The latest happenings of the "B" boy

I think Mike really enjoyed watching Boston experience his first BYU football game. Although he slept through most of it, he seemed to really get excited along with everyone else. I wouldn't be surprised if Mike starts singing him the BYU fight song as a lullaby.

Speaking of lullabies, Boston has recently learned to sleep through the night. After many hours of protestation from his crib. In the beginning he would cry and cry and then fall asleep in whatever position he was in. He hadn't learned to lay down yet. So I often found him in these positions, sound asleep.






Right before October Conference we went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Rowley at the Conference Center. Boston enjoyed a trip around the roof of the Conference Center on Grandpa's shoulders. Amazingly he still has a little hair left, despite Boston's efforts to pull it out.

Lately, Boston loves playing peek-a-boo and finding hiding places. It's a great game! He also loves to have a little cereal for breakfast in the morning, here he's attempting to combine the two.

Cereal and Hide-and-Seek!

We were lucky to spend two weeks in Newport Beach the beginning of December. We had a great time relaxing and visiting Disneyland. Boston learned to enjoy the beach. Here's some pictures when he was unsure if he wanted to put his feet down.

Harvest Time

The Kids and their Pumpkins . . . err

I mean Darth Vadar, Sock Monkey,

Supergirl, Witchy, and Spa Girl.

They picked the pumpkins out of the Rowley Pumpkin Patch!

Here's the patch just before we harvested the pumpkins.
This year we had about 18 large pumpkins,
and around 40 decorative small to medium pumpkins.



I loved the shape of these decorative pumpkins.

They were actually "volunteers" from some pumpkins that

were thrown into the garden for mulch.

Oops!

We also grew some interesting "seal" shaped potatoes

only one actually turned out to be in the shape of a seal.

Actually thanks to our extremely HARD dirt. The potatoes were very
interesting in shape and size.



These two potatoes were the biggest we've ever seen!

One plant produced only one potato it was so huge!

We also planted:

12 tomato plants

WAY too many BEETS!

carrots

broccolli

cabbage

green onions

white, yellow and purple onions

basil

corn

radishes

watermelon

spaghetti squash

and PEAS

We GREW most of the above,

but we found that we were extremely capable of GROWING tons

of weeds and rocks!

The last home game of the year . . .

We all enjoyed going to the last home game for BYU this year!

It was a nice, warm and sunny day. The girls had their much-anticipated half-time treats. Boston had a half-time through 3rd quarter nap (According to Mike this was because he felt so confidant in their abilities.) The Cougars won. I escaped the normal Saturday routine! Fun memories!

Blueberries, Benson (Glacier), Bear (Spray), and the Bore (Tide)

Some of my favorite trips are the ones that happen "spur-of-the-moment"! I don't know why, because sometimes half the fun of going on a trip is the anticipation. I think I just like surprises and unfortunately "living in the moment"!

Mike had to go to Alaska for work and McKenzie was off-track(we're on year-round school), she begged Mike to take her with him to see Alaska and hang out with Emily and her girls. Well, fortunately for me and for McKenzie, we both had the chance to visit the great state of Alaska! Hanging out with Emily, Susie and Lucy was the best part! Here are some of the highlights:

*Picking Blueberries on Blueberry Hill, of course!














*Hiking to the Benson Glacier (near Portage).

*Hiking to the Hand Tram @ Winter Creek. We saw amazing mushrooms, lots of lush Alaskan forest, Moose prints in the wet mud, an amazing river gorge, and thankfully-- no bears! Emily was prepared with Bear Spray, just in case!














*The Bore Tide in the Turnagin Arm. It's amazing to see this tide rush in! It's surreal as you wait for it to stop, but it just keeps coming! Very exciting to see!

We had a great time with Emily, Susie and Lucy. Rob came into town after a short deployment to Texas, on our last day. In fact, just in time for Emily and I to go to Women's General Conference together . . .What timing! Thanks Boyles for all of the fun memories !!

Politicking

It goes something like this . . .

"If you vote for me I will put rootbeer in the drinking fountains, we'll have recess all day and send the teachers home, I will lobby to have our carrot sticks replaced with french fries! Vote for ME!"

