SWEET Family Photo

Steve: "This picture proves that you can grow up to be good looking, no matter how you looked as a kid."

I pulled this gem out to comfort Rachel about her gap. She remained un-comforted. She's dying for her 12 year-old molars to erupt so that she can get braces and close the gap between her two front teeth. She feels like it makes her "look like a little kid."

How did Rich end up looking so much bigger than Doug in this photo?

If I recall correctly, this picture also documents Dave's first foray into the haircutting business. If my memory further serves me correctly--even though "Bobby" is not exactly smiling, it was considered a great success because Anne was not scowling.

Don't Mom and Dad look so cute in this picture?! I love their smiles.

Fall Memories

Charmayne inquired about some of my other fall memories. I may be the only one who remembers these things ...

Staging a haunted house in the boys room in Missouri. If I remember correctly, I hid under the crib (?) and smeared ketchup on people legs as they walked by. Doug and I had a record player, and we had one of those flimsy, plastic spooky music records. Doug and Rich were also strategically located around the room for scaring. We invited our neighbor friends to tour it. We tried it again in my room in our new house on Gridley Avenue many years later. One of those boys hid in the upper cupboard in my room and threw something big out that made a big banging noise. That's all I remember.

Creating Pilgrim centerpieces. One Sunday afternoon in the old house on Larkin Road, I went into rare big sister-gather-the-troops-for-fun mode and had Doug and Rich help me make Thanksgiving centerpieces. We used empty glass soda bottles (really aging myself here) to wrap Pilgrims we had colored and cut out around. I can still remember how proud I was of our "lovely" Pilgrim centerpieces and most especially felt good about giving Mom and Dad a break from our fighting and their having to entertain us.

Harvesting the walnuts. Do you remember the dreadful year that the orchard could not be machine harvested and we got to try and pick up as many walnuts as we could by hand? I did not appreciate at the time how difficult that must have been on Mom. I can remember her encouraging us and rewarding us with tootsie rolls for every bucket we filled up with walnuts.

The excitement of earning family electronics by helping with the harvest. I was SO excited when we got our disc player! Great memories of great classics like Star Wars and Mom's favorite funny movie with Barbara Streisand that I suddenly can't remember the title.

Course there's also the less than fabulous memory of returning home one Halloween and having Dad say, "The Bishop called me wanting to know why my daughter was at his home dressed like a prostitute." Now, let me explain--Krista had the fabulous idea of dressing up as punk rockers for Halloween one year when we were in high school. I guess we overdid it a bit. In my great naivete, we drove over to Josh's house to say howdy. I don't even think he was home, but Bishop Cook certainly was. I don't even think we went any where else. I was MORTIFIED when Dad told me that. Imagine my reaction when my 12 year old announced Saturday that instead of wearing her vampire outfit (which I might add--I had made four separate trips and purchases to get just the right vampire teeth) she was going to dress up as a Punk Rocker and appeared in zebra tights and a very short, black sheer swim suit cover up skirt (that came with her swim suit). Let's just suffice it to say that she did not take the outfit rejection well and I ended up taking her friend trick or treating without her. (Please remember to enjoy these years of sweet little girls in lovely princess gowns. They pass quickly.)

Creative Costumes

This is a great example of Mom's brilliance and ingenuity. I was so impressed by the way she made the hat and the hook out of a metal juice lid and hanger. What creative genius! I'm so bereft--it's truly a great benefit to blessed with a creative mother and a creative daughter.

The little competitor in me was crushed in 3rd grade when my lovely pink princess dress (that my amazing mother sewed for me) failed to secure me a Wilson Halloween costume award. I can still remember mom consoling me and explaining that creativity was the ticket. I went on to win the most creative costume award at Manzanita School for the next four years and the scariest costume award my 8th grade year (when my "peanut, peanut butter, jelly" costume feel apart right in front of the judges--I didn't have too much competition--it wasn't "the thing" to still dress up when you were in 8th grade back in the day--Erica Gallardo won most creative that year for her Fruit of the Loom inspired grape cluster costume--she was covered in purple balloons with an awesome green stem hat). I don't remember any of the other costumes except the one that won me my first prize--my 4th grade tombstone costume. I remember mom had painted 1971-20??. It kind of freaked me out. I lived in mortal fear of not living until the 21st century. It was a happy moment at 12:00a.m. 2000, when I realized the tombstone prediction would be fulfilled. Silly.
These classic Red Suspender's Day award-winning costumes show off Mom's sewing and artistic flair.

My Favorite Picture of 4 Year-old Bob

As a teenager this was my FAVORITE picture of Bob. I deeply appreciated Bob and the service he rendered to me during basketball season. I would come home from practice, tired and sweaty, and plop myself down on the couch in the family room. Bob would be kind enough to pull my clunky high tops off for me and even (brace yourself--this would completely gross out Steve) peel off my two layers of sweaty socks. Bob, you're awesome. Thanks again!

