The Bell Blog

Avery's Favorite Things

2012-02-07T14:29:00.002-07:00

Want to travel into the mind of a 2 1/2 year old? Not just any 2 year old though, Avery! Today I asked Avery what some of her favorite things were. Here are her answers

Favorite color- Purple

Favorite food- Poop (I even asked her twice because I wasn't sure I wanted to put that down, but that's what she said both times!)

Favorite animal- Giraffe

Favorite treat- syrup

Favorite breakfast food- dogs & bugs (honestly I thought she would say pancakes, or else I wouldn't have asked this one)

Favorite dog- Karma

Favorite person- Dawsy (her cousin Dawson)

Favorite thing to do- feed the giraffes

Favorite place to go play- the mall (ok people we rarely even go here. It's a dangerous place for someone who is addicted to retail)

When is your birthday? "Tuesday... no, no, no May 27th"

What do you LOVE? "my puppies"

She turns 3 in about 3 1/2 months! I feel like I don't document the funny things she does enough so I'm going to make more of an effort. I posted this video on Facebook. She was so sad that she couldn't have a mustache. Then the next day she was sad she couldn't be a boy? Luckily this was just a two day want to be a boy phase.

We went to the Museum of Ancient Life a few weekends ago. Avery just loves dinosaurs!To say that she loved this place would be an understatement. She was running around saying, "LOOK, LOOK" It was so hard to get her to hold still for a picture!

See what I mean!

How To Pore Strip

2012-01-16T15:20:00.001-07:00

So I have this app on my Kindle and it's for a website called StumbleUpon. One day I "stumbled upon" this blog with a post on how to make your own pore strip! Since I get a small thrill out of looking at my recently ripped out blackheads I decided to give this a try. It was very easy and super cool! I thought I shouldn't keep a great thing to myself and share will all of you! So here you go, I suggest you try it ASAP! Also let me know if you loved it like I did :)
Here is the Link

The Last of 2011

2012-01-09T14:25:00.001-07:00

I realize that the longer you put off updating your blog the more I don't want to do it because you have so much to catch up on. I was considering just quitting this blog, then I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. Then I thought how sad that would be for Avery because this blog is mostly about her and when she gets older I bet she will enjoy reading it, plus sometimes it's such a great way to get thoughts out so I'll continue the Bell Blog and it will be great :) haha

Lets go back before Christmas...

Miss Avery Kay Bell she is singing all the time now. She loves to learn new songs. She is really into pretend play now which is hilarious to observe. like with her babies and barbies and she likes to pretend that "swiper the fox" from Dora is after her and hide.

This is one of my favorite videos of her singing

If you notice in this picture she colored all over her legs. When I said, "Why did you color all over your legs Avery?" she said, "because I'm a tiger"

How could I get mad after that response?

One of her favorite people is her cousin Dawson. They play so so cute together! p.s. you don't want to see what the expanded picture of this would look like because this is the toy box all emptied out.

I just through this one in because I thought it was cute!

On to Christmas! So this year I was the most excited about Christmas as I've been in along time. Mostly, or all, because of Avery. She was so excited about Santa. She learned a ton of Christmas songs, loved watching the Grinch (with Jim Carey) and any other Christmas shows. The leverage that Santa and Christmas brings is AMAZING! The elves are watching/Santa's watching or the naughty list were great tools to use when Aves was misbehaving.

Avery singing a Christmas song, then having a meltdown because she couldn't take her clothes off, then continuing the Christmas song

Aves, Dawson and Grandpa

Grandpa Kevin is the favorite that's for sure. He tells Avery and Dawson these stories that start out like... Once upon a time, in a far away land of milk and honey... then they change up and talk about giant turtles and growly bears. Avery has started making up her own versions.

Here is one of Avery's version of Grandpa's story

The playroom at Grandma Marilyn's always looks like a tornado went through it after these two get done!

OK so I thought this video was hilarious! Avery was saying she wanted a doll house for Christmas and that Dawson wanted one too. This was his reaction...

Om Christmas eve we went to Patricks parents and had dinner with the family and opened up presents

This is a rare picture I got of little Kaylee. Patrick's older brothers little girl with Grandma Great

Now Miss Avery when you grow up and read this someday I want you to remember how lucky and spoiled you were for Christmas!

Christmas day! Avery got her doll house from Santa. here she is posing like a true princess!

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Guess what else happens every year right after Christmas...

Patrick and I BOTH have a Birthday!

Happy 27 to us!!

Yes not very flattering, but the most recent one of us together! Man we're getting old! I mean 27!? Really!??

This doesn't really count in the 2011 file, but Avery started pre-school in Miss Patty's Little Fish program!

Doesn't she look so grown up in this picture!? Blows my mind!

Her best friend Rylee also started with her! She loves Rylee, she loves pre school! I love having two hours/ two times a week to do what ever I want! It's a great great thing!

Look what else happened! It snowed this weekend! Although it has snowed before I don't think that it counts because that was over memorial day weekend and the others were before Christmas so in my book this was the first snow of winter. Plus last week it was like 50 degrees outside!? In January? What's that about?

Avery and her little snowgirl

Things That Make Me Happy

2011-12-19T15:23:00.002-07:00

I, believe it or not, still struggle day to day with this "stay at home mom" stuff. Like I said before please don't understand this wrong, just because I struggle does not mean I am ungrateful in any way. I just get in a funk from time to time and need little reminders of what this life is about, what is important, and what makes me happy... so here it goes in no particular order

This guy! He makes me so so happy! Haha this is an old picture when we lived in our condo. I could go on forever, but I'll keep it short and sweet. This man is my all time rock. He makes me happy when I'm grumpy, calm when stressed, and helps me remember what is truly important. He's my all time best friend and to say that I love him is an understatement

This child! Avery is my heart and makes me happy! Her singing, laughing and watching her play keep a smile on my face. She is smart, charming, and so spunky! She keeps me on my toes, but at least I am laughing on my toes ;) Don't get me wrong she tries my patients every single day, but at the end of the day when I tuck her into bed and while singing "the goodnight song" all that frustration goes away... that is until she calls me into her room 5 more times for water, books, crackers, and barbies :)

Bangle, a.k.a Bubba. He keeps me in shape and is my #1 jogging buddy

Karmella, a.k.a Karma. She is a snuggle puppy and has more love for me then I can handle sometimes

My mom will kill me for putting this up, but it's the only one where Avery wasn't blocking Chelsea's face. My family makes me happy! p.s. they also stress me out sometimes, but overall they make me happy! I love my family! We are all spread apart across Utah and Washington and it's hard to keep in touch, but we make it work and I love them! Patrick's side the family is of course included in the "my family" bucket but I don't have a photo of them :)

Money! I'm sorry, but it does! Money makes me happy! I really wanted to me a millionaire by 30 and since my 27th birthday is coming up soon I better kick it into high gear! Oh come on who doesn't dream about living in that huge mansion, traveling here and there by private plane, vacationing in exotic places like all the time, and just having a crap load of money. I do!

Food! Now that I am putting it down and typing it out, maybe I can keep this happiness under control! Cookies and chocolate are my #1 food love, but mostly anything sweet and or salty just makes me happy! It's a surprise why I'm not horribly overweight. Sometimes I feel like it's this little demon inside waiting to come out and take over and I'll never be able to get control again. Like it talks to me and says... "there is cookie dough in the fridge, why don't you go make some cookies quick? Mmmm they taste so good and you'll only have a few" then a few turns into 6 and I'm sick. Scary, but true

This is a weird one to put right after the confession above, but working out makes me happy! I love to run and clear my head, but only when it's above 40 degrees so the gym is my back up. There is something about getting in a good sweat that just relieves so much stress! I don't do it as much as I should, but I sure do feel better on the days I make an effort to get a workout in.

Yep, watching TV makes me happy. Usually only during Avery's nap time or really super late at night when I get to watch my shows.

My friends make me happy! Sadly not all of them live close, but phone calls still work and I love when they come to visit!

