Home for the Holiday's

So Ryan and tyler beebe and i went to the movies and wanted to dress in some cool colthes, so what do you think???

Taylor Andrews Photoshoot

Hey Everyone just wanted to post some pics. this is a photo shoot we did at school. the girl at the top was my model her name is tiffany

Merry Christmas

Sierra is learning to ride a bike in her Sleeping Beauty dress.
Grammy made Sierra five princess dress, this one is The Little Mermaid

She also got all the princess dolls to go with the dresses

She was so excited that Santa came to her house she didn't know what to open first. Her favorite gift was from Lynda, a fake make-up eyeshadow pack. Christmas was so nice, we open presents in the morning, Jayson made breakfast. The the Carmack and the Bowlers came over for more present and dinner. Carys and Livee looked so cute wearing Sierra's little princess dresses (sorry no picture).

I hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas

Cole

Poor kid is in the hospital with a broken leg (femur). I don't have a lot of info. Letti did call an ambulance because they could tell it was broken and they didn't want to move him too much. She thinks that he might have just jumped of the couch and landed wrong. Latest I've heard is that they are still waiting for the x-ray results. Please say a little prayer for him.

Amelia's Christmas survey

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both...depends on the size
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real!!
3. When do you put up your Christmas Tree? Last Saturday...so...early December??
4. When do you take the tree down? The day after Christmas!
5. Do you like eggnog? ya but just a swallow or two. Not enough to buy a whole carton (Me too Celeste)
6. Favorite gift received as a child? It sounds really silly but I remember getting a "Guess" sweater from my grandma that I loved...especially because my older cousin got the same one in a different color...I thought it was SOOO cool!
7. Hardest person to buy for? Parents
8. Easiest person to buy for?Kids
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes...one from Nan! The kids love it...but baby Jesus always ends up getting misplaced!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? There is just something irreplaceable about getting mail in your hands...(yay Celeste, I totally agree)
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Good thing...I can't even think of one!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation, Elf, and A Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually after the kids' birthdays...so mid Nov.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yay...It's not "regifting"...it's finding that gift a "better home"
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Ham...and cookies...not together...not touching! just kidding
16. Lights on the tree? crazy colored lights (us too)!!
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night and Santa Baby!
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Nope...I could google though! haha
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A colorful-light up star...it's horribly cheap and ugly...but it's a tradition!
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? morning2
2. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The pressure of making sure you get everyone the right gift or at least something they'll like!! urg???!!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love our colorful, meaningful tree...I love mine and Tad's first ornaments from Cody and Lynda and the kids' first ornaments and the ones with their hand prints!
24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Ham...or cheesy potatoes
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I want Tad to be home...oh, and Adobe photoshop..haha :)

Homeowners!!!!

We finally own a home!!!!!! I never thought it would happen!!!. It is here in Cypress. Its so cute! Its 2 bed 2 bath. Its a little cottagey. There is a good size yard. and my FAV, Is this coolest brick fireplace. I know we haven't really told anyone because we didn't know if it was all going to work out but its something we have been busy with! anyway I am sooo excited and I will post pictures soon!

Celeste's response

• 1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper
• 2. Real tree or Artificial? fuh rizzle.. I mean real
  
• 3. When do you put up your Christmas Tree? This is the first year we have put our own up, and it was in the..first week of December sometime
  
• 4. When do you take the tree down? New Year's day. Or when it is brown. Whichever comes first ( good job tiff)
  
• 5. Do you like eggnog? ya but just a swallow or two. Not enough to buy a whole carton
  
• 6. Favorite gift received as a child? This little kiddy computer that helped you learn the alphabet
  
• 7. Hardest person to buy for? Dads
• 8. Easiest person to buy for? Rowdy. he is easily amused
  
• 9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes! My mom gave me one I loved when I was younger. and Cody brought me one last year that is soo cool. Everyone's clothes are like these stylized quilts that tell more of the christmas story
  
• 10. Mail or email Christmas cards? There is just something irreplaceable about getting mail in your hands
  
• 11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? ? Its the thought that counts
  
• 12. Favorite Christmas Movie? aye aye. Its so hard to pick. The Christmas Story, Elf, Its a Wonderful Life, I love em all.
  