Anticipating More Adventures

We've been missing the latest Bowling adventures and reflecting with gratitude on some of the October adventures of the past. We're looking forward to the next one.This is my first attempt using our new scanner. We've had to buy a new printer/scanner since our last one died on us. Our computer (that Grandpa Bowling gave us because he hated it--thank you Grandpa, it has served us well for many years) and microwave (which Steve just remarked the other day was one of his very favorite gifts, thank you Mom & Dad. He's convinced that we would still have our gigantic, fake wood-paneled JCPenney microwave if it hadn't been for your thoughtful gift--and he's right. I still miss its gigantic capacity)are also on the fritz and I just found out that our modem is defective and needs to be replaced. This is just cracking me up because we still haven't replaced our stolen electronics. (And just so nothing gets lost in the written word without the real life expression--I really do find the whole thing very amusing. The other day the microwave just stopped. I looked over and there were 14 seconds left. Nathan was zapping lentils and we have had a difference of opinion over how long to zap. I walked over and pushed the start button again--which has always worked just fine in the past when the wave inexplicably stops. Well, the microwave started again but--for the first time--it didn't count down. It stayed at 14 seconds, even though it was continuing to cook. Well, I already thought he'd put it in too long and more than 14 seconds went by. I wasn't willing to let the lentils explode all over the wave to figure out how long it would've gone with out turning off. When he heard the door of the microwave open without hearing the "it's finished" beeping sound, he came running in to the kitchen--"Did you stop the microwave early, Mom?! You know I wanted it to go for 90 seconds!" Smart little detective boy--I had to explain that the microwave really wasn't working right and that his controlling mother was not trying to undermine his desire to overcook his food.) I'm almost afraid to replace our other electronics--everything else seems to be on the blink. The only things (knock on wood) that are currently working correctly are our ClearPlay DVD player and the tv--the two things I would be delighted if they were not working (the tv anyway). I'm a firm believer in the WWII motto "Use It All; Wear It Out; Make It Do; or Go Without." I've enjoyed seeing how long I could go without a functioning printer, but it's become a problem with R & N's school assignments, so alas, I broke down and bought a new printer, but I am SO excited to buy a Kodak printer which costs more upfront but then will save you a TON of money in ink cartridges down the road. (Thank you for that tip Clark Howard!).
Anyway, Happy Fall and thanks everyone for all of the great fall memories going all the way back to driving the 6 siblings trick-or-treating in the station wagon at age 12 when Mom and Dad were vacationing in Hawaii. Shelly was such a great babysitter when you're 12. Now having a 12 year old, I would have a heart attack if a babysitter let Rachel drive especially when I was out of state and especially with my other little ones in the car!

A Beautiful Beginning

It really does go fast! It's wonderful watching the Bruce & Alicia Bowling Family grow. We missed out on celebrating Lily's birthday and seeing everyone this weekend. We are all blessed to be part of such a wonderful family with such noble parents. Listening to Elder Arnold today reminded me of what amazing grandparents we have. I am especially grateful for their example of temple attendance and service.

Young Parents

Don't we have wonderful parents and don't I have sweet bangs in this picture?

Dad Doing the 'Do

I love this picture! Don't you just love Dad's attention to detail? I think it's such a sweet thing to occassionally see dads doing things that moms usually do.
It's good to see pictures of Uncle Verl. I'm really looking forward to meeting him again in the next life without the constraints he had to endure in this life. I still have a bracelet he gave me that he found on one of his walks in his trailer park. The clasp has long-ceased to function properly, but it always makes me smile.

Scuba Diving Siblings

While looking for pictures chronicling Nathan's "Decade of Greatness", I came across this photo from our family trip to Monterrey in 2000. I love the squished smiles. Yes, I still feel like the odd-man out as the only non-scuba diver and now only non-scuba diving couple in the family. Some day. Do you guys remember this trip?

It also reminds of another earlier trip to Monterrey way back in the stone ages before cell phones--I remember Doug calling Charmayne from the payphone every time we ate at Denny's.
Here's another unmasked picture to contrast the squished smiles with. Doesn't Bob look equally thrilled in both pictures? While studying the scuba divers, Nathan asked me, "Who's the one who looks like he wants to kill someone?"

Zion' s Camp Videos

Dave found this alligator lizard on our walk.

Zion's Camp Fun III

Steve's uncle is an excellent photographer who enjoys taking pictures of people when they are unaware. Clearly, I need a lot more practice and hope that Mom, Dave, and Steve will forgive me.

The Birthday Boys at Zion's Camp

Zion's Camp Fun II

More to come...but I've already used up enough time today...Oh, the things you can do when your kids are back in school...still trade it to have them back, though.
The forward progress was interrupted for picture taking. Mom was scouting ahead, valiantly removing prickly berry vines to protect her posterity.
One of my favorite pictures of the day.
How can you help but break into a hula dance when you're wearing such a lovely grass skirt?
Nathan, Bella, and Rachel kicking back at the water's edge--each engrossed in their own surprise, thoughts, or activity.