Meeting with Santa

2011-12-16T08:48:00.001-07:00

I am so proud of Avery this year because she didn't even cry when she me Santa! We have been building her up to get her excited instead of scared. She wasn't excited, a little scared, but at least she wasn't frightened! I sat her on his lap and before he could even ask she just looked at him and said, "Tiana". It's the princess from the movie Princess and the Frog.

Where Does the Time go?

2011-12-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

I've been watching this show lately and I love it! Why I'm so obsessed this vampire show? Not sure. Maybe it's because it's a teen drama and I'm a teen at heart! Maybe I am a hopeless romantic and I love the idea of a man who is hopelessly in love with his girl. Who knows... either way it's a good show, it's on Netflix, and I recommend it!

Thanksgiving... Now Christmas! Where does the time go these days? It goes to watching Vampire Diaries haha! We have been up to the same old, same old as of late... waking up, cleaning up, maybe a little gym if I can't find an excuse not to go, making people tan, whitening up some teeth, making people fit, and enjoying this cold weather...NOT!

My sister and her family came to visit for Thanksgiving. I love when they come to visit us!

She snapped a ton of pics of Aves...

My nephew Drew! He's getting soo old!

We went to the Rock Haus for the first time. I thought it was fun except for my hands would go numb when I got to a certain height. They say that gets better with practice. Guess I am a little afraid of heights after all

Drew did so great! I'm so proud of him for trying and trying. I'm almost positive he got higher then I did!

Halloweeeeeen!!

2011-11-02T16:02:00.002-06:00

Halloween had got to be my favorite holiday! It is by far the funnest and adding Avery to the mix made it even better. We started our Halloween off by going to the annual Cache Valley Pumpkin walk! A free event put on every year that is full of painted pumpkins. There are different themes to each section and you just walk along and look at all the pumpkins...sound lame in my description there, but Avery had fun. We went this year with Chelsey and Dustin and their two boys Brody and Noah.

Can you believe she is this old!

part of the fun is taking the bus up to the pumpkin walk. We got off and immediately Avery wanted to get back on

Noah, Avery, Brodi...you try snapping a decent photo of a 4,2, and 1 year old! haha

I thought this one one cute! an owl and a porcupine

This display was amazing! A Christmas Story

Yep his face is a painted pumpkin

hahahah

Avery and Brodi thought is was fun to blow all of the candles out alond the way

Avery's idol!

Surprisingly Avery loved talking to this witch?

this was great! Especially Chelsey! She's such a ham and just couldn't stay out of the picture haha

Here is the first attempt at our carving pumpkins! It was so warm this year they they wilted and got moldy after 4 days!

This was the second attempt

Avery was a pirate this year! We taught her all the pirate lingo and as soon as she would put on her costume she immediately got into character saying, "RRrrrr Matey" and "had over your booty scallywag"

we went to maceys and did their little spook ally thing

This is Avery and "her girl" Rylie. They are the best of friends

We took them trick or treating around The Sports Academy together then it was off to Grandma Marilyn's

Great Grandma Bell with Avery

Avery and her fellow pirate/ cousin Dawson

I tried about 12 different times to get a good picture of this pirate clan!

a little blurry

Where's Kaylee

hmmm not quite

Yep not even close and I'm not sure what they were even looking at!

I was extra naughty and ate a TON of Halloween candy on Monday and yesterday! I mean a TON. I'm so over it and need to get myself back in shape! Time to hit the gym hard and watch what I'm eating because it's gotten a little out of control! I'm scared for the rest of the holidays to come!! yikes!

Kauai was AWESOME...duh!

2011-10-20T15:38:00.001-06:00

Of course it was awesome and we had the time of our life! So we may have had a little trouble with the rental car at first because Patrick may or may not have choose to ignore me when I said we should reserve one, but it all turned out perfectly in the end so we won't even talk about how we may or may not have had to take a taxi to our hotel the first night and $50 later we finally got to our hotel. ;)

Here are some highlights for ya...

First stop...Wailua Falls! Uh and I will say it again and again pictures do no justice! This waterfall is actually higher than Niagara Falls! Its 173ft high! again...pictures are no justice people

Wailua Falls again

These trees are everywhere and are so awesome so I snagged a few pics

It's like they grow limbs that fall to the ground then those limbs go back into the ground and make roots? Strange

a quick pick of Wiamea Canyon

urg I shouldn't even post these! #1 I suck at taking pictures #2 my camera is old and #3 you just have to see it with your own eyeballs.

Next up... Nualolo Cliff Trail which linked to Awa'awapuhi trail, which made one big 11 mile loop (oh plus another 1& 1/2 miles back to the car but we hitch hiked with some German ladies who were ever so kind as to pick us up and drive us back to our car)

So here's something you should know about Patrick and hikes... He pees a lot and he trips on every single root or rock that is sticking up from the ground. Oh and first thing he tells me when we start! "be careful Mandy I don't want you to break an ankle or anything on this hike" Then what does he do? 3 seconds later he trips! haha

I just started snapping pictures of this hike. So here is the trail in the beginning

Another beginning

and another

see how fresh we look? Yeah notice later how there is no pictures of us at the end! Yikes

It started down hill for a few miles

then would level out

then more downhill

notice how you can't see the horizon! The sky and ocean just blend together!

yep more downhill

Some amazing views to say the least

Whoops how did that get in there :)

More down hill. Oh and word to the wise, cut your toe nails before making a long hike lots of down hill

Getting closer to the Vista point!

It was so amazing!

Patrick :)

This is the end of the Nualolo trail (obviously) but then it connects with the Awe'awephui. We sat here for a min and ate a quick snack...

and enjoyed the views...

and just tried to take it all in

We thought these signs were funny

Promise it wasn't that treacherous

So at this view you can see straight accross on that ledge is where we just were at the end of the Nualolo Trail

A small typo on a few of the signs had us laughing

Second Vista Point near the end of Awe'awephui

oh bummer this is a rainbow, but you can't even barely see it

Last photo before we climbed the rest of the 3 miles or so out and boy was that tough! Out buns were burnin' on that uphill climb!

This was taken at the beach on the North side (tunnel beach)

Tunnel Beach near the famous Na Pali trail and Ka'a Beach

Spouting Horn

Love him!

OK I used to think that there was no other creation on this earth that could possibly taste better than Charlies, but oh was I wrong! This is the most amazing ice cream I have ever tasted! I had a ver naughty 2 scoop, macadamia nut, reeces cups in a waffle cone dipped in chocolate covered in macadamia nuts! AND that was just the first night haha

I think he got sick of me taking pictures! yikes what a stink face.

Last day we rented some kyaks and went to the "queens bath" and "secret falls" which isn't so secret anymore

We wore flip flops, not smart in muddy trails, so we hiked to the secret falls barefoot! Hardcore, I know!

Just a some baby falls

And there's it's momma!

Crappy picture I know, but this is the Fern Grotto. Another short kyak trip and short walk

Fern Grotto

Here is the lovely river

We had a great time! Of course there were other moments like being lazy on the beach, snorkeling, a little shopping, and stuff like that. All in all Kauai was beautiful and I hope we can return again soon! A speacial thanks to my wonderful mom who helped take care of Avery while we were gone!

This Funny Child!

2011-10-11T17:27:00.003-06:00

Man am I ever going to miss this little girl when we leave tomorrow!

Come Celebrate With Me!

2011-10-10T10:35:00.001-06:00

I can't believe it has already been a year! As many of you know last year I had a little open house at my home to launch my business Glo Mobile Tanning. I invited pretty much everyone I knew and I offered to spray tan them for $15 or $10ea if they brought a friend. I am so so thankful to all of my family and friends who help me spread the word about GLO!

I have decided to make this an annual celebration, host another party this year, and invite some other vendors to come sell their goodies as well.

I'm also hoping that you will also help me spread the word about this party by maybe "sharing" the event link on Facebook. Just click here and then click "share" to post on your wall.

It's been an amazing year! I hope you all can come!

