Bowden's

2010-09-02T18:23:00.001-07:00

The month of July always goes by way to fast. It is filled with birthdays,

reunions, holidays, and tons of hot days to hang out at the pool.

I love July, just wish it lasted longer.

Gaby's 8th birthday

Mady marching in the steel days parade with the drill team.

parade watcher

more parade watchers. At least these two look like they are having fun.

July

2010-09-02T17:47:00.000-07:00

The best day of the month was this day. Gaby was baptized and confirmed a member of the LDS church.

I am so proud of her and her choice. Her testimony of the gospel is growing and she is a beautiful daughter of God.

I am so grateful to be her Mom. she has a sweet happy spirit and she makes us smile.

I love you Summertime!

Bowden Family reunion

July 24th

Cleveland City hot dog eating CHAMPION!!
and birthday boy

The GirlZ

Here we are after running in a 5k race that morning.

Yeah us!

Gaby's Birthday Cry

2010-07-15T15:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Gaby! Her funny brother & sister attack her

and it wasnt fun! In Halles words , "This is why I Hate your birthday!"

That is Halle that is screaming AND she even has a can of silly string.

anyways she was happy after when she opened her new DS. so it eneded well.

More June

2010-07-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

Mady's performed in her studio dance recital, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" This is her befor e her solo performance as Augustus Gloop , big ol' stinky ninkempoop! She was so enteretaining she danced great and played the part perfect. Complete with chocolate bar and messy face.

Mady and her friends jumping for the camera back stage.

Watching the fireworks at the Summer games opening ceremonies

Haydn playing soccer at the Utah summer games in June. Thier team lost out on a medal this year BUT they had fun. Oh, and the mohawk added an intimidation factor and made for a crazy tan line the next week when he just buzzed it all.

June

2010-07-11T15:14:00.000-07:00

Goodbye to the first month of summer. I was thinking we may have wasted it by not doing much. I should know that is never the case. Once I uploaded pictures from my camera I realized we were busy and had lots of fun.

Memorial Day weekend we went to scofield reservoir fishing. Look at Gaby's face. She did not like that fish flippin close to her.

Cavettes car wash fundraiser

At the FGR activity. Or as I like to call it " throw a soldier in the pool day" this is 1sgt Bowden having his turn.

Gaby's 2nd grade teacher was married this month. Gaby would not have missed that reception for the world. She loved her teacher and her teacher was so cute with them. She kept the kids updated on all the plans since the engagment. We wish them lots of happiness!

We went to a pioneer day at a park. The kids helped wash and dry laundry by hand, churn butter, dip candles and listened to some stories about pioneer children.

July 4 we went to the canyon with my sweet happy family! look at the smiles!

Zoo Day

2010-06-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

We took a day off of school and went to the Zoo. We met some of our cousins there and had lots of fun.
Thanks for a fun day guys!

Our cute girls always make a cute photo op.

The cute baby elephant at the Hogle zoo

Easter

2010-04-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

On Easter weekend we went to Montana to see my Dad. I think Easter is his favorite holiday. For the last 5yrs he has organized the city egg hunt. So it means alot to him to have his own grandkids there. It was alot of fun not warm but fun.
My Dad, the city egg hunt director. He loves easter egg hunts. He doesnt belive in just laying them on the ground or around trees. NO. This is no sissy egg hunt these things are hidden. He also hides a golden egg, filled with coins.

Me, my kids, my brother, sis-in-law, niece and nephew. AND yes we are in a bar. with the kids.

It is the only place in the town. After the easter egg hunt all the people get together to have a picnic. Well not this year it was just way too cold for a picnic. So the nice folks that own the bar opened it up for an indoor easter picnic.

The Bowden kids and Grandpa Randy

My cute egg hunters.

Springtime birthday

2010-04-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

After she opened each present she gave her friend a big hug to say thank you.

Halle turned 4yrs old this month. She wanted to have a princess party. So we invited some little princess' over and played games and had a fun party.

We love our littlest princess and hope she had a fun birthday.

Cavettes

2010-04-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

Congrats To Mady , she made the AFHS drill team. This week they have had the Jr cavette drill camp. Gaby and Halle went and last night they performed at the spring showcase. And this was the first time Mad performed with the drill team. I am so proud of her. Mady has danced since she could walk. She loves to perform and works hard and to keep up with school and dance all the hours she does. Drill team will be so much fun I hope she loves it.

Mady's birthday

2010-04-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

A 15 yr old daughter. Curt nor myself no what to do.

She is such a beautiful girl. Smart, Creative, stylish,

and fun. We just love her. She can make me want to scream but I love the

young woman she is growing into. She is counting down the days til she can drive

I was not until I realized that I wont have to take her everywhere. So in a small way I am looking forward to it also. I love ya Mady!

catchin' up

2010-04-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

Christmas '09. everyone got just what they asked for.

ok so there is something I do enjoy about the holidays. Family Christmas parties.

In Feb. we went to St George to watch Haydn play in a soccer tournament

They were out of the playoffs and I still had my heart set on another day away from home.

So we went to Snow canyon on a few small hikes.

2009-12-09T11:35:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday to my favorite teenage boy! Haydn just turned 13. It is hard to believe but I am sure like everything with Haydn we will enjoy it. He is someone that makes me laugh daily.

He is good at everything he does. He is always happy until we make him turn off sports center.

He is very helpful in the kitchen( more than his sisters). He loves to eat sour candy til his mouth is bleeding. He can tell a good story and jokes. We love to watch Haydn on the soccer field and we loved watching him this past football season on the 7th grade caveman football team. Hope you had a wonderful birthday. I love you!!

On Nov. 22 1996 my baby boy was born at 3am. He wieghed 8lbs 6 oz. He was the sweetest happiest baby I have had. Easy. which was good because I had a 20 month old daughter at home. I was only 21 yrs old myself and desperatly in need of a long nap. So about 6 weeks after he was born I got this package in the mail of these newborn hospital photos. I did not remember even ordering or writing a check for. I opened up the envelope and looked at this picture and looked at my baby and had a strange thought. This picture was so obviously of MY baby, he had some definite Anderson/Bowden characteristics. That round head and big hands. Then I am looking at this baby in my arms with his big brown eyes, olive skin color and the not so big swollen head. So in my post partum haze I am thinking I have the wrong baby and worse than that I decided I was keeping this beautiful boy in my arms. So when Curt came home that night I showed him the photos and compared it to the baby in our home. He reassured me that I was in fact crazy and this was a picture of the child I was holding. He remebered the nurses taking the picture right after his first bath when he was only hours old. we did decide they should have waited a day or so to take it. It is just a bad photo. I do think he has gotten even more handsome

as he has grown and he has never had another bad picture taken.

Happy Halloween

2009-11-03T16:38:00.000-08:00

Mady and her friend made these super cute cupcakes for a halloween party they went

to that night. They made matching costumes and looked so cute but it was a busy day for them

with all the party preps and a dance the night before. She had a fun weekend.

These are my favorite trick or treaters of the night.

a mafia guy, a black cat and a NICE witch. (get that nice part)

My only condition for trick or treating into your teenage yrs is that

mom still gets to take picture of all your friends. These boys came home

with soooo much candy. Seriously a pillow case that weighed 10+ pounds.

They had a fun night.

Can't resist this!

2009-09-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

Halle's favorite movie is Mama Mia. This is a short clip of one of the many

scenes she performs for us. Hope you enjoy!

1st day

2009-09-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

Haydn started 7th grade. He is lovin' it of course he is Haydn
Mady is in 9th grade. She was excited to go back but only to be with her friends.
oh and for all the cute new clothes.

Gaby started 2nd grade. She loves school and is always happy.

And finally Halle has started preschool. Just a couple days a week butshe is going.

She has been waiting for her carpool to pick her up for about a year now. Since she was

2 yrs old when the older kids carpool came in the mornings she would cry "when is my carpool coming?" Well last week it finally came. She loved it. And for a few hours a week I love it too.

