...speaking of the cabin...

Last August (2011) we added a new deck and put in some more windows along the back of the cabin...

Well, we didn't, but our neighbor, Scott Vandebosch, who lives across the street and is a contractor did...

...he did a great job...and we love it!!!

We can see even more of our beautiful view...!!!

Bowman Easter Hike...

I remember as a child the fun times we had in Mexico @ the Dublan Ward annual Easter Hikes...

...they were always in the same beautiful spot down by the river under giant oak trees...

...first there would be a huge 'egg hunt'...

(there were random names of adults on some of them and if you were lucky enough to find one, you could 'sell' the egg to the 'owner' for a peso or two...)

....next was always a huge potluck dinner...(lunch was always called dinner in the colonies - that was actually one of the big adjustments to living in the 'states') I remember sloppy joes and potato salad

and always the traditional 'Fanta naranja' in the bottle...

(this still brings back memories whenever I find one...)

...after lunch there would be sack races - games of 'red rover' & 'chin-chi-la-hua' - and always the highlight of a 50' high rope/board swing that swung higher & higher until we would scream with fright & delight...(the girls wouldn't be released until they revealed the dreaded name of the 'boyfriend'...)

...it was great fun to be able to ride horses to and from the 'hike'... but one (not so pleasant) memory was riding a horse back home when I was about 7...

I was riding 'double' behind Judy Wagner and some boys came from behind and spooked our horse...he took off running, knocking both of us off...my foot got caught in the stirrup and I was dragged several yards before it came loose...my dad was close behind and immediately determined that I was OK...a little scraped up and sported a nice scab on my face for a while,

but 'none the worse for the wear'...

This year - 2011 - Kevin & DaNelle hosted an Easter Hike

(picnic sounds too girly)

in their backyard...

...it is virtually a child's paradise from the awesome treehouse

(which includes a rope bridge and fireman pole)

to a strategically placed trampoline and all the farm animals to suit your heart's content...

...they even accomodated us with newly born puppies (poodle & shihtzu mix)

and 2 batches of baby goats...

...I preferred holding Brad & Katy's 6-week old twin girls...

......

...so cute and sweet...

...Hudson (Jake & Haylee's youngest) loved the slide...

3 little monkeys...up in a tree...

Alec...Ethan...and Caitlin...
...good food all around... (next year it's sloppy joes...)

...Hudson again...

...boy cousins...I mean...Men Cousins...

Todd - Jake - Kevin - Rusty - Brad

...the pretty young things with one old woman...

Haylee - DaNelle - GramScilla - Katy (& 1 baby) - Becky



...everybody loved the baby goats...

...especially Rian and Lydia...

Thanks Kevin & DaNelle for providing the perfect spot to get together...

See you next year...!!!

#1 Son...

November 3, 1976...1:30 pm...

( - 34 years ago -)

David 'Todd' Wolford

was firstborn to Dave & Priscilla

...Dad graduated from ASU when Todd was 6 months old...

(cute picture of Todd w/daddy & mommy)

Even from the beginning, Todd has been a thoughtful and considerate son...

Here is how the story goes:

Mommy was in Mexico with Nana & Grandpa Weco awaiting the first signs of her first little son's arrival into this world...
...the doctor told us that Todd was 'on his way' at about 6pm on November 2...

Daddy (who was still in Mesa working) jumped in the old Toyota Corona and headed south for the border...unfortunately, the border at Deming/Columbus was closed when he got there (about 11 pm) so he slept in his car until the border opened again at 7am...

It was a long, arduous night for mommy and Nana who faithfully stayed by her side timing each contraction which came about every 30 minutes...the doctor had said that we should go up to the hospital in Nuevo Casas Grandes (10 minutes away) when the contractions were about 10 minutes apart...Dr. Hatch was famous for saying, "I'll sleep with one foot out of the bed..."

Jimmy Carter was elected President of the United States that night...but that was small news compared to the business at hand...

Dr. Hatch's sleep was not to be interruted, however, and the contractions maintained 30 minute intervals all night lo-o-ng...