Last days of summer for us...boo hoo hoo

2011-10-09T13:22:00.001-06:00

This little princess is the smartest girl. Of course we all think our children are baby genius's, but I thought I better document all of these cute things she has been saying so we never forget...

Before we go to bed each night or nap time Avery has to have a "kiss, hug, & pinkie promise" in that order.
She still loves to dress up in her little princess dress and now must have her sparkle shoes and princess crown
When she has her Barbies she must have all of them, like all 6 at once holding them together... and they're all naked, I can't keep their clothes on
One day she wanted to put a dress on so I grabbed a blue dress out of her closet and she said, "no mom that's amen dress...that's amen dress" I kept saying a what? Then I figured out she was saying it was a church dress :) she wanted her princess dress on
She knows her ABC's and sings songs constantly like patty cake and twinkle twinkle little star.
Of course she is very independent as every 2 year old is
She still says "damn it" I tell her not to and don't make a big deal about it but yet she still says it.
She calls her Daddy her "best friend" and tells us she loves us "this much" and spreads her arms apart
She is almost potty trained except for naps and bed time- this should be another blog post in itself because man is potty training hard!

Here are some things we've been doing to wind down the summer

Fishing with Daddy and Grandpa

We went to Bear Lake the beginning of September and it was wonderful! The water was usually warm and the beach was not to hot!

uhhh yeah

Then this was the end result... sand in the hair for a few days

Look at these cute girls and the USU Homecoming parade. It was a long parade, but Avery would have been happy if it lasted through the night, she absolutely loves them!

Ell, Rylie, Aves

hah I took like 5 pictures like this

Avery and Rylie are besties!

Avery learned Guitar Hero last night

Then today we made Avery's crib into a Toddler bed.

Wish us luck on this one

Patrick and I leave for Kauai on Wed. a.k.a 2 days away .! We are staying at Castle Kiahuna Plantation & Beach Bungalows. Can't wait to get away together! We will both miss our little bug!

FreeMotion in Edmonton

2011-09-14T10:22:00.002-06:00

Check out studly Mr. Bell himself! He went to Canada for 4 days and showed them all how it's done! Patrick demonstrated the Rip60(showed below) and MC2 workouts. I'm so proud of him!

Just doing the HUMAN FLAG! No big deal :)

Dirty Dirty

2011-09-14T10:17:00.003-06:00

Patrick went to Canada a few weeks ago for some FreeMotion work stuff. Unfortunately his Canada trip trumped The Mud Run, but lucky for me my friend Tara was easily persuaded to take his place! I don't think she had any idea of what I was getting her into!

Here is the before...

Here is the after

It was a 5k of running through mud/poo! I stole some of the pictures the event took...like I'd buy them!

If you notice behind me the heaping piles of poo/mud. It smelt horrible! Luckily I made it out disease free! I hope!

There was a lot of mud wrestling going on!

Dana, Jade, Me and Tara

You better believe I will do it again next year! It was the funnest race I've ever done! oh and PS that's mud in my armpit not hair hahaha

Ewwww...

Is it Normal to Feel Guilty?

2011-08-25T20:09:00.000-06:00

Let me tell you about my day today...
I woke up at 8:00am
I made an "award winning" banana bread that was delicious
I was able to get showered and ready by 12:30pm
Patrick, Avery and I went to Old Grist Mill for lunch and found out that Avery would rather lick the window the entire time then eat her PB&J
We went to the park and played
Aves took a nap and so did I
Avery slept until about 6:00pm!! It was crazy I kept peeking in to make sure she was still alive!
I played princess dress up with Avery, ate dinner and I will go spray tan some peeps tonight after Patrick gets home from work

Now why do I feel guilty about this day?! Although I am happy we had a great day today the overachiever/perfectionist in me is telling me that I should never ever take a nap, that I should be constantly working on my business, that I should be up and ready by at least 9:00am! Now that I cut that 11-4 job out of my life sometimes I feel like such a waist. Of course there are busier days than others, but should I feel guilty on those lazy days that I don't even "get ready for the day"?

I saw a thing on the today show this morning about "super moms" moms that work full time and come home to take care of the house, make dinner, etc. I always thought that this would be the description of my life and I've worked pretty dang hard so that it's not, but why do I feel guilty about that?

Here's the disclaimer... Please don't get me wrong on this I am so very thankful that I'm spending loads of time with Avery and Patrick, I love being a business owner it's the best thing in the world! I guess I'm just venting this guilty feeling in hopes it will leave me alone and let me enjoy these days :)

It Was Epic!

2011-08-17T14:02:00.000-06:00

There are certain things you learn about yourself when you run long distances over a two day period with little to no sleep! I think that is why I do these sort of things. Finishing a 10k or a 5k race is great and keeps you motivated to work out through training, but running a relay race is a whole different extreme. It's all about pushing yourself to the max... physically and emotionally. Someone broke down on my team just sobbing when she was finished her second leg. It was about 3:00 in the morning and 35 degrees and she had just finished about 6.5 miles of hills on no sleep and little food. I think she felt relief that it was over, accomplishment that she finished it, and sadness that she still had to run one more time :) I did not know anyone on my team except for the driver of the other van and I think that was part of the fun of this race. It's all madness I tell you, but I would and probably will do it again next year!

If you have been with me on one of these adventures you know that I despise Hone Buckets! I have to use them against my will and gag almost the entire time I am in one of these nasty boxes of poo! GAG & YUCKY

These are the ladies that were in my van. Amber and Jaime

Joe-in the red shirt, was the driver, Wington-with the camera, and Trevor-to my immediate right, were also in my van. there was one more guy named Brad who we had a joke that he ran out of the whom and hasn't stopped since a.k.a he was a super fast runner!

There I am coming down the road! This was my first leg and it was about 5:00pm and 90degrees! I had been drinking all day, but the heat still got me! It was about 9.5 miles up rolling ups and downs. I got dehydrated with a really bad headache and nausea, but a little Gatorade and some rest and I was OK :)

This race was beautiful! On my second leg I ran at about 5:00 am and I got to watch the sun rise as I ran down a canyon through some national forest in Wyoming. OH and that brings up another crazy thing. The weather! We experienced both extremes from 90degrees during the day to 30degrees in the wee hours of the morning. You could see your breath!

We attempted to sleep outside underneath the stars which was awesome! I think I got the most sleep out of anyone because I had my iPod in drowning out all of the other people around us. It was only 9:30 pm but it felt like midnight we were so tired. when I woke up 2 hours later it was time to go, boo-hoo, but I saw 2 shooting stars! Beautiful!

If I Write it Down?

2011-08-07T15:18:00.000-06:00

They say if you write something down it's more likely to happen? So here it goes... I need to stop binge eating!

This picture is what I feel like I have been doing lately. Just out of control, put everything in my mouth, if it taste good eat it, kind of eating! So my plan is to stop! Well not stop eating haha, but stop eating everything in sight!

I will be doing the Epic relay race this coming Friday/Sat! I'm super nervous, but kind of excited to put myself through another challenging relay. It's from Logan to Jackson Hole (Teeton Village) = 190 MILES! It's mostly like Ragnar with 12 runners, two vans w/ 6 runners each, and you run three separate legs about 8 hours apart ranging from 3-9 miles! I think I'm ready!

On Sat. I did The Pink Series 10k. It wasn't very exciting getting up at 5:00am! I finished in 48:16 seconds! That may be off a min or two, but that is what they posted and I was 5th place overall! Whoo hoo! My fastest yet! I'll just give myself a little pat on the back for that mmhmm

Susan and I

Wow I'm a looker at 5:30am eh? Jade and Lindsee. We couldn't get one of Jade with her eyes open! She was sleepy :)

It's Zoo Time

2011-08-04T16:01:00.000-06:00

We went to Hogle Zoo last weekend and Aves was more interested in the huge fake animated dino's then the actual animals! It was still fun to take her there. Man she is a hoot!