Road trip

2009-08-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

We took the family on a little tour of the mile high city of Denver. This is at the Capital building

The baseball stadium.

we also saw the bronco stadium and team store.

The huge doors at the US mint

Bowden Family reunion - Denver

2009-08-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun weekend. Jake and Emily hosted the annual Bowden family reunion. They live in Denver, Co. Some of us were able to drive out to spend the weekend there. We missed the few families that couldn't make it. They had some fum things planned for us. This night we ate dinner at a fun place White Fence Farms. Sorry about the picture its not the best. We had a girl take the picture who just did not have the patience for us.

Corbin riding the bull at the petting zoo.

Hey Ladies!!! this is us at the lake watching the guys play football and the little ones swim.

Gaby and Mickayla teaching Tylee to boogie board.

This is the kids at the farm. This picture kills me. I believe someone made the comment "This is like trying to herd cats!" "Everyone look at Aunt Amy, OK no one look at Aunt Amy!" Just Mickayla and pose. (guess whose mom is a photographer?)

Celebrating July birthdays

2009-08-22T15:10:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday Curt! Curt spent the month of July taking a 1sgt. course. He completed the course on his birthday.So to celebrate both we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. The kids told the waiter it was his birthday. They brought out this saddle for him to sit on (not ride) while they sang to him.

Me, Halle , Gaby and Haydn on my side of the booth at dinner.

Happy 7th birthday Gaby Summer! We love you!

Gaby invited some friends to the pool for her party.

This was our birthday dinner with Gaby. Just Mom , Dad and Gaby at her favorite resaurant

Tepanyaki. I love that smile!!

2009-08-22T14:47:00.000-07:00

AAAHHH summer time. I love it. The one thing our family can usually be found doing is playing in the water or at the pool. This fabulous water plaything belongs to our nieghbor who let us put it up in our yard a few times. It is a favorite for moms and kids.

We watched parades

Breann and Addie at the rodeo

My favorite lil' cowgirl at the rodeo, Halle

2009-08-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

The Stawberry days rodeo turned out to be a mini Madden family reunion. Recognize a few faces in that crowd?

We spent a few weekends cheering for Norther united futbol club at tournaments.

Haydn got to go to his first week long scout camp. He of course had an awesome week. He earned a few merit badges. Bringing him closer to his goal to earn his Eagle scout award.

Mady went with our stake on a 3 day and 13 mile pioneer trek. This is the morning she left.

She was nervous and honestly not excited to go. But as with most of the youth she was very grateful for the challenge and experience when it was over.

An answer to the question

2009-08-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

The answer to the question which was accidentally posted to my blog months
ago is , I've just been here. Here, without a computer! About the end of May our home computer
served our family for the last time. We blamed Mady for awhile be she said some mean things about it but it had along life. So in order to stick with some goals our family had made to save precious dollars we decided we just did not have the money to replace it then. Then it just didn't stop with the computer. The expedition and other things began to go on us. My sis-in-law made the comment a few months back that she thought my home appliances were plotting against me.
I think so too. With school starting again and my calling in primary it was feeling like time to get back into the tecnology world. We are so happy to be back!!!!! Although I have to say I did enjoy my summer without the distraction of facebook, web surfing and trying to pull my kids away from the computer. So please be patient with me while I catch up on blogging.

wher have I been?

2009-07-23T19:09:00.000-07:00

Mady

2009-05-26T18:10:00.001-07:00

Tonight is the end of year celebration at the jr. high school. I made Mady and her cute friends let me take thier picture. I thought they looked so cute. I hope she has so much fun tonight.
Mady you are a doll I love ya!!

Memorial day camping trip

2009-05-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

Daddy and Halle getting her pole in the water.

Grandpa Bowden Fishing

Halle enjoying a hot dog

Haydn acting crazy with a fish his dad caught.

Then Curt slapped in the face with the fish.

2009-05-26T06:38:00.000-07:00

Rise and shine Mady!!

Haydn the firewood gatherer

We had smores for breakfast. We were on vacation.

Except Haydn who is roasting a donut.

2009-05-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

Fishing at millsite

when mom says "cheese" it no longer gets just a cute smile I get a full on "Stike a pose!"

Thanks Hal .

stayin' busy

2009-05-26T06:19:00.000-07:00

Cutter girl
Halle always has something goin' on. She has learned to cut.
So she will spend an entire morning just cutting up coloring book pages.
She leaves piles of cut up pieces. Then when that is done she just tears it and adds to the pile.
Whatever makes her happy.

You may recognize this nice lady. She is the "sample lady" at Costco. DUH!!
I know because I asked when I came into the kitchen to find my toddler wearing my shower cap and standing behind the bench offering me croutons.

"Would you like to try a sample?"

What do you call someone from Paris?

2009-05-06T16:49:00.000-07:00

Two lil' French girls

Gaby and her cute friend were playing yesterday. They had been playing dress up with these cute little hats on. They were speaking with thier best french accents and dancing around the yard pretending they were from Paris. I pulled in the drive way and she comes running up to the car and says, " Hey , mom, look at us were are from Paris, yeah look at us! Our hats are from Paris, Look at us we are from Paris, ya, we are "Paris-ites"

I just laughed my head off. Of course what else you are from Paris so that makes you a parisite!

That is why I have kids because they are so funny and real. Thanks for the giggle Gaby! Your the best.

Run baby Run

2009-04-19T19:14:00.000-07:00

On Staurday I ran a 5k in the SLC marathon. I know that it is not huge but to me kinda. First of all I had to awake and leave my house before daylight on sat. Which that alone is huge for me. It was the first time I had participated in a race. I started running a year or so ago. I think my time was good 37 min to finish which was good for me. It is definitely something I want to keep doing. The atmosphere of a race was fun. I would like to keep training and try a half mararthon before the end of summer. So there I said it. Now that everyone knows I will feel more like I have to do it.

Mady is a great runner she is very fast. About the last mile she said, " Mom, is it ok if I take off?"

So I said yes, I guess I held her back long enough. She took off and ran fast. She finished several minutes ahead of me.

Inspirational

So if anything participating in a race I found alot of inspiration. There were all sorts of people. People running in memory of a lost loved one, people running with physical disabilities and this guy. At our house we are huge fans of the show "The Biggest Loser" . This man is Blaine who has been sent home from the show but has made major changes in his life. He and his cousin Dane (also on the show)were both runners in the half marathon. They had an awesome run time. We had to take the chance to compliment him on his success and take a photo. I mentioned that I use Jillian's (the trainer)words to motivate me when working gets to tough she always says,"its not like your gonna die!"

Me, Mady, Emily, Lori, Maria and Ruth

the last three completed the half marathon.

Happy 3rd birthday Halle

2009-04-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

On Saturday April 4 Halle Spring celebrated her 3rd birthday. She had waited so long for her own birthday to get here. I have never seen any child so excited for a birthday and so angry and jealous when someone else had one before hers. Infact she insisted they share thier special day with her. Although I noticed she wasn't about to share hers with anyone else. Including Kash when he asked for a turn blowing out candles he was told NO by Halle. Sorry Kash she won't blow your candles out next month. This was her expression for every present she opened. She just couldn't believe it just what she wanted.

Make a wish and blow out those candles little girl.

Halle had been asking Grandma Val for months (seriously) to make her a Dora cake for the party. Well anyone who knows grandma Val is confused right now on why Halle was asking her for a b-day cake. She would tell all of us, "Grandma is making my Dora cake." Anyways Grandma showed up at the party with the cake of Halles dreams. Halle never even asked if she actually made it all she knew is grandma gave her the best Dora cake a 3yr old girl could ask for.

Thank you Grandma!!

The day was all about Halle. We took her to Mcdonalds for happy meals and playing on the playland.

Haydn, Gaby Mady and the birthday girl.

Halle is our baby and it shows every moment of everyday. I often find myself saying ridiculous and unfair things like "just give it to her so she will stop screaming!" or "don't sit so close to her if you don't want your hair pulled!" We also get alot of laughs and sweet memories from her.

