Cali Pics!!

Fun In The SUN!!!

Between Koby and I's spring breaks (which was in March, yeah I'm WAY behind) we, along with Aubree and Spencer, went to California. It was sort of a last minute trip. We thought about going then decided we would save, then decided to go because tickets were still a pretty good price. Koby and I arrived on Friday and went to the San Diego temple. It is SO pretty. The outside looks like a fairytale castle to me and then parts of the inside do as well! Then we went and found where we were going to stay and got dinner. We got a condo through Koby's work so we didn't have to pay for it, which was really nice. We woke up early the next morning to make it to the LAX in time to pick up Aubree and Spence. We stopped at McDonald's and then made our way to SIX FLAGS!!!!! It was a little crowded because it was only open on weekends, but we still had tons of fun! We got back to the condo pretty late and went straight to bed. The next day was Sunday so we slept as long as we could and then went to a 1:00 singles ward. The ward was so small that it was impossible to just blend in. They announced that they would have treats and meet all the visitors before they went on to Sunday School. We hurried out of there as fast as we could after the closing prayer. Monday we went to Knott's Berry Farm. It was way more fun than I thought it would be! Knott's wasn't as crowded as Six Flags which was really nice. Tuesday we went to the beach and then laid out by the pool. It was so nice and warm!!! We got to the airport and went to check in. The lady that checked us in saw that my license was expired and just had to write it on my ticket. When I should the guy as security my id and ticket he made me stand to the side until another guy came and told him I was fine because it barely expired in January. Thank goodness this guy was nice. I thought I was going to have to stay in Cali a little longer, which I probably wouldn't have minded except I can't get a rental car. :) Anyway, we had a great time and were thankful for the quick break!

Rascal Flatts and Little Rascals!!

So it has been over a week now, but all the Bawden girls (oh, and Terry) had a night out. Ok, it was WAY more than a night out. We went to dinner and then we went to the RASCAL FLATTS concert!! Oh my heck it was the most fun night I have had in a long time! I had such a great time singing and screaming at the top of my lungs! Terah, Rhonda, Terry, and I all sat together on the row right before the floor and Jen and Amanda were on the floor!!! It was SO much fun! We are making a girls tradition and I can hardly wait for next year's concert!!!!! :)

On Sunday all the Bawdens (minus a few for various reasons) went down to St. George/Cedar City to watch Aubree dance. The drive wasn't bad and we got to have a lot of fun together! On Monday it was so nice and warm that I laid out by the pool while everyone except for Rhonda was swimming. It was so nice and warm, I laid out long enough to get a little sunburn. Poor prego Jen got a little more than a little sunburn! After we were all packed up and ready we got something to eat and then drove back to Cedar. In Cedar we went to a discovery park and played for a little bit. There is nothing like playing with kids at a park!! We played tag til I thought I'd throw up, went swinging, played around and checked out all the park had to offer, and then played hide n seek!!! I didn't want the fun to end! Then we went to Aub's apt and hung out and got ready for the dance concert. Terry bought us all pizza and bread sticks and then we headed over to watch Aubs dance! The drive home afterwards didn't feel too long and I had a hard time falling to sleep after we got home. It was so fun to spend time with Koby's side of the family!

Yesterday (Friday) I had to tell and record me telling a story for my storytelling class. My mom called a bunch of the kids from the ward over and they all helped with my story. It was a participation story so when I said a certain word they would say something to go along with it. They were all really excited to help and I was really grateful for it!! The twins and Nate came too and stayed after everyone else. We played hide n seek with Ali and AJ until it was time for them to go. They came up with some pretty clever hiding places!! My favorite was when we couldn't find AJ and Brianna. We had looked the whole house over and could NOT find them. One of the other kids asked for them to say something so we could have a little clue to where they were. We heard the sound coming from the laundry room so that's where we headed. When we came in the lid of the washing machine opened up and two little smiling faces popped out!! We had a bunch of fun playing together!! :)

What a Rush!

Valentine's weekend was really fun! It was our first V-day together because I was in Ecuador last year. Koby had suggested we go to Lava Hot Springs and spend the night and hang out a little bit in the hot pots! So that is exactly what we did!! We left Friday after we had both gotten off of work and headed up to Idaho. We stopped at Panda Express on the way up and some yummy food. We got to our motel and get ready to go to the hot pots. So many people sneak alcohol in it is crazy! We stayed in the second hotest one for a long time then we decided to go to a cooler one, I was getting so tired because of the heat! We left and bought a creamy on our way to our motel and then went and relaxed in the jetted tub in our room. It took up pretty much the whole bathroom, but I loved it! I told Koby that's what I want in our house someday!!! :) The next day we slept til it was time to check out and got breakfast at a gas station on our way out of town. We have a goal to go to all the temples in Utah and so we are going to do one a month. Logan temple was our February temple. We went and did a session there and then we were going to visit my grandparents but my grandma is sick so we could go see her. :( After the temple we did a little shopping and then went to Chili's for an early dinner before we headed home. While we were in Chili's it had started snowing so by the time we got out to the car it was covered in snow. Driving through the canyon was a nightmare! Koby could hardly see the road infront of him. We both kept thinking we should turn around and just stay at my grandparents. We never turned around and we made it safely through!! We came home and did some grocery shopping and then went home and watch a movie from the "On Demand" on our tv. We watch Prelude to a Kiss. Dumb movie I don't recommend watching it. It was a rush of a weekend but we had tons of fun together!! I love you Koby!!! :)
ps sorry no pics. I even brought my camera! :(

They NEED our help!!!!

I received my second newsletter today from OSSO, the group that I went to Ecuador with. They are really struggling right now. If they do not get enough volunteers and donations they will have to drop some of the orphanages. I wish I could share with all of you the things that I experienced there and tell you what it is really like to work with those amazing children, but words can not describe it. I wish I could show you pictures, because just looking at those sweet kids touches your heart in ways you can't imagine. I normally don't do things like this, but I don't want it to be my kids that go with out the help of OSSO. Even now as I think about them with out the volunteers to love them and the wonderful contributions from great people it brings tears to my eyes. I know that things are tight money wise these days, even time feels less and less each day, but please help them if you can. If you would like to help or need to read the newsletter they sent me to get you to help I would LOVE to forward it to you! It has pictures of my cute kids and you really can see how cute they are! They are getting so big I almost didn't recognize them!! Even if you don't want to contribute to OSSO, I'll forward it to you just so you can get a little look at what it was like to be with them! Thanks for reading!!

Because of YOU...

I just had to post a quick little post. I want to thank everyone who texted or called me on my Birthday!! I felt like the most popular person in the world! I was a worried that this birthday was going to be the worst, but many things made it a special day for me. Koby made me Toaster Strudel for breakfast! Koby brought lunch to my work for me and my boss paid for everyone!! Koby also brought me some roses! All of Koby's siblings and his parents called or texted me! My family came and decorated my house, gave me lots of fun gifts, and took me out to Texas Road House. My parents and Spence played games with me afterwards! Koby came home gave me my gifts and we called it a night! I am so grateful for family on both sides that are so supportive, thoughtful, and loving!! Thanks everyone for making it my special day for me and sorry if I missed your call.

Happy Birthday Babe!

I just wanted to wish Mandy a Happy Birthday! She is the best wife I have ever had! She is what keep me going and makes my day seem that much brighter. I am so thankful for her and the important part that she plays in my life. It is hard to imagine that it has already been 7 months, but I can honestly say they have been the best 7 months of my life. Thank you for all you do and for who you are! I hope you have a wonderful day. I love you so much! -- Koby