HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEKAH!!!

Hello Darling, Just a note to say that I hope you have a wonderful Birthday! I hope you spend it doing something exciting! I wish I could be there to celebrate with you. I will never forget this day about 9 years ago... thanks to that celebration I have a wonderful husband! Who knew that would happen? My how time flies! Thank for your friendship throughout the years! You are the best!

LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU!

~Heidi Kay

P.S. "Am I sexy guys?"

Hey Mags, good idea with the tagging. Our blog is getting boring! :)

Best Gift: I honestly don't remember. Brad always gets so excited when he buys me presents that he can't wait until Christmas or my birthday to give them to me. Maybe that's why I don't remember opening a whole lot on Christmas morning the last couple years. Anyway, I'll give it a shot. Last year he surprised me with diamond earrings. Random. I had never even thought about wanting diamond earrings before. But I have to say, I've enjoyed them more than I thougt I would. I still remember the Christmas when I was little where I got a doll house. And I still remember the one where I got a bike...or was that my birthday?

Worst gift: Last year I got a really ugly snowman statue from one of my pre-schoolers moms. I gave it to the DI. It's the thought that counts, though.

Favorite Kids Christmas Song: The Chipmunks one..."Hurry Christmas, Hurry Fast." You know the one.

Favorite Christmas Hymn: Silent Night

Favorite Christmas Popular Song: Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel. I don't know if this counts, but they play it on the radio sometimes, so I say yes. I love it.

Favorite day out of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years? I'm not a big New Years person. I will definitely go with Christmas Day. I'm 25 and I still can't sleep on Christmas Eve night. I love Christmas morning!

As for your request for a prego picture, I'll have to see. I have officially entered what I like to call the "whale-like phase," where no matter how much I exercise or watch what I eat I gain weight and retain water EVERYWHERE!I know you're all jealous. Not so sure I want to share that with the world (or the 8 people who check this blog). I'll see if Brad can take a semi-decent one! :)

I tag everyone else.

A request

Here is my request. Will all of our pregnant friends please post a current picture on this blog? I think it would be fun to see the progress you guys are making. I also want to start a game of tag on this blog and that way we can read and compare answers.

The best gift I ever received: Cowboy boots from Justin when we were dating. It was totally from the heart and to me it sent a big message that he was planning on having me around for awhile.

The worst gift I ever received (can be a white elephant) : When I was in the MTC I had one present to open from my family (I had opened the rest at home because I went in a week before Christmas). I opened the gift and it was a pair of big one piece pajamas with red and white stripes and teddy bears. They had a trap door and two bears peeking over the side. They were totally ugly. My family is so silly.

Favorite Kid's christmas song: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Favorite Christmas Hymn: Silent Night

Favorite Christmas Popular song: All I want for Christmas is you (Mariah)

Which is your favorite- Christmas eve, Christmas day, New Years?
Christmas Eve

Okay, I tag the first person who reads this.

so........

any final plans as far as the christmas party/baby shower goes? i haven't heard anything new in a while. date? time? and who is coming?

Regina Coelli

Just wanted to send a shout out to all of you Linda Spevacek Fans. I have seen some stuff on the Thanksgiving Day parade (weather forecasts) and I was thinking how 8 years ago I was fortunate enough to go to New York for Thanksgiving with many of you. What a unique experience. The other thing that sparked a memory of all of you was a couple of Saturdays ago when I flipped to a local channel (maybe PBS) and saw the Veteran's day concert on TV. I only watched one song, but Vicky Belnap was the director. I think I sang Soldier Boy as a lullaby to Gracie that night. Too silly.

Hello Friends!

I came across this photo today and thought it was so cute I would post it. While it would be much better if all of us were in it (and if I were not 7 months pregnant in it), I still thought it would be worth putting out there. It's at Em's wedding dinner, almost 2.5 years ago! Anyway, I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving! I'm grateful for each of you!

BTP pride!

Hello to the proud members of the BTP! I am excited to be catching up to speed on the whole blogging thing. It's been a lot of fun for me the last couple weeks.