With the elections just around the corner, it feels like similar messages are being lobbed like mudpies at the mailman. Promises that one can only wonder how they will be fulfilled, oft-repeated quips relayed to them from their closest advisors all premeate the air. One thing that is certain is each of the candidates have one thing in mind . . . WINNING! Some seem to go to any length just to get your attention!

I need to admit something here and now! I don't vote. It's not because I don't care, not because I don't know the issues, not because this election could make HISTORY. (By the way, doesn't each election go down in history simply because it happened). I simply don't vote because I don't qualify i.e I guess I'm not registered.

Don't get me wrong, I tried to vote, I was hoping I could just sneak in and put a little check mark next to my favorite candidate, but THEY wouldn't let me. I put up a really good fight, I had all sorts of great reasons that were flying around in my head like a tornado of "hanging chads", but I was denied.

Good news!! Fortunately for my candidate, she offered a compelling speech, combined with some great ads, not to mention some key positions held by her SISTERS. Thanks to these few factors, and despite the fact she didn't get my vote, she has broken the theoretical GLASS CEILING and has entered that much desired position of POLITICIAN!

CONGRATULATIONS McKenzie for making STUDENT COUNCIL!!!

Laughter is the best medicine!

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Thanks Karla!

Tailey is our ALL-STAR!

Tailey just finished her first All-Star Softball season. She had a great time. She enjoyed getting to know her team mates and had a great time playing with her closest friend from school, Mackensie. Her team played in four different tournaments, they took two 2nd places, and one 3rd. These tournaments would start on Thursdays or Fridays and last until Saturday and they usually would play about six games all day on the Saturday of the tournaments. They were long days, but it was fun to cheer on her team. She had some great hits and caught a great pop fly in the last game!

We're very proud of you BEANER!

Beware of the older sister!

So . . . Mike and I knew this would happen eventually. We were unsure how to best prepare for it. Thanks to McKenzie we now have an outfit that all of the kids have worn AND . . . we will be setting aside money for therapy when he gets older.

Enchiladas Acapulco Recipe!

Emily and I were talking about how fun it could be to share recipes through our blogs. Well here's a favorite that I made for dinner last week and EVERYONE enjoyed it . . . not feeding the kids lunch really helped out. Seriously, everyone loves this recipe.


Enchiladas Acapulco
6 Corn Tortillas
Oil for frying
1-19 oz. can Green Chili Enchilada Sauce
1/2c. Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
1 c. Sour Cream
Green Onions, chopped
Filling:
1 1/2 c. Cooked Chicken, shredded

Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Fry tortillas quickly on both sides in hot oil. Drain on paper towels and keep warm in a casserole dish. Prepare filling. Heat 2T oil, add chicken and saute. To assemble: Coat both sides of tortilla with Green chili sauce. Place chicken mixture in the tortilla and roll to enclose filling. Place seam side down in the casserole dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the assembled enchiladas. Heat in 350 degree oven for 10 min. Remove from oven and pour remaining Green chili sauce over hot enchiladas. Top with sour cream and chopped onions. Serves 3 to 4 people.

I doubled this recipe for my family, and made two casserole dishes of it.

13th Wedding Anniversary

It's hard to believe it's been 13 years!

What fun memories from our wedding day . . . I woke up to find my room had been toilet papered by Emily and Mich. Mike picked me (and my butterflies) up to go to the Temple early that morning. Our ceremony started at 8:20 am and we had to be there a couple hours early if I remember right. It was exciting to think of the big step we were taking. I remember as we sat and waited in the Celestial Room feeling an abundance of peace mixed with complete excitement. I was ready to make the biggest commitment of my life! What an FABULOUS day! Thanks to all of you who were there to share it with us!!

I remember when we were first married, if we had somone ask how long we had been married Mike would say, for example: "Five LONG months!"

Although it was difficult I think Mike has more than adjusted to life with all of his GIRLS, now!

I feel like it has been a really LONG time now! But, thirteen years is just the beginning!

Mike, thanks for making me your wife!

Technolo GEE!!!!

Thanks Emily and Mich for introducing me to the world of FACEBOOK! It's kinda fun, not as much fun as blogging but it's another great way to stay connected and in touch with family and friends. Here's my link:

http://www.new.facebook.com/people/Anna_Rowley/573147117

One more of Boston!

Okay, I couldn't resist sharing this one. It's a cute little compilation of our Boston Boy!

The Kids!

