The Cowden Family

Random.Shots.Random.Shots.Random.Shots.

2011-08-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

I was sorting thru my generic "photos" album, which is usually pictures that have been emailed to me from any random person & I've saved them onto my computer. They all end up in a mish-mosh group of random photos. Here are some that missed their chronological posting, but are still worthy of sharing. :)

Jonah at a pirate birthday party.

The boys at the annual Kid Fun Run during the Hoyt 5K. This was May 2011.

Phew - we made it! My buddy Kim & I after surviving the May 2011 Hoyt 5K! No major feat for Kim, but I had not trained for this - just ran in Jared's place because he had tweaked his knee & couldn't run.
Through out the race, I kept telling myself I was "just running sprints up & down the basketball court. Just going down & back. Just running the court. No big deal. Down & back. Down & back. Still running the court... You can do it. Just running the court" :)
SO my thanks to Kim for pacing me & keeping me company!

My cousin came across the old photo of my grandparents, Ruby & Claudell Johnson. I love them!!

Jared took this photo on our hike of Mount Wachusett this past spring. I have to find the one of both of us at the top. It's a beautiful setting though. Great place for a hike!

GIRLS CAMP 2011 ~ Zion's Camp, New Hampshire

2011-08-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

This summer I spent 6 days as a volunteer counselor at our Girls Camp (church youth group). It was amazing, exhausting, super fun & very fulfilling, to say the least! Many years ago, I went through all 6 years as a youth myself. And have not been back since. So I was very excited to attend this year AND to be able to join Pat & Rebecca ~ the two amazing women that I serve with in the Young Women organization at our local church. Things have changed a bit since then, but not too much. It was a great week!

Our days & nights were full of walking & hiking the hills of the camp, doing chores, singing, certification (1st aid/CPR, constellation studies, campfire cooking, scripture study, service, making bedrolls), yummy food in the lodge, laughing, bug spray, getting to know our group, walking, cleaning, raking the forest floor, hula lessons, swimming, arts & crafts, rifle shooting, walking, more food in the lodge, nightly firesides, popsicles in the nurses lodge, late nights, 5-minute walks just to use the bathroom, secret sister deliveries, more singing, hugs, walking, flashlight scripture reading, extreme weather emergency prep, nature walks, skit night, flag, YCL's nighttime serenades, more walking, laughing at lunch table, bead collecting, clapping games, archery, devotionals ... shall I stop? That'll make your head spin. But it was GREAT!

Our wonderful accommodations. SO grateful for these lil' cabins!

Home Sweet Home for the next 6 days!

Our wonderful group!! Level 4's. What a great group of girls!

A panoramic shot of the lake from the view within the Amphitheater.

Our group banner.

This tree caught our attention on a hike.

Our Level 4 girls teaching the camp the clapping game "Seven". So fun!

Some of our Level 4's taking down the flag on Wednesday...

"The Lodge!" Food central & craft center in the back.
We did not have sleeping or eating arrangements like this when I attended camp many years ago. I am very grateful that our stake has them here.

Just another day at camp! OK, and proof that there were small bits of time where Rebecca & I got to participate, too. :)

Hula & Skit night in The Tabernacle.

This participation was a little less voluntary! :) But we really wanted to show our support to our girls! Plus, we had the amazing opportunity to have 2 very talented (& 1 professional) hula dancers attending camp with us. They were gracious to share their talents with us. Each level/group was shown/taught a hula dance to perform in between skits on Friday night.

A small glimpse of Camp. This was was of "Bountiful" - our area for Level 4's.

We had an artist among us. She drew her "fearless leaders!" Rebecca & me :)

Pat, Alli & Rebecca.
I love these two ladies!! This is our Young Women presidency. We were blessed to be able to share the camp experience together! I cherish the memories.

AND I would be remiss to mention that Jared was willing & able to take the week off of work to stay home w/ our boys during this time. Thank you HON!!! He & the boys had all sorts of fun adventures while I was away. I'm sure they hardly missed me. :)

LAKE LASHAWAY!! In East Brookfield, MA

2011-08-01T05:52:00.000-07:00

Our good friends, the Dawson's took us out on the lake one beautiful, sunny Saturday in July. Needless to say, we ALL had a great time! THANK YOU DAWSON's!!!!

L to R: Jonah, Merrik, Lexi (Dawson's neice) & Tucker (Dawson's son, Tucker's buddy)

Jared, Connor (Dawson's nephew) & Brian make it out on the tube.

Aanndd... Brian's dad giving them a run for their money!

Oh yeah - the peaceful beginning. J & M, B & T. Fathers & Sons photo. How cute.

Jonah helps pull in the tube.

Merrik & Tucker on the tube. While on our way to meet the Dawson's, Merrik said, "Tucker is my best buddy." :)

OK - now the girls get a turn. Alli & Kim get ready!

Hang on!!!!!! Man, that was fun!

Mellow waters, as Jonah & Connor are added to the tube. Phew!

Connor is feeling brave!

Jared got to try knee boarding. He did so great! Got right up! Made it look easy. He said it was SO fun!

HAHA - and this is my attempt at knee boarding. I tried!
And of course the camera was left on the beach when I did make it up on the skis! Oh well.

Jared's final attempt at balancing on something. "Hold on to the buoy!" A nano-second after I clicked this photo, he was in the water.

We are SO grateful for this super fun day!
Thank you Kim, Brian & Keith!!!!!

Now THAT is a Strawberry!

2011-08-01T05:50:00.000-07:00

... and it was yummy, too. Just sayin'.

4th of July Cookout!

2011-08-01T05:27:00.001-07:00

Of course a summer gathering at our house would not be complete without a little Slip N Slide!
The above pic is the boys' cousin, Jacob. Below is Merrik & then Jonah.

Cousins!! M, Jake & Jonah

The crowd - enjoying the beautiful day. It really was lovely outside!

Wait a second. Who put that "36" on that cake?!? That can't be right!! Can it...?

Great Grammy brought this very yummy rhubarb & strawberry pie. SO good!

A little family time ~ always a good day!

Another Day ... Another Trip to Old Sturbridge Village!

2011-07-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

Almost every trip is different when we go to "The Village". But the one thing that remains the same is the horse-drawn "bus ride", as the boys like to call it.

The boys trying there hand in the Cooper Shop.

A trip up to the Freeman Farm always greets us with happy animals, and almost always a new colt, heffer or lamb has been recently born.

This cute lil' heffer is about 3 weeks old.

M, making friends w/ the sheep.

Uhhh... like father, like son.

Jonah tries his hand at a 19th Century baseball game. Interestingly enough, back then they used a soft ball & ran the bases "backwards", counter clockwise starting to the left, and would often shout encouragement to the players in form of a loud & hearty, "Huzzah!!"

And this was a fun past-time game of sorts ... filling a paper balloon with hot air from the small fireplace below & letting it go, watching it sour above. Very cool.

Priceless.

2011-07-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

... like angels. As Jared likes to say, "The sleep of the innocent.'

THE Rope Swing!

2011-07-30T09:05:00.001-07:00

This is our own private little cove. At least we like to think of it as ours. Somewhere along this lake path where we love to hike, we came along a rope swing. It's been the high light of many a hike since its discovery.

Let the fun begin. Just add water.

This time I was only a spectator. Next time I'll be ready to get wet!

And Jared. Showing how it's done.

Seeing Double

2011-07-30T09:01:00.000-07:00

This is me (Alli, in pink) & my twin sis Rachael (in blue). I wanted to add this photo to my online 'record' so it's never lost. This is one of the few photos of our younger days. And I LOVE this one. We were so cute! :) "Love you, Rach!" Rach says we need to recreate this photo for posterity's sake. And I agree. ...Even knowing that the photos may end up on Mom's desk in the kitchen for all to see.

Final Curtain Call... For Preschool, that is.

2011-07-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

Merrik's preschool class, all lined up for the Graduation Celebration.
They sang 3 very adorable, animated songs & then all received a certificate.Looks like M is the only one who remembered the actions here for this part of the song. He was SO cute to watch. He really takes his performances very seriously. He knew all the words & all the actions to go with them.