You know how once in awhile, you just have a fantastic day? Well that's how my day was this Thursday. I woke up to Marian's cute face and Adam telling me that his dad had called and asked if we would like to have an all-expense paid trip to Denmark for Christmas. Well, I've been wanting to go to Denmark for Christmas for awhile (even before Adam and I ever started dating I remember joking about it with Mags), so was really excited. The one kink to work out was my work schedule. I was scheduled 6 pm-midnight on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Years Eve. I had a staff meeting that afternoon and, miraculously, was able to find people to cover all my shifts. So we're going to Denmark!

Coming home from staff mtg, I walked into our building, up the stairs, and was unlocking the apt when I was snuck up on and tackled by two of my friends from Brighton who just got home from missions. I didn't even know they were in Provo but they found out where I lived to come visit. We got to talk about their missions and they got to meet Marian. It reminded me how blessed I am to have so many wonderful friends.

After they left, Adam and I dropped Marian off at a friend's house and went to the BYU football game. It was an awesome game!! And I got to see Becca Bishop who was in town and at the game.

Basically, I think life is great. I'm sad I won't see Maggie, Sadie, or Amy who are coming into town and that I'll miss the shower, but I'll be thinking about you.

Here I Am

So I realized that I haven't written anything on our fun little blog yet. Which, by the way Jen, thanks so much for starting! What a great idea!!! Things in the Dowdle's lives are great! Blake is still in school and being a TA in the undergrad anatomy lab, and he also has been teaching at the med school as well. He LOVES it! It is so great to see him so passionate about something and so happy! He will be taking the MCAT in the spring, and applying to med school right after. We are getting excited!
My life isn't anything too exciting. Get up, do stuff around the house, go to work, come home, make dinner, go to gym (sometimes-whoops), hang out until Blake gets home, catch up on the day with him, go to bed. Oh, and get ready for BABY! Ya, I'm getting a little nervous! But so excited, too!
Blake's sister, Liz, is getting married in a month, so, that is a fun event going on. His brother, Tom, is going on a mission in January, so there is a lot of planning going on.
I am glad that we are all still good friends, and that we have stayed close. It is crazy that we are all having babies! It seems like we were just graduating! Time flies! Anyway, hopefully we can all get together for Christmas and catch up!
LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!

Happy Halloween!!

I wanted to be the first to post a Halloween shot. I thought you would all enjoy this lovely costume. I (with some borrowed creativity from Sadie)put it together for the Primary Carnival that the Young Women & Presidency (I am part of the latter not the former, despite common belief) did on Tuesday, October 30th. It was followed by the largest Trunk or Treat I have ever seen. Matt had no idea where that outfit came from since he had never seen that costume ever. But we are two peas in a pod because, unbeknownst to me, he brought our disco ball and plugged it in the car during the Trunk or Treat. Between my costume and the disco ball, we were basically the biggest hit of the night. Wish you all could have been here to spend Halloween with us. Those were the days...

Digital Scrapbooker

I use a program called Picaboo.com. It is a free download and
it comes with several backgrounds. It is basically drag and drop
with the pictures. I just finished Gracie's first year and I love
this program because I can work on it for even 10 minutes anthen do something else. it makes things so han

Digital Scrapbooking, anyone?

Hello Girls --

I set a goal when I first got pregnant 6 months ago to be completely updated on Nick's scrapbook before Chase is born. Since then, I've spent 3 months vomiting and 3 months moving out of my house, into my mom's, and then to PA. Needless to say, nothing has been done on Nick's scrapbook! :) I'm out of supplies, and have been toying with the idea of going the digital route instead of buying all new stuff. Do any of you crafty ladies have any suggestions of good sortware or websites?

HOORAY!!

i'm back, did you miss me? thanks jenny. you're the greatest.

problem needing help

so i am having a blogging problem involving both this blog and my personal one. so what i am going to do is remove myself from access to this one.
where i need help is this, will someone, whoever reads this first, please reinstate me? i love being a part of this blog. so please put me back on under cowgirlsadie@yahoo.com . thanks ladies. hopefully this works

Happy Birthday Mags and Gracie!

This a day late for Maggie's birthday and a day early for Gracie's but I just wanted to make it public...I love Maggie and Gracie...and I love birthdays! I hope it was/is a good one for you both!

I just got my wedding pics back from my photographer and this was a favorite...I love the expressiveness of Maggie's face (as always).

