ROAD TRIP - OREGON COAST

Michael made his annual trek to Washington for his beloved (yet highly frustrating) Mariners, Mom's good cooking and golf on July 17th. I'm happy to say that I went to join him a few days later and with sweet, little Mom in tow, we headed to the Oregon Coast for a few days of sightseeing and relaxation. The trip itinerary went something like this:

Tuesday

Up early to pack and eat breakfast. Drove to Astoria; ate a picnic lunch under the bridge (but next to the stinky water); drove some more; arrived in Seaside. Michael played golf, Mom and I napped. Walked along the beach with my sweetheart and checked out a few shops. Went to dinner and then back to our room to play Phase 10, Hearts and I can't remember what.

Wednesday

Breakfast. Walked around Seaside; bought a lot of salt water taffy; ate a lot of salt water taffy and got a pressed penny to add to our collection. Took a detour and did some shopping at the Outlet Mall. Did some sightseeing as we drove down to Cannon Beach (my personal favorite). Did some shopping; purchased a print of Cannon Beach at a Gallery; bought sandwiches at a great bakery; ate and then drove to Tillamook for some cheese curds and an ice cream cone. Michael got our pressed penny and then it was off to Lincoln City; more shopping at the mall; drove to Depoe Bay. Watched for whales - none available; ate salt water taffy and then had dinner at the Sea Hag. Michael and I shared a whole crab dinner but the highlight was the Marionberry Tart mounded with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. Mom had eaten there before and remembered this wonderful dessert. It was the highlight (food-wise) of the trip. Drove to Newport Beach to spend the night.

Thursday

Got up and did water aerobics with the toughest instructor in town - Mom. Ate breakfast; went down to the beach; saw hundreds of starfish clinging to the rocks near the water; ate more taffy; drove up to Depoe Bay - again no whales; went back to Lincoln City; took a cut-off toward Salem. Met Brandon, Champaign and Makayla at Applebees for an early dinner; drove to Portland to attend a temple session and complete some sealing ordinances for Mom's family. Drove back to Mom's house in Puyallup eating taffy along the way. Got home at 11:00 PM; weighing a least 10 pounds more than when we left. But all in all, it was a wonderful, memorable trip. Can't wait to do it again!

Friday I went to meet with my dear friend and very best client, Celeste while Mike got to play in a tournament with his two nephews, Patrick and Christopher. Then we went to Jeff and Celeste's house to play some serious Wii. These people are wicked when it comes to playing Golf, Bowling and Tennis. You better know your stuff when it comes to Wii.

Saturday we mostly relaxed. Unless you count the trip that Mom and I took to buy groceries and ended up bringing home a new mattress tied to the roof of the car. Don't ask. Later that evening, we went to watch Alyssa dance in a 12-Stake LDS Dance Festival. It was unbelievable. There were over 2500 young men and women participating in the program. I was overwhelmed by their goodness. Alyssa's stake did a Viennese Waltz in gorgeous costumes. She looked beautiful and confident. What a great way to end our trip. We came home Sunday. Thanks to Natalia for the ride to airport. Thanks to Mom for just being wonderful Mom and thanks to the rest of the family for your ongoing love and hospitality.

 

SURF'S UP

Carter and I have a favorite swimming hole - Cottonwood Heights Rec Center. Today we did a little splish-splash and had ourselves a great time. We always pack a little lunch and a lot of sunscreen (as per Momma's orders). Carter played with his toy shark, some water rockets and a splash ball but spent most of his time floating around on his tube. Ah summer, what's not to love?!

BEES BASEBALL

Michael scored four tickets to watch the Bees last Saturday (thank you Carly), and we invited Jayson and Andrea to go with us. We cheered, boo-ed and ate humongous hot dogs. Truth is, the game was really slow, Salt Lake 4 - Sacramento 16, so we left in the bottom of the 7th inning to go to Cold Stone for my one serious guilty pleasures...Mud Pie Mojo. I've turned many people to the dark side of ice cream - just ask Michael, Andrea, Jayson, Carly and others who are now in rehab and wish to remain nameless.  

WCF SUMMER PARTY

Tonight Michael and I had a date at Hogle Zoo. We started off by taking the train ride with all the little kids and theirs parents. Had grilled hamburgers and then walked around to see the animal exhibits. Most of the animals were pretty lethargic in the heat but were starting to look alive by the time we left. We then rode on the Carousel - again with the little kids and their parents. Michael picked the elephant; I selected a monkey. Then we watched a bird show in the pavilion. Thanks WCF!

WELCOME BABY BRADY

Michael and I went to see our newest grandbaby, Brady Todd Myers, last Saturday. I just couldn't wait to do some snuggling, cuddling and sniffing - love that baby smell! 

Weighing in at 6 lb. 8 oz., Brady was 

born late Thursday night, July

3rd. Nana and Papa couldn't be happier. Brady is shown with Mom (Angie), big sister McKenzie and with Lindee making bird mouths.

BURGER THROWDOWN

MaryLou and Rick, the two impartial judges, arrived at 7 p.m. to find the cooking contestants bumping into each other as they elbowed their way thru slicing, dicing, grilling and and plating. In the end there were five gourmet burgers presented for the, first-ever, Independence Day Bowman Family Throwdown. 

The judges are definite foodies and so, loved all of the entries. They were particularly impressed with Andrea's Cowboy Burge

r, indicating that the barbeque sauce and grilled onions made this their pick for top honors - which happened to be a $25 TGIF gift card. Upon winning, Andrea said, "I won?! I never win!"

There was a tie between Carly's Bleu Cheese Burger an

d Christine's (that's Mom/Nana to some of you) Ginger-Mango Burger. When asked about her second place Carly said, "I freakin' rock." 

Jayson's Malibu Burger took third and Michael's Gree

k Burger came in ahem...last. Michael contends that there was a scoring inconsistency in plating which affected his score. 

Even amid the accusations of measurement sabotage, the grill inadvertently being turned off and pineapple that wouldn't carmelize - everyone agreed that we're definitely doing this again. So, watch out Bobby Flay were coming to get 'cha.