Rowdy's 5th Birthday Eve

Getting so big. So independent, imaginative & thoughtful. 

Tonight I put the kids in bed and heard their door open. I was kind of exhausted..., "Mom, I love you more than anything." accompanied w a big hug. Loved that little moment. 

Thanks Rowdy.

Here are a few cute things you've said recently:

-as you were eating a "dum dum" w Yaya in California....," Yaya in Texas things are bigger... Like the Lollipops."

-We were talking about life after kindergarten and you mentioned "Up School" which we figured out was High school.

-At your preschool graduation they asked you what you wanted to be when you grow up and you said,"A Lion Tamer."

Its crazy to think 5 years ago you were just a tiny little nugget of a new born. You were so alert and handsome. Our world never was the same ...in a good way. You still teach us so much. You've broadened our horizons and deepened our understanding. I am grateful for your patience as we learn to be better parents and people. We are grateful for you in our home. You are kind and helpful & we are grateful for your good example to Ezra and Elliot. They love you soooo much too. Thanks for always helping them and loving them.
Just want you to know...
We LOVE YOUR 5 year old GUTS!

Best dancer on the floor

Wedding Longboards

As our wedding present for Syd and Michael we made them longboards. 

Here is Sydney's

Imagine this not upside down :) It has the day they were married 

Teeth on Dentist Michael's board

We had been working on the wood for a while and then ended up having to rush and paint them at the last minute. They came out good considering ... but that reminds me we still need to get you trucks and wheels Syd! (I forgot :)  so yes actually we just made them long "boards"
After the reception there were some long boarders loving the underground parking slope. The kids watched them for the longest time as we helped get things cleaned up. That worked out nicely

Well hopefully soon you two will be able to ride them! 

Happy marriage :)

Niece wedding song for Syd

Viva el Tiemplo

Yayyyy! 

It was so awesome to be at the temple to see Syd & Michael get married. They are a cutie fun couple. & I loved that Michael got teary eyed when they were getting sealed. Sooo sweet.

 The day was magical.

Except for all the picture taking :)

Bishop Wilson..Jay (Ezra's middle namesake) and Bishop Anderson...Arlan (Rowdy's middle namesake) have been to so many single's ward weddings they have a rating system for the temple kisses :) 10 gets you kicked out :)  Syd was all excited to hear their score.

It was a big ole' family reunion. I loved it

had a picture of you here mom but I thought you might love me more if I didn't put it up ;)

I loved bringing our kids to the temple grounds. There was the spirit & excitement. Thanks for being a good example Syd!

Best Mother in Law Ever!

aww :) I loved that Nan kept saying she was, "exceedingly Happy" :) Still a Seminary teacher at heart

It was so fun getting to know Chloe better this trip. She is such a good girl. Doesn't she just glow with goodness?!

Jill is always so fun.. 

and she has some crazy skills. Her party planning details and flowers were so charming. Everything came out lovely. Everyone pitched in. Those Bowler girls are so talented. Here is a link to some of the reception details a la instagram 

 

LOVE these girls. Hopefully I will see them here again someday.

It was so nice to be at the temple w our big Bowler family.

 

Ezra Before: we changed his clothes from his massive blowout while we were in the temple!

Ezra After: we changed his clothes from his massive blowout while we were inside the temple

 

 

I love to see my family at the temple. Lets come here again some day.

 

Here were some more beautiful wedding pictures from Syd and Michael's wedding day on Letti's blog.

Congratulations Syd and Michael!

Us at Syd's wedding

After arriving back in Texas this morning at 6:00 am, we weren't looking quite as fabulous. Lots to recount..until then...enjoy the family picture.

Dad squish

Family Reunion a la Walker

My Mom's cousin let us use her amazing house..(s)(she was selling another one down the block) for our big Walker reunion.

 We got to be on the set up committee. We tried going into the house next door...didn't work so well.
anyway there wasn't much to set up the place was dreamy.

 It made my car look good too

 She designed it for family reunions. I loved all the bunk beds

 Grandpa is happy

 Grandpa is still happy. 

Rowdy is happy because he knows Grandpa has bubble gum rewards. Rowdy loved my cousins. Especially Thad and Jason

 Elliot made me scared w the stairs but by day 2 she was a pro!

 Yay for Uncle Lance and Aunt Valerie's addictive popcorn. 

Ezra loooved the sand/dirtbox they had out back

 It was sooo fun seeing everyone. Its been years. Everyone seemed so happy and almost all the girls were pregnant and I didn't feel jealous at all. It was just a really really lovely time.

 There was quad riding, baby showers, photo scavenger hunt, slide shows, games, lots of eating, laughing, exploring, a sweet testimony meeting, hot tubing, aunt Geralee gifting, running w my dad and Shem, swimming, chasing after my children and lots of just hanging out.

Thanks everyone for the lovely reunion. I love my genes

Road trip!

The kids and I took a big ole' road trip w Yaya up to visit family. Here we are in Wyoming in Swan Valley geting our famous square ice creams. Thank you Grandpa! We always got to stop here on the way top Jackson when I as younger. Love that my kids got to do it too.

Except for the fact they always pick the craziest colors of ice cream

 on the road again

Bowler bonfire

A bonfire .. Just because we can. We had a couple this summer with the Bowler. always with yummy hot dogs and smores my favorite. We ended up going around 3 or 4 p.m. each time and it was puurfect. not to have to stress about sunscreen or crowded pits. but it was still warmie and sunny

Syd and Paigee walking Elliot down to the beach. I think Michael was here at this bonfire. 

It was fun to get to know him a little.

 Rowdy had come down earliter with aunt Letty and Ezra was so sad. Letti gave him a dollar (because we met in the target parking lot) and he bought this dino claw. Total hit. Great for digging

 Our sweet little beach baby. Loving the sand

 Nan helping the kids dig a moat. I think the castle was already mostly made

 I love all the scenery behind Ezra..but I love Ezra too

 Embellishing

 The beginning of a beautiful cousinhood friendship

mmmm. So nice.