A recipe I have not tried

Hey girls,
I was just blogging away and found this recipe that I think I will try and thought I would post it for any of you who are interested. I doubt they compare to Great Harvest pumpkin chocolate chip bread but they looked fast and easy. As for me, I think we may have found an apartment which is a real blessing. Justin is working at a title company here in St. George and Gracie is turning one on Wednesday. Time flies. Hope you all are doing well.
Maggie

EASIEST Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
*1 box of spice cake mix (no, you don't add all the indgredients on back like you would to make the cake)
*1 can of pumpkin
*chocolate chips (and nuts) to taste

Mix well with blender and then drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-16 min depending on altitude. Cover with cream cheese frosting if you'd like. Enjoy!

com out, come out, where ever you are?...

Sarah, Tori, Martha? All you girls that haven't shown your voice yet on this blog. where are you? We want to hear from everyone. Please post a little update or a shout out. Hope you are doing well.

I have to first thank all you cute girls who got me started on Blogging. I had no idea how many people I could keep in touch through blogging. Most importantly my best friends! I love hearing updates and going on your blogs. Thanks for the update Bekah, I am sorry you have been having phone troubles...especially during the time you want to keep in touch the most. Thank goodness for the internet. Things are good around here. The baby is growing and I can feel her more each day. We haven't done much shopping yet, but you know me and pink... our finances are going to be in trouble. The first thing I have bought her is an outfit her daddy can dress her in... it is Michael Jordan attire. (Those of you who knew of his obsession will appreciate that!) Each day either Dave or myself pull them out and get all giddy!

Love ya, hope you are enjoying Fall! I'm stuck inside most days, but love the nice nights. (:

From your slacker friend in PA...

Hello Girls --

I love this blog! Good thinking, Jenna, as always. Sorry to everyone for being a slacker friend since we moved. I think I owe Heidi 2 phone calls and have a few unreturned emails as well. In my defense, we've been having major phone and internet issues, but all of that should be cleared up by Friday and hopefully I'll have a verizon phone next week. (By the way, I hate this picture of me at Amy's shower...I don't think I've had a good haircut since the last time Sadie cut it a billion years ago -- and could my thigh be any bigger?!?!)

I'm sorry that all of you haven't heard that I'm having another BOY! I was so excited until I was at our ward the other night and heard the boy scouts laughing hysterically over bodily functions -- not really my type of humor -- and I realized that these will be my boys in 7 years! Don't get me wrong, I'm still excited...just hoping that we can squeeze a girl or two in our crew at some point. Oh yeah, we're going to name him Chase.

On a sad note, we discovered last week that we can't come to Salt Lake over Thanksgiving as we originally thought. It's mostly a money issue (we have to buy 3 tickets now that Nick is 2), but I'm also having a few minor complications with my pregnancy and was advised not to travel. So I know I talked about throwing Heidi and Em baby showers, but I'll have to just do invitations or something from here. As of right now, it looks like we won't be coming to SL 'til next summer -- even more reason that I need to start posting more messages and pictures on my blog!

We're loving life here in PA, and I can't believe how beautiful the fall is here with all the trees. I wish you could all come out and visit over the next two weeks before the leaves start to fall. Like Sade, I also become all sorts of nostalgic for you girls this time of year. Hope you all are well.

Love,
Bekah

funny

this is my newest favorite comment i saw at the end of one of those 'pass along' emails. it made me smile.


As usual, if you don't forward this to 1 of your friends within the next 5 minutes, your belly button will unscrew and your butt will fall off. Really... it's true! Have I ever lied to you?

mini update!

I am so excited that everyone is starting to look at the blog! It has been so much fun to read! I just granted everyone who has posted "admin privileges" which just means that you can change the title, layout, anything you want. I love you all!

Things are going well with me. I am trying to find motivation to work on my thesis (but usually end up reading dumb books like twilight or experimenting with new recipes), run (I usually just put on my running clothes, get stuff done, then get ready for the day having never run...the St. George Marathon is Saturday and I am going to die!), and go to work (which is always fun, except for when I don't have missionaries which is the current situation).

