, and especially lately love your brother and sister. You are an example to all of us. We love your guts. Thanks for being you...and for loving us.

Rowdy is 4!

2011-08-10T14:25:00.000-07:00

Whats your name? Rowdy R-O-W-D-Y
Who are you named after? Rowdy Arlan Bowler
What grade are you in? 1st grade (starts preschool in 3 weeks)
Who is your teacher? Sister Braunersrither
If you could have one super-power, what would it be? Punch bad guys
What was the last chore you did? folding clothes
What is your favorite song? Give said the little stream
What do you like to eat for lunch? Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
What's the nicest thing you've done for someone in your family lately? Let them have some of my cake
What makes you mad? When Ezra bites me.
What makes you happy? When people share their cake with me
Favorite color? Red, Pink.
What is your favorite movie? Scooby Doo the abra cadabra one
Where would you like to go on vacation? Disneyland
Who's the smartest person in your family? Me
How old is Mommy? 12
How old is Daddy? I think 13
What's one thing that Mommy always says to you? Love you
What's one thing that Daddy always says to you? You can play my phone later
What's one thing that you and Daddy do together that you'll always remember? playing on the computer
What's one thing that you and Mommy do together that you'll always remember? Learn how to spell R-O-W-D-Y
If you had a million dollars, what's the first thing you'd buy? A treat. M& Ms, that I will share
How do you know that Mommy and Daddy love you? Because they are my Mommy and Daddy
What does Ezra do that makes you laugh? He does this (sticks his hands in his armpits)
What do you like about Elliot? When she does this (garble sound and pats her mouth)
What’s your favorite food? Jelly beans
What's your favorite cereal? Oatmeal Squares
What's your favorite TV show? Thomas the Train
What's your favorite vegetable? carrots
What toy would you never give away? my new car that’s shiny
What's your favorite game? Uno
What's your favorite book? The Truck one
Who do you like to play with? Miles
What's the first thing you want to show your friends when they come to your house? When Kaidee comes over I want to show her my new car shiny
What's your favorite candy? Licorice
What's your nickname? Rowdy Arlan Bowler
What's the best age to be? 8:30 because I want to be bigger than Zoe
What's your favorite holiday? Easter, because Jesus is alive
What's the best present you ever got? candy
Who is your best friend? Degan because he has the coolest transformers
Who is your teacher at church? Sister Osmer
What is something that makes you giggle? When mom tickles me
How many kids do you want? 12
What do you want to be when you grow up? A fire man
Do you have a girlfriend? yes, its Aunt Katie. But I'm not gonna marry her, cause shes already married

Yes,

2011-08-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

I have more important things I need to blog aboutbut who can resist a little photoshop fun?
I love Rowdy and Ezra as brothers. What sweet boys

I can't believe your summer here is almost over! Oh how I will miss my little toadie!

(For Evisa:) Second picture is my niece and nephew that have spent the summer here with us. I didn't make an Elliot one...but I will :)

Eight month Elliot

2011-07-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Elliot,
We are so glad you are in our family. We have no idea how you got so cute though. Everyone thinks you look like the Gerber baby. and look at those eyes. I am so glad you got Dad's lashes.
You have sprouted these past two months! It started with you letting us know you were still hungry. You go from angelic to Screaming!! in .25 seconds. My favorite was when we were in Target and you saw someone walking by eating a pretzel and you reached for it and screeeeamed!! Most of your outbursts are related to food. but you have put it to good use and are growing into a sweet petite little girl.
You make the funniest noises. It seems like each time you discover a new voice it lasts for about 2 weeks. I remember you blowing bubbles/talking, then it graduated into babbling the cute baby gooing and gaaing, then you discovered your tongue and would say La La la. Then I think the boys discovered you would smile and laugh at them and they were playing with you more, and Rocco is around, that's where I think you got the growling from. When we were in sacrament meeting I was holding you and I started to close my eyes for the prayer and I saw you out of the corner of my eye about to attack my face with your crazy growl. It was pretty funny. and now you have all the babbles and growls mixed up with these 2 second LOUd screams. Luckily you are still cute and its still funny. Needless to say we are trying to teach you sign language at least for food situations because you can get Loud!
You are sitting up so well! You Love to play with anything you can get your hands on. and if you find a good toy you will play with it or roll around with it for a good 30 minutes. You were sleeping on the floor in our closet until you scooted/rolled out into our bathroom. Now you are in a pack & play in our closet.
You've started getting a little Mommy sensitive lately. Up until the past few weeks you have been very mellow and laid back. Now, you get sad if you see me leave or if you realize you don't know who is holding you. The Young Women in the ward love to hold you (if you are in a good mood.) Rowdy is the only little little you will let hold you without crying, but you will also let Livee, cousin Kaidee, and Zoe and most everyone else bigger than them hold you.
You started clapping a few days ago it is sooo cute. and you have begun to clap when you smile. Its awesome.
We love having you around Little E. We especially like watching Rowdy and Ezra trying to make you laugh, and just love you. You are so special and we are glad you are ours.
Heart,
Mom and Dad

