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December 28, 2010

The American Heritage Festival 2010, Queen Creek Arizona

Another great year for the American Heritage Festival down in Queen Creek Arizona. I have gone three years now and it was a success as usual, but with one major person in my life missing…my Dad.


It was so wonderful to have my best friend Rachel come down and participate/experience it with me alongside with our other Utah reenactors, but this was one time a year that I couldn’t wait for nor imagine my Dad not being their and me along by his side. I look forward to it months before hand. Dad and I share so much in common, one being the love for our countries history (strong emphases on the Civil War;) and the other to be music. It was heart breaking after driving 14 hours that day and only 20 mins before we arrived that night I got the call that he wasn’t going to make it this year. I wanted to hang up and cry, my heart ached. I just couldn’t imagine this event without him. He had very good reasons though and I admire him for taking care of his responsibilities that called for him at home. I guess it was just the selfish side in me that was so sad and heart broken. He was VERY missed this year, not only by his daughter but everyone who knows him. I was asked everywhere I turned, “Where’s the Doc.?” He makes such an impact on people not only with his tender heart, but his great personality, humor, and his amazing bulk of knowledge. Everyday I was reminded that he wasn’t their as an empty space with an orange stick and a number on it was waiting for him across the way from our tent for him to set up, just in case he came. Also, I have never gone out on the battle field to portray his nurse with out him. I had to do it alone and I missed him, a lot. It was on day two that a dear friend (who fly’s out from Virginia to portray Gen. Robert E. Lee every year, my Dad’s hero) asked me late one afternoon where my Dad was and how my Mom was doing. I don’t know if it was his sweet demeanor, the fact that he was portraying Gen. Lee, or the look in his eyes…but as I continued to answer him I became very emotional. My parents health isn’t the best and I don’t talk about it too much and when I do I am so good to hold it together, but for some reason that afternoon at sunset Gen. Lee caught me off guard and reality truly set in. How many more “Queen Creeks” will I have with my Dad? How I wished he was their every minute of the day that weekend. I had to go back to my tent and compose myself for a few minutes, Bowman girls don’t cry. I love you Dad. We’ll have to make it up next year!


Rachel and I have for sometime now sign our messages, "Your sister in Christ". I think it has a little ring to it. It's grown on me. Oh how I love my best friend Rachel! Everyone needs a Rachel. She made this reenactment special for me, especially without my Dad not being able to make it. I have never laughed so hard, nor done so many crazy immature things at my age than I have with her and for that we will both never forget. She truly means so much to me. I am horrible at expressing my feelings for friends, but I think she knows that I can’t imagine her not in my life (and no Mark, she is not slowly replacing you;) There is a special bond/understanding that we have that anyone would be lucky to have even experience once in a lifetime.


Here is Col. Scott and his beautiful family. They are responsible for making this annual event happen. Amazing family they are! Their three daughters are so respectful, kind, and such good examples to all the other youth. If my little miss Lydia could be half of what their daughters have become I would be so very pleased. This family is the family that had me very intrigued and interested in homeschool, and are the ones who inspired me to make the decision. I owe it to them for this amazing adventure I have begun with my children. His lovely wife guided me through it in the beginning when I was overwhelmed and questioning myself.



Basically my weekend consisted of music and playing music. I had last minute put together a music group which consisted to three violins, two guitars, a mandolin, and a cello. A sweet addition this year was little Maria who is 8 years old. She played the violin and I honestly can say that I have never heard such a talented girl in my entire life. She is in the pink next to me with a little bonnet on. SO adorable!



My niece Heather (in blue) came out for the day. It was so great having her join us. I don't get to see her very much and I sure hope she comes back again.







BTW, this is my new dress that I made and finished just hours before we left. It is one of my favorites, mainly because it is light weight and cooler.


This is Darci and she rocked! She taught us how to shoot the arrows. If I couldn't find Rachel, she was with Darci. We like her and her mothers cooking:)


Yes, Rachel scored!




The couple on the left are part of our group in Utah and they came all the way down to Arizona and joined in for a day. It was great to have them their and their support.

Rachel and I played nurses for a battle or two. The lady in the black portrayed a religious person, blessing the dead with her massive Bible in arm. She was a doll! She ran and kept up with us throughout the entire battle.


Posing for pictures



War is over, Union won...again.

Posing for pictures again after the battle. This time the Confederates won!


How sweet is this? Rachel took a picture of these little boys playing war. My kids would have been all over this!


Some of the young girls that came by and hung out for tea and biscuits


My niece Heather and I


Heather

We had six of our Utah Civil War boys come down and participate. They did Revolutionary War. They made us proud and looked very put together.


Here are a few of them preparing for battle


This was taken on the last day and it was beyond windy! We were so tired.


Rachel is finishing quilting a cot quilt she made before the event. It is a replica of a soldier cot quilt that the woman made out of what ever scraps they had for the soldiers. She used period correct material and also measurements. And that is Austin. He is another Utah boy that came with us. He is 20 and had an eye on my niece Heather. He was with the Confederate artillery.



Once a day we were on the program to perform for 20 mins at 1pm. This was the highlight of my time their that week. We drew quite the crowd. We had my dulcimer, two guitars, three violins, a mandolin, and a cello (which I absolutely feel in love with).









And then came the fun... Dancing!

First of all, before I would play Austin would come and straighten out my strings and make them even. I can't tell you how many times he did this all day long. It must have been an OCD thing with him. Either way, it helped me out a lot. I have to do that every time I play. Thanks to Rachel and her head lamp. It was a life saver. I don't think I could have played with out it.


After the Dance on Saturday night, Col. Scott and all the officers of all the eras came by our dance. We stopped and they gave words of encouragement and gratitude for every ones participation. It is a tradition that we sing a few Christmas carols because this event it just days before Thanksgiving. Everyone makes a huge circle and holds hands while singing. We had well over 100 people their that night. This event just gets better and better each year.