She can scream her head off like nobody I know. She has a hot temper. She has way to big of a vocabulary for a tiny girl. That has often included some curse words followed by a cute smile and head tilt. (irresistible and hard not to forgive)

Halle is a democrate (the only part of her that disappointes her daddy)

She loves to play baby dolls and any pretend play.

She has make-believe friends and has very funny conversations with them.

She loves to watch TV (too much somedays we had to put restrictions on it beause of her)

She loves her nursery class and teachers at church.

She also loves to go to reading time at the library each week

and her toddler gym class. Halle loves her big brother and sisters she misses them while they are at school and has so much fun playing with them. She is mommys girl and her daddy'slil' sweety. Happy birthday Halle we love you!

Welcome Spring!

2009-03-20T16:37:00.001-07:00

This is my Spring. Halle Spring Bowden

So she gets her picture taken each year on the first day of her season.

This is just crazy spring!

My first daffodil of the year

Dear Spring, Welcome back, I have missed you.

The first day of spring is my favorite day of the year. I love the long days, the warm weather even the april showers. Most of all I look forward to the flowers, blossoming trees and the green grass. welcome back the barbeques and afternoons at the park.

Off and On

2009-03-20T16:22:00.001-07:00

This is the beginning of the next 18 months for Haydn. On Thursday I suprised him with a trip to the orthodontist to have braces put on. Honestly, he had no idea that it was coming. The last 24 hrs have been uncomfortable to say the least. My little boy with a tin grin. His first comment after looking at them the first time was this, "All I need is some bad acne and I will look like a teenager!" Well we will help prevent the bad acne Haydn but the braces will stay for a while.

In January Mady had her braces removed. After many years of orthodontic work she is finished. She is beautiful and now she has a perfect smile too. She couldn't be more happy. I would also like to thank our insurance co. for the help in this financial endeavor and our great orthdontist for his 6 yrs of work for this. The only thing i have to say is, Mady, you better wear that retainer!

Dear Blog

2009-03-20T16:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog, I have not forgotten about you I have just been busy. I mean busy, busy. This past couple months have brought with them many unwanted challenges. So I will now try to catch up a little on some important things that have happened. I will try harder to update more often. I know that my loved ones far away look to you dear blog to keep up with happenings of our family. I will come back to blogging now. (curse you facebook!)
Love Amy
Bowden family historian

2009-02-24T18:45:00.000-08:00

Why do the months of January and February last so long. June and July go by so fast. The days of inversions, the snowy roads, the sick kids (and mom) they just don't make me happy. So after living like a shut-in I couldn't take anymore. I have these sweet friends that live around me. The last few months the only time I see any of them is out my window as we are picking up each others children for carpool. I do get out with my husband but I miss being out with the girls. So last week some of us were able to get away and spend a long evening eating and eating. We went to the Melting Pot for dinner. It was fabulous!! The best part was the cheese fondu ,no maybe it was the yummy chocolate...... no, wait. The best part was sitting for 3 hours, eating good, food, talking and laughing with my sweet friends. Thanks girls, I needed that.

14 years old

2009-02-20T16:21:00.000-08:00

Where is the time going?

Mady turned 14 on Feb 18. We had a lil' family party. She was given gifts of cash for her shopping trips that she desires. I also gave her this adorable cake. She was a very happy girl.

Mady is so much fun . She is has always been my best helper. She is a great big sis. Bossy but great. With Mady our life is exciting and filled with drama. So in honor of my brown eyed girl

here are a few fun things about her:

-Mady does not now, nor has she ever needed sleep. Naptime is a dirty word in her life.

I can't ever remeber her having a nap or sleeping thru the night EVER! I don't remember much of that first year because I do require a little more rest. When she was small I would ly down with her to try to help her go to sleep. She would wait for me to fall asleep and quieltly sneak out. She would play very quiet as not to wake me though. Nothing has changed she is still last one up and first one awake.

She loves fashion and wants to be a designer. She loves to watch What not to wear, next top model any kind of makeover show. She has also not missed watching a Miss America pageant

since she was like 4 yrs. old.

Mady is very organized

She is soooo self motivated.

She is very caring

She loves kittens NOT cats.

She can flat clean a house. But you better stay out of her way when she does. She is not a happy housekeeper.

Mady is loved. I am so proud of her more and more each day. I love to be her mom she makes it easy because she is just perfect. I love you Mady!!!!!

Silly kids

2009-01-30T16:28:00.000-08:00

A conversation between little girls and Thier mom.

Halle- Mommy, Mommy Gaby called me a bad name.
Mom- Oh no, come here.
Halle - (crying) Gaby called me a mean name!!!
Gaby enters the room with a smile on her face
Mom- Gaby what are you laughing at?
Mom- Halle, what name did Gaby call you?
Gaby- shaking her head and smiling.
Halle- She called me a STEPSISTER!!!
Mom- What? I can't belive that Gaby!!
SO in the world of a little girl who adores princess'
I believe that being called a STEPSISTER may be the real
world equivalent to being called a B#*! maybe. Just from
Halle's very offended reaction.
In Halle's world of princess play she more often
than not refers to me as "Godmother" which I love. Just as long as
she never calls me stepmother we will be fine.

Pretty Ballerina

2009-01-19T14:16:00.000-08:00

TA, DA!!!! Today Mady got her first pair of pointe shoes. She did not want me to post this until she gets her ribbon and elastic on them but I had to. I am so proud of her. She has taken ballet since she was 3 and was a dancer at birth. Dancing is a part of her and she is very good at it.
So you can check her blog later for what she would consider better pictures of her in the shoes.
I am soooo proud of her and can't wait to see her dancing on her toes. Love ya girl!

Goodbye yucky tonsils

2009-01-19T14:00:00.001-08:00

Post Surgery, was a little tougher than she had expected.

So if you have a weak stomach I apoligize. These big chunky things in that little throat. Oh gross. That is my ring I wear on my thumb, just for comparison. The Dr. said that they were filled with bacteria when she cut into them. So I imagine Gaby will not be having as many sore throats without that crap in there.

Pre surgery- Oh Gaby thought this was just a cool day and she had been looking forward to it. I did not tell her how badly she was going to feel for couple weeks after. I also had to stop my mother from telling her. Anyway everthing went fine and a week later she is getting better. She is still not wanting to eat much but she did start speaking to us again a couple days ago. She does enjoy the "get well soon" cards and all the popsicles.

Happy Birthday to my mom

2009-01-19T13:48:00.001-08:00

On Jan. 12 my mom aka Grandma Val celebrated her birthday. We had a little party with cke and ice cream. Grandma has lots of help to blow out all those candles. Even though Andy did purchase 5o something candles I did not place them all on the cake. (and that is why I am her favorite.) So happy birthday mom I love you.
Other birthday wishes to my Aunt Sallie ( my moms lil' sis) and Grandma Madden (her mom) who have birthdays the 10& 11 of Jan. i love you too.

Christmas 2008

2009-01-02T19:31:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! We had a great christmas this year. This is the kids after we opened our christmas pj's. Halle is so excited for Santa to come she could hardly stand it. She was just to fun this year. Santa brought our family a Wii with guitar hero this year. Halle got a baby doll and cradle, Gaby got a digital camera and high schools musical dolls, Haydn got football and soccer stuff and new snowboard gear and Mady got a digital camera and new clothes. They had a fun day.

This is our traditional christmas morning breakfast. Our Grandparents come over and we exchange gifts eat breakfast. It was a perfect christmas day we spent the day together playing games and

2009-01-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

Haydn opening presents. Hayd is so funny he always does a little cheer and loves

every gift he opens.

Each time Gaby opened a present she let out this excited high pitched squeal. She could hardly control her excitment and that is the way it came out. We had our fingers in our ears.

Halle does not do well when woken up before she is ready. She got off to a little bit of a cranky start. I was hoping she would be more excited but she got happier as the morning went on.

Mady playing the guitar hero game.

Snow fun, no fun!

