Eli is One!

My baby is already one! It is so unfair how that just happens so fast. It was crazy getting ready for his birthday because we only got home from the lake a few days before. Trying to figure out what to get him was tough. With 2 older brothers it seemed like we already had all the cool boy toys. Luckily we had gone through the toy boxes a month or so ago and thrown out some old and broken toys. So we no longer had any firetrucks. It was perfect! He loves pushing cars and trucks around right now. We also got him some stacking cups, a book, and pajamas. Grandma and Grandpa Rowan came up from Idaho to celebrate with us. They did the same thing they did for Pason and Carter, and got Eli his first teddy bear at Build-a-Bear. Pason and Carter really had more fun than Eli did...so did Mom! Now we have Bernie, Bagley, and the newest edition, Baxter! Eli was more interested in the cake than the presents. I made him a puppy dog cake, (sometimes I call Eli "Puppy" because he likes to crawl around with my slipper in his mouth!). After we sang he very hesitantly stuck one finger in the frosting. After doing that a couple of times he stuck two fingers in the frosting, then four fingers, and when he realized no one was stopping him he went for it with his whole hand! Isn't it funny how any other day that would just be a mess, but for a first birthday we take pictures, and laugh, and encourage it! Shortly after the party was over Grandma and Grandpa left, taking pason and Carter with them. So Eli got to be the center of attention for a whole week. He is my little buddy, at least when daddy's not around, then he's Daddy's little buddy. We love him so much!

Nothing beats the Lakewater!

We really debated whether to go to the lake for the 4th this year. The weather forecast was more like early May than the middle of summer, but since we stayed home last year we decided we would brave the cold. It didn't really warm up until the day we left, but we had fun anyway. As always there was good food, family, chatting by the fire, golf, boche ball, boating, fireworks, and injury. Jared tried his hardest to make it to the ER, but thankfully came just shy each attempt. The first night we were there he reached into the cosmetic bag and took off the very tip of his finger on his razor. Then Sunday morning he used the wrong contact solution and burned his eyeball. Luckily there happened to be an optomotrist sitting in front of us at church who gave us his cell # and looked at it later that day (yes on a Sunday, and on a holiday, and didn't even charge us! what a saint!) Anyway despite the injuries Jared still skied off the dock 4 of 5 tries. What a stud! Pason and Carter also had their first taste of water skiing. They put the trainer ski that Jared's cousin brought to good use. Thanks Katie and Matthew! It was really nice because they didn't even have to get wet(the water was only like 58 degrees). They both did good and had fun, but it seems Carter is more daring than Pason. He kept wanting to go again and even learned how to use his weight to turn. Eli kept everyone entertained with his jibber-jabber and he even learned how to climb stairs. Yikes! We didn't spend hardly any time in the water obviously, but I think everyone still had a good time. Maybe next year summer will arrive on time!

Super Swimmers

The end of June was swimming lessons for Pason and Carter. They both did very good. Pason can now float on front and back, and do the basic front crawl and backstroke on his own. They aren't technically great yet, but he's not drowning! He learned SO much. I finally felt like the money I shelled out for lessons was worth it this time. Carter also improved. He was able to go all the way under the water and was getting his floating down pretty well. I was really impressed with the lessons at the gymnastic school. The lessons were only 30 minutes long, but they were so organized and effective. Now we've just got to find time to make it to the pool once in a while so they can keep practicing!

Wedding Bells for Nel

Jared's sister, Janelle was married in Salt Lake on June 12th. She was a beautiful bride! It was a busy weekend, and lots of time in the car, but we are glad we were able to be there to share her special day.













Landon and Janelle Bowden




















Aunt Nellie and the boys. We will miss you being so far away!














A little break dancin'!















Mmmmm...cake!





















Pason and Carter liked watching the fish at the reception.

Pictograph Caves

For Memorial Day we took a picnic to Pictograph Caves. It was a beautiful day. The paintings in the caves are fading so you can only see a few of them anymore, but we enjoyed a nice little hike and picnic.

Mom's Weekend Off

So back in the end of May I did something I haven't done since having kids. I took a vacation without them. My brother was graduating (as the valedictorian) from podiatry school in Oakland CA. I flew out and met my parents and brothers in San Francisco. We saw the musical WICKED, and visited Fisherman's Warf, Ghiradelli Square, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Greg introduced us to Indian food..YUM! We went to an awards dinner at a really fancy resort...kinda boring, but the food was good. And of course there was graduation..cool to hear my brother introduced as Dr. Rowan for the first time when he got up to give his speech. It was a nice break, but I did miss my kiddos. Thanks to my parents for a fun trip, and my wonderful husband for staying home with the boys, and congratulations to Dr. Rowan!

Soccer Star and Baseball Pro

I guess I'd better get used to the craziness we experience the last 2 months. Carter was playing soccer and Pason was playing coach pitch baseball. That meant we had practice or games at least 4 nights a week. Carter loved soccer an it was a blast to watch him. He was not the least bit hesitant about getting in there to get the ball. He scored quite a few goals for his team, but my favorite moment was not when he kicked a goal, but when his teammate kicked the first goal of the season. Everyone cheered and Carter just stood there looking at everyone with the biggest cheesiest grin on his face. He was just so excited to be a part of it all!
Jared coached Pason's team again this year. What a difference a year makes! Last year with t-ball most of the kids were more interested in picking grass or looking at the clouds. This year, for the most part they really seemed to get the game. Pason did a great job of fielding the ball and covering his position. Hitting seemed to be up and own sometimes, but overall pretty good. One night Pason hit a pop fly which unfortunatly was caught, but I was so proud of him for being a good sport. It was fun to watch both boys, but it is also nice to be done an able to enjoy a slower pace now!