Daddy finally arrived about 10 am and within 30 minutes the contractions became 10 minutes apart...

In retrospect, I think Todd was trying to be considerate to patiently wait for his dad to help mommy...after all, we wouldn't all that Lamaze training to go to waste...hee...

Todd has continued to make us proud parents as he learned quickly while progressing through school...

(Senior pic on the left)

and gaining a strong testimony as he served as a full-time missionary in the Georgia-Macon Mission...

(Mission pic on the right)...

...and isn't he handsome!!! (...that must be why everyone says he looks like his dad...)

I think his extra-ordinary intelligence may have had something to do with his 'aunties' (Marci & Lisa) putting large glasses on him when he was about 2 yrs. old and telling him,

"Todd, you're a genius.."

He has demonstrated that he is quite the 'genius', especially when it comes to computers...

He certainly was a genius when it came to picking his wife, Becky...we are so glad they have moved closer to us so we can see them more often...

He is a great example to me with his patience & quiet strength...

Todd...I love you and hope you had a Happy Birthday!

beautiful Angie...

My baby - Angela - turned 20 today...

She is no longer a teenager so I guess it's time to put some past traditions to rest in the memories of my heart and start some new ones to take their place...

I'm pretty sure I emphasized that this morning when I tried to take her shopping for some new clothes...

We don't seem to share the same taste in fashion...

Truth is...I think she is absolutely gorgeous

no matter what she wears...

.............

I wish she believed that...

..............

So here is a new tradition ----

and Angie looks none too thrilled...

(but I think it's a deliciously sinful one anyway)

Memories of Angela....

She is so much fun ...

and has a kind & tender heart...

that is rare to find in one so young...

but I still miss my shopping buddy I used to have

when she was very small...

(I will always love this pic...)

...and I-I-I will always love you...

Happy Birthday, Ang!!!

"You fill up my senses...

like a night in a forest...

like a mountain in springtime...

like a walk in the rain..."

.............

These words describe how I feel about

Family and Family History...

...............
Is it any wonder why I wanted to

re-assemble (finally) my 'heritage room'

in the cabin...

...in the forest...

...where there are mountains...

...and it rains...

..............

The Bowman-Wolford 6-Generation

Picture Pedigree Wall

....displayed with my mother's 65 yr old wedding dress...

...more 'old' family pics...

...and still more...

(Rusty is the artist for the 'Joseph Smith' sketch)

....awesome...isn't it???

...original LDS Church buildings in Colonia Dublan...

(sketched by Jennie R. Bowman)

Grandpa Weco went to elementary school in the RS building and I attended school in the big church until the 3rd grade...

... 3 important temples in our family...

Mesa Arizona - Colonia Juarez - Salt Lake City

...music is definitely a big part of our heritage...

"Music is well said to be the speech of angels."

-Thomas Carlyle

(vinyl to come later)

I feel even more 'at home' now that I have my immediate and my eternal family around me...

...on the way home I took a couple of scenic photos...

I think I finally appreciate the beauty of Arizona...
...even the rocks...

...I tried to take a picture of the city lights...

...I think I need to stop and get out of the car next time...

the farmer's daughter...

...my new and tiny garden...

I always took it for granted that my dad was a farmer...

...and since he knows everything (as far as I am concerned) there is to know about farming...plowing...planting...fertilizing...watering...

...cultivating...and finally harvesting...

...only to begin the process all over again each season....
my dad is the farmer in my life...

Besides his farm of 1,000 acres or so, the garden behind the house encompassed at least 1/2 an acre and we, as his children, were blessed (in retrospect) to work in it and receive the benefits from it...

My mom is a farmer, too...
she set a great example of hard work and nurturing in the garden...

                          Throughout my adult life,

I have tried to emulate the garden...

                                                      ...not in size but in principle and quality...

Each home we have lived in over the years had a designated 'area' to plant our seeds and bedding plants and  

               we reaped the harvest of our labors..

 ...some of the crops failed

- the Arizona sun is a brutal entity to deal with -

                     but we tried, we learned , and for the most part

                           the results were edible...

...of course, the kids were always a big help...

