Haiti Video (full version)

Here is the full version of the Haiti video. This is the video that was shown at the Haiti Project Benefit at VBC tonight. Enjoy.

DANCE-OFF PROMO VIDEO #4

Travis and I were in the latest (and final) Dance Off Promo video. All the students saw it today. It is pretty funny if I do say so myself. The Dance Off was after school today and Mel and the kiddies came to check it out. It was a lot of fun. Our students are way talented. You should come next year. Seriously. You should.

HAITI::in video

I am in the process of making a 20 minute video, recapping our Haiti experience. Here is a clip that was shown during Student Sunday @ VBC today. I will post more reflections and pictures from the trip in the next few days. Enjoy the video.

Shaving can feel like losing a friend...

Shaving one's beard can be like losing a friend. Deej knows this all too well.

Dan Gillette bet his wife that he could go 6 months (until the end of 2009) without shaving. He won. Today he shaved his beard. My father and I have also experienced such a loss. Video proof can be seen below.

Deej's day of reckoning.

Removing my baby boy beard.

My father shaving his mustache.

Buddy the Elf 2009

A couple weeks ago the MSM continued its tradition of making middle school students puke and leaders cringe during our annual Buddy the Elf night at thEvent. Enjoy.

Feliz Navidad!

This year we celebrated Christmas 5 different times. It was eventful, tiring and fun. The kids made out like bandits. They each received more toys and clothes than one human should have in a lifetime. They are quite spoiled. We went to Mel's parents and my parents on Christmas morning and then headed to the Degrano's for spaghetti with my aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins. The day after Christmas found us on the road to Monterey. We spent the night at the Conley's and had a post-Christmas dinner celebration with them. I made a video documenting the Christmas festivities. I love my new camera!

Here are some photographic highlights for your viewing pleasure.

Charlie and Sarah's Engagement

Charlie and Sarah's Engagement Video (Full Version) from dan bowen on Vimeo.

Charlie popped the question to Sarah on Saturday. Naturally, I called this a long time ago. the doubters and skeptics said it would not happen. All the while, D-Bo believed. It was a fun day surrounded by friends and perfect weather in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Here are some pictures from the day as well as the video I shot and edited.

The Princess and the Tate

Tate loves the vintage fire truck at Uncle Chris and Auntie Ashley's house. It's the first thing he asks about when he finds out we are going to the canyon. Here is the proof.

Tate & the Vintage Fire Truck from dan bowen on Vimeo.

Lyla is much more sociable than Tate was at the same age. She smiles and even laughs on a regular basis. She's adorable!

Lyla & Mommy Snippet from dan bowen on Vimeo.

Cut a Tree for Your Tomorrow

I sorta miss blogging. As impersonal as it is, I feel it is a bit more intimate than something like Facebook. I suppose a good old fashion face to face conversation is still the way to go though. I go back to work tomorrow after a week off. I enjoy my job but it has been a nice respite to be at home with the fam. We went to Frosty Farms Christmas Tree (place?) in Sebastopol yesterday as you can see below.

First Annual Christmas Tree Cutting from dan bowen on Vimeo.

It was a lot of fun. My family and Mel's enjoyed the experience. Both kids have been fighting sickness and it seems like I have been sick for the month of November. It seems like this because I have. I got antibotics yesterday and am feeling better now, but the illnesses were an unwelcome guest at our first annual tenenbaum slaughter. Life continues to be blessed for us. Mel reluctantly goes back to work on Wednesday. She too enjoys her job as a teacher, but much prefers her job as mommy. Below you will see another video. I wanted to capture the bizarre spectacle that takes place on a regular basis in our home. That would be Tate eating entire tomatoes. Whole. He is the first person (and likely last) I have ever seen do this. Enjoy.

Tate eats a whole tomato from dan bowen on Vimeo.

If you are looking for any good books, Mel and I both read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller (his latest book) last week and loved it. I have already purchased 3 copies to give away as gifts. I bought The Road by Cormac McCarthy on Friday at 8pm and finished it tonight. It was really dark and depressing, but amazing. I can't wait to see the movie. I am in the middle of several books right now (Peace Like a River and Friday Night Lights) but The Road sucked me in (plus I was sick so I had a ton of time on my hands) and took precedence over the other books I was reading. Enough trying to sound smart. Off to bed (yes it's like 9:20!). I will try to be more on top of this blog like the good old days. Christmas pictures and more video coming soon. I love my new camera!