That is my life! I love the fall and agree with Sadie about all the fond memories that I have of this time of year. I am excited for more updates!

pictures??

can anyone tell me how to post a photo? can't seem to find anything to click on. ;)

virgin blogger

this is my first official post on this or any blog. we don't have a blog, but if and when we get one i will certainly get you all the info. i do love reading everyone else's blogs. it's so fun to see photos of your kids, animals, homes, selves. and THANKS to jen for this great idea and fantastic effort to keep us all linked.
i got the great email from Heidi saying they were having a girl! wa hoo for the Miner's. but i still don't know what Bekah or Em is having. so will you please post or email your news.
i've been doing some lerking around, or what we call Blogstalking, and i've seen a lot of great fall foliage photos. Autumn here is always a little bit later in the season. we have a few trees changing, but not a lot. more this month and they all fall mid-november. but it's been great to see the gorgeous shots of Big and Little Cottonwood canyon. you know i LOVE fall, and it's linked to so many great memories of the girls. of course Peter B., the time we took photos on the wander lane bridge/wall thing, school in session and lots of fun activites. i know i am a loser, and not very good at keeping in touch, but i do miss you girls. to be honest, because that is apparently what blogs are for, i don't keep in touch too much because sometimes it's harder on me. i am happy here and i love my life and friends, but when i talk to you all the time i feel like i live in the "what if's" and "when i live there's". so i apologize if i've ever made you feel like i disowned or abandoned the group. i keep you in my heart and i do love the contact we have now. i don't want you to stop emailing and calling, i just wanted to explain why i don't go to great legnths to do the same all the time. i'm going to be working on it.
enjoy the fall and sniff a tree for me.
hugs all around!!
sadie

Closet Bloggers

I was just looking at this page wondering if any of the authors of this blog are closet bloggers who haven't told us all about their blogs so we can check them out. I hereby vote that those who don't have links to a personal blog either come out of the closet and give us their blog addresses or create blogs so that we can see cute pictures of what they are doing. I guess that if people are just unwilling to do that, then they could post on this community blog too (thanks again for setting this up, Jen).
By the way, I don't have any reason to believe that some of you have blogs, except that Amy seemed way too handy at sending that message. Amy, do you have anything to say for yourself? Have a good day, Maggie

"The War" on PBS

Ladies, if you're not watching Ken Burns' new WWII documentary, start now. It goes from tonight to Wednesday night, starting at 8 p.m. each night. It's huge.

WHERE ARE YOU?

Hello All! So randomly yesterday I was going through my emails and actually taking time to read them and I thought I was clicking on a new Jen and Ty blog but was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a girls' blog. What a treat! Thanks for just taking the initiative Jen. I think hens have a tendency to be the first so that is not surprising (I am not sure of that but it definitely sounded good.). I just wanted to encourage everyone to post here. I want to find out what everyone is doing. I just got home from a week-long trip to the Outer Banks, North Carolina with my parents and brother Matt and his family. After spending just this short time in the South, I realized that I may be southern at heart. Everyone was so friendly. It was a sharp contrast to the stiff population of Rochester. Well, just thought I would say hello. It has been a while. I hope you all are happy and well.

Happy Birthday Tori!

That's all...just wanted you to know you are being thought of on this special day!

Blast From The Past

That's right, ladies. Here we are in all our high school glory--the traditional "girlfriends photo" from all three years. I figured that this post was inevitable, and hey, what better way to get things rolling?

Great expectations...

Hello friends...and any other fellow readers! I would like to explain my reasoning behind creating this blog:

1- I have been thinking about how much I miss all of you
2- I love reading Emily, Maggie, and Nicole's blogs...so fun to read updates and see pictures
3- Emily's "recipe sharing" email made me want to have a central place to share (and receive) great recipes, ideas, etc.
4- Martha Fetzer started a blog for our Freshman Year roommates and it is a lot of fun
5- Then.. Ty's sister told me all her friends post something on a group blog every month to keep in touch.
6- I love writing in my blog and think it is something that all should try
7- Everything seemed to be shouting "make another blog" and I thought, why not?

So here's the deal...this is open to all of you to share updates, announcments, invites, recipes, tidbits of inspiration, anything that you want. You can change/edit/customize/add anything you want as well. I hope it will be fun and a way to keep in touch! I love you girls!

Aren't we cute?

I love this picture and wanted you all to see it. Thanks for sharing my special day with me. We are a pretty gorgeous group of women if you ask me!