(I think they at least developed a small interest in gardening...

well, maybe some of them did...)

Some gardens were bigger than others and had different watering systems but each attempt was met with added knowledge and experience for the next one...

When I had questions, I turned to my dad for advice...he would humbly make suggestions and I always respected everything he said...

Parenthood is alot like gardening...there is something to be said for planting a seed - nurturing it - watching it grow into maturity - and reaping the benefits that come with each relationship that has been cultivated...

...mistakes are made...but the efforts are continuous and laced with love... I felt that love and I hope my children and my garden feel it, too...

I hope I am becoming a better farmer and a nurturing gardener in each 'area' of my life and...
...I'm proud to be the farmer's daughter...

...the broken toe...a painful reminder of choosing to work barefoot...

Happy Birthday, Hub!

Here is a collection of chronological moments in your life:

...thanks for the memories...

from...childhood...

Dave and Patty - 1960

to...young adulthood...

on his mission in Uruguay-Paraguay - 1973

to...parenthood...

Family pic - 1978

Family Picture 1999

and now...grandparenthood...

Grandpa and Liddy sledding @ the cabin...

Yesterday was Dave's (Hub) birthday and I didn't get to post because he had big plans...

He likes to cram everything that he likes to do and everything that he ever wanted to do into one day...the problem is that he wants me to do everything with him...

*- first off we did some yard work (didn't want to do this but we had to get the garden in before it gets too hot)

*- then he decided he wanted to go biking (I was already tired from the yard work but I'm still game)

*-now he thinks a racquetball game would be fun

(of course he knew I was no challenge)

...but I said 'no way'...

(I have a few more aches and pains than he does...it must be because he's younger than I am- 2 months can be very significant)

*- finally Dave decides to eat lunch and watch

a Bonanza rerun

(we always have 10 or so recorded on the dvr)

...this was also great because I got to sneak in a nap...

*- by this time, Dave is winding down

(did I mention age before??)

so on to the sample eating adventure at Sam's Club...this is one of hubby's favorite activities because he thinks it's 'free'...(I don't mention all the other stuff I'm buying and he pretends he doesn't see it...)

*- the big birthday dinner consists of veggie pizza and fresh strawberries for dessert because we have to be careful not to have anything that might raise our cholesterol...

*- of course the day wouldn't be complete without a movie

and 'Old Dogs' seems pretty appropriate...

Oh my...I thought that was such an exciting day - 

but life doesn't sound quite so thrilling when we write it down...

(is that why we're supposed to keep a journal?)

...or maybe we could just 'get a life'...

...oh ya...been there...done that...

Ain't it great to get old?...less expectations...

I think I like that...

Happy Birthday, Hubby....glad you're in my life!

Our very own Moms/Grandmas...

This day would not be complete without writing a little something about our own mothers/grandmothers...

.......................

'Nana'

...memories of 'Nana' for the kids are centered around going to Mexico...they remember all the good food...playing with toys and games...all piling in the back of the pickup (even Nana) to go for a ride over the 'ceja'...and Angi remembers 'Vince' the dog, Nana's long-time pet and friend...

...they remember 'Nana' as always being busy which she is still today...making quilts & educational kits as the humanitarian specialist in her ward in Utah...her service in the church has always been an important priority as she labors diligently and dependably in her callings...what a great legacy and example for her posterity...

...one of our most poignant traditions was 'going down home' for Thanksgiving...we had so much fun as we gathered together, laughed together, and enjoyed each other's company...this tradition that 'Nana' helped instill in us is still important as we 'gather, laugh, and enjoy' each time we get together as friends & family...

...Dave remembers all the good food mom would make and her interest in his career and political opinions made him feel so important to her...

...when I think of Mom, I am grateful for her hard work ethic and her love for music...she taught me to appreciate both along with the importance of having a willingness to share whatever talents we may have...I am thankful she agreed to become our 'mother' (not an easy choice) and I will always love & admire her...

Dayla - Nana - Jaxon & Shakespeare

...this is a cute one w/Paul & Jessica...

