Memorial Day

I love America!  We are so lucky to live in this country.  We have wonderful opportunities available to us such as public education.  We have a say in our government.  We have the freedom to choose our career, our religion, and how to use our time.  A great big thank you to goes out to all who have sacrificed to make it possible.  This year to remember those who have given so much on our behalf I took my family to the Ridgefield Memorial Day Service:

They presented the colors.

There was a 21 gun salute.

Taps was played.

A few stories were shared about those who have given their lives for our country and those who are currently in our service.  I appreciated this simple yet powerful ceremony that helped me and my family take pause for those who have given so much for what we enjoy daily.  I especially appreciate that this ceremony began and ended with prayer.  

"One nation under God."

Harmony Elementary Track

McKenna chose to be a part of the Harmony Track Team this year.  She did great and placed in almost all of her events.  Here is a video of her 100 yard dash:

She also placed first in the hurdles:

Another track star in the family - that's 4 for 4!

Grandpa Bowen

My Sweet, Strong Grandpa--so dashing.

This past weekend my cousins and I went on a road trip to Malad, Idaho to help celebrate Grandpa Bowen's 90th Birthday.  It was so great to spend hours in the car visiting with some of my very best friends.  The drive was enjoyable and went by very quickly.  There is nothing like being in Malad.  It is almost as if time stops when you drive into the city limits.

Can you imagine all us girls together in a vehicle for 14 hours?

G&G Bowen, two of my favorite people.

The party was held at the community center and it seemed like the whole town turned out.  They all know grandpa, whether from his school bus days, years as a mail carrier or his service as a volunteer fireman.  He is a fixture in the community.  It was also nice to see all the extended family I get to see so rarely.  Great Aunts and Uncles, distant and not so distant cousins--

The Lavar Bowen Family
L to R:  Suzanne, Dianne, Lavar, Ruth and Sandy

Grandpa's Siblings
Aunt Kathlee, Aunt Helen and Uncle Bob

Dixie and Chris

Jennie and Tam

Marc and Leslie

The Bowen's truly have something special!

McKenna Marie Turns 10!

Happy Birthday, McKenna!  

We all love you and celebrate the beautiful girl you are inside and out.

After years and years of asking, Mom finally made you a sock doll.  Meet Laura, named and patterned after your Great, Great Grandma Laura Reese Bowen.  Along with the doll you received her life history with hopes you will get to know the life Laura led and desire to follow her example.  Her life was filled with energy, laughter and strength.

Remember those Mickey tennis shoes you really wanted on our cruise? - Thanks, Grandma G!

Nothing says happy birthday like Mom's caramel brownies and ice cream - Happy Birthday, sweetie!

Carson Makes the "A" Team

April 22, 2011

Well done, my little man!  After much fretting and hard work, Carson got his 4.0 even with Mr. Estes' most challenging grading scale.  I knew you could do it.  Way to go!

An Easter Celebration

Every year at the beginning of Christmas season my family looks forward to attending the festival of nativities put on by our church.  This year, Grandma Tippetts was helping with a similar event called, "The Life of Christ" an Easter tribute to the life Christ led and his great gift to us, the atonement.  The more I heard her talking about it the more I knew it was something I had to take my family to.  It was such a busy time of the year, we almost didn't make it.  I am so glad we did.  I will NEVER miss this event again.  

Thanks to truly talented people we had the opportunity to watch Christ's life unfold before our eyes as we walked through the cultural center.  From His birth...

to His resurrection art and actors portrayed feelings and testimonies of the Savior. It was so well done.  The writing for the vignettes was so powerful.  You felt as if you were there. The spirit was so strong.  At the end there was a young girl singing "I Wonder When He Comes Again" in her clear soprano voice.  It made you wonder what part you would play in his second coming.  Am I doing my part after all He has done for me?

A big thank you to all who put in so much time and effort to make this event happen.  Sister Kelley was playing the woman at the well.  She and her family were helpful to Eric in his decision to join the church.  How sweet it was to feel of her testimony during this event and reflect upon the life changing influence it had upon my life when she shared it so many years ago with my husband.  Eric and I enjoyed introducing the kids to her. 

 We have definitely found a new family tradition - one to celebrate the joy of the Easter Season and the gifts of our Savior.

Happy Birthday, Tanner!

April 18, 2011

17 Years

All the family in town gathered to wish Tanner a happy birthday.  It was a great time to let him know what a fine young man he has become and how much we appreciate having him around.

Great things come in little packages - like gas cards!

Sushi - Yum!

Mom's Mud Pie - My Birthday Favorite!

Happy Birthday, Tanner!  

We love you, and all you have contributed to our family over the last 17 years.