Mamma Mia

Friday evening, Luz, Jill and I headed to the National Theater and watched Mama Mia! It was so much fun. I have always like ABBA music, so seeing the play brought the music alive. Our seats were great, but what was even better, we moved down about 6 rows, and it made a difference. Lucky us there wasn't anyone sitting in front of us! This worked out great since both my friends Jill and Luz are Prego's (pregnant), and the less people around us the cooler it feels for them making them more comfortable.

I think one of the funniest moments that night came from a remark made by Luz.

Jill: " I love ABBA, their music is great."

Janie: "Me too, I have always enjoyed the music! Makes me wanna get up and dance."

Luz: "What?!? Who is ABBA? Isnt that the name of the girl in the show?

Jill and Janie: "You have never heard of ABBA? The muscical is based on the songs of ABBA!"

Luz: " No, I have never heard of them, or their songs."

After chatting with her for a while and naming many of the songs that ABBA sing, she said she had heard the songs. It was such fun! I love Luz!

In search of a year-old receipt

I had been unable to blog the past couple of days due to some technical difficulties. Last Wednesday evening when it stormed, lightning hit our area. Nothing happened, we had electricity and all was fine, except for our laptop. It was the only electronic item that is not connected to a surge protector. When we tried to restart it, the sound worked, but the screen was a shade of gray. Ugh. So Mike tear the house apart looking for the year old receipt. Well he found a copy of it he had made when he sent in for the rebates. As he calls to find out what he can do, luck seemed to be on his side. They told him that the year warranty was valid until that day, and if he could take it in they would cover the cost to fix the laptop. Well it was 8pm eastern time and most places were closed, he left a couple of messages, and explained to a person the situation, and since it broke that day, they would cover it. Such determination on my honey's side. I in the other hand would have been, "Oh well, looks like there is nothing else we can do. Time to buy a new one." After ten minutes on the phone with people I would have grown restless, and tired but he endured for almost an hour. All that endurance paid off we got the "motherboard" replaced and all our hardware is still on our laptop. I am going to back up all my i-tunes music and pictures!

The following pictures are of our visit to California's redwood forrest! We had such a wonderful time, and the weather was perfect. It was in the low 70's.

Luz's Baby Shower

My friend Luz.

So this past Saturday I had the privilege to throw my dear friend Luz a baby shower. It was my first baby shower. I was so stressed with everything, just because I wanted it to be perfect. I made her a diaper cake which turned out great! On Thursday night my friend Deanna and I made her cake. It was huge! We both had tons of fun doing it and I felt like such a little homemaker!

The shower turned out great, many people showed up. It was the biggest shower I had ever attended, and I could hardly believe that I organized it. Everyone was astonished that we had made the cake, and that it was our first time working with Fondant. After wards Luz told me she was so happy, loved her shower, and the cake. Those words made all the hard work pay-off!!I am glad that it is over with and it turned out great! Thanks to everyone who offered to help, you guys are great!

Camping Out Doors!

Micheal, Moema, and I camping!

So this past Friday night we had our ward camp out. We arrived around 4ish to the campsite. There was only one other family there. So we set up our tent, and like always I am telling Mike how to do it, although I have only been camping a few times and usually am wrong. Once set up, we drove out of the campsite to get an early dinner at the rustic and rugged Burger King. I know, I know BUT in all honestly a flame broiled burger did come from a cow and someone had to kill it for me.

Mike auditioning to be on Man Vrs. Wild! (just kidding)

Afterwards, Mike and I went on a hike named The Quantico Cascades Trail. I was excited, it was hot and I really wanted to dive in some cool water. About a mile down, or up I heard the gurgling sound of a small stream of water. As we approached the water, there was only a one or two feet deep stream. Ugh. The gurgling I heard was the "cascades" going over some rocks. I just sat in the heat enjoying the view, but being completely alone on the trail and away from everyone, Mike enjoyed some water and was even able to get his butt wet in the stream but it looked like he was going #2 in the water as he squatted down. After a short stay there, we headed back to the campsite, now filled with families and children.

The Quantico Cascades Trail lead to us to this!

We enjoyed some wonderfully hilarious skits, and then had some cobbler. The night was sticky and I think I was complaining more than the kids. It was a rough night, but that is what you do when one goes out camping. They let their primal instincts take over! One must survive, even if its only for one night. Needless to say I had very little sleep. I was up by 5:30 with the birds chirping music. I kept tossing a turning in hopes Mike would wake up, and we could hike around and catch the sun rise. When that plan fell through I just laid there listening to nature and its wonderful sound. I must admit, that even with all my complaining I very much enjoyed myself way to much. I want to go camping again and soon, hopefully near a lake or river where I can swim in some water!

I think the best part of it all was breakfast! There is just something I love about ward breakfast! It always seems to be excellent, no matter what! Here are some random pictures I took of kids, people, and nature.

