A story...

that requires no words







Don't mess.

Happy Wednesday. :)

That' snot the way to impress a girl...

A girl in Dave's class in graduate school was sent a letter from her fiance'. Inside was nothing more than a very large piece of earwax.
When she called to ask him about it he just laughed and said, "Being an Audiologist, I thought you would appreciate it."
Gross. I mean, who wants mail containing partially solidified bodily fluids?
Well, apparently it's a guy thing.
Are you ready for this?
I was on the phone the other day having my own lovely bodily fluid conversation regarding Jack's potty training progress. I was in the middle of recounting the 85th puddle I had cleaned up that day when Dave walks in with a ridiculous smirk on his face and his hand behind his back and says "I've got something to show you." I give him the raised eyebrow look - you know the one that says, "I am pretty sure I don't want to see whatever it is you are going to show me " look - but realize that it is inevitable.
From behind his back he pulled a 6 inch long, golden colored, impressively thick strand.
Strand of what you may ask?
That little beauty was the 'loogie' that was stuck between 'here and there' which he was finally able to dislodge.
Seriously Dave?
Ya, that's pretty disgusting...but yet, I couldn't help but smile.

Has anyone else's husband shared the joy of a well done gross-ness with them?
Please say yes.

One more birthday!

Our final birthday for 2009! Wow - those 4 birthdays within 16 days creates quite a whirlwind. On August 3rd this little lady celebrated her 5th birthday! Pretty unbelievable that my girl is 5. Time certainly does fly, but what great 5 years they have been. Seriously, I couldn't be more proud of this girl. She is quite possibly the kindest, most loving person alive. She is the absolute best big sister, and one easy, delightful child to raise. We sure are lucky parents!

Here she is with her birthday cake. (Please don't judge me, I totally cheated on her cake - by birthday number 4 in a 2 week period I was getting tired of making (and eating) birthday cakes.) Sooo, my brilliant mother in law found this pop out castle on a gift bag so we cut it out, bought a little princess doll and squished them into a chocolate creme pie. Voila! Thankfully Brooklyn was thrilled.

At the last minute we threw together a mini birthday party (ok it was actually just hot dogs, cupcakes, and a pinata). Here's the kids showing off their monstrous muscles after they clobbered that pinata.

And what would a birthday post be like without a little blast from the past.

I always knew she was meant for the warm weather...(2 days old)

Our girl at 4 months old.

2 years old

What a blessing this girl truly is. Love you Brookie.

Bradley Boy

Due to the recent birthday overhaul at our house I am a little slow in getting everything posted. But, here's a little Bradley birthday re-cap.

First of all, I find it terribly weird that he is already a year old. I used to actually think it strange when people would say that time speeds up as life goes on, but I think I am starting to believe it.

Here's a few highlights of Bradley's life:

July 31, 2008 - Can we say 8 pounds 11 ounces? Whoa! Seriously, where did that come from?

Passing his first hearing test - making his father proud.

Successful timing the ultimate diaper blow-out for blessing day.



Getting a little sibling love

Managing to be the only Bowen child to cooperate for his father's graduation pictures.



Looking far too handsome in a shirt and tie. (too early in life according to my dad)

Opening presents on his big day.



Making his mother EXTREMELY proud. Finally a child of mine getting into their birthday cake. Way to go buddy!

This boy has been so much fun. He's the absolute sweetest child you will ever meet. He is completely content pretty much all the time. He is adored, and therefore mauled by his siblings, but LOVES being with them and has successfully survived a year of their "love." He isn't quite walking yet but spends most of the day standing in the middle of the room - so it won't be long. He's got 4 teeth, and weighs about 21 pounds. He can say Mom, Dad, Jack (or his version of it), and dog.

Love this boy - I think we'll keep him. :)

it's time...

Now that the Birthday Bonanza is over (more on that coming soon)

I have decided it's time. [Insert heavy breathing] I am going to face my current biggest fear. I will boldly go where others have gone before. It must be done. If I don't come back alive...

PLUS

EQUALS at least one week of complete solitude intermixed with bouts of insanity, large amounts of carpet cleaner, and a whole lot of Clorox wipes.

Wish me luck my friends...or at least send me vibes of goodwill and patience.

My man

Dave reached a new milestone today...a new decade!

That grants me bragging rights...right? Below are 30 random things about Dave...in no particular order.

1. As a child, he had the most amazing imagination. He was convinced that he was Mickey Mouse and Spiderman.

2. He got his first 4.0 GPA in Graduate School.

3. He can name the brand of a hearing aid from many feet away. (These are made by Microtech...if you were wondering)

4. He looks dreamy in a shirt and tie.

5. He's horrible with names - so don't feel bad if he forgets yours...

6. He's a very hard worker.

7. He's very quick on his feet....even at 30.

8. He LOVES Jell-o.

9. He served his mission in Salt Lake City.

10. He's a great dad!

11. He's one of the humblest people I know.

12. He really likes black licorice - which I find to be super gross.

13. He slept through the 6.7 Northridge earthquake.

14. He absolutely hates weed whackers.

15. He's a published author...of his dissertation

16. He's a stellar athlete.

17. He's a very content person - he wants for nothing.

18. He has superb money skills.

19. He despises Q-Tips. (but I still use them)

20. He's a very jolly person - he's always singing or whistling

21. He's not the biggest fan of the water.

22. He laughs in his sleep.

23. He is not a morning person.

24. He really loves our pigs...I mean dogs.

25. He's brave - he's willing to try almost anything...food, skydiving, you name it.

26. He was the only guy in his entire class in graduate school

27.He loves the Los Angeles Dodgers.

28. He's extremely supportive.

29. He's my best friend and a good, good man.

30. He is wondering if I am almost done with this because he wants to go to sleep.

Happy Birthday Dave.

Love you.

Another year

Well, since I have been absent for so long, I should have something extremely exciting to post, but I have put my camera charger in a very special place...so special that I can't remember where that is. I am sure I will come across it when I actually clean my house this week. Three weeks of constant partying has caused me to neglect my housekeeping duties.

So...I thought I would reminisce about the past year - I celebrated another birthday a couple of days ago which caused me to think about everything that happened in my glorious 27th year.

Since I turned 26...

I have lost 38 pounds...yes, it's true...but only because on my birthday last year I was 8.5 months pregnant with an 8 pound 11 oz baby

Which means that in the last year I have given birth...just 13 days after my birthday last year

I watched my husband graduate with his doctorate degree - Hallelujah!

I have gone back to school to finish my bachelors degree

I have moved...into the house next door

I have started running every day (thanks for the motivation Sharlene)

I celebrated my 6th wedding anniversary

I got a new sister-in-law

I lost the tail light on my van...which I'll probably get a ticket for...I should take care of that...

I sent my "baby" to preschool

I spent many hours volunteering in that preschool which I loved.

I didn't see one snowflake (yay for me)

I completed my "Year Supply" :)

I didn't exactly get full coverage sunscreen on Bradley's nose last week while we were at the beach which caused 2 noticeably large blisters which are now scabs...sorry my son

I thought I was clever enough to give Brooklyn a beautiful haircut...which she is still recovering from

I decided that I would never again give Brooklyn another haircut - it's worth the $12 for someone who knows what they are doing

I have completely avoided (at all costs) potty training Jack...do you think if I wait long enough that he will just train himself??

I have started to actually go to bed at a reasonable hour and get up early - very much out of character for me

I have thought about developing some kind of hobby since I am a very hobby-less person - but, alas, I haven't done it.

Well, I guess that will do for the year. I am one year older, and hopefully wiser too. Let's see what 27 brings.