...mom in action... w/Aunt Nellie, Uncle Keith & Aunt Naoma

...trekkin' w/Bob and Marci...(sorry Mom, I just had to put in this one)...
...I wonder if the pioneers had sunglasses...??

.....................................

'Grandma Jo'

(I wanted to insert more current photos but my scanner isn't working)

...the kid's memoris of 'Grandma Jo' are of her reading them stories...

Dave's memory of his mom include her cultural refinement and appreciation of the arts...she taught her children to love classical music and poetry...

...this looks so much like Patty...

...and here she looks like Carolyn...weird huh?

I remember going over to Dad and Mom Wolford's every Sunday for dinner when we were first married...she made an awesome beef roast and potatoes...I thought of her as being very patient and kind especially as she endured such pain with her arthritis and other illnesses...I am grateful she raised a kind and worthy son to be my husband and I will always love and admire her...

...is it really Mother's Day???

Hey...I'm not trying to sound facetious here

(ok..so I am trying)

...but does Mother's Day mean that the mom is supposed to...

- dig up the garden to get ready for planting...

- work on the courtyard (a never-ending project)...

- teach 'daughter' (C#5) how to hem pants...

- go fix the pool vac/filter @ the rental house...

- and...oh ya, get Hub to go shopping & invite kids for Mother's Day dinner...?

...hmmm...I must be missing something...

Ok...so I am being just a wee bit self absorbed...besides the fact that Mother's Day isn't until tomorrow...- Hub was working right alongside me digging up the garden that I want to plant...

- working on the courtyard that I designed...

- I would probably feel unneeded if C#5 didn't ask me to help her with the pants...

- my hand is the only one small enough to fit in the pool filter...

- and...oh ya, Hub had the kids come by to take me to

Cheese Cake Factory

(one of my faves for dinner...)

Kevin (C#2) even let me ride in the front seat of his car

(a real treat if you could see his Geo Prism)

So yes...it really is Mother's Day...and I wouldn't have it any other way...even if I had planned it...

Another tidbit: @ dinner Lydia (GC#2) leaned over and asked me, "What did you look like when you

weren't so old, Grandma?"

...that little darlin' just makes me smile...

...and isn't this about the cutiest loveseat you ever saw???

(thanks, Hub)

Epilogue:

This is Sunday and the 'real' Mother's Day...

- Sac Mtg (@ 8am) was nice with the choir and

 most of the YM and YW in the ward singing 

"Mother Mine"

(a beautiful song an old friend, Kathy Openshaw, composed) 

I am the choir director so it was great to have the choir loft completely filled...

A few years ago, Rusty (C#4) and Dayla (C#3) 

sang this song on Mother's Day in our ward in Gilbert 

and I bawled all the way through it...

....Rusty looked down at me and started to choke up, too...

...that is really a cherished memory...

Mother Mine

"You sang to me, ah, so sweetly. You held me close in your arms. 
You were always there, beside you is where I knelt in my very first prayer.
 You pick me up when I fall, you wipe a tear from my eye. 
You build me up, you give me your love, 
Mother Mine.

Mother, mother, I love you so. I see your smile, watching me grow. 
My joys were yours, my sorrows, too. God sent an angel when he gave me you.
 Mother, mother, forever more, blest be your name and glory your crown.

You sing to me, ah, so sweetly. You hold me close in your arms.
 You were always there, beside you is where I knelt in my very first prayer.
 You pick me up when I fall, you wipe a tear from my eye. 
You build me up, you give me your love,
 Mother Mine."

We plan to visit the cemetery and leave some pretty roses for Grandma Jo and then reconvene at our home to Gather - Laugh - and Enjoy (and eat lasagna)...

After a few phone calls, (to 'my mom' and from 'other daughter')

this Mother's Day should just about be complete...

PS - I just got a message that Lisa and Jenny got in an accident yesterday 

(head-on collision with another car)...

Jenny broke her back in 2 places and a gash above her eye and Lisa is bruised up pretty badly but everything looks positive for a complete healing...I'm sure they will be kinda sore for a while...the accident was completely the other driver's fault...

We are so grateful the results were not any worse than they were...the Lord is watching out for us...