Their was a large bomb fire that everyone hung out afterwards. So great! What's special about this event is that it is a strong family Christian based event/organization. I like the feeling of it. It's one you can't describe usless you are their.



Aiming for one of them Union soldiers. Check out those sweet pleats on my dress. They gave me so much trouble.


Rachel and I literally spent an afternoon getting our picture taken by an original camera from the era. After three tries, we were pleased with the tin types. I'll have to scan them and post them. They made us look so old and angry. Not flattering at all! This was taken while we waited.

I was waiting for my personal photo to process, I am slouching. I wanted one with my dulcimer. I saw a girl with a picture taken like this. I feel in love with it. I always play my dulcimer standing up and I wanted one sitting, embracing it. It turned out beautiful!







This instrument had changed my life. It has given me a purpose to play music again. I love playing music for others in hopes that it will touch other people’s hearts as much as it touches mine. I live for the moment that I can play it again wither it be for one person, a small crowd, or a large group. I can’t tell you how many people who have never seen or heard of it and leave falling in love with it’s sound. Music brings people together as I have experienced this year with my fellow civil war reenactors. It connects you and puts you back in that time and era from whence the song comes from. I have had numerous moments where I have been playing by a fireside late at night, soldiers dressed up, and they quietly sing along with me on a song like, ‘Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Ground” (an original civil war song sung by soldiers during the war). It's like you have gone back in time. It’s one of those moments that you will never forget…

Now, here is a taste of reality of my relationship with my hammer dulcimer. After long events or when I have been playing a full day I have (many times) wanted to take my hammer dulcimer and throw it out the window of a fast moving car or even the horrible thought of chopping it into fire wood and enjoying the warm burning glow. Now, keep I mind those thoughts only stay for a few second and then I quickly knock them out, but I guess what I am trying to get across is that I have a love/hate relationship with it. It takes so much concentration to play and memory (no sheet music used) that my head and eyes hurt after playing it. I love it dearly, but we usually need some space after playing.

Right now we are on a break till next week and then he (my dulcimer) and I will be in the recording studio getting ready to record for a film “Blood Fare” this coming fall. I have to play five songs. Very nervous. Their will be a fiddle, guitar, and a banjo with me and my dulcimer. After we get the final record made it will then be turned into the Grammy nominations for 2012 in the category for “Bluegrass”. So excited. I’ll keep ya’ll posted:)

December 27, 2010

Moon Lake, 2010

Here is four pictures a video montage of our yearly trip we take in July down to Moon Lake. It is located about two hours from us and 30 mins. from Vernal. Kids love it. It has everything you can think of to do their while camping. The Lake is so nice, muddy muddy shores, hiking, and a beautiful river to fly fish on.


December 24, 2010

Bowman Family Reunion 2010

Home to Sierra Vista, Arizona

Bowman Family Reunion 2010


Us Bowman kids all come home at the same time every two years. Most of the Bowman kids came. Missed Melissa and her family this year and a few other nephews and nieces that weren't able to make it. Such good fun laughing on the floor times. We had many of 3am nights just us adults hanging out. Question, how come in this picture my Dad is the only normal looking one.
Below are a ton of pictures starting from day one.

We always ate outside on the car port.




Laura and Mark put on the opening ceremonies with a game called "Scene It" geared towards the Bowman history and growing up.



My sister Laura and her husband Mark.



One of the questions on an old slide.


Jason doing some little entertaining.



Meg and Maggie


Dad getting out the suri to take all the grand kids for a ride.










Trying to take the goats on a walk. They aren't to happy with the boys.

Kristen feeding the goats


I love this picture. One of my favs. Lydia is awaiting Grandpa getting the horse all saddled up.





My brother Jason riding bare back


My brother Nate and his little girl Haley


The boys roppin'

My brother Nate brought his Great Dane Toby (who was hardly one yr.) all the way over from KY. He is HUGE and the kids loved him!

Mark dancing with the kids while they wait their turn to ride the horse.






Perfect example how we fed all these people.

My sister Kristen and Haley

My brother in law Dave and Emery

Cousins, Johnathon and William. They both (day and night) had to do breathing treatments because of their asthma and allergies. It was so cute. They enjoyed it.


Johnathon took this picture. They entertained each other.


As a joke, Kristen got these tiny cups for Laura's family and set them out awaiting their reaction. We laughed so hard over this. Us Bowman's are known that when we get together everyone gets one plastic cup with their name on it to last them through the visit. These barley held 2 tbs.

Maggie polished all the little girls toes. Lydia had never had that done. Yes, I her mother have never polished her toes. So Aunt Maggie got her to do it. When we got home she wanted it off and she said to me, "I never do that again". Maybe if it was blue and not pink.


Pink polished toes for Miss Lydia


Dad's new heavy barn doors. They are amazing!


Lydia helping grandpa with the chores


Gracy, Grandma, and Lydia



Lydia and Toby


A day out at the local inside wave pool.







Shelly and Stella

These two sweet visitors made their apperence again. They some how always make room in their busy schedule to fit the Bowman family reunion in to their tight performing/entertaining schedule. You never know what theme they will come and surprise you with. This time it was Civil War. What a talented dueo they are. They never let us down. Their sense of style is amazing.





Oooopsey, Shelly fell.




Table of decorations and tacky snacks

The Bowman men. Jason, Dad, and Nate.



Kristen's little girl Reese

My sister Laura and her fmaily (minus their 16yr old Heather who was at girls camp)



Kristen and her family

Mark and I



Jason and his family


Bowman Belt buckle

Nate and his family


We stopped in Page AZ on teh way home to see the HUGE damn.