2008-12-19T16:01:00.000-08:00

The snow is blanketing our world right now. Life cannot stop just because there is 6 inches of new snow today and the roads are covered in ice. So I am forced to do my christmas running around in the snow. We are Utahns this is nothin'! So I am going to share a thought Halle shared with me as we were driving home today in basically a "white out."
Halle- " This snow is going to ruin Santa's birthday, (explitive)!
So she kinda gets what christmas is about. a birthday for someone special and Santa.

100 dollar Cristmas card

2008-12-15T09:32:00.000-08:00

These days Gabys favorite thing to do is make little cards and notes for everyone she knows.The other dayGaby was playing at a friends house and they were making christmas cards for thier teacher. When I went to pick Gaby up they both showed me the cards that they made her. The girls were very proud of them. They had also included in the envelope lots of coins. The envelope was actually quite stuffed with quarters and dimes. I asked Gaby if that was her friends money and she said yes she wanted to give it to our teacher. "Oh sweet,"I thought.
Well we go home and Gaby is still looking for more to put in this already bursting envelope.Gaby asked ,Mom, how much is 100 plus 5?" "105 I said, why? Thats how much we have in here for her. Oh wow,( thinking like 100 coins). Then I told her I was planning on getting a gift for you to give, so save the card and you can give them to her next week." "OK!" Gaby said. Then Haydn added , "plus Gaby teachers can't take money from thier students." Why? she asked. " Because its like your paying them for good grades!" "Hmmm, " then she walked out. So as Haydn and I sat there talking a little longer, Gaby came back. She walked up to me and said ,"then here mom." As she handed my A 100 dollar bill!!! What the H*!! where did that come from. I was going to give it to my teacher. Oh wow!! Nice christmas bonus for her ,stuffed in a little hand made card from two little girls. Could you imagine if they given that to her. Any way I said where did you get this. Well her friends big brother told them they could take some money out of his jar for thier card. Surely he did not know they took all that. I called her friends Mom and I was laughing so hard trying to tell her of thier generosity. So she came over later to pick up the cash. I talked to Gaby about how much money that was. It was just so nice of them to give a gift and funny that they were totally clueless about the cash.

Haydn

2008-12-09T17:28:00.000-08:00

As soon as I saw you , I knew an adventure was going to happen. -Winnie the pooh

December 1996

Haydn at 6 weeks old. He was such a handsome lil' boy

This was a special Sunday for Haydn. I am so proud of him. Now, if I just just slow down the years that are going by to fast.

Utah Man

2008-12-07T15:29:00.001-08:00

Haydn and Curt

Haydn right behind Bryant Johnson

After the game that the Utes won, they rushed the field. I was so happy because Curt had his camera and he got these great pics of Haydn and some of the players.

Happy Birthday Haydn!!

2008-12-03T07:12:00.000-08:00

Tail gate party!!

Crazy picture!

WE BAD!

On Nov. 22 Haydn celebrated his 12th birthday. I can't believe he is already 12. He is growing up to be such a great young man. He is always making us laugh. We had a tailgate party. He invited lots of his friends and had a football game. They ate hot dogs, chips and drank (and belched) as much soda pop as they could. I hope they had fun. Not so for him it is the best time of year! It is Football season. This year it was the day of the big byu - utah game. What a better present than for his team to win. He also got a new suit and a utes jersey from mom and dad.

Here are some facts on Haydn

every txt msg. or sentence begins with DUDE!
he can watch sports center 24/7
still hides candy/ chocolate stashes in his room
loves school
he is pretty sure he could take his dad in a fight
he is full of random facts about things you've never even wondered about
he is my favorite son
His room is DIRTY and he likes it that way.

Picture Tag

2008-11-17T15:58:00.000-08:00

I was tagged. This is the 4th picture in my 4th folder. This was exactly one year ago this week.
I was kinda buggged that this was the picture I had to use. BUT it is a special one. This is Haydn
graduating from cub scouts and he recieved his arrow of light award. I am painting an arrow on his forehead. Mady is taking the picture and I remember asking her if she could take a worse photo it is blurry, a big head in the way and how did she make me look so chunky. This is the day before we left for Vegas last thanksgiving to watch Haydn play in a soccer tournament. We were celebrating his 11th birthday. I am sentimental this week about my little boy who is growing into a young man so fast. So this is my 4th photo and 4th folder and I tag Allie, Dusty , Breann and Kisty. I hope you have fun looking at your photos and remebering what just seems like yesterday. And to Haydn I will be posting more memories of you ,my favorite son.

1st Sgt. Bowden

2008-11-11T06:52:00.000-08:00

In honor of veterans day I thought I would post this for Curt. A couple weeks ago he was promoted to 1st Sgt. He has been working on this promotion for some time now and he was officially promoted to the rank last month. So congratulations soldier you earned it. I kinda made a big deal about it. I met Curt just days before he left for basic training and he was just a
private. He has earned his way up through the ranks over the last 15 years and each time they have a ceremony to change rank and pin on his new stripes I have never attended. He thinks it is no big deal. So I made sure that I was there this time to see that and I was the one to pin on his new stripes. Its a big deal.

So congratulations to the new 1st SGT. of the 217th co. You are the best. and Thank you for your service to our country. You have given lots of time and train very hard to do what you do

in the military. It takes a special kind of person to serve our country. People always ask Curt

"Do you think you'll have to go back?" He always answers," well maybe not. but, there is always a chance." I know that is not a true answer. The truth is that if he did not have to leave his four children and myself he would go tomorrow. He likes what he does and believes it is right. So to

Curt, my Grandpa and all the other selfless and brave men and women who serve our country Thank you and Happy Veterans Day.

Trick or treat

2008-11-04T16:49:00.000-08:00

Mady took Hal to a few houses trick or treating.

Mady was an indian and Halle was a witch. Notice Halles scary halloween face. I could not get a normal look out of her. She kept pulling that scary mouth thing.

My little withches.

This is Haydn at the halloween parade at school. He was a vampire with a grandpa munster wig.

It was a fun halloween. The weather was perfect and the kids got lots and lots of candy. I promise I will try to stay out of it while you are at school .

Happy Birthday Amy!!

2008-10-28T09:51:00.001-07:00

33 yrs and 1 week thats how old I am today. Last tuesday I celebrated my birthday. It has taken me a few days to decide if I wanted to post this occasion. Anyway I had a great day my husband, kids , my mom , Andy , Breann ,Kash and Kate came over to have cake and ice cream.

Thanks to all my cute friends and family that called me to wish me happy birthday. There is still a part of me that enjoys my birthday even though the years are going by faster and faster.

The fun part about having children is that birthdays are a huge deal for everyone. They decorate rooms with balloons , signs and streamers, and shower me with little cards and loves all day. Thanks for the fun day I love you!

Pretty eyes??

2008-10-09T11:03:00.001-07:00

So over the past few days my children have been passing around a gross infection know as "pink eye." Gaby has had an ear infection and has not felt good. On Tues I was looking at her and I said "oh No, you kinda look like you have bugger eyes, you might have pink eye." Well Halle overheard me say that. So that night as I was tucking her into bed Halle said to me, "I want pretty pink eyes like Gabys." I had to laugh. Everyone knows that anything that is pink is beautiful. So to have pink eyes must be fabulous. Atleast if you are a little girl who loves princess' and anything pink. Well when Halle woke up this morning she got her wish.
Gross , swollen, buggered shut, pink eyes. I took her to the Dr. and she got her own Rx eyedrops to cure her pink eyes. I think I might try to get the name of conjunctivitis changed to "gross, green, highly contagious eye." That way it will be much less apealling to little girls.

