First Kick at the RioT

We went up to RSL's first home game of the season last weekend. Sean has been talking about it for a while, and were were pretty excited we could go.

Four things made this game pretty fun and special:

1. A song was specially written for RSL supporters and the team. That is a first in Major League Soccer. The song had its premier in the home stadium for the game.

http://www.realsaltlake.com/believe

It was pretty cool, and we learned it before hand. (They had words on the screens around the stadium so everyone could sing along.)

2. We were with friends!

3. There were fireworks!

4. We won!!! That's always nice.

2-0. The rain didn't last, there was a soccer spirit in the air, a St. Patrick's Day spirit in the air, and we were able to drive home safely in time for church. Whew!

Painting Weekend - Part 2

Okay. Our painting buddies didn't have to paint their whole time in Moab. We took a break on Saturday and explored some of Arches National Park:

Starting out.

See what the brothers are walking to?

Landscape Arch!

Thank you for cooperating Sun!

Epic.

Tunnel Arch

Pine Tree Arch

The summit of Sand Dune Arch.

This girl had the cutest giggle and happened to get in my shot... or 3.

 

We relaxed, and after dinner we got ready to watch the first RSL game of the season.

 And enjoyed some chocolate covered peanut butter balls. Basically, a homemade Reeses peanut butter cup. In ball form! Yum.

We all probably ate two or four more than we should have.... Yum.

Thanks for coming to visit Gowens, Gowens!!

Painting Weekend: Part 1

It has been done. The paint colors were finally decided on! And, since Travis and Jessica were visiting for the weekend, we took advantage of their good company and willingness to help get the deed done.

Final prepping before the color went up.

Our two captive helpers.

Are you curious?

We decided on one main color, and a darker color for an accent wall. The paint was correctly mixed according to the swatch, but it looked differently in the can and more differently on the wall. Such is usually the case.

However, the room has had a happy transformation since color has been put on the walls!! Please observe:

 

The corner and accent wall.

The colors at night. Love it!

This view put a huge smile on my face in the morning.

Some touch up is needed, but that will come. It is a cheerful change, and improves the look of the mud-texture-over-off-white-wall-look.

Ending thoughts: February.

Other things that happened in February? It was Leap Year!! We may have eaten popcorn on that day.... but that isn't unusual....

Before that happened, we went up north to see the fam and some friends:

We were introduced to Mimi's Cafe. Loved the menu! It's one of the kind that you look at, and multiple things look interesting and yummy at the same time. Anyway, we loved catching up with the Romriells and are super excited for them to welcome their little one to the world!!

We also visited our old ward, and saw some of those dear people.

We had a Gowen gathering, and enjoyed seeing everyone.

It was a very enjoyable weekend. (Thanks to Sean, Travis, and Jessica for helping take pictures!) We also went shopping. Can I tell you how happy that was?? Happy. (Thanks Cindy for putting up with the long shopping trip! We shall visit our friends in Park City again.)

P.S. The walls still have no color. That is this weekend's project!