• 13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually I am running late, but this year I started before Thanksgiving.
  
• 14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Regifted? yeah, but I feel so guilty now
  
• 15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? English Toffee and Fudge
  
• 16. Lights on the tree? crazy colored lights
  
• 17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night always gives me goosebumps. Sorry to take up space but this line I love. " Long lay the world in Sin and ever pining, till he appeared and the soul felt its worth."
  
• 18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. (Good job tiff :)
  
• 20. Angel on the tree top or a star? The best kind of Angel... Anaheim Angel. good job tiff
  
• 21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? morning
  
• 22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? political correctness nazis
  
• 23. Favorite ornament theme or color?White lights are my fav, but they aren't on our tree this year
  
• 24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? green bean casserole, sounds good to me too
  
• 25. What do you want for Christmas this year? My mission journal written on un-acid free paper copied
  

Hey everyone,
I love Boardman already!!! It is just like Millton-Freewater. The members are great people and so loving and the area, although small, is a wonderful area. I feel that the Lord has given me the great and wonderful blessing of being able to serve in the greatest areas in the mission. This is going to truly be a most wonderful experience.
My new address is:
113 SW Cottonwood loop
Boardman, OR 97818
I live with some members named the Walty's and they are an awesome couple who are so ecstatic to have missionaries in their home. I will say that I will be so sad to leave this place when that time comes but I am going to work as hard as I can so that the Lord is pleased with me. The Walty's are an older couple and just love to spoil the missionaries. Sis. Walty has a treat for us almost every night when we get in. She said that she would feed us entirely too much but that is alright with me! ;) And we have access to a DVD player from our members. They would be excited to let me see a video.
Well, I found out that one of my companions, Elder Canty leaves us tomorrow. He is from Colorado and he is a great missionary and guy. Although I've only been with him for a week I love the guy and we get along well. My other companion, Elder Lunceford has been out for one transfer, this one is his second. He is also an amazing guy and is going to be an excellent missionary. He is 25 years old, by the way Kyle did you know a Mark Lunceford who played basketball for Mountain View, and if you haven't caught my drift he is from Orem, UTAH!!!! Isn't that absolutely crazy, another companion from Orem. I am so excited to be able to serve with him. He told me that his mom is the same way that you are, mom. She is just as excited as you are when it comes to her missionary. They live in south Orem by Lakeridge Jr.
The missionary work is slow in Boardman right now but I am going to work hard to bring it up because the Lord has sent me here to work, so I will work my tail off for him!
Tomorrow we have our Christmas Zone Conference and I am so looking forward to seeing half of the mission again and see some of my old companions. It will be a great Zone Conference and I will let you know all about it.
Well, I think that I have updated you on everything that you would love to know and I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH!!!! I am so excited to be in my new area and remember John 14:27. May the Lord keep you and Bless you this Christmas season.
LOVE YOUR MISSIONARY,
ELDER BRIAN BOWLER

Family Survey

I stole this questionnaire from the Christian Kiddos blog. I thought it was a fun one. And it's all about Christmas.

• 1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper
• 2. Real tree or Artificial? There’s nothing like the smell of a REAL tree.
• 3. When do you put up your Christmas Tree? As early as possible. Keep in mind it is always real so I don't want it to die before Christmas. We put ours up on the 4th this year.
• 4. When do you take the tree down? New Year's day. Or when it is brown. Whichever comes first
• 5. Do you like eggnog? NO
• 6. Favorite gift received as a child? Barbie and her Camping set, complete with Tent, sleeping bag, Jeep and little BBQ
• 7. Hardest person to buy for? Hmmm... that's hard one I'd say my Dad.
• 8. Easiest person to buy for? Kids. They are still so easy. Barbie, and a Choo choo.
• 9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, but I really want one!!!
• 10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, they are running late. Sorry family.
• 11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? can't think of one at the moment. Probably a regressed memory
• 12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34th Street.
• 13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? As soon as possible. Middle of November.
• 14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
• 15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Pecan ball cookies
• 16. Lights on the tree? We have white lights. We have a very pretty tree. Bobby would have it no other way.
• 17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night
• 18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.
• 20. Angel on the tree top or a star? The best kind of Angel... Anaheim Angel.
• 21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Pajamas on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas morning.
• 22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? I can't think of one. I used to hate the fact that Christmas would start before Thanksgiving. Now that I have kids. It's a good reminder
• 23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Our tree is red, green, silver and gold
• 24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? green bean casserole.
• 25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Camera

