Christmas Parade

We decided to go to the downtown Christmas Parade on Saturday. We knew we were pushing the time frame before the party but we were willing to risk it. We took the train downtown and actually got a pretty good spot up close. We were able to see everything. We did have to hold the small ones but then I wiggled Maggie, Dk and Jorgia up a little closer. We all had lots of fun at the parade. We saw all of our favorite characters! Now it's time for a farm party!

American Girl Experience

We waited on LaLa to get into town and we went the American Girl store. Mimi kept Turner so we could have some special girl time. We looked and looked for the perfect doll that looked like Maggie. There were plenty with brown hair and brown eyes but not short hair with bangs. So one of the salesman suggested we look at Ivy the Asian doll. It looks just like my little Maggie. When Maggie was a baby I called her my little China doll so it fit her perfect. When Maggie saw her she got a big smile on her face and we knew she was the one. We walked around and looked at all the accessories and fun stuff too. She really wanted a bed for her doll. Unfortunately we did not come home with a bed. She did get a cowgirl outfit that she could wear to the birthday party. Maggie had a great time just looking at everything! She has renamed her doll Grace. Thankfully that night we found Grace a bed that we already had and it worked just fine in Maggie's eyes. It was a very fun thing to experience with her. Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Maggie's 5th Birthday

Maggie's birthday was on Thanksgiving so we celebrated by doing the Dallas Turkey Trot and then we came home and Maggie wanted to open presents and eat cake. So that is exactly what we did. It was her day to do what she wanted. We put up all of our Christmas decorations. For dinner we had steak- one of Maggie's favorites. We saved the turkey and dressing for the next weekend when all the family was going to be together.

Maggie got a gift card to go get an American Girl doll. She also got an American Girl dog that looked just like Kiley, some cute Ugg Boots and books. We decided that going to pick out the American Girl doll would be more fun if we waited a few days and let the Black Friday crowds ease up. We waited until Wednesday when we picked up Lala and invited her to go with us.

It was a great birthday/Thanksgiving. It is still hard to believe that Maggie is 5 years old!

Turkey Trot 2012

Thursday was Maggie's 5th birthday so a 5K was the best way to start off a great day. We joined about 35,000 other in downtown Dallas and got our exercise before eating birthday cake when we got home. We rode the DART train for the very first time but I am sure it won't be the last time. We had lots of fun! It was a little chilly at first but once we got going we warmed up! Maggie ran a little, walked a little and played on the phone while she rode a little. She did great and it was a special time together! I'm so glad we did it together! Thanks mom for joining us!

Before School Picture

I love holiday clothes and I try and take pictures before school or other occasions.  It is amazing how fast I forget how they looked in a specific outfit and so I try and get most documented so I don't feel guilty about selling them later.  This was before school one morning..

Bowden Reunion

 While we were in Covington we went to the annual Bowden reunion.  Trevor's family and Dad came up on Saturday to join us for the reunion.  We have a dinner on Saturday night and lunch on Sunday afternoon.  This year we added pumpkin carving to Saturday night fun.  It was lots of fun for all the kids.  The weather turned very cold that day and so it was not possible to be outside playing like normal.  It is always such fun to get to see them put the whole hog on the grill on Saturday night for Sunday lunch.  We went home shortly after dinner and got all 5 kiddos in bed. 

Sunday morning we loaded up and headed out to the Leighs Chapel Community Center.  The kids got to play on the swings, play ball, and just run around.  Again we visited with family and got lunch together.  We have BBQ every year.  Lots of pictures were taken and many stories were told.  Then we faced the 5 hour trip to Hope and then another 3 the following morning to Dallas.  It was lots of fun as it always is.  I am so happy that my children are getting to experience the fun I experienced as a child.  It is fun to see them swing on the same swings, ride the same merry go round and just run and have fun and make memories like I did as child. 

 Turner, Babe, Maggie and Clay

 The Pig!

 Turner and Poppy

 I told her to draw it and I would cut it out just like she drew it. 

 Can you guess which one it is? 

 Lala, Turner, Babe, Clay and Canyon

 Grand kids ages 5,4,3,2,1

 Trevor and I

 Poppy and Lola

 Riding the old merry go round

 The community center where my grandmother went to school

 Jorgia showing Lola love!

 Diane and Babe

 Gage and Maggie --- she had lots of fun playing with him

 Bowden's of the year --- Tommy and Andy

 Turner and I walked over to the cemetery and checked out where the family is buried.  Turner who has no clue what a cemetery is asked me "Why they were sleeping and also where my bed was."  I said "I hope my bed is not here any time soon".  Children amaze me with what they know before you tell them anything. 

 We stopped on our way out of town and looked at Babe and Paw Paw's graves.  The flowers were less than desirable so we removed them.  Jorgia and Turner had fun playing with them.