I'm Back!!

I am finally back to the world of computers. Within weeks of each other, both our laptop and our desktop computer decided to die on us. We are still in the process of trying to get a new hardrive on the laptop and I am crossing my fingers that my amazing brother in law can salvage some of pictures. I am sick of thinking all the pictures I may have lost. Anyway, he fixed the desktop last night and I feel connected to the world again. I have so many updates to do, but can't download pictures yet. So hopefully soon! I can't tell you how excited I was to wake up and see a computer again, I love it!! So check back for updates in the near future, I am excited to get them up. I took cute pics of the kids wearing their costumes to school today. Happy Halloween!!!

Have I lived?

I saw this and I was curious of what I have accomplished in my life. Since my laptop decided to fry its hard drive and I can't post any pictures, I thought this would be fun!

*1. Started your own blog
*2. Slept under the stars
*3. Played in a band (does high school count?)
4. Visited Hawaii
*5. Watched a meteor shower
*6. Given more than you can afford to charity
*7. Been to Disneyland
*8. Climbed a mountain
*9. Held a praying mantis
*10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
*14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
*16. Had food poisoning
*17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (saw it from the dock, missed the last boat by 15 min.
*18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
*21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
*23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
*24. Built a snow fort
*25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
*29. Seen a total eclipse
*30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
*31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
*34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
*35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
*39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
*41. Sung karaoke
*42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
*45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
*52. Kissed in the rain
*53. Played in the mud
*54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
*57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
*63. Gotten flowers for no reason
*64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
*67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
*69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
*77. Broken a bone (How about crushed?)
*78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
*84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
*87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
*88. Had chickenpox
*89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
*91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
*93. Lost a loved one
*94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
*98. Owned a cell phone
*99. Been stung by a bee

How did you do?

Harold Family Reunion

My dads side of the family rarely gets together. He is the oldest of 4 kids, they all live in Utah but not close to my family. His parents live in northern Idaho, so when they wanted to have a family reunion we jumped at the chance to do it. The last time we were all together, was a christmas party in December of 2005. So my sisters and I started making food assigments and planning games and activities. The only ones not there were my cousin that couldn't get out of work, and my sister serving a mission in Uraguay. It was so much fun and great to see everyone. I am the oldest grandchild on that side of the family, and they ALL wouldn't let me forget it! I loved sitting and visiting with everyone, but we also played volleyball, did a candy cannon, treasure hunts, made instruments and did a marching band parade. We had an outdoor movie on the back of the house, had a cake walk, and so much more. I think it was a memorable experience for everyone. I had so much fun, and we have already set the date for next year. Richs parents let us use their motor home for the weekend, the kids were so excited to be able to move while driving, it was fun to watch them. We would have cars follow us for miles, so I am sure the kids were great entertainment for them. They loved being able to sleep in it, and the big seller of it was an indoor bathroom!

My Brother, the RM

I am still playing catch-up, so bear with me please. My brother John, we call him Johnny, returned home from serving an LDS mission in Louisville, Kentucky on June 27. I wasn't able to go to the airport to see him, so he decided to come to the park where I was doing a booth and surprise us. Leah, who is a little shy with everyone at first, took to him right away and ran up and gave him a great big hug. She was not quite a year old when he left. It was so fun to see him. The kids were thrilled to see him, and still just hang all over him.

They couldn't get enough of him, and he walked around the whole day like this. Always with one or two kids attached to him. We spent the day and evening at the park, and that night they had fireworks and the kids played on the playground. It was a good day, and we love having him home! He is number 6 of the 11 kids. I can't believe I am old enough to have a little brother home from a mission!

