Decorating the Chrsitmas tree, 2010

Wow, where did this year go? It flew by so fast. I felt like I had just put down my Christmas decorations as I was pulling them back out again. Oh how I love this time of year. Growing up us Bowman kids had a a fake tree with big chunky red bulbs, big shiny red apples, and red bows. When I first got married Mark called it the "red devil tree". Thankfully Mom was not offended and we all chuckle at it now. I never grew up with a real xmas tree, Mark did and he wanted to continue that. I never thought I would like these tall skinny ones, but that has been our choice for six years now and The taller/skinner the better. This year it topped out at 15 feet again. It's a beast to decorate, but it looks so pretty in the end.

Thomas was not interested in helping out this year. William and Lydia couldn't wait. And of coarse Marley had to help.

If Marley is not in her kennel she is on Lydia hip. She loves this little thing...

William helping. After they went to bed I had to shift most of the decorations upwards and re situate them. They haven't noticed yet.

On behalf of my dear friend Angela, I would like to introduce the Griswold's Christmas tree. One of these days I just know we are going to find a squirrel or a birds nest.

A few extras...

We do this about once a week when we are over loaded with laundry from the third floor. I call and they come, get in position and I dump every dirty piece of laundry on their heads. Sadly, they get much joy from this. It ends up with them placing underwear on their heads as they slide down the stairs and then their job it to get it all into the laundry room. Now, if I can get them to sort colors correctly...

Just painting for "art" for home-school. It was finger painting but they all whined about getting their fingers dirty. I guess that defeats the point of using finger paints.

Thomas' Baptism, Down to the river to pray...

My heart is full

My heart is full for two reasons. First my little boy Thomas chose to be baptized. He turned 8 back in May. We wanted his Grandparents (my parents) from Arizona to be their on this special day. With my Mom recovering from a lung transplant we didn't know how long this would be. We kept waiting and finally she got the OK to travel in mid September. Mark (since before I married him) has always wanted to baptize his children in a river. He had done this on his LDS mission in Seattle Washington and that idea/want never left his mind. It's not the typical way to baptize a member, it is usually done in the church house in a large font, but this is what Mark desired and Thomas also. We are such an outdoors family and love nature so much that it seemed only appropriate to do this where we feel so close to God and all that he has created. It wasn't easy getting this approved but it was well worth the wait.

Second, my heart is full because my dear husband Mark was the one to baptize Thomas. What a special moment and memory they will both have of this day. The sounds of the river rushing behind us, beautiful view, and only close family attended. Mark's parents, his brother, my sister and her family, and my parents. It was small and personal. That is what Mark wanted for him. He will forever remember this day being only his, not having to share it with other children who too would be baptized the same day in the fonts at the church. This was a special baptism, just for Thomas.



This is not the best picture of me because I am struggling to see the strings with the bright sun light and also I was emotional. I did the musical number (I like to look for rainbows) before he was baptized and half way through Thomas came up from his seat and sang for everyone, "I am a child of God". It was precious!

It was cold water, but with all the layers they both had on it didn't seem to bother them. We had found this spot 6 weeks before but the water level went down low and we were slightly concerned he wouldn't go all the way under. His knees came up the first time and the second time it was perfect.

September 8, 2010 4pm Upper Provo River

(close to the Jordonelle Damn)

Mark said Thomas' first words out of the river were, "That wasn't so bad". He was so worried about it being so cold that he was relieved he wasn't.

Thomas' feelings of his Baptism:

"It felt a little cold and it was a little fun. I feel like being nice to Jesus, I love him. Being baptized made me feel like I should not lie or want to get in trouble. I felt like I was with the Holy Ghost and not a lone, I was with him. When I got blessed by my Grandpa Bowman I felt the Holy Ghost touching me , right by me, in front of me. It made me feel happy and thankful. I love Jesus. I love my daddy who is always nice to me all the time."

Goblin Valley, camping with the Wittusen"s

As you may well know, us poor folks like to camp. It seriously is one of our favorite family activities to do during spring - fall here in Utah. We have the most beautiful out doors right at our finger tips, we would be selfish not to enjoy every part of it. I must agree with my Dad when he says the desert has a beauty of its own. I like my pine trees and rivers, but Goblin valley surprised me. It truly was pretty.

We went with our good friends Brad and Heleen Wittusen and their three kiddos. We choose non designated camping. The Wittisuens knew of a spot basically in the middle of no where, which is good because our kids are loud and everything echos in the canyons. We would drive into the state park every day, pack a lunch, hike, and then return for the evening. Such a great time! Excited for next year...




Kids just ran wild in this crazy looking park of rocks that look like goblins. You'll notice through out the pics all the boys have light sabers. They took it very seriously,

"I can't get up" says Thomas. "I will hold your light saber too", says William.

Just stretching for the long hike ahead.

As us adults where chatting over a snack break we walked back down to the kids where they were playing and as we walked we passed many potty words were written. I would have been very impressed if my boys had such great grammar and capitalized the first letter, lol.

Basically, this is how the day went down.

The tired, hot, thirsty crew

Dane attacking William?

Notice Lydia in the blue shirt in the back ground?

Libby and Lydia

An odd formation in the middle of nowhere.

Hot cocoa for Thomas

Mark and TJ

The next day we hiked a slot canyon called Little Wild Horse Canyon. It was six miles. All the kids did so great!

We all agreed that we remember being our kids age and taking family trips. Does this mean we are old? One regret, wearing socks with my 90's tivas. Heleen will be pleased to know that when we got back I got some hiking/water shoes from the Columbia store. Much more stylish!

Heleen and Libby

We stopped for lunch and the kids climbed all over this mountain.

Heleen brought the suckers. We owe her a few bags. They were the hit!

Tiny narrow paths

Lydia in her basketball shorts that she just had to wear.

Seriously, how HOT is my man? Even with a sucker in his mouth.

I loved how smooth these rocks were worn through many many flood washes.

One of three. Trying to hold the pose...

Heleen cracks me up in this one with her head peeping through Mark and I.

Their we go! Hold it.......

AWESOME rock formations and cute kids!

Lydia was just about done!

Brad and Libby

Where did everyone go?

Dinner and party back at camp.

Kids play ground back at the camp spot, basically a huge cliff with loose rocks. This was our view from our front porch of the camper. Amazing echos, couldn't loose the kids.