Top Golf

So this weekend we hung out with our friend Alison and her boyfriend David. On the way to Top Golf there was a serious lighting in the direction we were heading. As Mike and I were discussing other options for the night Alison called to let us know that they were there already.

Our friend Alison and her boyfriend David showing off their golfing skills.

So we get there and start playing. Over all I think that I did pretty well, I was winning until David hit a hole in one and then a double on his next shot. Ugh. Oh well. Mike ended up beating me too. As we were playing the rain came down hard. It was nice to see it and not get wet. The rain did not interfere with the game. We soo needed the rain to cool down the night. It was a HOT HOT day, Saturday.

Mike having to use an iron club after his driver's head broke.

While on game two, Mike swung his driver, and the head flew off, broke off, and landed in one of the holes. It was hilarious. Poor Mike, apparently it was not the first time that has happened to him! He needs to stop eating those Wheaties! Sooo, while we were in the middle of the second game they turn off the score monitors. It was 11pm, and we were unaware of the time. Alison and I were ahead of the boys but they said the game did not count since we did not finish it! Oh well! We had tons of fun! And Team Bowerbank Won!

The other night I was upset with Mike over something, what I don't remember, none the less nothing important. So the next thing I know he is in the Kitchen trying to put a smile on my face by baking me some cookies. I was very skeptical with him, and baking but he told me to stay out of the kitchen till he was done. First of all he made some chocolate chip oatmeal cookies from scratch! They were soft and chewy! Very Yummy. As he was making the cookies he tell me, "Now don't think that every time I make you mad, I am going to bake you cookies. If I did you would try to find reasons to get mad." Awww. My husband knows me soo well!

Deans List

So I finished my first full time student semester in May. I was so excited to finish and was thrilled with the outcome. I made the Deans list, overall I got 3 A's and one B! My final grade for Biology seriously was 89.3! I was so close to getting a perfect 4.o. UGH! I went and spoke with my teacher to see if there was anything that I could do, but she said that if she did that for me she would have to do it for everyone else. She knew that I was an A student but had to be honest with everyone else. As much as I hated to hear that I was glad that she was an honest person. It was my favorite class, and I will definately take another class with her again.

In other news, I finally made up my mind and have decided to pursue and get a degree in Biotechnology. I love the sciences, and it feels right. Mike is glad I finally made up my mind.

Other than that, I got fired from my job! Yes, Fired! I have never been fired before, and it had to come sometime. I was short in my cash box, and well I went over my limit. I hate that I got fired, but oh well, there was nothing I could do. As much as I would like to work right now, I am liking having some time off. Maybe I could be a trophy wife. yesss. Ha Ha Ha!!!! I bet Mike would love that. After a week of staying a home, depressed about having lost my job, I went out and hung out with other people today. Okay lets be honest, I was not depressed, I was loving it, but it gets a little boring. I feel like all I do is spend money I don't make. It does make me feel a little guilty but not guilty enough to quit spending money.

Yesterday I was loving all the rain we got! I love storms, and it makes me miss Texas, but I felt sad for those who were without electricity. It frequently has been raining in the afternoons.

A California Wedding

So Mike and I went to Califonia for a week and attend his sister Leslie's wedding. As is usually when my husband books the flights, we left Dulles at 7 am, which means we woke up at 5 am. Ugh! But we made it to Oakland CA at 11am.

The very first thing we did was go to In and Out Burger and get our eat on. I like the burger, not the fries. The shakes are good too, and i enjoy their simple menu.I dont really like animal style.

As soon as we finished we headed off to see the Okland A's baseball game. Mike was thrilled that it was one Dollar Hot Dog day at the stadium. The game was fun, but it wasnt the Astros sooo not as fun as it could be, but the A's won! Gotta support my hubby's team. Mike got some serious sunburn on his arms and ears. Luckily some random old man must of noticed how badly Mike was burning and offered him some sunscreen, which helped him some.

On Saturday we headed down to Livermore for Leslie's wedding. It was cold, and it was raining on the drive down there but by the time we arrived the rain had stopped. The wedding was wonderful, and I fell in love with the area. It was so beautiful, with all the vinyards and hills! I was so happy to meet Chris and Trisha's kids, they were the only ones i had not met, since I had married Mike. They were the cutest, especailly Nathan who is 3 and I danced the night away with him. Ha Ha. So here is a picture of the family, Parents, siblings, and their families.

As you can see the weather did cooperate with the pictures. Other than the very cool temperatures, the rest of the evening was nice.

So after we left the wedding Mike and I went to the movies to watch the new Indiana Jones movie. I dont know if I was just soo tired from the slick moves on the dance floor, but the movie seemed long. As we were watching the movie, the sound cut out three times, so as we were leaving Mike spoke to the people to let them know about their technical problems, and they gave us free tickets. Sweet!!!