I swear there was a baby elephant there! It was just hiding right behind that stupid tree trunk!

uh yea the best picture of me and Avery out of the bunch! Man Patrick and I kind of suck and documenting our activities!

Avery had no real interest in the real tiger sitting there in the water

instead she insisted on playing with this scolding hot statue

She does love giraffe

Baby Kaylee had a birthday! She's 1 year old now!

Here is the attempt to get all the kids in one picture... except we were missing the birthday girl!

Here is the only one with the birthday girl that I got! As you can see Avery had other plans...like swinging

Avery and Dawson! Kissin' cousins

It's Potty Time!

2011-07-26T16:13:00.001-06:00

Aves used the potty for the first time today! I was so happy! It's so funny how the littlest thing like my baby using the potty made me ecstatic! My mom gave me the brilliant idea of using stamps every time she went and so right after I put the stamp on her hand she said, "pee pee in potty again!?"

Can I just say quickly I have been so happy not working at HRI!! ha-ha! I'm pretty much done training my replacement at HRI and I can finally focus on making people tan! It's so freeing and I LOVE spending more time with Avery!

Family Picture Time!

2011-07-18T15:39:00.000-06:00

Some Family Fun for the 4th!

2011-07-13T14:14:00.001-06:00

How can you not start with this picture! A classic kid moment eh?

My sister, her son Drew and husband Brandon were in town for the 4th! We hit up all of the Cache Valley happenings... The stadium fireworks, the cruise in, Bear Lake, but we missed the Beach Boys performance...bummer.

My nephew Drew turned 10 on the 11th! I was there right outside the door when he was born so it blows my mind to think that was 10 years ago! Crazy how this life goes by so fast!

Patrick and Brandon are BFF!

Avery thought the fireworks were so cool! She was would hold her arms up and say "reach, reach, reach" and try to grab the fireworks, she would say "ooooo" and name the colors and go "boom, boom, boom" I just loved this pic of Aves because it totally caught one of her classic expressions

Next up! My sweet dear friend Star (who is also my cousin) came down from Boise for a few days, as well as my other sweet dear friend (who is 8 months pregnant) so this just made the 4th even more GREAT!

Avery loves holding Lindsey's adorable little baby Zander

Shopping time?! Yes please! And we did a lot of it while Lindsey (my sis) was in town! Avery love to come along and would say "oh cute" and "is this CUTE?"

LOVE THIS CHILD!

On an Avery side-note- she has still been saying "damn-it", but will soon follow with "it's naughty" she started saying "Oh COME on!" which is hilarious! She talks more and more everyday and I am blown away with the stuff she remembers and learns so quickly!

The MEN

We're just enjoying this summer while it lasts! Only like a month left and it makes me want to just soak up every possible minute. I did leave my part time job at HRI, but I am still going in for about 2 hours a day to train the girl who took my place. I am hoping this will be my last week! Yahoo! Then time to push the accelerator to the floor and get this business of mine to where I dream it will be!

P.S. we got some new family pictures taken and I'm sooo excited to see them/post them soon!

Just Avery Caught on Tape...

2011-06-26T22:07:00.000-06:00

Some of them are longer then others, but I thought it would be fun to post some resent videos of little Miss Aves

Yogurt on "whips"

Standing on her "thinking chair" and singing the little tune "think, think, think"

My attempt at getting her to do the Dancy Dance (Yo Gabba Gabba) Puppet Master

This is what happens to a room when you unleash a 3 and 2 year old on it! Avery LOVES playing with her cousin Dawson!

Ragnar For Life!

2011-06-22T23:22:00.000-06:00

Run from Logan to Park City with the help of 11 other people! Yes please! To understand what is Ragnar you just have to do it! You will never understand how running a 2 day relay race, with 2 hours of sleep, 6 people in a van, and no regular meals could be fun until you experience it! There are people who get actual tattoos of the Ragnar logo! Pretty hard core!

I was just looking through all the 200+ pictures and it's going to be hard to pick the best ones, but I will make an attempt without overloading you...hopefully! P.S. I guess no one wanted to take pictures of me actually running! mmmhmmm way to go team!

Okay! Here we go...

It all started @ 3:00am! That means 3 hours of sleep for me! We met @ USU so we could start the race @ 5:00am! Those of you who know me understand that I am NOT a morning person and this was madness from the get-go!

I was the first runner and naturally you follow who is front of you while your running because who actually memorizes the course maps? Bad idea! A cop at one of the intersections was waving the runners up 10th North and so a huge heard of us ran about a half mile UP HILL in the wrong direction! What a bad way to start a race huh! Plus is took a lot out of me to run that hill (you know the one I'm talking about...past the Indian Oven, past the stadium, past the cemetery and Aggie Villiage!!)

Look how fresh everyone looks! Ed, Natalie, Darren

Pilot Phil and co-pilot/ runner Patrick

I just finished running about 7 miles give me a break for looking like hell!

I was pretty proud of the Ragnar tan line!

Mr. Ed Quinlan! We'll get back to him later! Funny Funny man!

Natalie Cottle! The owner of the camera for which all of these pictures belong!

Here's Natalie on one of her runs. May I point out the beautiful landscape we have just out our back door!

uh Darren!

The name of this team was "hide yo kids hide yo wife" Pretty funny

Here's Patrick leavin' a cloud of dust behind him! He ran so fast! I'm so proud of him!

Phil aka Mother Hen. He took care of us and was the best driver a team could ask for

oh Ed... that's all

just supporting Patrick...no big deal

Darren gives this wave EVERY time

What's that? Snow? Yep and on one of my legs I actually had to run through the snow! I got snow inside my shoes! It's June people!

Still looking fresh I might add! no really our hair was gross

Some more Ragnar tags on my team

All but one! Rikki is missing oh and Patrick and Phil..oops

Still can't believe I talked him into doing this with me! He was rather grumpy the entire time, but when we got home he said "you know what... I do feel accomplished" well duh! Ragnar isn't a joke, its so hard!

Our van

our van again

This is about when we all started getting a little delirious! It was about 8:30pm

My baby blisters from leg #2 down Snowbasin

Socks with sandals! Who says it's out, I'm bringin' it back!

Official snap bracelet. If you think about it this thing was pretty gross

Patrick and Natalie stopped by for some free Chiropractic work... sketchy

crossing the finish line because we were to tired to wait for the second half of our team to get there and do it.

mmm breakfast never tasted so good! 9:30 am

But man were we tired!

one last thing, this was Ed's email to us on Monday. I was crying laughing so hard

What’s still sore:

-          My tibulus-ginormus (still swollen on my right leg – lots of icy hot to help me manage)
-          My calves
-          My right hip
-          My rear cheeks – both sides
-          My ego (so many negative kills aren’t that impressive really)

On Saturday, we went to early dinner with Scott’s folks at Texas Roach-house. I hobbled in to the restaurant. Scott said my left leg was bent sideways. After 10 hours of sleep last night, I’m feeling like a new being. I think I can walk somewhat straight now. I now understand the sensibility of a one-story home (stairs are a beeotch).

Phil – Mother Hen – thanks for keeping me hydrated. You are a stellar driver!

(I’ve never spent so much time in a honey pot)

Dana – Linus con blanket – It’s amazing the cowbell didn’t get thrown out the window (if it was smaller, I think you would have fit it through)

Natalie – the machine – it’s like there’s an on-off switch – and when she gets going, she keeps on truckin’. Thanks for letting me use your lap as a pillow

Darren – the horse – you treated Morgan canyon like it was a scenic byway, enjoying the scents and sights of Madre Natura (what a beasty hill). Don’t try to sleep next to him or the garbage sack.

Mandy – Jolly Rancher Maiden – plug her into some heavy metal running music and she’s out of the blocks. Never mind sleep – if there’s something fun to talk about.

Patrick – the Trainer teaches – for someone who says they don’t run, you kick some hiney.

Ed – the carcass – I offered for you to take the children and women ahead and leave me for the wolves as dinner, but you kept showing up around the corner with a nice bottle of warm water.

Can’t wait to see photos.

