Support Synchro!! Eat Krispy Kreme!!

Hey all you fellow blog readers...at least those who like to read my blog. I have a huge favor to ask. Kaylee is doing 2 fundraisers for synchro if you are interested at all.

1. Krispy Kreme Coupons...Buy a coupon/gift certificate. Each certificate gives you a dozen donuts. Pay $6 each, or 2 for $10. This will be on going for the entire year...so before you head down to Krispy Kreme, stop by for a certificate and save $1.50 per dozen.

2. On November 8th she is doing a swim-a-thon and would love your support. You can sponsor her by pledging a set amount per lap (200 lap maximum) or a flat rate donation. The monies earned will help offset the cost of her events this year. Your donations don't have to be a lot, she is just excited to earn even a few bucks. If you are interested in donating drop me an email tbowman14 @ cox.net or leave me a comment and I will get back to you. The team that she swims for is a non-profit...which means this fundraiser is tax deductible.

Kaylee thanks you... hope to hear from you.

Pierced ears

Well the big day arrived. We finally got pierced ears on a boy at our house. Not, as I am sure you all are wondering, Todd...It is our very own Travis!! but not in the way typically imagined.


Sunday evening I spent a few hours at Stake meetings and come home to a hospital ward in my bedroom. Seems that something was thrown by Tyler that hit Travis just right and pierced his upper ear. In fact, it went through his ear into his head. Yeah, I'm glad I missed the gory bloody part. Todd mostly had him cleaned up when I got home.


We had our good friend (the dentist... cause who is better qualified with holes in the head?) check it out to see if he needed stitiches. The cost of some butterfly bandages outweighed the $200 ER visit fee to be told no stitiches necessary.


When we asked Trav if we could put an earring in, he was outraged. "I'm not a gurwul (girl), Mom!" Hopefully, we won't have to deal with earrings on a boy again.

Free Purses

So I am not a crazy purse lady, but the chance to win a free purse appeals to me. Handbag Planet is having a give away of a free handbag, 1 handbag every hour 24 hours before they officially open their doors. There are some really cute bags at not horrible prices. Go here to enter to win http://www.handbagplanet.com/contest3

Best Friends

Some of you know that Travis has a bad case of Idol (hero) worship. No it is not the Nintendo. (That would be Tanner)

Travis idolizes Keith Van Oostendorp.

When the Millers moved, Travis was devastated. His 2 best friends (that he still talks about) were gone. The only thing that softened the blow was Keith. Keith was 18 years old at the time, but he rides motorcycles, Travis' great love!! Travis became his shadow almost instantly.


Two weeks ago, Travis had to write a story at school about his best friend. He did not choose the kids at school, or any family member to write about. He chose Keith. Keith has since left on his mission...yes, many tears were shed at our home, especially once Travis realized Keith would miss his baptism day.

Here is his story...spelled just like he did it.

"My Best Friend by Travis Bowman. My best friend is Keith. Keith is alot oder then me. Keith has a dirtbike. It is red. I like to go over to his howes to help him change his tiers and wosh it. Keith is fun. Keith is going on his mishin for to yers. Im going to mis him. I am going to write him leters. Keith is 19 and I am 7. Keith and me like to tolk abaot ploying water footboll and basketball to. I like Keith because he makes me laugh."

We like Keith too. We are so grateful to him for being such a wonderful example of a righteous young man. We hope Travis turns out just like him. The case of hero worship is surely justified!

My baby girl...

Happy birthday to my baby girl. Okay, she's my only girl. I love here deeply. We don't always get along, but I know she loves me too. She is my best friend. I can't believe she is 12 years old. The years have gone so fast. I am so very proud of Kaylee, and all she has accomplished in the few years she has been in our family.

She is a wonderful student, so self motivated. Her grades are nearly perfect, and she doesn't even struggle in school. She is an incredible swimmer, both in speed swimming, and in her new love, Synchro. She has had to make some hard decisions when it comes to synchro, and has gotten flack from some people about those choices. She made these decisions after much prayer. We are proud of her determination to excel at a sport, and keep her standards high and testimony strong, even if others don't agree with her decisions. She is a good example and missionary to her teammates and other swimmers. The choices she has made in the sport, and opportunities she has sacrificed show what a stong testimony she truly does have .

She is a great example to those around her. I constantly hear from others how great she is. (Even though I sometimes wonder which child they are really talking about). She is a loyal friend, kind and compassionate. She is also a pleaser, always wanting others to be happy with her. She has a few very close friends, but not one best friend.

We think Kaylee is wonderful and we are very proud of her and the choices she makes each day, (when she is not tormenting her brothers).

Happy birthday to our princess Kaylee!!

Frustration!!

You know what ticks me off? I drive all the way across town to take Kaylee to Swim team practice...not synchro... only to sit in the parking lot for 20 minutes and then find out practice is cancelled. Someone needs to tell that swim team we are working with about notifying swimmers about changes!!! I feel better now, and probably won't yell at that coach now!!

Viva Las Vegas!

Mike and Kristie hosted us for a mini family reunion in Las Vegas over Labor Day weekend. We had the best time hanging out at their new house, and seeing some (censored) things on the strip.

Mike and Kristie: The best hosts ever
Mike and Kristie got the adults tickets to see the Cirque de Soleil show Mystere. It was AWESOME. I can't believe the incredible strength the performers have. Sure made me want to hit the gym more, and get Todd there too. I would have never imagined people could do those things, or that I would be so entralled the entire time!
The 3 brothers, yep, Todd is oldest and smallest
The Bowman Grandkids Our family
Chris, Rachael, Lexie. Emileigh is home sleeping with Grandma

We went to the Mandalay Bay Aquarium, to see the MGM Lions, the M&M World, the Venetian gondolas, and the Bellagio water show. We tried to see the Treasure Island pirate show, but it was cancelled. We later heard that it was a good thing we missed it, because it would not have passed the censor for our kids. I think the Bellagio was the biggest hit. The kids just wanted to stay and watch more and more.
We spent lots of time in the pool, and eating. We took the kids to church on Sunday, trying to explain that the church is the same no matter where you go, but some of the kids had a hard time understanding why their building was so small. (Yeah, we usually attend at the Stake Center, this was a regular size building)
Thanks for a great weekend. We can't wait to come see you again. It was great!