Pumpkins for sale

2008-10-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

I took this picture 5 days ago. I was planning to post a blog that our trailer full of homegrown pumpkins were ready to sale. I was going to invite all of the bloggers within driving distance to come over and get a pumpkin but as of friday we are SOLD OUT! That right. We sold some to our nieghbors just out of the driveway. On Friday when Curt was home he said "I think I will go out on to the main road and sell pumpkins. So he and Halle got a lawn chair and headed out to unload some pumpkins. Well I had to pick kids up from school about 30 min later. I went to drop off carpool kids and drove out to see him and it was total mayhem. Cars pulling in and out 4 or 5 at a time. It took no kidding all 4 of us to stay on top of it. I was taking money,Curt and Haydn lifting pumpkins and carrying them to cars and Mady was in the trailer the entire time handing "this one, wait no that one" to buyers. So in about 90 min we were completely out of
pumkins. Curt even sold the little ones with no stem and others with deer bites on them. The only thing that disappointed me about it is I didn't even get to pick any out for our porch.

Student Body President

2008-09-29T16:55:00.000-07:00

These were his campaign posters that were hanging in the halls. It is obvious which one I made
but he let me and hung it up. I thought it was cute but the kids starting saying "baby for president." Haydn made the chuck norris poster. ???? I guess you have to be a 12 yr old boy to get it.

He won!!!! Haydn is the new student body president. I am so happy. He has wanted to be the school pres. so bad since 4th grade. They can't run for student council until 6th grade. Last week he made campaign posters and today they did a skit for a school asembly. I was so proud. So Congratulations Haydn you will be an awesome Pres.

Bad Mom!!

2008-09-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

Well as a mom, I suck. I once heard that when you become a mother you are at that moment and for always consumed with Guilt. Guilt for not doing guilt for doing to much. I am so guilty.
Last week was back to school night. At our elementary each teacher does a 10 min. presentaion for the parents about the class and the upcoming school year. Each parent can find thier childs desk and sit in it during the presentation. Every year for the past 8 years I have gone and sat in my sweet childs desk to see where they spend thier days and listen to thier new teacher. I ALWAYS have written a little note to them that they will find the next day. Just a lil' I love you, I am so proud! ya know, encouraging stuff to remind them how great they are. Well not this year. I don't know how i forgot, what is wrong with me? Haydn is in the 6 th grade and he has gotten a note every year since Kindergarten. I came home and I said, "I'm sorry i forgot." I actually couldn't find his desk at first and then I had to get the next rotation to 1st grade. So Gaby didn't have a desk last year and she did not even know about the little tradition that I had going with the older kids. So I did not even say anything to her about my forgetfullness. So next day. Gaby comes home from school, Mom, did you sit at my desk last night?" " Yeah, I say." Gaby says, How come you didn't leave me a note? Ashley's mom wrote her a note and I looked through my whole desk and I couldn't find a note from you." ( Damnit!! What is my problem?) So I swallow the lump in my throat and try to tell her I am so sorry. And I beg Mady and Haydn please don't tell her I never forgot your notes. Here is a knife Gaby, for you to drive into my heart. I can't get the picture out of my head of her searching for a note from her mommy when the other kids are reading little I love you from thier mom's.
so.......
Dear Gaby,
I hope you have a wonderful time in 1st grade. You are so smart,sweet, funny, and beautiful
I know you will do great. I will miss you while you are gone to school. I can't wait for you to tell me all about what you are learning and the friends you are making at school. Have a good day.
I love you! Love Mommy

Did you know?

2008-08-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

My family and I have really loved watching the olympics this past week. We were cheering on Phelps, watching the jamaicans run. The redeem team basketball games are so fun. BUT a couple nights ago I turned on the TV and it was the freestyle trampoline. WHAT!! I have been watching the olympics my whole life and I had no idea that was an olympic sport. It was amazing to watch. I always wanted to be an olympic gymnast. I never really stuck with that dream. Well
now that I know that "the tramp" is a sport my dreams may be back on. As the awesome ,Dara Torres has said "don't put an age limit on your dreams." Ok, I won't! If you need me I will be in the back yard practing for 2012. Here is a link if you would like to see this incredible sport. They are bouncing so high I couldn't believe it. To my Dad: nobody broke thier leg!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YB8TCaLLHg

Back to school

2008-08-18T10:08:00.001-07:00

Another summer gone. I don't love this day. I miss the kids when they are gone. I will get more done during the day but who wants to clean house when we could be at the pool. Mady is starting 8th grade. She was actually excited to go. She has got jr. high all figured out now and feels good about it. She has more clothes than anyone in the family now. She did lots of school shopping. We spent alot of time and $ at the shoe store and she is wearing flip flops today.

Haydn is just happy. He is in the 6th grade. He is excited about his teacher and loves to be with friends. He was sure to grab a football to take to school today. That is what he loves about school. Recess.

Gaby is starting first grade. She is gone all day now. She and I are both worried about it.

She has her BFF in her class so its all good.

Halle had to get her backpack on this morning too. I also had to pack her lunch box. I will try to entertain her for 6 hrs. a day. It is only 11am and she has already asked me 3 times "Gaby home yet?"

Good luck and have fun in school kids, I love you and I will miss ya! Love Mom

Haydn

2008-08-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

This is Haydn and some of his friends from our nieghborhood. The young man in his white shirt and tie is Elder Livingston. He has been the boys sunday school teacher this past year. Yesterday was his farwell. Haydn and 9 other boys sang in sacrament meeting. They sang "called to serve" and " The armies of Helaman" I can't even tell you how emotional I was. Every mother of the boys was crying. They have all been friends since they were 3 yrs. old. They all looked so grown up or I could see them growing up right before my eyes. I am so thankful for there teacher he has been such a great role model for the boys. He plays basketball with them and they talk about the things he is doing to prepare for his mission. I hope that they will all follow his example and choose to serve a mission someday.

Madden Family Reunion 2008

2008-08-07T19:11:00.000-07:00

The 1/4 mile hike to see ancient petroglyphs. OK it was a little longer and alot hotter than I said.
but nobody died.
A cloudy afternoon at the reservoir. Grandpa really enjoyed himself. Doesn't he always?
I only took a few snapshots of the reunion activities. I have captured only a couple of the activities of the family reunion. I guess I was a little busy to be running around taking pictures. I do have wonderful memories of another fun filled family reunion. Thanks to my sweet family who was able to come and spend a few days together. It means the world to me to surrounded by a family that I love. I want to pass that feeling on to my own children. Some of my best memories growing up were of time spent at reunions and other family gatherings. I am thankful
for my mom and Breann and the fun we had shopping at costco and planning the food for 60. give or take a few each day. My favorite thing is that we just sit out on the lawn in our chairs and visit. I loved it!! I am so happy that "everyone and their dog" was there. Woof! woof!

love ya, Amy

beautiful pictures

2008-08-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

Recently I had my friend (very talented friend) take some photos of my children.
She has posted some of the shots on her blog. You can look at them there but I will be posting
more when She gets the others to me. I love these pictures hope you enjoy them as well.http://www.skyphotodesign.blogspot.com/

anniversary day

2008-07-29T18:53:00.000-07:00

Today is our wedding anniversary. 14 years! I can't believe how fast the years have gone by.
I am more in love and happier today than I could have ever dreamed. We have had a busy 14 years but I wouldn't change a thing. We have lived in 7 different homes or apatments, in 6 different cities. Had 4 children , bulit our own home with Curts own hands. Survived an 18 month seperation and lots of other little experiences that have just made us stronger and more in love. Happy anniversary. I think we have done pretty well for a spring break fling.

Happy Birthday Curt

2008-07-29T18:17:00.001-07:00

On July 24 Curt celebrated his 34th birthday. He is a pioneer day baby. So in honor of the big day I am dedicating this post to him and sharing some things about him and reasons I love him.

- His favorite season is autumn. He lives for football season and hunting season

- He loves to look for elk and hear them bugle.

- He is nervous about raising 3 daughters but I think he is going to do great.

- Curt is a singer he also makes up his own lyrics.

- He is a very patient person.

- He is an awesome handy man. It is a talent I think he wishes he didn't have.

- He always eats his vegetables

- He is a maniac when he gets on a dirt road. has been known to get stuck or roll over.

- He is very, very, very competitive!

- He loves to get dressed up in a suit. He would like a job that he could wear a tie to work everday.

- He is a small town boy.

- He has a testimony of the gospel.