A Sneak Peak

2011-06-19T14:53:00.000-06:00

Holy cow my body is sore! Patrick and I completed Ragnar yesterday! I'll post the great story as soon as I get the pictures from Natalie. But for now just know that we made it out alive and had a ton of fun! This picture was right after Natalie's first run!

Avery's 2!

2011-06-01T23:47:00.000-06:00

Look @ our little baby! She's 2 now!

AND she is developing quite the personality!

She has been saying damn-it on a regular basis.

She calls me "Mandy" all the time now!

She says "What?" when you say her name. -see video below below

She counted her balloons in Spanish out of the blue the other day "uno dos tres" it took me off guard almost more then the "damn-it" did

She says "I'm comin'"

She is in love with Barbies and also likes to take their clothes off and keep them off

She likes to go "streekin'" -where she runs around the house naked

The other day she woke up and said "get me out, get me out" for me to come get her out of her crib- which i will keep her in until she doesn't fit! I'm in no rush for her to be in a toddler bed.

Aww man there is so much more. I'll try to capture it on video, thats funner to watch anyway

We had her birthday party last weekend at High Point Gymnastics. Do you know how hard it is to get pictures of kids as they are jumping on trampolines!? Well here is my attempt to get some birthday pictures

Waiting for the zip line

little Cambree

Whenever Avery would see me and she was jumping on the tramp she would immediatley start whining "mommy..." she totally milks things like a little 2 year old drama queen would :)

Yummy cake! Dawson thought so!

ooo poor picture quality, but look at my cute baby niece Kaylee!

Some more of Aves

I managed to catch the end of the Birthday song- we had a little trouble getting Aves to blow out her candle...

A little bit longer one. Here is Aves playing in her new princess tent. She has to shove all of her balloons in there plus sit inside.

one more just for fun! Elmo was hungry and ate some pudding...

I've Taken the Leap

2011-05-15T21:10:00.000-06:00

Last Monday I gave notice at my part time 11:00-4:00 job. That's right, I left my JOB (as of June 3rd) so I can put even more effort into GLO.

I was talking with a close friend who had recently done the same thing. She left her job so she could focus on what was important in her life, her family and her own goals and aspirations. She told me she had decided to leave because she felt like she was throwing all her balls into the air and was only able to catch a few of them. This is exactly how I have been feeling. When you juggle family, work, your business, and lastly taking care of yourself something is bound to get half assed. Sometimes I felt like it was Avery that was getting pushed back, the house was getting neglected, I wasn't finding anytime to work-out (which I actually love to do), so I too have decided to cut my job out of that equation to make for time for my family, my business, and myself. I I truly feel it will make me a better wife, mom, and CEO of GLO Mobile Tanning :)

I have worked at Harris Research Inc. for 5 years and have learned soo much! Without going into all the boring details, I don't think I would have ever started my own business if it weren't for HRI.

So here is to taking the leap! Believing in yourself and pursuing your own dreams!

San Diego!

2011-05-09T23:05:00.002-06:00

Where to begin! This was such a fun trip! We took a road trip to San Diego to visit my old roomy Marnie, Max and her 1 year old Skyler and caravaned with my other old roomy Lindsey, her husband Tayson a.k.a "tan face" and their 4 month old baby Zander a.k.a "Zan Man".

It was impossible to get a picture of Skyler and Avery together!

We went to the beach and played around

Avery loved it!

Sand bath! This happened literary 2 seconds after I put sunscreen on her and it was like this the entire time we were there because I couldn't just go dunk her in the ocean!

people were kind of looking at her funny and Patrick said he heard one of the moms say something about her being so sandy! haha judger's!

Skyler loved the sand too! Yummmm

Her first experience with the ocean didn't go so well

We went outlet shopping and Avery insisted on riding the train. Choo Choo! That's what she is saying

aww yess! Then we went to Sea World! Where they charge you a million dollars to enter the park and eat some lunch! Priceless though!

You may be thinking... is that a baby leash on Avery? Yep sure is! I have found that before I was a parent I was so quick to judge other parents. I used to think I would never use a kid leash! Wait till you have a two year old that goes running off chasing birds when you turn around for one second and she is gone! I'm not willing to risk that! K... now would you use a leash! mmm hmmm judger's :)

PLUS look how cute she looked with it on! p.s. his name is George. Thanks Kristi for letting us borrow him!

The Sea Lions

Never mind that I look prego in this picture please!

I think the 4D Sesame Street movie was Avery's highlight!

Skylar and Aves went swimming in Marnie's backyard and they kept drinking the water, it was gross

Next up... San Diego Zoo!

We took a bus ride first so we could see everything

This was my favorite part and if you ask Avery she will tell you the same. Look how cute this baby gorilla is!

Also look how cute this prego Marn is!!

Avery loved the fish!

I think this monkey was being shy

Zan Man

the Riggs

This was an awesome zoo!!

She was a little tired on the 12 hour ride home. I think she slept like the first 4 hours! She had to have all of her books, but she still wasn't happy. Poor dear

Here is the whole gang together. Not to beat a dead horse here but we had a BLAST! The boys were referring to themselves as "the wolf-pack" us girls were calling ourselves "sister wifes". None of the guys wanted to take us up on that offer strangely enough? It is so so good to get out of Logan and hang out with friends and spend time with family! It really puts things into perspective. Miss you Hammonds!!

Happy Easter!

2011-05-08T16:08:00.000-06:00

Yeah like a few weeks ago! OH well, here is what the Bell's did for Easter...

attempted to take some pictures in her easter outfit, but she was too busy looking for bugs :) and giving the stink face :)

...and begging me to pick the flowers

We went to Grandma Marylin's on Sat. and Aves got a cute little basket with her name on it and filled with the good stuff! Here are her and Dawson bustin' the treats open

Here is my niece baby Kaylee w/ her Daddy (Patrick's brother)

We recycled that very easter basket for easter morning! I know what your thinking... "you mean you didn't get her her own easter basket from the Easter Bunny? You didn't get her tons of candy and new clothes and toys? Nope sure didn't. I figure this is the last year I can get away with it. Come on are you really surprised I didn't do all that?!

As for Miss Aves she is growing into her almost 2 britches real good now. She is testing my patience, but I love this little stink!

A few videos of easter morning playing with the bubbles

Dancing with Uncle Brando

2011-05-07T09:25:00.000-06:00

I forgot to take these off of my video camera from our road trip to Washington. I thought it was pretty funny how Avery was jammin' with Patrick and Uncle Brando

Our Little Princess!

2011-04-11T14:33:00.000-06:00

Aves loves getting into a "pretty dress" about everyday! She is talking more and more and it's so funny!. I need to be better at blogging those funny moments, but by the time I sit down and a month has went by they are not fresh in my memory anymore! One thing is since 10th west is under major construction and we have to pass it to leave our home she sees construction workers a lot. She decided to start calling them "cool dudes" all on her own. She will say, "cool dudes! More cool dudes!"

We have been sick around here lately, booo, but here are some latest pictures of the little one...

Crappy lighting, but I thought it was funny she wanted to put her princess crown on AND her glasses!

Aves doing her "cheese" with a "pretty dress"

We decided to venture out yesterday since it was a warm and sunny 45 degrees! Aves was tired of being cooped up. I love this park by the Wittier Center! It's the best, even with snow!

Road Trip!!

2011-04-11T14:20:00.000-06:00

We took our annual road trip to Washington on March24th- March 29th. Patrick, Aves, me and my little sister Chelsea drive up every year to see my sister and her family and visit my Dad's grave. It is pretty decent weather in Kennewick this time of year and we usually still have snow in Logan so it's always nice to get out of this winter wonderland for a minute. We made the smart purchase of a portable DVD player.

This was Avery's first reaction when we turned it on! She loved it and it saved our lives on the 8 hour trip!