I think I am supposed to Tag now, but i'll leave it up to you... No pressure. I think you all will do the right thing. Hehehehe. Happy Holidays!

GOOD DAY EVERYONE,
Well, What big news do you want to read first, I had a great Thanksgiving up in the mountains just like you all. One of the members in our ward lives up in the Blues Mountains and it was really foggy. We had two non-members and three less-actives. It was great and we had fun just being able to relax and enjoy others company. Oh by the way the pie turned out great but nobody wanted to try it. That was okay with me because I got a whole pistachio pie all to myself. Thanks for the box with the stuff I needed. I was surprised when I was the one that was getting a package because my companion was expecting a package.
Speaking of my companion, we have finally resolved our differences and we are great buds. We finally enjoy one anothers company and are always joking around with one another. It has been the greatest feeling to feel like we have accomplished something great.
So, the big news of the hour... I'm being transferred!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It came as a major shock to the both of us. I am being transferred to Boardman, Oregon, another small town. I am being transferred into a threesome for three weeks. My two companion's names are Elder Canty (Who goes home in three weeks), and Elder Lunsford (who I am greenie busting, or I am going to be his second companion.) After Elder Canty leaves I become senior companion and I think I was told District Leader. I am a bit nervous about it knowing that it will be my first time being senior companion. Mom, you were mostly correct. I will get you the address next week, after I get to the new area.
Sunday was a really hard day for me because that is when it hit me that I was leaving Milton-Freewater. I have truly grown to love Milton and the members. I was fighting all sacrament not to cry and they had me give a farewell testimony. It felt like leaving home again and I've never felt this sad to leave an area before. I think that Chad and any other missionaries could tell you how hard it is to leave your favorite area. I have loved all my areas but this one was just so much different than the other two and although I will miss certain people in my last areas I will miss all the members in this ward. I am excited to have another great adventure in a new place but I am sad to leave my last one.
A great thing happened this week, we found four new investigators and Norma is still on the straight road to baptism. My companion and his new companion are going to make sure that she stays on date and they should have three or four other people on date this week. I am so happy for my companion and all of the work that we did together with the help of the Lord and the Spirit. It will be great to see what happens to this area after I leave tomorrow.
SO, I am sending home two packages. The smaller package, if you could just put it in storage with the rest of my stuff that would be wonderful. The bigger package, however, needs attention. It has the crockpot that you sent to me because I haven't used it at all and probably won't so I'm sending it home, I saved the box so you could put it back in it. Then I am sending home a special "tree" that I bought when I was in Vancouver, you can set it out if you'd like. Then inside the crockpot I have sent home a video tape, it has my testimony for the Christmas FHE and if you'd be kind enough not to watch it before then it would be great! You will need to find a video camera that takes the particular size of the video if you don't have the right size. I'm also sending home some things that the Wallaces gave to me: Mt. St. Helen's ash, Stone from the construction of the Portland Temple, and elk poop hand soap, if you could put those in storage that would also be nice.
Well, it sounds like everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that all are still well. I love you all very much and hope that your holiday season is merry and bright. Remember John 14:27 and that I'll see you in the Lord's own due time, a.k.a less than a year. HAHA...it is kind of sad to think about, but my Spirit's are up.