Full Swing

2011-07-11T21:25:00.000-07:00

Summer is always so jam packed I find it hard to record keep. I plan to come back in better detail when its not so late at night. Locke and Katie are staying with us this summer & the Byrds were down the street with Lynda for a month. My Mom and Monica came for a weekish at the end of June. So it has been crazy and fun.

But the thing that is nagging at me most to record are these sweet kids. Elliot learned how to clap two days ago. She just looked at one hand and slapped it with her other hand and thought it was funny and now she can clap! I will have to re-post this in her 7th and 8th month posts but she is sitting up now and scooting backwards a little more. We have been making a concious effort to give her more tummy time. But between the four other littles in the house she has been through the gauntlet.

She can screeeeeam! so loud so fast. Mostly when she sees people eating. Yes, it is pretty embarassing in public. She saw someone in Target the other day eating a preztel and screeeeamed at them.

A couple of weeks ago she was shaking her head back and forth really fast and getting a little dizzy. I am pretty sure she just liked the way it felt. and she would copy us if we did it.

She always likes something in her hands. She searches for things to grab, play with and examine. She is just sprouting and changing everyday. She has been insatiably hungry... and funny.

Ezra has been cracking me up. He keeps getting hurt. Sometimes he is really hurt and sometimes he is just a little hurt but he will say (pouty voice) "I'm OK. Mom! I'm OK" He is so cute. He is talking a lot. He is in the mimick mode but will still bust out. He said his first solo prayer today for the food and blessed the family ( I think) and he always gets soo happy when he says Amen! He loves nursery and his Dad

Rowdy is loving all his cousins around. He constantly wants to have sleepovers at Miles house. He and Armanie get along well most of the time. He likes having a built in buddy. Aunt Katie gave him swim lessons in early July and he has been soing so good! We have an above ground pool in the back now that he can stand up in and he could stay in there all day. He could also sing "I will go I will do" all day. He is such a sweet big brother and a big help.

Cody has been working in the yard (as in trains), which has been nice. He just got released from nursery after 2 years. I think he is going to miss it. They are really going to miss him. He is so sweet with the littles and isn't afraid to get down on his knees and play with them or pick them up and help them stop crying. What a good man.

..and I have been married to him for 5 years. We went on a fancy anniversary date last Thursday after we got back from taking the youth to go do baptisms at the temple. It was beyond nice. and thanks to all the aunts who helped watch our kiddos.

so... hopefully this record keeping thing will become more of a habit. Thanks for the sweet pics Letti

Happy Birthday America!

2011-07-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

Fourth of July morning we rode our bikes over to the ward breakfast at Justin Park. I loved being able to ride my bike to a church activity. Then later we went to a fourth of July parade in Haslet. Rowdy looked around on his person and said , " Aw... I didn't bring anything for me to go to the parade in." Just then a lady came up handing out the kids random hats. He was so excited about his Fourth of July crazy hat. and it ended up being a nice candy catcher. I don't think he lifted up his head more than twice the whole parade he was too busy picking up candy off the ground. but I'm not complainin'. He got some good stuff :)