My handsom nephew Drew likes to take my camera and take pictures of himself :)

We always go to this awesome Mexican Restaurant and every yea,r since we go at the same time, they always give my sister a huge shot of Pitron (I don't even know how to spell that haha) for her birthday. It's funny watching their faces after :)

Avery and Drew had fun playing outside in the 60 degree weather! Which is pretty much like tank top weather to me :)

We went down to this park that is right next to the Columbia River. It was kind of freaking me out because the birds were as big as Avery and there were a ton of them!

They would get so close because we had food

Avery's hair is always a hot mess, especially when it's windy

She looks like a little midget chasing birds :)

Aves just loves to swing

Us sisters!

We drove to Spokane and stayed at a SWEET hotel that was safari themed. I didn't get any pictures, but these...

Aves liked to stand on the window seal and count the cars.

We went to this really nice restaurant and had a surprise Birthday dinner for my sisters dirty 30! Again, I didn't take any pictures but this one with Chels and Aves :(

The next day we drove to the Cemetery.

It was so cold and rainy!

Aves found this little bird that she kept calling a chicken )

We got home all refreshed, but I really wanted to go back to vacation world! I love my life, don't get me wrong, but vacation world is so great. You get to be with family, eat whatever you want without guilt, no pressure to work out because you're on vacation! You can kind of sleep in (when you have a 2 year old that doesn't really apply) and you do fun stuff everyday! SO that is my new goal to live life like I'm in vacation world! Haha wish me luck!

Top of Utah Heavy-50K Treadmill Relay Race

2011-03-07T22:24:00.005-07:00

Wow that title is a mouth full isn't it!? First, before I go into that hellish race I ran last weekend, let me start by saying how amazingly smart I think Avery is! I know that every Mother thinks their baby is a prodigy, but seriously it blows my mind the stuff she says and picks up on. She can count to 10! All my herself she was walking up my sisters stairs today and counted all the way to ten. She knows colors and she started saying "why" to things now which is funny. uh I just love this little monster of ours!

She goes huuuuuu and opens her mouth when she gets excited about something

Okay so Sat. Patrick talked me into running a 50k treadmill relay race at The Sports Academy. He said he was stacking the team (except for me of course) and we had a great chance of winning first place which is a $3,000 treadmill for EACH person on the team! I wanted a free treadmill so bad! So here is Jeremy Haddock a very serious distance runner- 20 miles is just another run for him on a weekend, not even considered a long run for him.

Not a very good picture, but this is Nick and Ultra Marathon runner (over 50 miles, for ONE person) He is super fast- runs a 4.30 mile pace! Seriously he was running at 10.5 MPH on the treadmill and I'm pretty sure he could have went faster!

This is Melanie Bair. She is in amazing shape! She works out for a few hours a day and 12 miles is considered just a good run, also not considered a long run for her!

oh here is another picture of Nick- running so fast it's blurry :) I was trying to take a group photo by myself

Then there was me. It's been too cold to run outside and my and the treadmill have a hate/hate relationship. It's been a few years since I've ran on one of these bad boys and I remembered why I never do it. What a crazy mind trick it is to run on treadmills! Plus everyone was around you watching your pace telling you to go faster even though your legs were on fire, well mine were anyway, and watching how far you had gone.

So we set it up like this... the boys each ran 3 miles then the girls ran/sprinted 2 miles and this went on for 3 legs.

3 hours and some odd minutes later we finished in 5th place. No treadmill for us, but we got a cool t-shirt and it was a fun learning experience!

Babies and Boarding

2011-02-28T21:37:00.004-07:00

Yep, Jen is having a baby boy and I had her shower during one of the worst snow storms this year! What a perfect party planner I am! I ordered Temptation cupcakes and just like everyone says they are, They're amazing! She made it home to Orem safely, thank goodness, with all of her new baby gear. Love you Jen!

P.S. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of us together!

Just like I always say... Aves is crazy! She loves singing, mostly us singing to her, and her favorite song right now is "the wheels on the bus". Today she made up her own word for Grandpa says "Wuv Woo" a.k.a. Love you! So she will sing some thing like this "Gpa is Wuv woo a TOWN!" with lots of emphasis on the town part :)

She loves to "cheese" it to the camera then come look at the picture

CHEESE!

Patrick and I went snowboarding this past Sunday. We were getting ready the night before and Aves tried my boots on for size.

It was a super nice day! Only my second time and it showed! I suck so so bad, but thank heavens for a patent husband/teacher who listened to me whine and complain (and cry) all day how I suck and can't do it

Here he is! So cute! and check out that snow!

Patrick decided to capture the moment and take a picture at my meltdown. Second run, I was stuck on the cat track and so so frustrated that I couldn't even hold back the tears. But he helped me work through it and I kept on trying...and trying

Man I was tired!

Our second to the last run, we went up the face lift and Patrick says to me, "what run do you want to go on?" Like I knew so I just said I didn't care. He said, "alright, I'll take you on a medium one" Little did I know what he meant was a black diamond! Good thing there was so much fresh powder to cushion my fall down the mountain :)

Here are a few videos of Aves. Her and Patrick went to the store and brought home this orange frog. Apparently she was saying Rib-bout all through the store super loud so I was trying to get a little on camera.

At the end of this one she dances to Super Why, one of many favorite shows she has. Yep she watches a lot of TV, but I don't even care, so did I when I was little and I turned out just fine- P.S. Patrick taught her it was okay to dance on the coffee table, NOT me :)

2011-02-16T22:07:00.003-07:00

Oh my little Avery. She started saying, "woo-who" when she is trying to get your attention. So she will be like, "woo-hoo mommy" it's so funny! She is just turning into a little girl more and more everyday and it's quite the good time.

Some things to look forward to in the near future...

*Patrick is going to some big health conference soon in San Fransisco and I really want to go. I'm trying real hard to convince him. Anyone know of any good airline specials to San Fransisco. I told him I would just walk around by myself all day, I don't even care, I just need warm sunshine in my life ASAP.

*We are taking the annual road trip to Washington to visit my family in a few weeks. My sister is turning her dirty 30 so I really want to plan something special. Yeah, I know she will read this so at least she knows I had good intentions if it's not a spectacular event.

*We are taking another road trip to San Diego with Lindsey and Tayson and their baby in the end of April to visit my good friend Marnie. I'm excited to take Aves to Sea World and I would really like to take her to the zoo if there is time. She loves animals so much I know she would have a ball.

Oh how I would love to go to Costa Rica in the fall. We'll see if that one happens, but I really, really want to go!

USU Bridal Fair

2011-02-08T14:34:00.003-07:00

I exhibited GLO at the USU Bridal Fair on Saturday. Jade came with me and we had a blast! It really was fun meeting all the brides and networking with the other vendors.

This was my first show and I think I will try and attend as many others as I can because it was such a great time! We were there at 8:30am until 5:30pm, so it was a long day, but seriously the people there were pretty entertaining so it went by fast. We had the perfect spot right in front of the fashion show!

Avery and Patrick brought us lunch

I went back stage and sprayed this model before the second show. Crappy picture, but you get the idea :)

Miss Aves

2011-01-26T23:21:00.004-07:00

I can't even handle it! Look at how big my baby is getting! She is so funny! She still says "okay!" whenever she is really saying "yes". She doesn't say yes to anything it's always "OKAY!"

"Avery, do you want some noodles?"

"OKAY!"

"Avery, do you want to get into the bath?"

"OKAY!"

"Avery do you want to go night-night?"

"NOOO!"

So there are some exceptions to that rule I guess :)

We took her swimming at The Sports Academy pool last Sunday and to say she had a ball would be an understatement. I really want to teach her how to swim and I was talking to a friend about taking a mommy and me class or maybe just getting some mommies together and take them a few times a week?

Here she is in her swimmy suit

In the ciaos of trying to get her to pose for a picture I snapped a profile shot of the little bird. She's so skinny. I feed her I swear it!!

Look at this one! She is saying "cheese"

It's still obvious she looks like her daddy, but her hair color is starting to look like mine, so maybe there is hope after all.