Here are some pictures of all of the kids! It was the first time to have all five in a professional picture together.

It was so much easier than I thought it would be. We were late for the appointment (what a surprise!) but everyone was happy, smiley and most importantly cooperative. We were able to do all the pics in about 10 minutes, the photographer was quite impressed, as well as myself.

Boston's 6th Month Pics

Here's Boston in his Sunday best . . . he wore this same outfit for his blessing. It still fits, barely.

He is now officially sitting up and loving it. I can put him on the floor close to me while I am working in the house and he is very entertained. It is fun to see him growing up and sad at the same time.

He has now entered the "Toy" phase. He loves to play with them, but mostly enjoys sucking on anything that he can get his hands on.

Pictures from our Grand Teton Trip!

Check our slideshow!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=fiawegv.9j2ehdon&x=0&y=-vmodeb&localeid=en_US

The "Toes" Have It!

Lately, Boston isn't too picky when it comes to finding something to suck on. Grandpa Rob will have some stiff competition when it comes to tracking down any leftover "Toe Jam"!

Boston Wins!

Boston is the best baby brother a girl, make that four girls, could ever ask for! He is very patient, I hope this trait continues. He is on the one end of the pokes and prods, but someday the tables will turn. McKenzie still doesn't believe me when I tell her that someday Boston could be taller than she is. I tell her it is possible, he does boast the numbers for the tallest baby in our famiy. He just started eating rice cereal, and is loving it. He also loves his thumb, which lately he has been trying to sneak in while he is eating.

The Quick Queen of Quincey and her Quacking Quackeroo

"Q is for Quincey!" is Quincey's favorite thing to tell me if she sees a "Q". Dr. Seuss' ABC book is her favorite, because it happens to mention her, how could it not be? She is our littlest Princess and is growing into the big sister role. She struggles to find Primary (Crymary) enjoyable, atleast for the first few minutes. She's fine after about 3 min.

This is Quinnie and Maddie on a pony at Paige's Pony birthday party! She lives right across the street and they are together all day!

Tailey Earns High Flying Hawk Award

Tailey was so excited to earn the top award at her school, Herriman Elementary. She had to get 90% or better on her Spelling Tests, do community service, participate in the Reflections program and complete several book reports. We are so proud of her for her hard work and positive attitude.

Tailey enjoyed playing softball so much this year, she decided to try out for the All-Star team and made it. She's doing great and will have her first tournament next weekend.

McKenzie Earns Soaring Hawk Award

Congratulations McKenzie! She did her best to accomplish the many requirements for this award. Some of which were running a marathon (over the course of the school year) passing off multiplication and division facts, turning in her monthly reading minutes, and doing community service. She did a great job! When she received her report card she was excited to find out she is reading at level "Z"--a 6th grade level! Keep it up Kenz.

Paige's last day of Kindergarten

This is paige doing the "To-ta-ta" apparently a class favorite. It was hilarious! Ask her to do it for you sometime. She is quite good at it. She is going to really miss her teacher Miss. Webster.

Way to go Paige! Now it's on to 1st grade!

Family Picture

This is the only picture of the whole family. It was taken after Boston's blessing. We need to get a new one, but until then . . . Enjoy!

Sisters, sisters . . .

Tailey and McKenzie had their pictures taken recently. They both had a great time and enjoyed doing a "wardrobe change". They get along very well most of the time, except when they do not. They love playing together and share common interests. They have played on the same basketball and soccer teams this year. They separated into different teams for softball, however. It's fun to hear them laughing and joking with one another. We hope that one day they are the best of friends!

"The Secret Garden"

While I was recuperating in the hospital, following Boston's birth, I had a chance to read a fabulously classic book. I think I read it when I was quite young, and therefore didn't completely understand it. But I would recommend it to anyone. It's a beautiful story about the beauty that surrounds us in nature and how it can change your life and those around you. It inspired me to try and work on our little "garden" all the more dilligently. I enjoy working in the dirt and I don't really mind getting dirt under my fingernails. I'll try to share some pictures of the "fruits of our labors" later on in the season. Along the way, I hope to grow some beautiful children into potentially beautiful adults (one day)!

Announcing . . .

We are now entering the brave world of "blogging". Albeit an amateur and sometimes one-handed attempt. We will "learn by doing" and share insights that will, hopefully, enlighten and endear.