This was our 3rd year having Mrs. Campbell, since Jonah had her for 1 year of preschool prior to Merrik's 2. We LOVE her & it will be strange starting a new school year without her. I was SO grateful that my sons had Mrs. C as their intro to school. She has found her calling & we will miss her!

This is Mrs. Kim - a teacher aide. She was GREAT! This was M's only year having her but she it felt like she had always been part of the preschool team. Hope to see her around town, as we would occasionally run into "Miss KIM!!!" at the store or grocery shopping. :)

And Miss Heather, another teacher aide. We LOVE her too! She was around for all 3 years w/ Mrs. Campbell. She's a wonderful teacher, funny, talented, creative ... Mrs. C's right-hand-man (so to speak). :) We'll miss her!

Field of Dreams!

2011-07-30T08:34:00.001-07:00

1st GRADE FIELD DAY!! Jonah w/ his teacher, Mrs. Moore. (Jonah's class was the red team.)

Jonah (center, in red) working the wheel race.

This was the cutest race: The Chicken Race. The kids had to hold onto a rubber chicken using only 2 sticks to grab it. Kind of like giant chop sticks.

Jonah & some school chums watching other classes compete.

After, the kids all got popsicles. Aahhh. Last Hurrah for the end of the school year!

AND this was how Merrik passed the time when all the relay races & obstacle courses started blending together.

More June 1st Tornado Photos

2011-07-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

This is along Old Sturbridge Village Road, which was closed for a time immediately after the tornado.

And this is along the Leadmine Mountain/OSV Conservation Trail where we like to walk/bike. Didn't get to do a lot of biking this day, as we quickly ran into downed trees blocking the path.

Local Tornado Damage

2011-06-03T07:42:00.000-07:00

The storm clouds as seen thru our front door windows. (above photo)

And 30 minutes later, clouds were gone. (above)

Two tornadoes, virtually unseen in this part of the country, came roaring thru our neighborhood on the evening of Wednesday, June 1, 2011. The next morning we drove thru town taking photos of some of the damage.

Downed power lines along Route 15/Haynes Road, which parallels I-84 near our home.

Trees along I-84.

The above photo is looking west across I-84 at the path of the tornado coming over the hill past Old Sturbridge Village. If you click on this photo, it will enlarge to show greater detail. Notice splintered tree tunks left without tops & leaves.

Highway sign on 84 to Exit 2 (our exit) blown over by tornado.

More splintered trees along 84.

Downed trees on Fiske Hill Road - a neighborhood just a mile or so east of I-84.

Click on this photo to zoom in - this tree took the grass with it as its roots emerged.

This tornado, (followed by a second one an hour later) was on the ground for 45 minute as it tore its way thru 19 communities. Miraculously there were only 4 casualties. Our hearts & prayers go out to the families of those 4 individuals from West Springfield, Springfield & Brimfield, as well as those displaced by lost homes & property damage. May God bless them all.

Ragnar Relay 2011 - GO Team Toe Jammers!!

2011-05-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

At the finish line at Harvard Stadium - Team Toe Jammers ... New England Ragnar Relay 2011.
The Ragnar is a relay done at different times & locations all over the country. New England's was 198 miles run in 30 hours with a team of 12, each person taking 3 turns over the course of the relay. The team ran from New Haven, CT (starting at 8:30am Friday) to Boston, MA (last runner in his team arrived 2:00pm Saturday). Jared ran 7 miles in southern Connecticut at 9:30am on the Friday that it started, another 5 miles that night around 7:30pm in central CT, and his last leg was 8 miles in central MA around 6:00am Saturday morning. Thankfully Jared didn't have to run any legs in the middle of the night!

We surprised Jared at his 2nd leg, his 5-miler somewhere in Connecticut! It was so cool to see him & be a small part of this great endeavor. What an amazing event! And ... HE'S OFF! ...

All done - PHEW!!!

This was just a cool tunnel in Connecticut that we had to go thru to get to where Jared was running. :)

I Was Blind But Now I See!

2011-05-24T11:25:00.000-07:00

We recently had a family home evening lesson about Jesus's miracles & healing the blind & helping people. Just had to share the photos.

JONAH for PRESIDENT

2011-05-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

... a school project that I love ...

I love his family symbol up above! I think it will look great on the presidential seal some day!

... last word: "laws"
And HEY, I'd vote for him!!

LEMONADE for Sale!

2011-05-24T11:07:00.000-07:00

So a couple Saturdays ago Jonah got it in his head that he was going to sell water & muffins at the end of the driveway. Like an old fashioned lemonade stand. He made a sign (see box in above photo - "Jonah & Merrik's Water & Muffins ... 25cents") & he & his partner in crime dragged all the stuff to the end of the driveway to set up camp. Lo & behold - people actually stopped! Probably expecting lemonade from such an establishment. And when Jonah gets an idea in his head, there is no changing his mind. SO I decided to help them increase their sales a little bit...

... I went up to the house, made a few pitchers of lemonade (it was GOOD) and a cool, easy to read sign which now advertised the cool, citrus beverage... and off they went!

Some time later, he stand was officially pronounced 'Closed' when they ran out of plastic cups. Needless to say, it was a huge success!! Jonah earned enough to pay for his school field trip to the Ecotarium next month and the boys wanted to count their money over and over and over again... it was very cute!

It was very cute! AND we got to talk to some very nice people & meet some neighbors that we didn't know yet. It was time well spent!

AND ... while the lemonade stand was in business, Jared was mowing our gargantuan lawn. He wore a pedometer that day. We have just over an acre of land & only a push mower. Here are the results: 16411 steps totaling 7.51 miles!! WOW!! I need to learn to start mowing. I've asked. Jared says he likes the 'benefits' of doing it himself. Hmm...

...at the hands of the Boys.

2011-05-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

Merrik's craft from Beach Day at school.

I love seeing their handwriting. It's so precious.

Mother's Day cards the boys made for me at church.

The boys decorated the pots & planted Mother's Day plants at a church activity. I love 'em!

Triarama Takeover!

2011-05-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

Jonah came home from school one recent Friday with this very cool triarama - a new term for me, that's for sure, but self-explanatory. I'd heard of & probably made in school a diorama. But this 3-fold design was new to me. And to Jonah. AND he fell in love. Over the course of the following weekend, he/we made four MORE triaramas!! For your reading pleasure...

This "Python" triarama was the original ... made at school.

These giraffe and alligator triaramas are part of the at-home collection.

All of Jonah's triaramas!
In this pic only the original has it's accompanying paper essay. The others have them too, except with I'm guessing less actual research than the school version. At home, Jonah would finish his triarama piece w/ 3-D animal (glued onto a zigzag paper fan-type paper to make the animal pop out of the middle of the pic) and then he would dictate to me all he knew about this animal or that animal. It was great!!

Leadmine Mountain/OSV Conservation Trail - Sturbridge MA

2011-05-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day 2011 !!

2011-05-24T07:48:00.000-07:00

First - a tribute to my heritage. The above picture is my mom's mom - my Grandma Johnson.

Here I am w/ my own mother, Claudia. She is a gem.

I'm a Mother because he's a Father :)

... during our Mother's Day walk ...

... my treasures ...

Jared & Jonah (Merrik was home sick, sleeping) came home w/ these beautiful flowers the day before Mother's Day. I gave them generous hugs & kisses & 'thank yous'. And when Merrik woke up, I said, "Merrik, these flowers are from you & Jonah for Mother's Day - thank you!! ... Have you seen these before?" To which he gave a groggy "affirmative" nod of the head. :) As if to say, "Sure Mom. Whatever you say."

Pine Cone Bird Feeders

2011-05-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

Gather a couple of good-sized pine cones & start by tying a string around the top. Then cover generously with peanut butter.
Tip: spread the knife upward toward stem of pine cone to get in under the little scales.

Then spoon birdseed over peanut butter while turning pine cone until all pb is covered.

Hang outside & watch for birdies!
When pine cone is clean (& eventually it will be) repeat the process & re-hang!

Quabbin candids

2011-05-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

Jared & Alli - taking a break at the Quabbin... peek-a-boo!

This was a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure if we went there today the grass would be nice & green. Don't worry - I'm sure there are more Quabbin bike rides/picnics in our future.

