Your Pags Are Backed

Michael and I just returned from a simply wonderful 12 day anniversary trip that started with a four-day cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. We had so much fun eating, sunning, playing games, eating, napping and eating. Michael won a Carnival Cruise ship trophy for a geography trivia game. He beat out some tough competition... me (we were the only two that showed up for the quiz). One of the sweetest moments of our entire trip was standing on the exact stop - to the day and nearly to the minute - where we were married three years ago. We adore Catalina Island. On the last night of our cruise, the wait staff sang, "Your bags are packed, you're ready to go - but here's the thing... almost every server was from eastern Europe and all had a heavy accent. We couldn't stop laughing as they kept singing, "Your pags are backed, you're ready to go... I should also mention that I may not be seaworthy. I have been dizzy and disoriented for the past week. I'm pretty determined to try again - it's just worth it.

When we hit land again we worked into our trip three Diners, Drive-inns and Dives: The North End, Patrick's Roadhouse and Baby Blues BBQ - oh yeah we will definitely be going on a carrot and water diet when we get home. I also have to mention the fun we had at a Dodgers and Angels baseball games. And we also met our goal by serving in the Redlands, Los Angeles, Newport Beach and San Diego Temples. The Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center was so impressive - in part, because our sweet niece, Sister Kinsey Bowman serves there. It was so good to give her a hug and spend an hour with her. Another highlight was spending time with our dear neighbors, Howard and Rebecca, who live in a fabulous 12th floor condominium on Coronado Island. Howard and Rebecca invited us to spend the night and go out on their boat the next day. We had an memorable time in San Diego - you know, I really could live there!

I have my amazing husband to thank for this trip. He did all planning, work and paying of the last 12 days. I love you babe! Let's do it again soon.

Amy's Day

My friend, Amy, asked me to be her escort as she went to the Draper Temple to take out her endowment a few weeks ago. There are no words to communicate the absolute and complete beauty of the day. This was a hard-won battle for Amy. If you look really closely at her face you may be able to read the transformation in her soul. Thank you dear friend, for the privilege to be in The House of the Lord with you on your special day.

Birthday Round Up

Darling Andrea turned 30 years old this May - it's so hard to believe that my little curly-headed baby girl is 30. And it just so happens that Kyle and Carly celebrate their birthdays within days of each other. That's why this year we decided to host a Western barbeque and party for all three. We enjoyed games, presents, balloons and of course - cake! It was good, old-fashioned fun. Happy Birthday to you! I love you all!

First 2010 Bees Game

Although you can't tell by the weather, it is late Spring and we have started with picnics, barbeque and baseball. We went to our first game of the year with Andrea, Jayson and Carter. It's always a blast. There was one point in the game when Andrea and I turned to each other and laughed because we were watching the game while Michael and Jayson were over at the kiddie land playing with Carter. Andrea, remember this statement? "Thuuu waa da fwaa da waa du ovr thr."

O Brother Where Art Thou?

A few weeks after our amazing Arizona trip it was our turn to host dear Jane (of Priest Lake fame) and wonderful Bowman family members. It has been quite a number of years since the "brothers" have all been in the same place at the same time. And I guess it is a tradition for them to form a line-up to see who still has the most hair. As you can see, Michael's hair follicles are the best performing of the bunch and he is quite proud. Over the course of four days we all enjoyed Conference sessions, a trip to This is the Place State Park, Ruth's Diner, The Mandarin, a snowball fight and, of course, those marvelous Belgian waffles. We love our family - come back soon!

Sweet Easter Time

March 4 was my last published post so I have a lot of catching up to do. We'll go in chronological order. First Michael and I hosted our annual Easter egg hunt and brunch. It was great fun - even the adults get in on the act... I'm thinking it's the money hidden in each little egg. We also made the most marvelous and I do mean, marvelous, real-deal Belgian waffles - yum!