Build a Bear and T-Ball

Build A Bear with Abby and Ben
For Abby's Birthday this year, I let her pick either a friends party, or she could choose one special friend and we would go to Build A Bear. She picked Build A Bear, and her cousin Ben, because he had never been before. This is the kids with my cousin Julie, she joined us for lunch in Ogden. The day was a lot of fun. The kids had so much fun deciding what to get.
At this point we had spent 5-10 minutes picking animals. The two that they have were what the REALLY wanted, but by the end of the line, they each had a different animal.
They are getting their animals fluffed, and making wishes with their hearts. It was so cute to watch them, Ben kept stopping his because he wanted his floppy, but she had to tell him to keep going because there still wasn't any stuffing in his arms and legs. They both made cute choices, and had fun picking out their accessories.
This is at the fluffing and washing station. This is what Abby was looking forward too. You give them a "bath" with blow dryers, and fluff their fur. We spent a good 10-15 minutes here, they didn't want to leave.
Here we are back at the car, on our way out, it started pouring. If you have been to the Gateway, you know its all outdoors, and we were soaking wet. The kids and I kept ducking under awnings, and trying to wait it out, but it didn't stop. So we just ran for it. The had so much fun, and definitely a memory they will never forget!


Abby played T-Ball this year. It was good for her because she doesn't like the competitiveness of soccer, and all the running. Everyone gets to hit, and everyone gets to play outfield. Abby and her friend Sarah were the only girls, so they stuck together, and both had a lot of fun. The only hard thing was that she was a foot taller than everyone else, and the only left handed player, so they would always forget and try to show her how to bat right handed. The kids were much younger than the girls, it probably would have been better for Nate and Leahs ages, but she had fun nonetheless.

Birthday Pictures

We went to family dinner at Firehouse. Its Leah's favorite. She was so excited when she got the birthday treat this time. It was so yummy, I didn't object to her choosing it!
Then we met up with Grandpa and Grandma Rowley. They gave her this cute Tinker Bell doll, which she had to sleep with. She loves it.
We got home, and finally she got to open her presents. All day she asked me where her birthday was? Apparently "birthday" means "presents." She had so much fun, grandma and grandpa came over and watched her open her gifts.
I had no idea what to get her this year, thankfully Abby was there, and she picked everything out that we got her. I have noticed today that she is playing with this more than Leah is!
Leah has gotten so tall, that is was time for a big girl bike. Her face lit up when daddy brought it out for her. I can't believe she is already such a big girl. We had a fun day, in which she was very much spoiled, and had a lot of fun. Happy Birthday Leah!

She's 3!

My baby is 3 today, and I can't believe how fast time has gone. Leah is so much fun, she is so full of energy, and is (for the most part) happy. She loves to play with her cousins (and misses Lexie so much) and friends! She is such a girly girl, and loves to be dressed up, and her hair done. I will post birthday pictures, and her opening presents tonight, but I just wanted to do this before I forgot. Happy Birthday Leah, we LOVE you!

Rowley Family Campout 2009

Our campout was cut short this year, but fun nonetheless. We were next to this dirt hill, and couldn't keep the kids off of it, they had a blast. Nate was so excited that we were going real camping in the mountains, and not just in the backyard! Abby was just happy Grandma and Grandpa had the trailer and she didn't have to use the outhouse! We look forward to this week every year, and its a great break from our hectic lives, even if its just for a few days.

Verl Jensen Perry

Yesterday we attended the funeral for an amazing man. Rich's grandpa passed away this weekend. He lived a full and very active life up until the day he died. We love him and will miss him dearly.

This is Grandma with most of her great-grandchildren. She is amazing to me. Not for one moment the entire day, did a smile leave her face! We love you grandma, and you are in our prayers.

Another Happy Birthday!

Nate's Birthday was yesterday, he was so excited he could hardly stand to wait to open his gifts. I can't believe he is 5 already! He will be starting kindergarten in the fall, and is growing up so much. He is so tender hearted, he is the first to apologize or say I love you, and gives you a big hug and a kiss. He is such a good brother, and loves to show off for whoever will watch!
Rich was at work, but had picked out this shirt for him, Nate loves BumbleBee from the Transformers. He was so excited.
The only thing that he asked for was the BumbleBee helmet. As soon as he opened it, his eyes lit up, and he said " This is what I have always wanted!" It was so cute to see his excitement. He loves that it changes his voice and he can sound like a robot!
For dinner he picked Sizzler, just because he knew he would get a giant Root Beer Float. We were ordering our food and I asked what he wanted, and it was "My big Root Beer Float!" He was upset to learn he had to eat dinner first. We had a fun day, and ended the night watching the fireworks with his cousins in Hyrum. On the way home, he told me it was the best birthday ever! We love you, Happy Birthday Nathan!!!