- He works hard to provide for his family.

- He is a wonderful husband and Dad.

Happy birthday Curt, I love you.

PS. It is hard to find a picture of him that he is not holding Halle. She is Daddy's girl.

Pumkin Patch

2008-07-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

Some of the Bowden family members have started a little business. As one of the first ventures of the new company it was decided to try our luck at a pumpkin patch. We planted our seeds on my in-laws property in southern Utah. They so graciously agreed to loan us the land while they are off serving the Lord for 2 years. We have had great success so far. Our plants have grown and we have had support from our grandparents for help with the watering. It is about an acre full of pumpkins plants. So this autumn when you looking for pumpkins for your halloween decorating we will be selling the very best pumkins . Stay tuned for more info on where to buy.
East side of garden
My husband the pumkin farmer
The first of the seedling popping up in May

2008-07-21T20:02:00.000-07:00

Before- after lots sunshine and plenty of water the weeds were thriving.Tyson & Jesse pulling those weeds.
After- beginning at 5 am on saturday the six of us were able to clear most of the weeds from our
pumpkin patch.

Gaby's big week

2008-07-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

This has probably been the biggest week of summer yet for "Gaby girl"
It all started on Sunday afternoon as we were getting her party invites ready. Someone had
just let in the cat. Well Gaby and Halle started to play with the cat as though it was a ball. Tossing the cat back and forth. Well the cat came down and scratched Gaby on the mouth. It was bleeding badly and she was crying. She ran to her dad and he was not happy. He picked her up and seriously rushed her to the ER. It was like a razor blade cut her lip down into her mouth.
She had 7 stitches in her mouth. She was very brave hardly even squirmed as they sewed her up. I think that it will heal nicely and only Gaby will ever notice the scar. So beware cats get scared when they are thrown into the air and come down with all CLAWS out!
Her lil' sis showing some genuine concern. As she should, she is also a bit responsible for the accident
Gaby and Halle celebrating the birthday.
This is my turn to brag a little. I made her cake. She wanted a "barbie dress cake" so I thought I would try it. I am kinda proud of myself. Considering I don't get to fancy in the kitchen. I couldn't have done this without the help of a talented friend who had previously made the popular cake. I ruined barbies hair though. It was bugging me with all that blonde hair hanging in the frosting. Anyway, as with all birthday cakes it was a big hit.

Happy birthday Gaby

2008-07-15T05:15:00.001-07:00

Gabrielle Summer was born on July 15, 2002 at 3:33 pm Happy Birthday Gaby!

All about Gaby-

She loves to eat Ramen noodles and chicken nuggets
She is a good friend to everyone
she loves to play with friends all day
She loves to dance and sing
She has a great imagination
The scariest story she has ever heard is Rumplstlitskin(it keeps her awake at night)
She has a temper

Gaby was the sweetest, happiest best baby ever. Which was such a blessing at the the time. She is growing into a great little girl. She is funny, smart and we love her.

Yellowstone

2008-07-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

We went to spend the week with Curt while he was working Idaho.

Since West Yellowstone is just a short drive away we decided to go.

It was a great time. We saw lots of wildlife an eagle, buffalo, elk, a wolf but

no bear. Which is fine. We went on a small hike and had a fun day making some memories.

The Bowden children infront of a small geyser
This is us at ol' faithful

Curt and I at yellowstone falls
Halle telling us "sshhh, look for animals" She learned that from her daddy

The Lake

2008-07-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

We spent the last week in Idaho. We took the kids

to swim at the Rigby lake. It was cold water but they

did not care they had a great time swimming.

The Utes hat at the Y

2008-07-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

The soccer tournament that Haydn played in was held on the campus of
The Brigham Young University. Haydn happens to be a huge utah Utes fan so he wears a bright red Utes hat. Well it is a big rivalry and you do not wear that hat especially on the byu campus. But not Haydn he wears it and wears it proud and bold. He got that hat knocked his head alot that day and he had to fight a little when someone would steal it and run off with that hat. It just makes him stronger being a Utah fan living in the shadow of the Y.

soccer tournament

2008-07-06T14:59:00.000-07:00

On july 4 & 5 we spent the afternoon watching Haydn play in a tournament with his team Champions FC. It was 3v3 tournament. They played 3 games each day. It was soooo hot!

The boys played so good but ultimately not good enough. On friday as the day and heat wore on they lost the last game. Saturday thier first game went good they were ahead and at the last minutes the other team scored putting the game at a tie. They had a sudden death over time with no score the on to a shoot out. That ended when the other team made a goal and champions missed the shots. After that the boys were just beat and tired. As you can see from this pathetic team photo. Next time we go to a tournament I will taking pictures at the beginning

when they haven't just lost. Go Champions!!

Celebrating the 4th of July

2008-07-06T14:45:00.000-07:00

I love to dress my kids up in thier cute red, white and blue outfits. The older children are starting to not love it as much. Haydn is wearing his uniform but he does have a 4th of july outfit. I think it is just a fun way celebrate and show our patriotism. Thanks for playing along with me kids.

This year we celebrated the 4th with our friends. We had a big barbeque and watched a fireworks display on our street.

20 year tag

2008-06-30T16:41:00.000-07:00

20 years ago- I was 13. I just finished the 7th grade. My best friend was Trisha. I spent my summer at the pool and babysitting my younger brothers while my mom worked. I can't remeber if I was a huge NKOTB fan yet or if i was a Tiffany fan mostly. I was wearing tight guess jeans and bright colors and I loved my esprit shirts and bag.

10 years ago - we were living in a house in Orem ut. I had 2 babies. Mady was 3 and Haydn was 17 months old. I was just starting to feel better after several months of depression. We were driving all over Ut. county looking at building lots and planning to start building our first home.
We went camping and fishing alot with our little kids. I loved having my sweet, little sis-in-laws kisty and Brindy and my brother Austin spend alot of days hanging with me and my kids.

5 years ago- Operation Iraqi Freedom! Curt had been gone 4 months. We were getting ready to celebrate Gaby's first b-day, curts b-day and our 9th anniversary that month. I had No idea how long of a road I had ahead of me. We survived and rarely look back.

3 years- We had 7 peaks passes and spent lots of summer days there with our friends.
I also was also just pregnant with Halle. Freeking out about my upcoming 30th birthday.

1 year ago- We went white water rafting with our friends on the Snake river. Took my children on a much more adventourous river trip down the Madison river in Mt.

So far this year- We finished our basement , went on a 7 day cruise with our great friends,

Yesterday- I got released from my calling as a nursery leader and I am now the secretary in the primary presidency. I am sad, I will actually miss the cute nursery and my favorite nursery kid Halle. She will probably be right next to me in the primary pres.

Today- Went to my first primary mtg. and then met Breann and my mom at the park to work on a shopping list for the reunion. I have been on the computer ever since working on a bday suprise for curt.

Tomorrow- I will clean house and maybe take my kids to the pool to play in this crazy hot weather.

In the next year- I will do some great stuff I bet.
maybe pay off some debt, organize my house , make some cute quilts and get really into scrapbooking again. For sure I will be driving my kids to soccer practices, games dance, ballet
and school. I will be voluteering at the elementary cleaning my house, washing clothes, cooking dinner and trying to keep up with how fast these kids are growing and somewhere I will sit down and try to enjoy it.

I am tagging everyone on my blog family list, especially you who need to come back to blogging(Allie, kisty, Jenie)

The best parts of summer

2008-06-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

I could not resist this picture. This is one more reason I love summer , eating ice cream cones.
Summer evenings are the best. It is so great to go outside after bath time and just sit on the grass and enjoy an ice cream cone. It is even better when you can smear it all over your face.
Enjoy it Halle girl, I love you!

"You are the music in me"

2008-06-25T19:06:00.000-07:00

Mady and Gaby had thier dance recital last week.

They performed dances to songs from high school musical.

They both did such a great job. They have worked hard for

several months on thier dances. They both dance with alot of attitude!

I loved it!

Well he was NOT apart of the dance recital.