Uh, I was debating on whether or not to put this video up because I look atrocious, but Avery talks super cute in it so here goes. Just ignore the make-up less, dark circle eyed creech in the background.

P.S. I need to start going to bed earlier! I used to laugh at my friends that had kids and stayed up so "late" but I can't even help it now. It's like when Aves goes to bed I get my second wind and get SO much done! It's "MY" time to do whatever I want! I'm lucky to get to bed before 12:00am anymore!

Check this out!

2011-01-16T21:34:00.002-07:00

Patrick re-vamped his website! It's pretty sweet! You can get workout ideas AND he shares his wealth of knowledge on any topic you can think of related to fitness.

So what are you waiting for?! Check it out!

www.fitcorefitness.com

uhh...

2011-01-12T16:08:00.003-07:00

This cold weather is really getting to me! I feel like doing nothing but curling up in my warm bed! Except that doesn't last too long because I have a 20 month old to take care of! Yeah that's right 20 months! I will officially have a two year old in 4 months! AND NO I'm not on the 2 year plan like a lot of ladies are so I will not be having another one any time soon. Those of you who know me or read this blog don't even bother to ask because I will not be changing my mind and I have a little device called an IUD so that means I am on the 5 or 6 year plan. Please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against having multiple children close in age, but it's just not for me. My mind and body can not handle it!

Uhhh... I do believe that S.A.D is hitting me a little early this year. It is either because it has been brutally cold or the sun hasn't been out in awhile or a combination of both.

Well at least I've got this little monster to keep my spirits up!
She has been saying "oh man!" and it is so dang cute!

A Little Secret

2011-01-04T21:04:00.003-07:00

Singing out loud in the car with the volume cranked to max capacity does wonders for the sole!

May I suggest Rhianna, Sugar Land, or Carrie Underwood?

I'm 26!

2011-01-03T21:28:00.005-07:00

This picture right here describes how my life is evolving around me. We all have babies! Pretty soon we will have two! Well some sooner than others (I fall into that "others" category.I'm not planning on having another baby anytime soon). Oh and my baby isn't a baby anymore.

Why is it that time is starting to fly past me? It's like when you have a child someone presses the fast forward button.

All in all life is good. I'm not saying its peachy all the time like some make it out to be. How does a woman manage being a great mom, an attentive wife, an outstanding employee, a successful business owner, a fabulous housekeeper, all the mean while having time to go to the gym so she can reach that impossible standard of perfection?

That's just it I guess. It's all an impossible standard of perfection that I will never reach, but I can sure try. As long as I am able stay happy and keep my sanity :)

Happy birthday to me! I'm looking forward to what this new year of life will bring! Hopefully some new adventures! Like a $66 dollar lunch called the Arnold Special in Mexico, or a $500 hidden down payment for a new car, or slapping a dog turd with the weed-wacker and it gives you a poo mustache! Good times.

P.S. If you have any tips on how to cope with life passing you by so quickly or how you manage your busy life's fill me in!

Bell Family Christmas!

2010-12-30T21:37:00.006-07:00

Christmas came and went just like it does every year. I did 99% of my Christmas shopping the week of Christmas just like I do every year (you would think I would learn my lesson). We also were able to spend ample time with both sides of the family just like we get to every year!

Christmas Eve we had a Mexican feast and played the Wii! This is Patrick's parents playing tennis :)

Aves and Daddy

Baby Kaylee (cutest little thing!)

This is how Avery woke up on Christmas morning!! Poor little dear, it takes her a minute to wake up in the morning so she wasn't ready to party quite yet.

She just needed me to fix her fro hair and have some mom time quick ;)

Unfortunately this is how most of my pictures turned out because she doesn't understand the hold still, smile and say cheese thing yet...we're working on that still

It's funny because last year she wasn't old enough to open them and care and this year she would open one and just want to play with that one. This is a perfect example of her playing with a present while the tree was still full of presents from Santa

She got this cool aqua doodle thingy

Patrick had a lot of fun playing with it

We went to Grandma and Grandpa Bell's for a yummy breakfast, but I forgot my camera!

Then we went to Grandma and Grandpa Jones for dinner and played with cousins. My pants are still tight from all the food we ate during Christmas.

Who does he look like?

All the kids had matching jammies and we tried to get one picture of them together.

and tried...

These two are so cute! They are only 5 months apart and they play so cute together!

oh Miss Aves!

Happy Birthday Patrick!!

Dec. 27th was Patrick's Birthday! Yep 2 days after Christmas! He turned the big 26!! Yikes we're getting old! We went to dinner and a movie, real low key, but it was still fun to have a night out.

p.s. This picture is from out honeymoon :)

GLO is now also available @ SARC!!

2010-12-28T20:01:00.005-07:00

I am so excited about this! Thanks to all of my friends and family for supporting me in this new business feature! It has been great so far and I can't wait for what the new year will bring!!

Glo Mobile Tanning is excited to announce its services are now also available at Sports Academy and Racquet Club on Wed. evenings from 4-9 and Sat. mornings from 9-2. Prior to partnering up with SARC, Glo Mobile Tanning was available through scheduled in-home appointments only. This has been most convenient to those clients who prefer to be spray tanned in the comfort of their own home. NOW clients also have the added convenience of GLO being offered at SARC which will be great for those just getting done with a work out or for those who are on the go and don’t have time to make an at-home scheduled appointment.

The cost will be $20.00 for a full body spray tan and your appointment can be scheduled through Sports Academy either by calling 435.753.7500 or through the front desk. Note: You do not have to be a SARC member to receive a GLO spray tan at the facility.

At-home appointments are $30.00 (or $25ea bring a friend discount)

For more information on Glo Mobile Tanning visit: www.glomobiletan.com or call 435.932.5642

Winter Time, Singing, and Elk

2010-12-20T22:27:00.004-07:00

Have I mentioned I would like it to be spring time yet? Yep, I have had enough winter time.

Patrick and I have been working a lot and I think it is taking its toll on little Avery. She gets so sad when either of us leave her. Even if it's with Grandma and Grandpa. Or even if it is just me and Patrick leaves or I leave her with Patrick. It doesn't matter she gets so upset. I feel so guilty, but I try and think that hopefully soon I will be able to just work for myself, quit my 11-4 and spend more time with my little baby. I miss her, even though she is such a handful!

Believe it or not Avery has starting catching on to the words of songs and singing them in the car. Well I call singing, but take "teenage dream" by Katy Perry for example, she loves this song and every time Katy sings a word that she knows like "me" or "dance" Aves will sing that word. It's the funniest thing!

Christmas will be here soon and I still haven't got Patrick a present! Ahhh... I know! Any ideas for the Man you has everything?

My boss took us on a little Christmas activity to see the Elk up Hardware Ranch. You get on a sleigh type thingy and two huge horses pull a group of you onto this field where they feed the Elk during the winter so they don't come down to the Valley looking for food.

Aves was all bundled up

Although you can't see in this picture there actually were a few hundred up there

Avery...Meet Santa

2010-12-12T18:01:00.002-07:00

As you can see... it didn't go over so well :) She was dieing to meet him. While we were in line she kept asking to get down so she could walk over to him and she kept saying "more Santa, more Santa". Then this is what happened when they finally met.

Deck the Halls...and the Baby

2010-12-11T13:14:00.004-07:00

Aves had fun playing in the Christmas decorations last weekend

On a side note she LOVES to wear socks on her hands. I can't keep them on her feet anymore! OH and hats, but that's nothing new

18 Months!

2010-12-04T20:40:00.003-07:00

First, can I say that I hate winter! Why do I continue to live in a place where it gets so cold, has so much snow, and gets dark @ like 4:30PM! I am going to be a good little Christmas spirited person and put my decorations up tomorrow. I guess it is time to take the acorn reef off of the door. Maybe I'm in a little bit of denial? Or maybe I am lazy and don't want to get everything out? Who knows? My co-worker said to me yesterday, "Mandy! You have a child!" like I am robbing my 18 month old of Christmas :) I thought that was pretty funny! Anyway, enough of my Scroogness!

