Monterey/Mel's 27!/Deej & Emily/Adios Pletch

Mel and I went to Monterey last weekend and took Tate to the aquarium. He enjoyed the jellyfish, but was more interested in the ocean itself. The kid loves water. It was Mel's birthday on Thursday so we decided to get out of town. On Saturday we had some folks over for a celebratory barbecue. Life has been good lately. Blogging hasn't been priority one so I apologize half-heartedly for the lack of posts. On Sunday Dan and Emily got married. There were close to 400 people at the Pine's house. The ceremony was really nice and the reception was fun. I was the emcee and hopefully I didn't make too much of a fool out of myself. Tate was a trooper as he endured the 100 degree heat without a nap. He danced a bit too. At the end of it all he passed out in my arms, which was pretty cute. It was fun to spend time with all of our friends. Pletcher is moving back to Texas and we had a going away shindig for him yesterday at the Hopyard. He will be missed. In other news...I got a job. I will be teaching at "high school X" in the Fall. I don't want to say the name so I won't show up on Google searches. "High school X"is the most expensive high school in the nation. It is insane. It would be ridiculous if it was a college campus. Super nice. I will be teaching Freshman and Sophomore English. It shall be fun.

Here are some photos from the past week:
Mel's Barbecue
Deej & Emily's Wedding

Tate Justice Bowen

Hello Friends and Family!!!

Tate Justice Bowen was born on Tuesday, October 23!!! He weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and was 19 inches long. Mel and I are so happy. He came 4 weeks earlier than expected but he is absolutely perfect! Melissa is doing great as well. I will update the blog in the next few days with pictures, fun facts, and small insights we have gained about our new little friend. We love you all and so does Tate!!! Here are some pictures (thousands more to come):

Flexing - 20 minutes old.
Sleeping.
Smiling.
Tate Justice.

The Day of Days is Fast Approaching, or, "Time flies when you have your pilot's license!"

You may think the first part of title is referring to the impending birth of my baby boy, but though this monumental day is almost upon us (87 days away!), I was in fact referring to the Middle School Ministry All-Nighter that will be taking place this Friday. That's right folks, me, some other leaders, and 20+ middle schoolers, partying all night at the church. I have been mentally and physically preparing for this event for weeks, training, drinking Monster, and crying, all in hopes that somehow this event will be canceled. But alas, it is nearly here. It should be a lot of fun though. On Monday, a bunch of people went to my parents to celebrate Justin's birthday. My dad barbecued some excellent burgers and my mom baked a cake. The Bowen family really put on a culinary show. Justin turned 22. I guess time flies when you have your pilot's license. It was a lot of fun. As most of you know, Justin savors the spotlight and loves it when people shout his name so he found as you may have guessed, he was especially endeared when we all chanted his name just prior to the "Happy Birthday song." He loved it so much his whole body turned red. I bet I will love the all nighter that much.