He was there that was all we could ask for.

Oh ya and GO Celtics NBA champs!!

You will be seeing this little one on stage dancing in another year.

The animals at the zoo

2008-06-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

Last week I took the kids to the zoo. The zoo is probably my least favorite place in the world.
BUT, I do take my kids on an annual trip each spring.(unless my mom does it for me) My sis-in-law Breann does enjoy taking her little ones to the zoo, so along with her and my mom we went to the zoo. It was perfect weather for it not to hot. My three kids had a fun day but from the pictures you can see that my youngest is a little more like me. She did not love it. I am not scared of animals like she is I just think it is stinky and mean to keep animals there. Every time we would see an animal she would scream and cry "it is scary to meeeee!" So she is not an animal lover. Anyway it was fun and I will keep going ONCE a year and only once. Thankyou Mom and Breann for going with me. I love ya! Oh and Kash couldn't be any cuter. He loves it there, he loved all the animals but he is just a happy, loving, little boy!

Kids recipes

2008-06-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

I got these fun recipes from a friend for some kid things.
I thought they looked like they could be cool
so wanted to share s

Teddy Bear Sundaes
Any flavor ice creamM & M's or sm. candiesSm. round chocolate or vanilla wafersChocolate sprinkles or toasted coconut Put scoop of ice cream into dish for head. Use candies foreyes and mouth. For ears, push cookies into ice cream. Sprinkle alittle coconut or chocolate sprinkles on top for hair.ome.

Ice Cream cone Cup Cakes
Jiffy cake mix (any flavor)Flat bottom ice cream cones Prepare cake mix per directions on box. Spoon batter into flatbottom ice cream cones (1/2 full). Microwave on high for 20-25seconds. Eat as is or frost first.

Halle's Happy place

2008-06-03T18:06:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist this post. There are very few things in this home that are just for Halle. She is attracted mostly to Mady's room, my shoes, bathroom cupboards, You get it. Her big sister Gaby could also be described as super possesive over her own toys. So the lines are drawn.
Well I bought these little leap frog magnet games for her. They sing songs and make animal noises. Halle has spent the last few days hanging out in the laundry room playing with her very own stuff and loving it. She is so sweet!

summer sunday drives

2008-06-03T17:52:00.000-07:00

I got a little group photo of my kids after our hike
little darlins' !

Cute girls, they love a little sister pose
Crazy kids, having fun mocking the little girls

On Sunday we were feeling rich and thought , let's go for a drive in our big SUV. So we went for a ride up AF canyon. That is one of my favorite things to do during the summer. We drove up and parked the car and went for a hike. It was so fun I think my kids enjoyed it. We even got to see some wildlife. Mountain goats lying on the hillside.

Yearbook day

2008-05-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

So today is yearbook day at AFJH as it is at most schools today. Last week Mady asked me what is the big deal with yearbook day? I asked her ,What do you mean? She said every mom acts like it is soooo exciting. (with her sarcastic tone, like we are dorks) Well it is exciting. I feel a little sad
that her 7th grade year is behind her. It was actually a great year not as bad as I expected. She is a perfect child. Ok some crying over friends, clothes , bad hair , stupid teachers and all that. We all survived especially Mady. I Have been thinking this week about Jr. high and high
school, I graduated 15 yrs ago this week. CRAZY how time flies. Anyway I was suggesting some things to Mady that she could write in some yearbooks today. I really doubt she will use any of my lines because of the way she rolled her eyes at me when I said them, she didn't even smile.
But here are some things that if I was signing yearbooks I would say..........

Stay Cute &Cool
Love ya tons
Have a bitchin' summer
call me sometime 768-3894
see ya at the pool! (not everything about me has changed I'm still there just w/ my 4 kids now)

or something I not only wrote in yearbooks but spray painted in various locations throughout Utah from April to June of that year
" CLASS of '93 ROCKS"

Oh yeahhhh! okay maybe my lines are dorky but I was loving them 20 years ago when I was signing those great LJHS yearbooks.

Deerfield dance festival

2008-05-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

Today deerfield elementary celebrated the end of the school year with the annual tradition
of the dance festival. It was so cute. Gaby danced with the kindergaten to the "chicken dance"
Haydn and the 5th graders danced to the cool dance I don't know the name of but if you have a child you have heard or seen it. They also got to wear the "hope of america" t-shirt. It was a beautiful day for the dance fest not too hot. I really loved to watch them dance and hope you enjoy this little bit of video also.

2008-05-28T16:58:00.000-07:00

2008-05-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Mothers day

2008-05-28T16:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks, I love it too. Well the basement was not finished until we moved our furniture

down there. That left our upstairs family room empty. so on mothers day this is what I

picked out. Thanks to all who had a hand in getting this beautiful lazyboy sofa, chair and ottoman.

Our new basement

2008-05-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

Hallway to bath and bedrooms
our family/entertainment room

After months of hard work it is finished. I am so happy.

we all love it. I am so thankful for Curt and his talent he did an awesome

job. We still have some things to finish it. You can see the big space between

bookshelves. That would be for a large television. Which will be so cool

when it is purchased. BUT thanks to the sacrifice of my husband and children you

can see the above blog what was purchased instead of a large plasma screeen.

Kids today

2008-05-24T15:13:00.000-07:00

I have to thank my wonderfully smart and computer savvy daughter
for helping me with my blog background. Well, she didn't help me... she did it all!
I just love having these kids that have such great computer skills. I guess it is because
computers , the web, cell phones , ipods have always been apart of thier lives.
These things won't be new and confusing technology they have to learn. Somehow Mady and Haydn just get it when I don't. It takes them about 1 min. to sync an Ipod when I struggle all day.Also Haydn's 5th grade class has been given a macbook pro for every 2 students. They have had such a great time doing class project and learning with the "smart boards." I feel so out of touch when he starts talking about them and I say, " OK, now the what?" What great opportunities they have. Thanks again Mady! Couldn't do it without ya.

Champions 2007-2008

2008-05-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

Haydn is moving on from this team. We have had such a great time with them for the past 3 yrs. but it is time to move on. Haydn is staying with the club but he tried out for a AAA division I team. He has been doing tryouts this weeks and he did so good. He scored 4 goals on thier best goal keeper.(one with his head) I am so proud of him. We have loved this team and will miss them.

Farm Day

2008-05-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

Gaby's kindergarten class went on a field trip to a farm. I was able to go and help. I loved it. It was the coolest, cutest farm I have ever seen. I was so impressed with the farmer and his family. He had his children and grandchilren all there that day to help the kids and teach them about farming and animals. It was just so beautiful a 100 acre farm tucked up against the bench in pleasant grove . He had a big barn, beautiful home, a trout pond/irrigation pond and animals . I think it almost made me want to give up my city, subdivision life and get some animals and a few acres.

Run-a-thon

2008-05-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

Our elementary school had a fundraiser last week.

It was actually called a walk-a -thon but at our house, it is called a run-a-thon. Haydn ran 4 miles. pretty good considering he has been recovering from surgery. I volunteered and helped pass out water to the runners. They did an awesome job

raising monet for the PTA and staying in shape.

My favorite mother's day gift

2008-05-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

I love mother's day. I love how my kids start to put pressure on Curt the weeks leading up to the holiday. "Dad what are you getting her, are we going to take mom someplace fun?" Mady has a list of my favorite things and lots of suggestions for him. I love the breakfast in bed from Haydn every year since he could walk. Gaby has been drawing pictures of her and I every day. I also love that when they make mothers day gifts in school so far not one of my kids has ever kept it a secret. They are just so excited to give me something they have made. Thats love! Yesterday Gaby did a very thoughtful thing for

me. Her and Haydn were looking through the Sunday paper ads and Gaby came across the ipods

on sale. She said,"Haydn, mom would love this pink ipod." Haydn told her mom already has an mp3 player. "I know"Gaby says. "Plus", Haydn said "its real expensive." So gaby said "I know thats why I am just going to cut this one out and give it to her!" So she did and I love my new pink ipod.