Bikes, bikes, bikes...

2011-05-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

Yes, he is camera shy.

Zooming along!

Boys will be boys! They loved riding up & down this drainage area. Don't be fooled - Jared did too!

One of our new, reoccurring adventures - riding bikes at The Quabbin! (And aren't they cute?!)

S.P.R.I.N.G. around the homestead

2011-05-24T06:52:00.000-07:00

EASTER! ... family, faith, fun, food.

2011-05-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

The Cowden men! Bill (dad), Mike (psuedo brother), Paul (bro) & Jared.
Mike & his beautiful family live in southern CA. We have not seen them since our wedding ... 11 years ago! It was so great to catch up.

And all the cousins got along as if they've known each other their whole lives - I love that!!

Merrik - making a dash for the hidden Easter eggs!

Photos are out of order BUT here we are coloroing eggs at our house. Jared was obsessed with making on look like tie-dye. It did turn out pretty cool.

The Easter bunny makes a visit!!

And here's Jonah making a run for it. Gotta find all the eggs! Don't worry - there were about 80 eggs for the 6 kiddos.

Back at home - the real eggs the boys did...

Yes, you DO have to wear biker gloves while dipping eggs. It helps.

The family at Bill & Dolores's home. We love the special times when we can get together w/ family - especially family we haven't seen in years! And the boys are always excited to play with cousins - psuedo or real! :)
... and ... I have to say - it looks like the back yard has a downward slope, beginning on the right here & sloping to the left. That can be the only explanation for the significant height difference as you move across this photo. Hmm...

The Quabbin

2011-04-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

This was a beautiful spring day - took all the bikes for a ride and a picnic at The Quabbin. What a fun, gorgeous day!!!
The Quabbin is a man-made lake, a reservoir actually, made in the 1930's when they relocated & then flooded four towns, dammed some areas in between & created this - 39 square miles of water to provide the residents of Boston with a clean water supply! Pretty amazing! Oh, and Boston is 80 miles away from here. Quite a project!

This day was perfect. But such a tease. The weather has only gone downhill since then. We are holding our breath for Spring to come and STAY!

School Days!

2011-04-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

Merrik's Preschool photo - Spring.

Who else has school photos twice a year? I think it's ridiculous but yes, they take school pics in the fall & the spring. Never heard of that before.

Jonah's 1st grade pic - Spring. And he stuck that pose all on his own!

Two of Jonah's recent spelling tests. He's doing SOOO great!!!! 100% and those are some hard words!!! Yikes, 1st grade is not what it used to be. :)

MASKED

2011-04-21T10:29:00.000-07:00

Grandma Dolores gave the boys these masks & craft supplies to decorate w/ for Merrik's birthday. They have really outdone themselves! The set below was the first go around. Then they realized that they could peal off the glue from before, take all the stuff off & do it again w/ something else! That's how we got the above set. Cool stuff!

Look out - it's EYE BALL MAN!! :)

...and FeatherPuff Boy!! :)

General Conference Weekend activities

2011-04-21T10:07:00.001-07:00

In between conference sessions, Merrik has been unstoppable on his Big Boy Bike! He recently learned how to ride without training wheels so that's ALL he wants to do now! It's great.

AND there's always time for a snuggle on the couch.

Here's Jonah's Prophet/Apostles mobile he made during conference.

And he still thinks he a soldier because he's related to one. Loves to pose like that!

This was our set up during Conference. Watched it online & lots of room for projects, snacks, etc. It was the first year I thought to move the laptop onto the kitchen table & it worked out GREAT.

There is Beauty All Around...

2011-04-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

Sunset out our front door...
It's the end of winter & all the trees are still naked BUT at least we have pretty sunsets we can look at!

Look closely & you can see that these leaves have "melted" into the snow. They melted their shapes down about an inch into the snow.

Looking back...

2011-04-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

Humor me for a moment while I think of my sweet little Baby Merrik. Such a sweetie pie!!! This pic was right around his 1st birthday. What a CUTIE!!

And now he's 5!!!!

My Baby is FIVE!!!

2011-04-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

The birthday boy with is birthday treasures! Grandma & Grandpa Burton sent $$ so he picked out a Spiderman web shooter (glove already on hand) & a bubble gun. Great outside toys! Now - come on, Spring! (And THANKS Mom & Dad!)

Here's the bday crowd. Let them eat cake!
Jonah, Jared, Merrik, Jake, G'pa & G'ma Cowden, Michelle & Paul.

These pics are out of order but here's Merrik's COOL cake. He wanted Ghost Rider on his cake & cool, cool Grandma Dolores made it happen!!!! Thanks so much!
(Ghost Rider is - apparently - a super hero of sorts who is rarely even talked about in our house & only recently discovered, but for some reason, M got it in his head that that was what he wanted on his cake... OK, M, whatever you wish!)

And for his bday activity, M chose bowling so the 4 of us went earlier in the day & tore up the lanes! I love my family! ... and Happy Birthday, Merrik! I can't believe you're already 5!!

Family snapshots!!

2011-03-17T17:40:00.000-07:00

... just to capture the moment for all of us! Jonah's birthday!!
How can my lil' guy be 7?!?

In the spirit of Jonah's recent 7th (!!!) birthday, this is a pic from his FIRST birthday! Aww...

... then and now. Wow, seems like a blink & we were just back up there celebrating his 1st bday.
(here he's holding the keys to his 'police handcuffs' which he got for his bday) :)

A Helping Hand at Old Sturbridge Village

2011-03-17T16:32:00.001-07:00

Jonah's feeding the sheep!
Last time I went to OSV, it was just Merrik & me. But this time I got to spend some one-on-one time w/ Jonah. These moments don't happen too often - usually it's the other way around (just Merrik & me) since Jonah is the one is school all day, every day. But one recent Saturday, M wasn't feeling well so he stayed home w/ Jared (who had to do some work from home) & Jonah & I ventured to OSV to get some energy out & explore.

The 'farmers' that work there are so good to us. They see Jonah coming & they know he is a hands-on kid! They usually offer to let him help and he is always more than willing to oblige.

... just one of the guys!! Walking the walk at OSV w/ 2 of his farmer buddies.

Jonah showing his bravery & petting the chicken!
Every time we see the OSV chickens, Jonah tells the farmers how chickens are dangerous because his Uncle Paul got pecked by a chicken. (you have got to ask Jared to retell that story) SO here the farmer as showing Jonah how they can actually be nice. :)

Jonah got a front row seat in the horse wagon!!
Not everyone - if anyone - gets to sit up by the driver. In fact, when we were getting off, another albeit younger child asked if they could sit up there & they were told no - oops. I should probably tell Jonah not to count on that spot next time.

Jonah drilling a hole in some wood which, as soon as he had the hole going all the way through, he threw into the nearby wood fire. He just had to know that he could do it.

These twins were 2 weeks old. SO cute.

OH my Heavens, is he REALLY 7 ?!?

2011-03-17T16:20:00.000-07:00

Grandpa & Grandma Cowden came over to help JONAH celebrate his 7th BIRTHDAY!!!
And a big THANK YOU to G'ma for the super-duper cake. It was so, so yummy. :)

Cap't Hook (AKA Merrik), Jared, Jakey (cousin), birthday boy Jonah & Alli... sittin' around the bday table.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JONAH!!! We love you, buddy!! Nothin' says "celebrate" like a Moose Cake! :) Grandma Dolores made this moose cake - at Jonah's request. A double whammy - cute AND delicious.

And we always let the boys pick a "fun" place to go on their birthdays. This year Jonah chose Chuck E. Cheese. We had fun watching the boys go crazy, dropping their tokens at a mad rate of speed, and eating our weight in pizza. What a day! :)

And M wanted nothing to do with hugging Chuck E. Cheese! But he did go crazy at the skee ball game. His favorite. And he gets a '10' on the poses.

Exploring snow-covered OSV with my man Merrik!

2011-02-21T12:37:00.000-08:00

With Jonah in school all day, every day, our adventures w/ both boys are getting fewer & far between. But Merrik & I stay busy! Last week it was a trip to Old Sturbridge Village amidst the snow BUT it was about 60 degrees out. YAHOO!
Here they have a great sledding hill. He made a few trips up & down before surrendering to the slushy track. We'll return when it's frozen again - shouldn't take too long!

