Happy Valentine's Day, 2012

So here's the annual newsletter. I probably already sent it to you, but here it is for the blog book I will one day put together:)

On Valentine's Day eight years ago, Doug and I went on our first date--a group date. It started out well enough. Doug went to my doorstep with flowers. He planned on picking me up and taking me back to his apartment, where we would eat dinner with the rest of the couples.

The date hit a slight snag when my roommate answered the door and let Doug know I was not there. She thought I might be taking a test. . . so Doug hung out with my roommate for the next half hour.

I finished my test and sped over to Doug's apartment, assuming he would be there with everyone else. The couples laughed when they saw me, and let me know Doug was waiting at my apartment. I ran to my apartment, knocked on my own door, and announced that I was there to pick up my date:). Doug was a good sport about it, and we spent the rest of the night eating with friends, watching a hockey game, and ice skating. We even briefly pretended to be married--with kids--at the skating rink; two young boys couldn't skate unless their "parents" signed a permission slip for them.

Fast forward eight years, and the pattern repeats itself. Our life together has started pretty well. We got married, did lots of school, have had several jobs, and even have three "real" kids. And while we have encountered some snags on our eternal date, we're so happy to be together.

Here is what our family has been up to since last Valentine's Day:

Doug spent most of the past year as a prosecutor, and then joined a small law firm half-way through January. He loved being an advocate for victims and enjoyed his court experiences as a prosecutor, and he is acclimating well to civil practice. Still faithful to BYU football, basketball, and Jimmer Freddett, Doug has also devoted time to following presidential candidates, playing racquetball and basketball, and making thousands of peanut butter and honey sandwiches for the kids. His snag of the year: an appendectomy. His highlight: eating unlimited crab legs at his sister's house in Arizona.

I (Tara) spent a lot of my year cleaning my home in Pocatello so prospective buyers could come look at it. . . and then opted to rent our home to a fantastic family, and move to Ammon. We are so happy Doug doesn't have a long commute anymore! I've loved going on so many fun adventures as a family (like to Fergus Falls, Minnesota; Island Park, Idaho; and Sun City, Arizona; as well as the local zoo, the mall, and Petco:), and I've taught English classes for about 170 students since last Valentine's Day. Snag of the year: sleepless nights when Brooklyn was a newborn. My highlight: having my precious Brooklyn in my life!

Isaac, our 5-year-old, is still the most enthusiastic kid we know. He loves preschool--particularly snack and story time-- and he loves dancing, singing, library visits, watching movies--as long as they aren't scary--and going anywhere with his dad. He is learning to read, which is thrilling, and he can be a terrific older brother. His snag: getting his tonsils and adenoids removed. His highlight: "playing with toys!"

Lucy, our 3-year-old, loves to play with her ponies and princesses, and can be quite "bopsy" (her word for "bossy"). Her snag of the year is probably not being able to eat lollipops all day. Her highlight: No asthma issues for almost a year! She loves playing with Isaac, as long as she can have her way, and she likes to feel important and useful. She recognizes her letters and sounds, and she is just starting to trace letters. She "thinks" she goes to preschool like Isaac because I take her to a local gym's childcare facility when Isaac is in preschool. Isaac gets to read and eat snacks, I get to do "Powercut," Lucy gets to draw pictures and watch movies and...

Brooklyn, our 8 1/2-month-old, gets to be the center of attention. At the childcare facility, women literary start clapping and cheering when she comes in. She is radiant, cuddly, chunky, her eyes sparkle like dark sapphires, and we are smitten. She can roll and sit, and eat half of a peanut butter sandwich, but she is nowhere near crawling. Her snag: sitting in her car seat. Her highlight: Eating!

We wish you a Happy Valentine's Day, and hope you will enjoy great food, folks, and fun!

Sincerely,

Doug, Tara, Isaac, Lucy, and Brooklyn Bowen