Breakfast at Tiffany's

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

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

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

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

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

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 motion 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

soggy cowboy jumping jacks

Ezra's 2 year? interview

Ezra is 2

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

Lets just go

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

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!

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,

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

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

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!

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

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