the cousins

Aunt Letti and Elliot at the ward breakfast

When Cody got home from work we went to big ole' firework store. It was a little crazy/funny you could buy an "all nighter" pack for 600$ if you brought your pickup truck to drag it home with. or $100 worth of just straight up firecrackers. We just bought 70 cent sparklers. It was mostly fun to check out the other customers. Takes all kinds.
We swam in our backyard and then took off right before dark and watched the big fireworks in Trophy Club, and yes if you aren't familiar that is the name of a neighboring town. I love Texas and all the but the city names? randoma. and Texas is so flat it is awesome on the fourth to see everyone Else's big fireworks. I knew Rowdy was going to like the fireworks, but Ezra and Elliot turned out to be fans as well. Ezra just sat there and kept saying pretty. and Elliot was actually really excited about them too. She would wave her arms and legs and talk when they would explode. You can always tell her mood by how much she moves her arms and legs. I just couldn't stop singing the national anthem. The words were just more poignant than usual today. Those first patriots were really putting everything on the line. "The rockets red glare gave proof through the night that our flag was still there."...I am sure that was a sweet moment amidst the turmoil of war and fervent prayers. "O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." I am very grateful.

Mi Hombre

2011-06-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

Let me take a minute or two and give much respect to...What a mighty good man Cody is so awesome. He is always getting people wet. We all love it.. once we actually are wet. He loves inviting over our nieces and nephews. He loves playing with the kids and coming up with cool activities or crafts for them to do. Like these home decor balloons he morphed into water balloons for the kids. He did have some fun balloon games for them this summer.

Fun and funny were definitely a few of the things that won me over.

He is also so creative and and smart. He always wins at the word and puzzle games (I've decided that "puzzling" is a great trait for a train builder.) He never complains about his job, or supporting the fam. I am super thankful I get to stay home with our kids at this point in their lives. I love his quick wit and he is really creative and crafty too. Another great thing about Cody is he is thoughtful. He is good at going the extra mile to make people feel loved.
We love you Querido.

p.s. thanks for doing laundry today! xo

Carne

2011-06-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

Workin' itUncle Tad makes the best smoked ribs.
Elliot approved.

Hey! Rocco!

2011-06-06T00:13:00.000-07:00

When we got home from CA we were greeted by the Locke and Katie Anderson Armanie Rocco family. They are staying with us for the summer while Locke interns in Dallas. Its fun having them here. Katie is helping us eat healthier, hence Ezra's face

beachy

2011-06-05T23:46:00.000-07:00

1st time!

Rowdy's tag censored his crackage

The boys loooved the water. IT had been cool but turned out to be perfect at the beach

The black sand was sticking to the boys it was awesome. At one point Rowdy looked bearded

I buried the boys then Ezra decided to itch his nose/mouth While I was burying them I really thought they were both going to fall asleep!

How Elliot spent most of her time at the beach

It was a good day.

grandparents

2011-06-05T23:36:00.000-07:00

Elliot was famous at Dad's school! It was soo sweet all the little girls wanted to touch her and play with her. Cody, shortly after this picture, ditched Elliot to go play soccer with the school kids.

It was career day at Papa"s school. We came to see the boxer. J/k.... the principal

Ezra helping Nan sew Ezra "Jay" Bowler!
Jay=honorary grandparent

Chillin' at Nan and Pop's

Disney pics

2011-06-05T23:24:00.000-07:00

favorite ride, favorite boys Cinnamon and Libby

Max wasn"t a fan of the farris wheel.. He kept saying "Open!"

Our boys loved it when it would slide forward

Aww. sweet brothers

The boys were too busy checking out Lightning to pose for the picture ladies

Ezra was digging in his heels and holding onto my legs behind the camera

Tangled and no hair fairy tale cruise

Good times

Nice Genes

2011-06-05T23:19:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa Bowler's

Grandma's got skills. This is her 10th one this year

its a gopher

OC pics :)

2011-06-05T23:02:00.000-07:00

Mon bon, Eu, y Elliot at Tsunami's The color show at CA adventure. Cole kept telling Rowdy, "tell your mom I want to go home"

Disneyland with the Bowlers

Who needs all these fancy rides? Good thing we didn't have to pay for Ezra.

