Go Cobras

Tonight we attended the first round of the state finals soccer tournament at Cactus High School. A couple of boys from the ward are on the team, and it's our kids' high school alma mater. Cactus played Copper Canyon and beat them handily, 5-0. Now they're headed to round two to be held in Tucson on Friday night. Go Cobras.

My VT partner and I didn't do so well last month in our visiting teaching, so we got out early this month. Today we got all of our ladies and we can check that task off our list for this month. We really love the ladies we visit. They're all so much fun, but we catch ourselves staying too long because we enjoy their company and conversation so much.

Today was Abby's and Brian's day to stop by for dinner before Brian heads off to school and Kamille picks Abby up. We enjoy the time they spend with us here. It's a treat for us.

Yesterday Hattie slipped off the chair at lunchtime and got quite a bump on her lip. She bit the outside of her lip with her upper teeth and the inside of her lip with her bottom teeth. It's a wonder she didn't bite totally through her lip! Today she's swollen and bruised, but I think the popsicles we took over last night seem to help ease her pain. And Ellie has had a fever off and on all day today. No other symptons, but a fever. Weird.

Dad in still in the hospital. He spent Saturday night at the ER and went again on Sunday night. He had very high blood pressure, a little trouble breathing and a little pain in his chest. They've run a full battery of tests, but so far, everything is coming out okay. Tomorrow he'll have his stress test and they'll send him home if that's okay, too. I'm thinking he has too much stress in his life and we need to work some things out that should help ease those troubles for him. At least I hope so.

We're looking forward to the annual Glendale Chocolate Festival on Saturday. Every year for the past several years, we meet our kids and grandkids there and the grandkids get to make their own personal chocolate pizza at the Cerretas booth. They LOVE it! Mark is good friends with the Cerretas and they're always so good to let the kids make pizzas on their tab. They are also good to donate candies to the guys to use in their classes at the various schools. What's not to like about chocolate??!!!

Bread Day

Today was bread-making day at Erin's. We get together about every week or 10 days to bake bread. It goes pretty quick, thanks to Erin having two ovens! Ellie is usually our right-hand helper, but she was feeling a little under the weather and was with Grandpa getting lunch during the mixing process. As a result, Hattie was our new little helper. And quite a helper she was! I think she finally realized what she's been missing out on....because she's usually asleep while we bake. But today I had a Dr. appt. and Erin had a VT appt., so we got a late start. Anyway, Hattie LOVED wearing her apron. In fact, when we tried to take it off later, she protested loudly! She still has a bit to learn to catch up to Hattie, but she's the best taste-tester around. She's a little snitcher!!



After we finished the bread, Erin took Ellie to the Dr. and we stayed with Hattie and then Mark picked Eliza and Libby up from school. By the time they got home, Erin was back and we headed home to meet Brian. We get a priceless opportunity one afternoon a week to have Brian all to ourselves. He has his Master's classes on Tuesday nights, and he stops by here on his way. We usually have something for him for dinner and he takes a few minutes to kick back, relax, and have dinner before he's off to class. We enjoy his visits a lot.

Then tonight, Mark and I made a dent in our Christmas shopping. We're done with several people on our list, but still have a way to go before we're done.

Tomorrow is a long-awaited day for the girls of the extended Bowler family. It's our yearly "girls' day out". We started the tradition the last year Mom was alive at Thanksgiving time....six years ago. It's hard to believe it's been than long. Anyway, we go to Kierland Commons for some girl shopping, then to Cheesecake Factory for lunch. There's a lot of giggling, laughing and sharing of food! It's a wonderful time to reconnect with sisters, aunts, and cousins. I'll post pictures later this week. Ellen, Audi, Kamille, Chris, Michelle, Patti and girls....we'll miss you this year. Hope you can make it next year!!