M loves to look down at the "water fall" as he calls it. There are several small dams that they use for the mills. This one had some great icicles which you can see on the upper right corner of this photo, attached to the bottom of the wooden base of the mill. Brr!

Trudging through the muck towards the covered bridge.

M & this 2&1/2-yr-old ox had quite the little play session going on. While M was up on the fence, the ox kept nosing his boots. M thought it was hysterical. Then they were 'talking' to each other & giving each other the stare down. TOO cute.

It's the little things that make me smile...

2011-02-21T12:33:00.000-08:00

"SURE, why wouldn't there be a super hero perched on my candle holder?!?" Compliments of Merrik.

In honor of President's Day, Jonah had a thing or two to say about it. LOVE it!

Jonah's self-portrait. This is his "Flat Jonah" -- for his "Flat Stanley" project at school. I just thought this little guy was so adorable.

I Feel The Love!!

2011-02-21T12:27:00.000-08:00

This is what my sweetheart came home with on Valentines Day. What a guy!!

Bee-YOO-tee-full roses from him!

And he always gets flowers for the boys to give me, too. So sweet! And the house smells so good with them scattered around the downstairs!

Boston Children's Museum

2011-02-21T12:15:00.000-08:00

Jonah & Dan on the huge hanging climbing structure thingy. :)

Merrik the Hop Scotch King, outside of the bus Jonah was 'driving'.

Ben going wild in the Bell Room.

The view out one of the windows. Not bad, eh? Hello, Boston.

Well, everyone asks so here's the official report. Jonah is 4' 9"-ish. And he is 6. OK, well, he will be 7 tomorrow. But still. Yikes. :)
Jared & I were talking about how tall Jonah is & he said, "He must've gotten the Burton height genes." And I said, "Well the Cowdens aren't shrimps either." And Jared said, "Yeah Hon, but we're not off the charts & setting records. We're average." ...OK. He does have a point.

I found Dan amidst the chaos of the hanging climbing structure thingy. It's like a giant hanging maze crawling with kiddos. Not an easy feat.

After the Boston Children's Museum, we all walked to Faneuil Hall Marketplace in downtown Boston for lunch. And let's see, Dan fell asleep in my arms during the walk there. Tyler fell asleep on Tim's lap the moment we all sat down w/ our food. And Jonah slept 11 hours that night. I think we managed to wear them out! It really was a super fun day.

Boys, boys, BOYS!

2011-02-21T12:09:00.000-08:00

All the boys watching "Lightning McQueen".

A rare moment of 'down time' with all boy the cousins. They are Ben (2), Merrik (4), Tyler (4), Jonah (6) and Dan (2).

At the window of the Boston Children's Museum!

The North Carolina COUSINS visit!!

2011-02-21T12:01:00.000-08:00

My brother & his family made the trip from North Carolina to come visit us. In the dead of winter. They are so brave. And we were SO happy to have them here. Their visit did wonders for our winter cabin fever.

And we happily shared our snow with them, too! :)

Here's my brother Tim getting a good workout in - compliments of Mother Nature!

Ben w/ shovel in hand. This is his, "Say Cheese!" face! :)

Kat (my sister-in-law) with Daniel, one of their twins. I still can't decide if their boys liked our sledding hill or not. :)

... although Tyler seems pretty happy here on the hill!

If it's going to be cold, as least let there be SNOW!

2011-02-21T10:24:00.000-08:00

I do not particularly love the subzero temperatures of Massachusetts in the dead of winter. However, if it's going to be cold, I say 'at least bring snow'! The snow makes everything much prettier! And this winter I have not been disappointed! I really don't mind snow as long as I don't have to drive in it. Thankfully the boys have snow days off from school & Jared is blessed to be able to work from home on those days, so it all works out. :)

A panoramic view of our driveway & side yards.

Just a cool tree after a new snowfall.

One of our trees. This may be more of a bush but from this angle, it looks really tall. I must've been squatting to get this shot.

And the view looking out our front entryway. We recently had a layer of freezing rain cover the already-snow covered yard, which made a great reflection of the full moon that night!

Greetings from the Arctic Northeast!!

2011-02-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

Yep, that's our mailbox. I'm fairly certain that our mail carrier gave an audible chuckle as she passed our house for the next few days following this storm, as it took that long to muster up the energy to dig it out. Needless to say, we missed a few days of service here.

And it's a snowy walk out the front door! Careful, that first step's a doozy!

"Igloo Sweet Igloo"

A view from our front steps.

These steps were becoming the bane of my existence. On either side of them is a build up of snow that the snowblower flings there from the driveway. So as you can see, it took a lot of muscle to shovel that snow up & over the huge mounds. Phew!

Digging out!!

And here is the snow almost up to the top of my legs. Yes, it's really fun to walk in. Well, it's a good workout at least. That's one benefit of record snowfall is that dealing with the aftermath burns a LOT of calories!

Dealing with Cabin Fever!!

2011-02-21T09:49:00.000-08:00

This photo got out of order but this is Jared's handy work w/ tattoo markers. Yes, it's been a LONG winter!

Snowflakes on my mitten. :) One morning at the bus stop, I was showing Jonah that when it's cold enough, you can see all the details in the snowflakes just like the little paper snow flakes you cut out. He thought that was SO cool. I have to admit, I thought it was too!

Yeah, we've had a little snow. This is right out our front door.

More flame tattoos! Compliments of Jared.

It is a wonder that M let this photo be taken. Usually he's hiding from the camera. BUT he was very proud of his 'tattoos' so he's showing them off!

And who hasn't seen camo-sleeping bag "worms" wiggling around the kitchen?!?

Motocross Adventure!

2011-02-21T09:43:00.000-08:00

Jared's brother won free tickets to the Motocross in Worcester, which he gave to us. Yay!
(I finally figured out the right setting on my camera just before the batteries died. SO these two photos are the best I could do. :) Everything else was just a blur.)

It was a pretty fun night. It's amazing what those guys can do with a motorcycle while flying thru the air!!
Merrik of course fell asleep on my lap around 8:30pm. Jonah was still wide awake & going strong when we left around 9:15. I think he would still be there watching it if we'd let him. He is a man for adventure!

Wintering at OSV

2011-02-21T09:36:00.000-08:00

...off the beaten path.

This is one way to get around The Village!

Our frozen walk through OSV.

Cloaked boys on a giant sleigh.

AND ...

What's wrong with this picture???

The Blizzard of 2010!

2010-12-27T12:23:00.000-08:00

Jared, Jonah & Merrik frolicking in the snow! (I love our yard. Winter, summer ... there's room to play!)
Now ... it has been snowing a lot for the past 24 hours. But the wind has been blowing SO hard, there's only about 6 inches on the ground. A few gusty piles here & there, but mostly the snow just blows around. I suppose we should be grateful that we don't have 2 feet of snow to clear. :) And some areas of Massachusetts have serious flooding & power outages. I AM grateful that we just have a winter wonderland of fun to play in. I missed the photos of the sledding. Next time!

Here's M doing his part to clear the driveway. Thankfully this was shortly before Jared pulled out the snow blower. Thank goodness for that thing!

Base Camp Cowden

2010-12-27T12:19:00.000-08:00

Uncle Paul & Auntie Michelle got the boys this tent & sleeping bags for Christmas. Needless to say, it was a HUGE hit. The boys camped out in Jonah's room last night!!

And the boys have already informed us that they have their OWN tent now when we go on family camping trips. :)

FAMILY FOTOS!

2010-12-27T12:14:00.000-08:00

Here we are. I love that you can see Jonah's missing front teeth. :)

These were all at my in-laws' home.

Jonah. Too bad he's so camera shy! (haha)

Me & my sweetheart. Cheese!

Holiday Aftermath

2010-12-27T12:05:00.000-08:00

The Grinch!! Along w/ the Dr. Seuss book, from Uncle Paul & Auntie Maureen! So cute!