Zion's Camp Fun

The view from the other side of the lake--the end of Kobie's trail.
Lily and Grandma trekking through the forest.
Over the logs, and through the vines, to the other side of the lake we go...the boys know the way, the cousins shout "hooray!" their excited smiles grow-oh!
Rachel, the amazing creator of fashion wherever she goes.
All dressed up for a spin on the lake.
Bella and the snake skin
Doug and Ian out for a paddle.
Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer survey the water.

Happy Zion's Camp Memories

We are really excited to see everyone who can make it up to Zion's Camp next week. Lots of great memories there. (Sorry to all the professional scrapbookers. I really stink at it which is why this is one of maybe only 20 pages I've ever done.)

You Blink & They've Grown

A Startling Realization

It recently occurred to me that my husband is now the same age that my parents were when we got married, and in just 4 short years, I will be too! Wow. No wonder Mom and Dad weren't ready to be grandparents and gave us a year supply of birth-control pills as one of their wedding gifts. (Two adopted children later, I look back and laugh.)

A Cool May Brings Back Memories...

I recently attended a wedding reception of a fine young man in the beautiful backyard of a ward member. It was freezing. The bride was wearing the groom's jacket. Ah, memories. I always note the weather on May 16 and 17th here in the Sacramento Valley. You may recall the winter of 1990-1991, the coldest winter in 80 years. If you were part of the wonderful Bowling clan during that cold winter, you may recall all the plants that died in Mom's backyard as a result. You may remember all of the replanting, painting, and reroofing that went on that spring to satisfy the hopes and dreams of a young bridezilla. You may have known the young bride-to-be who really wanted a lovely, out door reception and wanted nothing at all to do with the green and mauve, sandpapered-walled, carpeted cultural hall of the French Avenue building. You would've known the fabulous, selfless, wonderful mother of bridezilla who stayed up to the wee hours of the night and early morning to string white lights in grape vines. You would've known the wonderful father of bridezilla who took the young bride-to-be out to dinner months before and offered a check in lieu of all the chaos that was about to ensue.
You may have attended the beautiful, yet repetitive, sealing of bridezilla to her patient and longsuffering young groom on a beautiful, sunny, yet windy day in the bay. You may know that the young couple decided to begin their life together on Thursday and then greet the world at the outdoor wedding reception the next day. (This focus on the actually wedding day led to an expensive mistake in the first round of invitations which invited everyone to a reception on the wedding date instead of the day after.)
The young bridezilla and the patient, long-suffering, young groom awoke to a beautiful, sunshiny day in Oakland. As they slowly made their way to Great Gridley, the weather slowly took a turn for the worst. With clouds obscuring the sun, then turning gray, then spitting rain as they drove through Live Oak.
Bridezilla probably to this day doesn't fathom the stress and mountain-moving efforts that were put forth in her behalf as her dream of outdoor glory melted in the drizzling rain and cold breeze. House plants were whisked from their indoor settings to provided greenery in the unloved, green & mauve, sandpapered, carpeted French Avenue Cultural Hall. The rented adornments for the backyard were rerouted to the church to save Bridezilla from green upholstered chairs on the day of her royal blue and silver glory. (You must know that I am smiling profusely as I recollect my absolute love for that color combination despite the spring season timing.)
Unfortunately, you may recollect the young Bridezilla did not take this change gracefully with the proper appreciation for the house-plant adorned hall. You may also know that the young Bridezilla took (and still takes) nothing very well on limited sleep which definitely played a factor in her less than gracious attitude in the pre-reception chaos. (Enough attempts at false justification. On with the tale...) You may have witnessed the patient, long-suffering groom taking his young bridezilla aside and lovingly giving her the first much-needed chastisement of their young marriage. "A lot of people have been working very hard to make this special for you. You need to act more appreciative." Gazing in the blue-green eyes of her young husband, bridezilla's heart melted and changed in that instant as she took in his counsel. It ceased to matter that the rent-your-wedding-dress company had sent her the wrong pouf-your-dress-out-slip-thing and her skirt was pouffing so much that her shoes were showing despite her very large brother sleeping on it under his mattress all night long. It ceased to matter that her view was of plants hanging out of the basketball hoop instead of sparkling vines under the stars. It ceased to matter that the cake frosting flower color scheme was backwards. It ceased to matter that her darling youngest brother was doing his very best to sabotage any and all picture taking (actually I don't remember even being mildly bothered by that--it was very entertaining watching Sharon Well's reaction). The beauty of the day before and the blessing of being surrounded by her loving family satisfied all of her desires for the day of her dreams.

Sisters in the Snow

It was such a blessing to hang out together in December. I love you, Anne!