Just before our talk with Crush the turtle

San Clemente. Thanks Mom & Dad. And thanks for Dinner and the visit

Elliots first visit to Tsunami's. Practicing her chopstick skills

Flaming lady. mmmm. But their crunch roll is still my favorite

This is Libby and Elliot. They share birthdays! Cinnamon was due on the 8 the or something and I was due on the 22nd and they were both born on the 13

California here we come

2011-06-05T22:15:00.000-07:00

Ezra loves glasses.

We took our family vacation to California. May 12-May 24th. It was so nice. We got to see family, friends, relax, Disneyland, beach, hike, golf, eat, play. It was rejuvenating. We flew out and a sweet friend let us use her Pilot...the car. The kids were good on the plane rides. Ezra fell asleep right when the plane landed though. stinker. For our birthdays we got a hotel in San Clemente and Disneyland passes. We went with the Bowlers on Monday to Disneyland. It was so fun having Nan Pops and the Byrds there. We stayed with Cole and our family to watch the new Color show at CA adventure. It was awesome but we would Not do that with kids again. Later in the week met up with Cinnamon and her kids Max and Libby and we permanently scarred Max I am sure. The ride we loved but Max didn't.. The huge Ferris wheel. Rowdy also loved the Toy Story Carnival game where you"shoot the plates". Ezra loved the characters from a distance and would freak out if they got to close, or when Pops would get out his toy spiders :) We got to hang with Monica before she left to HI, and took Elliot to her first Tsunami's experience. Rowdy got to go to Yaya and Papa's schools. Cody golfed with his Dad. Ezra helped Nan sew. Elliot hung out with everyone. We got to see most of our Cypress peeps at church. That was super nice. They still feel like our family. On my birthday we were driving back from San Clemente and Cody asked if you could do anything today what would it be? and I said, " go to Glen Ivy Hot Springs, turn right here!" and so I got to spend a day alone kids free at GIHS and it was awesome. I lounged around, relaxed,took naps and spa-ed it up. Then Cody came and picked me up when it closed and we went to a Fish house. Letti had watched our kids(perfect b day present) then went to my parents and ate cake. Later we had b day egg rolls at Nan and Pops. Thanks everyone for the nice birthday. Rowdy went on a couple hikes with Papa and Yaya and Dad also took Nan and I up some peak in Palm Springs in 90 degree weather while Yaya and the kids enjoyed Knott's Soak City. I seriously loved it. I loved hanging out with my Dad and Nan and I loved being up there. I love Mountains, hikes, and the perspective. The 360 view was amazing. As we were getting ready to leave Sister Stewart had a freaky accident and I don't think I have prayed so hard in a long time. I think a lot of people were. and she seems to have fully recovered which is miraculous considering the circumstances. I got to take the kids to the beach and have a missionary experience. " I am going to get baptized Celeste, and its all your fault." The kids loved the sand and the waves. We ate a lot at Miguels & Bakers. I am sure I missed some things, but it was just a really great trip. Thank you Cody for making it happen after all my needing to get out neediness :). and thanks to our wonderful family & friends for making us want to keep coming back.

Rowdy"s new obsession

2011-06-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

So I drew him thisa picture

He looked at it asked where toad was and then turned it upsidedown and shook it :)

Fair Park

2011-06-05T21:53:00.000-07:00

Fair Park is awesome. Swan Paddle boats with the Browns The beautiful meandering sculpture ponds. The crazy big turtles and fish

The kids loved the discovery science center

And we loved it was free with our bank of america card.

6 monther

2011-06-05T21:25:00.000-07:00

What a sweet girl. She's rolling over all the time and smiling and finally starting to babble again, mixed in with her exotic bird sounding screeches. She is eating real food. 18-ish lbs. Sleeping through the night. Grabbing and loving toys. She is always laughing or waving her arms and legs excitedly at her brothers and anyone smiling at her.

Potty Time.. Excellent!

2011-06-05T21:13:00.000-07:00

Ezra chewin' a treat for going on the potty. Rowdy gets one for encouraging him :)

He's inconsistent but he gets excited when we get excited

Real food

2011-05-06T20:18:00.000-07:00

Its been hot.Poor Elliot.
Oh! Look who came to visit.