Christmas fleeces! Love 'em! From G'ma & G'pa Burton. :)

Ooohh ... BeyBlades. These 'fancy tops' are THE biggest craze at Jonah's school. At recess, I've seen many a group of boys hunkered down, watching their BeyBlades spin & "battle" each other. It is quite a scene. So we found a "BeyBlade Stadium" & several of the spinning tops to whirl around in it! Er ... uh ... I mean, SANTA found them!

This purchase I am already regretting. Noisy toy guns that light up. What were we thinking?!? BUT the boys love them. That is the idea, right?

Another one of M's favorites ... Lincoln Logs!! I love these, too, I have to admit. :)

Christmas Morning...!

2010-12-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

Jonah eyes the loot...

Merrik is right behind him!

The tree!

And letters from Santa - left next to the mostly empty cookie plate & empty milk glass.

Christmas Eve!!!!!

2010-12-27T11:56:00.001-08:00

The Santa cookies are baked & decorated. The boys are in their jammies. All ready for Santa!

Oh, and let's not forget the Reindeer!!! -Throwing out the reindeer food that Jonah made at school!

Oooo, Santa is in for a treat! Yummy.

One Word: YUM.

2010-12-27T11:52:00.000-08:00

Aren't these pretzel wreaths SOO cute?! I cannot take credit for them - my Pampered Chef friend showed them to me. They were a big hit this year!

Reese's peanut butter cup cookies! (in a mini-muffin pan)

Coconut Cranberry Chews. THESE are awesome. My mom's recipe.

I will happily share these recipes if anyone is interested! :)

Deck the Halls!!!

2010-12-27T11:36:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas wreath (kinda hard to see w/ a black door) & a candle in the window.

Our cute lil' house lit up w/ a candle in each window. Apparently this is a New England holiday tradition ... symbolizing the warmth & security of the family hearth, as well as loyalty to family members & loved ones not present in the home. (kind of along the lines of , "We'll leave a light on for ya!") And in Colonial America a candle in the window was used to honor dignitaries, announce births & just plain celebrate. Whatever the history, I've loved the idea from the first time I saw it, many Christmases ago at the beginning of my stint in New England. I've always wanted to duplicate it in my own home. So... :)

My only wish is that our home had a fireplace. But in its absence, the staircase will have to suffice as the home of our Christmas Stockings.

And - the true star of the show - O' Christmas Tree!!
The tree was put up the weekend after Thanksgiving this year. We have never put it up that early before. Perhaps it's the new house but I really loved having it up for so long. Christmas seems to come & go so quickly each year. It's been nice to see the tree up early.
However, it might be tough on the boys. Since putting it up, they asked each morning for about a week, "Is today Christmas morning?" But once December rolled around & we got our Christmas count-down calendar up & running, that helped!

Look at those Big Brown EYES

2010-12-27T11:29:00.001-08:00

Wow. I took this pic to showcase Jonah's missing teeth. But what struck me most about it is his striking brown eyes. Just like his dad. SO cute!

But onto the purpose of this post, Jonah can now officially sing, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!"

This was a few days before Christmas. Jared had been trying for days, maybe even weeks, to wiggle these 2 teeth free. Jonah took care of that himself when he tripped going up the stairs & knocked out his teeth! He was OK, thankfully, but I think it caught him by a great surprise!
He was sent upstairs to get some clothes. We heard a clang on the stairs, followed by complete silence. That doesn't happen too often in our house so Jared went to the stairs to check it out. Jonah was laying on the stairs, staring at his tooth in his hand. Jared asked if he was OK, & Jonah said, "I fell & knocked out my tooth!" Then Jared noticed another tooth on the step in front on Jonah. So Jared replied, "It was more than one tooth, Champ!" So the teethe were retrieved & clean-up commenced. Jonah was a little stunned but quickly realized that there was more excitement to be had ... the anticipation of The Tooth Fairy!!

It only makes me realize that my babies are growing up. I wish I could freeze time some days...

Go Big or Go Home!

2010-12-20T14:09:00.000-08:00

Merrik & I ended up at Old Sturbridge Village recently. Our original destination was the library, but we found it closed - what?! So we wandered to our next favorite place. Imagine our disappointment when we found that OSV was actually closed as well, opening later in the day for their Christmas By Candlelight program. BUT their large gift stop was open so we took the opportunity to browse & stumbled into this little surprise! Staff had just finished assembling this beautiful house. It even has fruit roll-ups as the stain-glassed windows! How cool!

And M must've thought it was cool too because he usually runs when I pull out the camera! But he allowed me to get these two great shots. :)

Now THAT'S how you do a gingerbread house!

Gingerbread House - it must be Christmas Time!

2010-12-09T19:18:00.000-08:00

One of our early December traditions...

I neglected to get a photo of the finished product, which by now, has a large percentage of the candies taken off. But you get the idea. The boys love this project. This was the 1st year that I let the boys do all of the decorating themselves - with the exception of the frosting, which surely would've ended up more in their mouths & less on the house. Maybe next year they can have full control. Maybe. Or maybe next year I'll get really creative & make my own gingerbread & they can each create their own! I like that idea... stay tuned for next year's gingerbread houses! :)

My Handsome Preschooler!

2010-12-09T19:12:00.000-08:00

4 & 1/2 year old Merrik - preschool picture day. Isn't he a cutie?!? :)

LOVE this little boy's laughter & smiles!!

And of course wherever there's a camera, there will be Jonah, also ... hammin' it up!

I came to realize that I always take my own photos of the boys on their school picture day. Mostly so that I have a cute one of them, all dressed up, on my camera to play with that very day. SO why do I still order school pictures that don't get to me until weeks later?!? THAT is the question. Perhaps that will end very soon. Hmm...

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!!

2010-12-09T19:04:00.000-08:00

Assembling the tree!
We have the same tree that Jared & I got for our 1st Christmas together, just weeks after we were married... 11 years ago! (Wow, where did that time go?) But it's fun to think about all the Christmases that the tree has seen. :) Jared & I used to put it up together, just the 2 of us. Now we have our little helpers...

And finally, on to the decorating...

We put the tree up the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This is the earliest we've ever done that. But I love having the tree up. It has ushered in the Christmas Spirit a little early into our home - which is great, since it's our 1st Christmas in our new home. (!!!) I love it.

Looking thru the photos I got of that day, I realized that I need to take a shot of the tree all finished. Didn't get that one yet. So, more to come...

In All Things, Give Thanks!!

2010-12-09T18:56:00.000-08:00

THANKSGIVING 2010! Here's Tucker (our friend) and Jonah making butter!!
They're holding (and shaking) small tupperware containers 2/3rds full of heavy cream. Just had to shake it for about 15 minutes (needless to say, the adults took turns when the kids needed a rest!) and then wah-lah!! Cream turns into butter. Who knew?!

Our wonderful friends from church, The Dawson's joined us for Thanksgiving dinner. This pic is during the pre-dinner play time. The day was just GREAT. The kids played. The food was yummy. And the Dawson twins even napped at dinner time. We all had so much fun. It was a day to be thankful for. :)

Nuthin' But Time - Let's Paint!!

2010-12-09T18:50:00.000-08:00

With the recent Daylight Savings Time change, we found ourselves with an "extra" hour in the morning before the bus. So painting became the time-filler! Needless to say, we are now out of paint. Time to stock up!

I love their looks of concentration.

Secret Identities on Parade!

2010-11-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

Vampire & Darth Jonah!!

What Merrik actually was for Halloween was Mr. Indecisive. He changed his mind more than the 2 times evidenced here. But at least he had opportunities for wardrobe changes. Above, as a vampire, he went to the library trick-or-treat, as well as to our ward's (church) Trunk-or-treat. And as always, Jonah is Mr. Consistent & was always ready to run out the door as Darth Vader! He would pile his suit, gloves, cape, belt & mask in his candy bucket & carry it around - always ready to go at a moment's notice!

And for the big night going around the neighborhood, M finally chose Wolverine. But not until after his hair was done & slicked back for the vampire outift & Jared had painted his face white, did he then decide that he was NOT going out this way. So after a quick switch-a-roo & a face wash, he was changed & ready to go.

Grandpa Bill came over this year to walk around with Jared & the boys in our 'new' neighborhood. As a vampire, M would NOT let Bill even look at him! Poor Grandpa! M was hiding from him for about 10 minute before he decided that he in fact wanted to go as Wolverine. Only then did he "allow" Grandpa to see him. UGH!