LOVE YOUR MISSIONARY,
ELDER BRIAN BOWLER

Happy Thanksgiving everyone,
Well, another week... and I've got some exciting news. Norma has agreed to be baptized on the 3rd of January! Yay, we were so excited when she said that she would and she wants to become a member and her family is supporting her in her decision.
Other than that, not too much has happened except we've been told that we are not allowed to help the incapacitated member anymore because he is becoming very ungrateful and is just demanding of everyone and nobody feels that we should help because we don't need that kind of negative response. He has not taken any one's advice and shot down the help of the state because they were going to take half of his retirement to pay for things and then they were going to take complete care of him. The bishop has asked that everyone basically back off and leave him be if he is not willing to work with us and be grateful. It is a sad situation that he has put himself in and that the bishop is no longer feeling that it is a good thing to help him. He hates to do that but, we can't spend our whole day catering to him, there are others who need help in this world. We keep going out and knocking on doors day after day trying to find those whom the Lord has prepared, and we will, but we haven't found them yet.
Since I haven't got an e-mail from my family I suppose that no news is good news and that all are having fun in California.
Oh! Transfers are next week and so the always asked question, what is happening to ME? Of course, wow it has already been another transfer. I can't believe that it has gone by so quickly. Let me know what you think and you'll find out next week.
Remember this thanksgiving to be thankful for all the many wonderful and absolute blessings that you have been given from God. Remember to be thankful for the love that families share towards one another and especially to joy that comes when we all gather together to celebrate families this holiday season. You will find more peace and happiness when you look for the beauty rather than the beast in life. I know that I am s thankful for family and friends and for all the love and support that they give to me. I'll be thinking about you all on Thanksgiving Day. I LOVE YOU ALL very much, and remember John 14:27.
LOVE YOUR MISSIONARY,
ELDER BRIAN BOWLER

Tuesday Night at Nan's Piano

An important part of our Christmas decorating is the "play" nativity sets. I took a big piece of furniture out of our livingroom this year and wondered where to store the sets this year. The piano bench! Perfect! And the piano makes a great stage.

Later.... Kaidee and I read a book together, This is the Season (illustrated by Simon Dewey), then we sang the primary song together, she grew tired, I tickled her back, and sang to her and...

(I LOVE this piano, given to me by some dear, dear friends in our Ward. It is always available for little fingers to play on, or yours, come on over to Nan's piano bar. I'll make some hot carmel apple cider for you).

Y nan

p.s. Iya and Carys if you look really close you can see my foster plant which I also love.

The REAL Christmas Spirit

Saturday night Nan and Pops came down to our house in Cypress. We had a really good time with them, and then we got to see "Reflections of Christ". Its a photography exhibit reflecting scenes from Christ's life. Its on until Tuesday if anyone close wants to come experience it. But if you can't I posted a little video. They basically turned our primary room into a beautiful gallery to display the photos. Nan's favorite is when Jesus is being baptised. See how happy he is! One of Cody's favorite is the manger scene, with just Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I couldn't pick one favorite. They are amazing! and so real, which was an excellent reminder that Christ IS real. It was really uplifting and got us all in the true spirit of Christmas. I hope we can all grow a little closer to Christ this Christmas and not get overwhelmed by all the hype.
Loves,
The Bowlers

Reflections of Christ

Hand art 08

Well, it started with Zoe and Livee at my house and then somehow all the little kids at the cabin wanted me to draw on their hands. My favorite part was hearing what themes they came up with.

Kodi Lynn just got a new dog MCoy (sp?)
She did not want to wash her hand! and if any part came off she wanted me to redoo it :)

Livee's theme cracked me up. She wanted "Utah"
If you look close you can see Syd, some scissors, the temple and Livee wanted a diamond ring and USA at the topZoe wanted a beach theme and a surfing crab on her thumb

Some others were Kaidee's Kobe/Lakers, Paige's Scrabble, and Chloe's Angels.
Thanks Moms for not getting mad. I was actually just going through my old school stuff and saw my first referal (one of two) was for drawing on my friend!

Shout out

Heres a shout out to Tiff for sharing the recipe for these yummy dinner cakes. Delicious, Easy and Cute too!