Camera 1

Camera 2

Lucky girl.

and just for for record keeping sake... Elliot makes the fuuuniest squeaky/talky/ whiny/scream when she no longer has food in her mouth.... via her dropping it or folks just wanting a chuckle

Little Date

2011-04-24T20:30:00.000-07:00

Rowdy came with the Young Women and I to United We Dance. It was pretty sweet. Rowdy was a gentleman and fun to talk to. Fun side commentary. I loved the variety. Almost everyone's pieces were fabulous. Rowdy liked when the dancers would do "flip overs". During intermission he went up to some of the girls from one of the local high school and told them they did a good job and they thought he was soo cute and kind. Then later he asked me, "When are we going to tell the boy dancers they did a good job?" There was one guy flipping a girl and he said, " I want to tell that guy he did a good job"
Rowdy. I just love you. You are so thoughtful and are good at making people feel good :) Thanks for being a nice date

Feliz Pascoa

2011-04-24T20:22:00.000-07:00

That's Happy Easter in Portuguese...
Rowdy was sooo stoked about the egg hunt. He even hid some after we found them so we could find them all over again.

and poor Rowdy woke up so early and found some Easter eggs on the way to our room. It was pretty early so I made him stay in our room and watch a movie on the dvd player until "Ezra" woke up. I felt so... old

Lynda traced Elliot's little hand on an egg for her.

so proud

This package kept Elliot entertained for a good 20 minutes. A girl after our own heart Dad

My new favorite= spill proof bubbles.

Yaya and Papa got the boys these cutest little suits. I tried to get a better view for ya mom, but..

we are no good at posingThe day was lovely.

I love Easter. and I loved teaching my kids about it. Rowdy made up a funny clever song about the Jesus and the resurrection and really got a lot of good points in there. He is so awesome.

The day ended with a family dinner at Amelia's. A little teeball action, in which Rowdy and Ezra almost made me pee my pants because I was laughing so hard at them. and then we all raced off to park our cars in the garage because we heard pingpong ball sized hail was on its way. We never got the hail but we had a rockin' awesome storm. I loved it. Ezra... not a fan of the thunder and lightning

Twas the day before Easter

2011-04-23T20:52:00.000-07:00

and we went to the Justin Easter egg hunt.

Ezra wasn't a big fan of the easter bunny. He didn't really freik out he just stood there... too afraid to move I think. He definitely did not want any eye contact. The eggs though, he loved. It wasn't really a hunt, it was more like a race :)

The boys had a good time. Rowdy especially loved the fake gold coins. He kept showing everyone and telling them he was rich.

The Carmacks made it just in time.

I am not going to lie I sat Ezra there on purpose. He would not look at the bunny the whole time. He just sat there staring at the ground. It was cracking me up.

Rowdy also cracked me up because he found out ,"this Easter Bunny is a man!" and was so excited that he discovered it himself. He made sure to tell everyone.

Aunt Lynda trying to secure her spot as favorite Aunt

Later that night We decorated Easter Eggs. In a variety of new methods. We all agree the hot crayon wax is the most dangerous

Ezra's crayon method was all encompassing

Rowdy's egg decorating outfit

Then the evening ended with an amazing light show. These pictures are from the storm that blew in Easter evening, but they were pretty much the same storm. Lightning spectacular. I couldn't stop saying, "WOW!" IT was crazy how much lightning there was. It was beautiful and stunning.

Hot Stuff

2011-04-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

One of Ezra's favorite toys is our oven mitt. I love this boy.
I just happened to be documenting the hot pad on a biking evening.

Rowdy helps take care of Elliot in the buggy and Ezra is on the back of my bike in the little seat.
Tonight Cody rocked them both to sleep.

I love family bike rides. Especially in the spring and fall when it still cools down at night

squeaky clean

2011-04-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

a few bath scenes

Elliot is a fan of solo baths. As in the boys are usually a little crazy when they are in together. Occasionally I can get Rowdy in there by himself to hold her and that goes ok too. But Ezra is in loooove with baths. as soon as he hear running water he starts trying to undress himself. Rowdy has only just recently started whining about not wanting to take a bath, but as soon as we get the water running he also softens up and has fun. Rowdy and Ezra have a good time in the tub. I usually have to pull them out screaming

Miss Popular

2011-04-22T22:09:00.000-07:00

I just rediscovered these pictures of Elliot my mom had taken while she was here.