And speaking of our 'new' neighborhood, we held high hopes for the outcome of this special kid's night. Imagine our disappointment when Jared & the boys only found 4 houses w/ their lights on, handing out candy. And I only had ONE measly trick-or-treater come up to the house. WHAT?!?!? Oh well. Families must venture to more populated areas for the candy. Now we know! :)

Celebrating Fall on the Publick House Lawn!

2010-11-08T10:55:00.000-08:00

It's the characters Phineas & Ferb, from a Disney channel show. (which we no longer get - oh darn) But the boys loved these guys because "they're our size!"

Every October, there is a local restaurant (which has fabulous food, I might add) that transforms its front lawn into a fall festivities wonderland of sorts. Groups or individuals create these "scarecrow" displays for all to enjoy. Here are the boys with some favorites...

Jack Skellington, The Pumpkin King! - a character from Tim (not my brother) Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. "He's tall!"

The spooky walk...

... and no holiday is complete without a fun & silly cutout photo board ...

... and last but not least, it's Horton, from Dr. Seuss!

We visited this lawn several times this fall. It's become a fun fall-kick-off event for us to go see what's on the Publick House lawn! When the 'scarecrows' are out, we know Fall is here! And Jonah's school bus goes right past this so he let's me know when thing start showing up & when new things are added! :)

It may be 55 degrees out, but we WILL play outside!

2010-11-08T10:43:00.000-08:00

A pause in the wrestling match for a photo opp! This is at a local playground we love to frequent.

Where there are boys ... there will be sticks!!!

"OK guys, arms down & say 'cheese!' right here in front of the water & the cool fall trees!" *click* - "OK, got it. Thanks guys! Carry on." :)

Next to the playground by the water is a skateboard park where the boys LOVE to go. If there are no other kids, they'll run up & down the ramps & pretend they're on their skateboards. OR Jonah likes to say he's also "doing his Army/superhere/policeman training" by running around & making up an obstacle course. Awesome!

AND ... if there ARE kids there using the skate park, the boys will perch themselves on one of the ramps & just watch in awe as the older boys speed around the course, flipping their skateboards, jumping ramps, etc. And every day we go here, the boys ask when they can get a skateboard. "Some day, boys ... some day."

A Gourd Hunt & The Great Pumpkin!

2010-11-08T10:32:00.000-08:00

We ventured up to Bemis Farm in Spencer for a Gourd Hunt one recent Saturday morning.
MANY other families apparently had the same idea. The rules were that the kids could look for & gather as many as they could carry. (operative word there is "they" as in the kids -- NOT the parents!) So they stuffed their arms full. And then they got to bring them home, too! Cool.

Got to meet The Great Pumpkin. And upon further examination, Jonah declared, "That's just a teenager in a costume!". He is sharp, that Jonah! Of course, Merrik wanted nothing to do w/ Mr. Teenager in-a-Pumpkin-suit. (& for those of you who may be wondering, Jonah just got his cast off a week or 2 before this & was a little sore/easily tired -- hence the crutches) :)

And, well, the bright folks took their free gourds & left. We, on the other hand, got suckered into purchasing the above pumpkins after the boys deemed these two the "perfect ones for us!". How could we resist??

Cast ... away!!

2010-10-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

AND ... cutting off the cast!!!!! YIPPEE! Look at the smile on that kid's face! This week the cast came off!! That makes a grand total of 12 weeks. (5 weeks in the boot & 7 weeks in the cast). It's been a LONG summer. Jonah is a happy boy now!

Here is day 1 with the blue cast. (above) ...

... and this sad boy was the morning after the fall. With just the black boot on.

I much prefer the smile he wore Wednesday when they cut the cast off. :) What a trooper!!! And ... I don't think he'll be riding any scooters down any hills against parental advice (again) anytime soon!

FALL comes to Massachusetts

2010-10-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

This is our side front yard, by the driveway. The leaves are just beginning to change. This is one time of year I really love living in New England. The weather cools, colors come alive. It really is quite a sight. I'm sure I will have more fall pictures in the near future. And to my parents & other western family members: NOW is the time to come VISIT!!! Book your flight now for next year. You won't be sorry.

The view out our front door.

And these geese were seen wandering the lawn of Jonah's school! Someone needs to tell these guys to get back to class!
I love seeing the geese this time of year, as well. Another sign of Autumn.

SOCCER! ...or not. Hmm...

2010-10-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

On picture day, we ran into Jonah's friend Emma, who was in his preschool & kindergarten classes. I could not get Jonah to pose for a solo pic but he was happy to pose w/ Emma! (he's a sucker for a pretty face)

And this is the soccer team that may never be. For Jonah, at least. He still had his cast on come picture day. Not having played a day on this team, the coach invited us to join them for picture day, since we've already paid for the season & we're hoping to catch up & play the latter part of the season, now that his cast is off. However, it's been 2 days without the cast & I think Jonah is still surprisingly sore, with stiff/weak muscles. He walks w/ a limp. He hasn't bounced back as quick as he thought he would. (Next week starts physical therapy. We'll see what they say.) But Jonah's soccer team has 4 games left. Hopefully he can at least make one of them!!

***UPDATE: Jonah made it out for the last 2 soccer games - YAY!! He even scored a goal or two in each game! We're so glad we were able to catch the end of the season. Jonah LOVES soccer. And not to mention the all-important end-of-season pizza party. That was great, too. :) Here's to a bone-healthy year!

You're a Grand Ole Flag!

2010-10-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

I have been on the hunt for a flag to put somewhere in our new house. Finally scored this one from Pier 1 & it now hangs in playroom/office. It's about 2 feet by 3.5 feet & fills the space on that wall nicely. Come see for yourself!! :)

A Few Home-y Touches

2010-10-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

The boys recently made these adorable caterpillars with Grandma Dolores. The photos don't do them justice. The body is made w/ painted cardstock, cut out & glued so they're overlapping each other. The legs & eyes are also cutouts, glued on. They're just so cute, I had to put them up somewhere.

They have a showcase right above my computer in the playroom/office. Perfect!

I made these sweet little picture frames for the boys' rooms. I saw this idea on a friend's Facebook & made my own. They're super easy & super cute.

This is the living room wall near the front door. I managed to find 3 pictures with the boys' backs turned to the camera. I also managed to capture 3 seasons, as Jared noted.
(First pic is at Old Sturbridge Village, Next is at the Ft. Bragg, CA coast, & Last one is in our backyard, 2007.)

More cute picture frames for the boys' rooms. If I had my way, their rooms would be cowboy, farm, zoo, jungle or camping themes. But alas, they're getting older & have their own ideas about how they want to 'decorate' their space. Keep in mind that on the wall adjacent to these cute little frames hangs super hero posters & ... more super hero posters. So sometimes I sneak in & put things like this on their walls. Because I can.
(I just want to keep them little forever.) Perhaps someday I'll need my own room just to showcase my cutesy boy pics.

And obviously I didn't use current photos for these "I am a Child of God" frames. I'm constantly looking for opportunities to break out the baby pics. This looked like a good one.

School picture day -- a sneak peek!

2010-09-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

So Jonah is always looking for excuses to wear 'church clothes' to school ... so he can "look handsome for Madeline". No joke. I really should find out who this Madeline girl is! But anyway, we decided that picture day was an appropriate day to dress up. For school. Sheesh. We're gonna be in trouble come those teenage years, I have no doubt.

But he is one handsome kid, if I do say so myself! :)

STORY: Somehow, all but one pair of dress pants has managed to disappear from his dresser drawers. Jonah had originally chosen a different shirt & tie that he wanted to wear that day. Well, they didn't match his black dress pants so I convinced him to wear this outfit here. And it took some convincing, I can tell you that. Anyhow, once dressed, I was telling him how cool & handsome he looked. "Like a million bucks!" I must've said more than once. Well after realizing that he had been outwitted into wearing something other than his first choice, he proclaimed, "I look like zero bucks in these clothes!" LOL!! Hilarious child of mine!! So I assured him that no, he looks like no less than a million bucks. And off he went, smiling into the school that morning.

TIME OUT!

