Charmer

I was grocery shopping the other day with Dave and the kids. When we all go we require 2 carts. Yes, we are quite the show. I was pushing a cart with Jack sitting in the seat. As I was comparing brands of BBQ sauce I look over at Jack to see and hear this:


"Mom, I like your style!"

This boy absolutely cracks me up. Where did he get that?

Labor Day at Dinkey Creek

There are a few of the "finer things" in life that we have withheld from our children. One of those has been camping. It's sad, but our children have never been. What kind of parents are we? Well, we no longer have to worry about child neglect because we took the long weekend and travelled to the mountains for some camping at Dinky Creek.

Here are the kids at their first campfire...right after they broke the tent pole...which made us super happy

And what would camping be without SMORES??

Here we are taking a hike to the creek.

The kids playing in the creek.

Brooklyn, Jack, and Grammy demonstrating a highly effective sock drying method.

And what did Bradley do the whole time?

Need a closer look?



*Note to self* Do NOT take a crawling baby camping...Do you think he will ever come clean?

I think everyone had a great time! Thanks to Grammy and Gramps for coming to join us!

I'll spare the pictures of the barf all over Jack's church clothes...that was super exciting...I'm sure glad that I blessed the boy with the joy of motion sickness...

I'll also spare the picture of Dave and I on/in our deflating air mattress. Just picture us as a hot dog in a bun...super comfy. Did I mention that I am NOT a snuggly sleeper?

I do wish I had the picture of Jack during a beautiful teaching moment. He kept kicking up dust which was really enjoyable for the rest of us. After millions of requests to stop kicking the dirt around he, while sitting in his little camping chair, kicked a large amount of dirt right into his own face. I must say that it was pretty funny. I think the dirt was caked on there about 4 inches thick. He didn't have as much trouble with the dirt after that...

Does anyone want to see the pile of laundry I have after this activity? I don't think that campfire smell will ever leave.

I think we'll do this again...next year. :)

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.