I know when I was a kid and at christmas or mothers day my mom would say things like the only thing I want for christmas is for you kids to have what you want. Or when she would get all these hand made pictures, poems with our handprints and promises to do jobs for her all that sweet stuff kids do. My mom would just love it and hug us and seem so happy. I used to think that was crazy I knew she had to want something fun new clothes or something else better than

that stuff or to just watch us open gifts. But now that I am a mom I totally get it I really don't want stuff. I want the little handprints poems all that cute things and pictures cut out of the ads of the things they would do if they had $200 bucks. I love the thought. I love being a mom!

Appendix out

2008-04-29T18:53:00.000-07:00

Late Sunday night Haydn came to my bed. "Mom, my stomach hurts." I know every mom hears this and well you know. Oh great! "Come on, lets go lay on the couch and see if you'll feel better."

Well he did not feel better. He was crying out, Mom, it hurts sooo BAD!" over and over. He did feel a little warm but I could not help comfort him. After about 30 min. Curt gets up and asks

"what is wrong?" We both thought he was acting like something was really bad, but it was 1AM.

I thought that maybe it is his appendix but maybe not. So I say, "does hurt bad enough that you need to go to the hospital?" He said, "NO, I can't even walk." "Ok then let me go change my clothes and we'll go". So After 2 hours in the ER, a blood test an ultrsound and a visit from the surgeon it was determined that he did have appendicitis. Not before several different hospital employees came in to press on his lower right abdomen and ask, "does that hurt when I push there?" "Heck yes!" Haydn was saying. So at 5 am Monday morning he went to the operating room to have that diseased appendix removed. And sure enough the Dr. said it was bad and needed to come out.

He is feeling much better today but very sore. He has three small incisions where they removed

them. Because of this he is unable to play in the league soccer tournament. He and his team are

pretty bumbed out. What can ya do? He is enjoying all the time sitting and watching sports center. Oh and no showers or baths for 48 hrs. Dr.'s orders. That'll tough for an 11 year old boy.

It won't bother him.

piggy tails

2008-04-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

Piggy Tails. A rite of passage for little girls. I know she has had enough hair for for these for some time now but I have been unable to do them. It feels like they cross from the baby hair do's into little girl as soon as I see those first cute pigtails. I have looked at her different all day today, she has changed. she is my little girl in piggytails.

Spring Break

2008-04-29T18:38:00.000-07:00

Rexburg, Idaho Idaho Falls, Idaho
We spent the week of spring break in Idaho.
It certainly did not feel much like spring yet
but it was fun. We did a little sight seeing ,
we went swimming at some hot springs,
lots of eating out and shopping.

Binky follow -up

2008-04-18T17:22:00.000-07:00

Oh wow! If you would like to follow up on the binky goodbye story click on
Gil and Heidi blog on my blog family list.
It has the family photo I am talking about with all the beautiful grandkids and Halle with the BINK. Although I don't know what my big problem with
binky in the picture is, it matches my bright orange shirt! What up?

Bye bye Bink!

2008-04-09T08:31:00.000-07:00

Well times are changin' for little Halle. A couple weeks ago we tried to get a big family photo with all of the Bowdens . Halle was in the photo, along with her best friend a bright, orange bink in her mouth. She was all dressed up, with curly hair and a bink. That is when I decided enough!
So last week we pulled it out for the last time. Cold turkey! She cried to me for days, then began to ask everyone else in the family if they would get a bink for her. It was probably the hardest thing to do. I think it is harder than potty training or weaning the bottle. We were both a little hooked on the convenience of the plug in her mouth. It is gone now another stage behind us.
I will miss the baby Halle and her little binks. In fact I have kept these in my cupboard. It is hard for me to actually put them in the trash, like I might get them out and give one back to her.
thats crazy! So bye bye forever binkys thanks for the help the last two years!

Happy birthday Halle

2008-04-09T08:16:00.001-07:00

Halle is 2 years old! We had her a funn party at Chuck E Cheese pizza. Some of her aunts, cousins, Grandma Val Mady Haydn Gaby mommy and Daddy were ther to celebrate.
She had pizza and acted crazy.
The great thing about having a big sis is you never have to worry about opening your own presents. Big sis can do all that tough work for you. Thanks Gaby.
"OH, Halle is going to love this one!"

This has been such a fun year with Halle, she has grown and changed so much. She is no longer our baby she is now a little girl. She loves to paint her fingernails pink,talk on the phone, swing on the swing set and play baby dolls. Her favorite shows are teletubbies and pooh bear. Her favorite time of day is when the kids come home from school or when we go bye bye. She loves to eat yogurt, gold fish crackers and peas. The best thing about Halle is she is so happy and knows she is loved. She loves her grandparents her big brother and sisters ,her mommy and best of all her daddy. oh and she loves to sing and dance.

happy birthday Halle Spring (lemonade) Bowden

Haydn in the news

2008-03-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

I am a proud mom!! This past week Haydn has been part of the school play of Robin Hood.
He played the part of Will Scarlett. He is Robin Hoods friend and helps steel from the king and give to the villagers. He was so good as this part he was so funny. I had to post a link to this article and picture in the daily herald http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/260128/. Check it out.

Welcome Spring!

2008-03-25T14:12:00.001-07:00

My kids on easter morning

on Saturday we had a easter egg hunt at grandma and grandpas house.

We found lots of eggs and candy. They had so much fun.

Halle was just old enough this year to understand that those eggs laying on the ground had candy inside. She was gathering those up as fast as she could. She would get them in her bucket then run over to show me and her cousins what she had.
our family on easter morning. We had just been to church with the Bowdens to hear gil and Heidi

speak before thier mission.

The best thing of all last week, a new baby was born. My brother and sis-in-law welcomed a cute new baby into thier family. I am so happy for them and thankful that I could be a part of this fabulous day for our family. They are already parents to one cute and silly boy and I wish them all the health and happiness for a wonderful life raising these cute babies. So keep checking the Anderson family blog for first baby pictures, because in this photo above I am holding one beautiful baby!!

Diet Coke in paradise

2008-03-19T13:03:00.001-07:00

AAAHHHH! paradise. Ok, so i just got my water
camera pictures developed and there was this photo on it.
I obviously took it, but now I am thinking, why?
I guess it was my last day of vacation and
I would be returning to several feet of snow,
frozen roads and a house full of kids.
So i guess I took it to remind myself of a wonderul
day in the bahamas, relaxing on the beach with friends
and asking the bartender for one last
diet coke on ice please. So here it is things I enjoy.

Curt and I kayaking around the water in the bahamas. This was also

on the camera so 1 month later I will add another vacation photo.

princess wishes

2008-03-17T07:34:00.001-07:00

Saturday we went to Disney on ice, princess wishes. The girls had such a fun time. We went with all the Bowden family girls. Gaby and her cousins dressed up in thier princess dresses. We got Halle's princess dress out but when I asked her if she would wear it she said "NO, its gross, gross!" So that is what Halle thinks of being a princess. Mady is just the opposite she still loves the princess' and always will. She has grown out of her dress-ups or believe me she would have been wearing one. We are so lucky to have such a big family of girls. It was so cute to watch our little princess' watch the show they loved it and we love them. Thanks for a fun day!

jungle trips

2008-02-24T18:22:00.000-08:00

We went to some places I never thought I would get to see. We went to Roaton Hondoras, Belize

and Cozumel, Mx. In Roatan we chartered a boat and a guide to take us snorkeling it was beautiful. It was a windy day so I was nervous because the ocean was so rough but it was beautiful. In Belize we went hiking and tubed down a river inside a cave so cool then we rode a zip line thru the jungle. In mexico we went 4 wheeling it had rained and Curt loved the muddy ride.

cruise pictures

2008-02-24T16:13:00.000-08:00

We had such a great week out on the ocean. We have such fun friends they are the reason it was such a good time. We stayed up late playing crazy games, layed out in the sun, ate at fancy restaurants and went on some fun shore excursions. It was hard to come home to this winter wonderland.