2010-09-24T08:38:00.000-07:00

Flor, Rebecca, Kim & me .. at a "Time Out For Women"!
So four of us from the ward traveled to Hartford, CT for a Time Out! For those of you who aren't familiar with this event, you are missing out!! Check their web site ... http://deseretbook.com/timeout ... you will not be disappointed. This was a wonderful day-and-a-half of inspirational speakers, amazingly talented musicians/vocalists, and hilarious entertainment. Time well spent!

Alli, Hilary Weeks, & my friend Rebecca! :)
I am a huge fan of Hilary Weeks, so it was awesome to watch her perform in person & to meet her. She has a beautiful singing voice & is a whiz at the piano... often combining the two. She writes her own songs & even puts the most hilarious, family-life oriented lyrics to popular tunes to perform on stage. She's witty, charming, inspiring & insanely talented. Time flies when she's on the stage. She's amazing.

Hilary Weeks at the piano. So great! Here's her web site... http://hilaryweeks.com/

Alli, Jenny Oaks Baker (violinist), & Rebecca.
This little beauty plays the violin like I have never seen. She is a master. I was quite unaware of her talent prior to Time Out For Women. But she has quite the resume & I quickly learned why others rave about her. She was beautiful to watch. Schooled at Julliard in NY and a member of the American Symphony Orchestra for 7 years. She doesn't do that full time anymore, after deciding to devote more time to her 4 children. But she is amazing. And a sweetheart! And she also has a website ... http://www.jennyoaksbaker.com/

Another year older, & wiser too!!

2010-09-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

Jared's birthday. He asked for one thing. Cheesecake Factory cheesecake! So ... ta da!
One 45-minute drive (each way) to the closest Costco, and DONE.

My Boys! :)

Jonah decorated Jared's piece of cheesecake! Love it. The floral candles are an especially nice touch, don't you think? Those would be left over from my birthday this past summer. LOL.

Crop Circles

2010-09-24T08:25:00.000-07:00

Can you see the words "JONAH" and "MERRIK" in the grass? Jared decided before he mowed the grass that he would write the boys' names in the grass w/ the mower. Pictures don't do it justice. The boys came running out half way thru. Jonah said, "Daddy! I see my name in there! What are you doing with those letter?" They were cracking up. It was fun.

The top photo was taken while standing on our hill in front of the house. This second one is from the upstairs bedroom window...

Merrik - Back to School!

2010-09-24T08:18:00.001-07:00

All smiles on his 1st day back to preschool!!

I'm so glad that he loves to go. Especially considering that just days before he started back, he told me, in no uncertain terms, that he did not want to go to school. But I made up a little song about preschool that we sing at bed time. So cute. He asks me to sing it every day. (maybe that helped... started singing it a few days before school started)

This is one of his super hero poses. Halfhearted here, though, I would say. :)

An Apple a Day...

2010-09-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

Fall must be here. Time to pick apples!!

Nothing like a human ladder! And ... the kid is still in a cast. Gotta give him some advantage, right? (And Jared looks thrilled.)

"Here, Mom! Put it in the bag."

For the life of me, I could not get that kid to stop making goofy faces for the photos! :)

And of course we cannot go to the orchard without time at the playground there.

How do kids not throw up on these?

Jonah's First day of School!

2010-09-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

"First" grade - I cannot believe it! My little boy...

And so he heads out ~ cast & all!

And ... more family time!

2010-09-03T08:12:00.000-07:00

Reunited!! It was a long, wonderful summer! And it's nice to be home, too.
(M must've eaten sour grapes or something. I don't know what's going on w/ the look on his face. And Jonah must just be super excited to be there.) :)
These pix were actually taken at my in-laws' place.

Merrik, Melody, Jonah & Will!

Returning from CA, Jared's brother was visiting from Utah. So the boys got lots more cousin time! We were still in CA on their first pass thru our neck of the woods. So they were kind enough to stop at my in-laws' place again before they flew back to Utah so we could all visit. THANKS guys!!

I love summer for the opportunity it gives you to reconnect with loved ones, near & far!!

The Cowden Men! Jared, John, Paul, Paul & Bill. (in order: Jared's bro, his uncle, his bro & his dad)

The Utah Cowdens, along w/ Uncle Paul & Aunt Maureen (in mid).

Can't have too much swing time! ... or too much food! :)

I love how family can get together after a year's passed (or more!) & visit as if no time has gone by at all. I love our family!

Bye-bye California! :(

2010-09-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

WOW, there sure are a lot of buttons and stuff. And the pilots of JetBlue were kind enough to let M & J check out the cockpit. Good flyin' boys!

Silliness in Sacramento!

2010-09-03T07:51:00.000-07:00

Alli & Christy - 25 years of friendship!

And just as goofy as we were way back when!

Our last day in CA, we flew home on a red-eye. Christy lives near the airport, so in the morning, Mom drove us down to Sac to meet Christy. We were able to spend the day w/ her & her children, & then later that evening she took us to the airport. THANK YOU Christy!!! Love ya!

Merrik & Everett got along just fine. "Blast 'em!"

And they have lots of cool toys. And dogs... even better.

Jonah & Aya Rose. Of course Jonah always hangs w/ the pretty girls! And the marriage arrangement has been set.

It was so nice to be able to have time for the kids to run around & get their energy out ... and then only have to drive 15 minutes to the airport. It made for a nice farewell. (if there had to be one)

The 3 Amigos!

2010-09-03T07:37:00.000-07:00

Resting up for more fun!

Ft. Bragg coast.

Grandma & Grandpa's door will never be the same.

This was immediately following a triple-timeout where they each sat on a step - separated. They're bonded in their mischievousness!! :)

On our neighbor's swing.
Our last day there, we were invited to the neighbor's for root beer floats. SO nice, and so yummy. Contrary to the looks of this photo, they really did enjoy themselves there. Just remember that by this time, the 3 lil' cousins had spent 6 weeks together. :)

W.I.L.L.I.T.S. highlights!

2010-09-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

Along the Willits Frontier Days faux storefront, we found a place fitting for these two rascals.

Cool gate at the entry to the rodeo/fair grounds.

Mom, the 3 boys & I went to a park in town. While there my mom took each of the boys - in turn - on their own adventure with her to a cool local store, where they were each allowed to pick a toy. And in the meantime, I kept the others busy at the park!
M choose a cool knight w/ horse (both in "battle" garb), J chose some spy gear (of course) and AJ choose a nanobug robot thing. All really cool things.
And THANK YOU Mom - that was really sweet of you to take them!

"Come on Jonah, let's go! Weeeeeee!" (cool slides)

Good Times - 50's Style!

2010-09-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

A little snuggle during dinner... and some laughs, too...

Mom & Dad enjoying the atmosphere.

Downtown Ukiah - Mom & Dad treated us to this super fun restaurant, Be-Bops, obviously with a 50's theme. This was after bowling, so these pix are out of order, but it was a fun family day!

Whenever we bowl, M has the best poses!

The Gang's all here!

The bowling alley had this cool/cute dinosaur thing that Jonah could just set the ball on & then it would roll down the dino's back & down the lane. This was to help w/ his foot situation but of course, all the boys wanted to use it!

For the record, I WON!! I do believe this is a first, so I had to mention it. Usually the kids beat me. Seriously.

A Boy & his Dog

2010-09-03T06:54:00.000-07:00

Jonah LOVES dogs. He certainly got his fill in CA. The sheltie is my parents' dog, Dexter. Such a sweet doggie.

These are my friend Christy's dogs. They got all the hugs.

I go back & forth on the pet thing. Would the boys love the dogs too much? Hmm... we may never know. :)

Oh DEER!

2010-09-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

If you look closely, you'll see a mama deer just around the corner of the shed, where AJ & M are standing. I love how they're all just peering at each other!

Every day we would see this mama deer & her baby walking around my parents' neighborhood.

Still has spots - SO cute.

Fun in the Sun! (or the shade - whatever)

2010-09-03T06:19:00.000-07:00

My college roomie - Greta! She & her husband (we were all friends at Ricks) happened to be in San Fransisco on a business trip. They were SO sweet to rent a car one day & meet us in Petaluma so we could play. Haven't seen her since my wedding! (that's too long!)

Greta & Kean - still the lovebirds! :) After getting out of San Fransisco & up to Petaluma, Greta said that was the first they'd seen of the sun since arriving in California. Glad to help out!

I LOVE this picture of Greta! Such a good, fun-loving friend! I miss her. And I miss our midnight brownie-cookin' chat sessions.

We met at Lucchesi ("loo-casey") Park in Petaluma. So of course there was fun to be had on the playground. Love this teeter-totter pic! ...see-saw, teeter-totter. What do they call it now'a'days?

Immediately following Dad's retirement from the Coast Guard many years ago, we lived in Petaluma, just down the street from this park. We played soccer & softball here, & our old elementary school is right across the street. I love a trip down memory lane. Got to see a childhood home & a college roommate. It was a good day!

A Trip to the Redwoods!

2010-09-03T06:09:00.000-07:00

Merrik (4) & Jonah (6) - Aww, brothers. So cute! My lil' babies...

* giggles *

M in a small grove of redwoods.

This pic is dedicated to Mom & Rach!!
This tree is about 2 miles from my parents' house. My mom has a photo - circa 1986 - of Rach & me in the same pose in front of this same tree. Mom loves this picture (even though we look like a couple'a ragamuffins) & she displays it proudly at home. I thought of her when I had the boys pose for this photo opp! :)
Love you, Mom! You & Dad really do live in a beautiful part of the country! XOXO!

Sand Art

2010-09-03T06:05:00.000-07:00

(watch out - here comes a wave!)

Just Add Water!!

2010-09-03T04:54:00.000-07:00

Our visit to CHICO, California!! There was this really cool fountain downtown. (right after we got some very delicious ice cream!) Oh yeah - it's definitely summer!

Jonah always wants to be buried in the sand. This time it was compliments of Alice's daughter, Kelsey & her BFF, Kelsey!
(I was thinking of these two lil' BFF's & thought - OH that's funny, they're best friends & have the same name...! Then I thought - oh wait - me & Alice ... Alli & Ali. HaHa!)

~ I love this photo w/ Jonah & the river rocks! ~

Ali, Alli & Rach - chillin' at the river!

Chico - Day 2: river bound again! Here's our crew at Alice's house - ready to hop in the car again.

Maybe you could hear my Tarzan yell from way over there! This rope swing was awesome!

And Alice backpacked Jonah in (& out) w/ his broken foot... :)

Ali, Rach & Alli going for a swim! It was SO hot & that river felt SO good!

This was at Feather River, where Rach & I realized we'd visited as kids while Dad was working in the area. Cool! :)

THANK YOU ALICE for hosting us this summer! I'm so glad my kids got to know you & your kids. We LOVED seeing you! ~ XOXO!

Horsin' Around!

2010-09-03T04:47:00.000-07:00

This pic should be at the bottom but this was on the way home from the Pioneer Day celebration. I thought the moon over the mountains as seen from the valley was beautiful. Willits, CA is such a pretty area!

The Pioneer Day Celebration with the Willits Ward. ~ The kids got horsey rides at some members' ranch. Needless to say, they LOVED it.

Even a broken foot wasn't keeping Jonah off this beauty.

Looking at this photo, I can't help but think of that Old Spice commercial (Rach!). "I'm on a horse." Go AJ, go!

Just Like Old Times!!!

2010-09-03T04:15:00.000-07:00

~ Ali & Alli ~
I cannot think about my years growing up without thinking of this girl! Love ya, Al!

Alli & Ali, Rach & Shell ~ I LOVE YOU LADIES!!

Got to spend most of my summer w/ my favorite TWIN! Love you, Rach!!!

GRETA!! My days in college would not have been the same without you! Love ya!!

Rach, Priscilla & Alli - the AM&D crew! Work was fun with you guys around!

Alli & Christy! Our visit was WAY too short! Miss you!

Since I took the boys to California for most of the summer, I had the wonderful opportunity to make plans for a rendezvous with many long-time friends that I haven't seen in WAY too many YEARS. I'm so grateful to all of you ladies who took time out of your schedules and busy lives to see me & my boys. We loved spending time with you & totally wish we all lived closer. THANK YOU for helping make our summer so memorable! Sure do love ya!!

California's Northern Coast!

2010-08-18T05:19:00.001-07:00

... a panoramic view ...

AJ & Merrik looking for buried treasure at MacKerricher beach!

If they could time it just right, they could get on top of the rock before the wave surrounded it!

I love this pic! Sweet & sad at the same time. Poor Jonah, hugging his broken foot, watching the ocean while the other boys play. What a sweetie.

Hi Twin!

The 3 Amigos on one of our two trips to the Ft. Bragg coast.

Wildlife Poster banner thing. It's a beautiful walk AND an education.

Remember that one year that we went to California for the summer & Jonah broke his foot? Oh wait...

We have a photo at this exact spot, taken about 6 years ago with Jared, me & baby Jonah in the stroller. He was 4 months old. I should find that... (OK, couldn't find it. I'll have the check the archive CD's.)

Entering Willits. 'Nuff said.

2010-08-18T05:08:00.000-07:00

The 3 Amigos - all tuckered out.

We made it!!

At the HAM breakfast. (as in, the radio, not the food!)

Visalia Candids... click

2010-08-18T04:45:00.000-07:00

* Happy 4th of July!!! *

Kim was leading the kids in Simon Says.

Everyone's getting comfy for Burton Family Jeopardy!

Happy Birthday to ME! (and Rach!) Tim & Kat us each the cuteset candy posters! (yum)
And (below) Jeanie's cousin brought over the most decadent cupcakes I've ever laid lips on. Delish! (thanks again, guys!!)

Soccer with Uncle Tim (above)
and cousin Jake w/ Jonah & the Rawhide team mascot!

The Burtons take over ... THE COWBELL SECTION!

Play time is Cousin time!!

"We. Are. FAMILY!!!"

2010-08-17T13:32:00.000-07:00

Yes, somehow we all fit in one frame! I LOVE MY FAMILY!
(missing you ... Kris, Evan, Scott & Kevin!)

Alli's parents & her siblings!
(standing, Alli & Rach - the twinners! And sitting, lt to rt: Matt, Tim, Dad, Mom, Jeff & Steve!)

Rebeka, Steve (bro) & Claudia

T, Jeff (bro) & Jake

Sam, Jeanie, Molly, Laura, Matt (bro) & Jill

Rach (sis) & AJ

Jonah, Jared, Alli & Merrik

Ben, Kathryn, Tyler, Tim (bro) & Dan
(sometimes ya just gotta snap the photo & be done with it!)

Kim (niece) & Justin

We had a WONDERFUL reunion! THANK YOU MATT & JEANIE, for opening your gorgeous new home to all of us! We really, truly enjoyed ourselves and loved spending time with everyone. The Water Olympics & The Burton Family Jeopardy will go down in history! SO fun! And we loved the baseball game ("Go Rawhides!" - you can never have too much cowbell!), bowling, & who can forget those ginormous ice cream sundaes, the Fireworks! (happy bday to us), the homemade ice cream... yum! Thanks for the laughs, everyone! We love you!!!

Book 'im, Officer Matt!

2010-08-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

Jonah is continually impressed & amazed at his uncles in uniform!
He never wants to leave their side! And Uncle Matt drives a c ool police car, too! WoW!

Getting There is Half the FUN!

2010-08-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

Up ... up ... UP 'n away!!

Bye-bye Boston! It's California or BUST.

Good flyin' Boys! After just a real quick lesson, they're ready to go!

Killin' time at the airport. (I put the boys' in their bright school field trip shirts - easy to spy in a crowded airport!)

And ... watching the planes go UP and DOWN.

Friday at OSV!

2010-06-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

Another day at Old Sturbridge Village! ... M pumping water from the well.

Jonah "milking" the cow. (no, it's not real)

Walking toward the Town Common - a rare moment of adorableness with these 2 brothers holding hands. Going to watch the stagecoach. Ahhh, moments like these!! (*makes Mom smile!*)

Merrik, "MY favorite gun is the biiiiiigg tall one!"

Jonah, "MY favorite gun is the big FAT gun! See?!" (on the bottom)