Yep, My baby is a a year and a half now! She had her check up last week and weighed in @ 21 lbs! Which still places her in the 10th percentile. She has always been a little runt I guess.

She does the cutest things! Like tonight I let out a huge burp and she looked at me and said, "besh you mommy" I guess she thought I sneezed? It made me and Patrick laugh.

When we are driving in the car she loves to listen to Katy Perry, Riahanna, and or Bob Marley. There are a few certain songs that she has taken a liking too, like Teenage Dream. When it's over she says, "Mo,Mo,Mo" until you play it again (or more).

Here she is dancing to it...

She loves to bounce on balls. She says "bounthy, bounthy, bounthy"

We got quite a bit of snow last weekend and it was Avery's first time playing in it. She was so dang cute in all of her snow gear!

Merry Christmas!!!

Check this out!

2010-11-25T20:56:00.005-07:00

We finally got a scanner/printer so I was able to scan a few old photos in. Remember the good old days when you took a picture and had to go get it developed? These are from those days :)

Our first apartment!

Just FYI, this was a joke! we weren't really that proud of our calves.

Aww Jr. Prom

A fun photo shoot we did with Patrick's brother so he could practice taking engagement pictures. Little did we know a few years later we would be posing for the real thing!

MAN! We were just pups then

Some Pictures of Aves

2010-11-07T10:03:00.006-07:00

My very talented friend Shawn Loveland Rodeback took some pictures of Aves. I have to be the proud mom and post these cute pictures...

click here to see more!

Good News!

2010-11-04T17:00:00.004-06:00

Good news! We don't have to pay the $500!!I found out yesterday and I was so happy! I got a call from Grinner and he said it was their fault and they are going to cover it!

I still think I will read anything I sign from here on! Even if it is Patrick selling me something! Mistakes happen I guess, but at least they righted their wrong and I can learn a valuable lesson!

Jen asked me to post a picture of the GLO mobile so here it is! It's naked still without the half wrap, but that will come shortly.

Halloween

2010-11-02T22:28:00.003-06:00

Aves was a butterfly for Halloween! It was rainy and cold, so we only took her to a few houses. We went over to Patrick's mom's house for some Halloween Chili mmm... (lets be honest. If you read my blog below, I am not in the best mood right now and I probably shouldn't be writing about stuff that is supposed to be happy) Oh well...

This still makes me happy! This is sweet baby Kaylee (Patrick's brother's new baby, she was Tinkerbell) I love her!

Here is my baby! This is how most of her pictures turn out because she is always on the move :)

ahh.. gotcha!

So this cute costume has a hood, but she hated it! I managed to catch a little bit of her wearing ot on camera.

You Live and You Learn!

2010-11-02T21:42:00.004-06:00

I am writing about this because I don't want it to happen to anyone else! There is a saying that people that are older are wiser. Well that is because they have lived longer and have been through things that teach them lessons about life. My new life lesson learned... read something before you sign it!

If you haven't seen or heard Patrick and I have recently became owners of a beautiful new Nissan Cube! Now to all you NEH Sayers... this is the coolest car ever, so say whatever you want, it won't hurt my feelings, I freakin' love this car!

Let me fill you in on how we got bamboozled again! Almost like the Arnold Special, but like 8x worse!

It all started when we were heading to Park City for our 4th year anniversary. We were in the market for a Cube so we decided to stop by a highly recommended Nissan Dealership in Ogden-Ken Garff Nissan. We only wanted to do a quick drive through, but a salesman spotted us and asked us some questions. Before we new it we were about to test drive a new "chocolate" cube. The salesman, Dan, a.k.a beard, new that we only wanted a black cube so it was just to get a feel for the cube sense we had never been inside one.
Beard went to go get his supervisor to check out our car to get an estimated trade in amount. Turns out his supervisor was an old family friend that used to come to my lake cabin in Washington, we called him Grinner back then. So after some catching up, Grinner said he would take care of us since we were family. I hate car dealers, they all seem shady, but with Grinner I felt safe, like him, Patrick and I were all in the circle of trust together.
A week later we were driving back down to Ogden to go pick up our new black Cube. I was super excited! Grinner had to leave early and said we would be taken care of. He said that Beard would explain everything to us and we were in good hands. We went through all the normal paperwork stuff... you know, sign here, sign there, this is what it means, blah blah blah. and 3 hours later we were headed back home to Logan.

WELL... last night I get a call from the finance guy saying that we need to send them a check for our $500 down payment that we owed! Hmmm... there must be some kind of mix up, is what I thought. I remember Grinner saying there was a $500 rebate from Nissan for buying a new cube and I thought that was what he must be talking about. Patrick called him back and told him about the rebate and we went to bed thinking everything was okay...WRONG.

Patrick got a call this morning from Beard saying that we did owe $500.00 for a down payment. Guess what!? We actually did! Patrick got out the original paperwork and it said in addition to the rebate that we were supposed to also give them another $500 bucks! We both tried calling Grinner all day today without a return call. Finally I just spoke with Beard tonight and asked him if it was a common practice at Ken Garff Nissan of Ogden to not tell their customers they are supposed to pay a down payment then call them up a week and a half later demanding that they drive down to Ogden to deliver a check! I was livid! Of course to the point that I was in tears.

So here's the thing... Shame on me for not reading the paperwork before I signed it! Stupid, stupid mistake on my part. BUT shame on them for never mentioning that we were supposed to pay one. Had I known that was going to be a stipulation I would have said NO DEAL.

I told them I was going to pay it, I obviously have to, I "agreed" it. But should I? Do I just take it? I'm in a fighting mood and feel the need to take this to Ken Garff himself :)

What would you do?

It's Fall!

2010-10-24T12:51:00.006-06:00

It has been abnormally warm here the last few weeks, but I think Fall officially set in this weekend!

I've been super busy getting GLO Mobile Tanning off the ground, but it is steadily getting busier so I'm very excited! I'm going to try and not post about the business on this blog though. I don't want it to seem like an advertisement :)

Here are a few pictures of our soon to be 18 month old! Oh my... that is hard to even type. She's is getting too big. Our little Monster! Some new things she says..."oh no!" like when she knocks over blocks or spills something. "Stars, hug, apple" and lots more.

That's our daughter!

We attempted to go to the pumpkin walk in North Logan, but it was a ZOO! So we just went home... boo

She's obsessed with this bouncy ball

We found her these little monster feet slippers-how appropriate

Look @ that snot nose kid! She's had a runny nose for like 2 weeks now!

4 Years of Wedded Bliss!

2010-10-13T22:08:00.007-06:00

Today marks our 4 year anniversary! Man are we getting old or what! Have I ever blogged about how Patrick proposed? Hmmm...I don't think I have, but if I have then go ahead and skip past this post altogether.

It was 4th of July weekend and my sister and nephew Drew were visiting from Washington. I think it was a Saturday night and we went to the "Cache Valley Cruz-in" and decided to go eat Chinese at Mandarin Garden. Bad Idea! My sister and I both got food poisoning and with-out going into detail...to this day that is the worst I have ever had it!

This was that night @ Mandarin

Anyway the next night we were all at my Mom's house in Hyrum and I was out playing with my little Drew, and still not feeling very well, my stomach was a wreck! My sister called us in and said Patrick wanted to "show me something"

I went inside and Patrick said he made a scrapbook for me. I remember thinking "a scrapbook?" But I sat down next to him and started looking through the book. It was so cute! It had our school dance pictures and just random moments we had while dating. Then I turn the last page and see a picture like this... (this isn't the exact picture used, but it is pretty close. It's from the same photo shoot done by his brother at the tux shop :)

I looked at him and he was smiling and my family was all "ohhhh". Of course they all knew. He got down and one knee and said, "Mandy will you marry me?" I said YES of course and the rest is history!

This was right after he proposed. Ha! Patrick looks kind of tired huh?

I had no idea this was coming by the way. Yeah we dated for like 4 years, but we never put a timeline on when we were going to tie the knot. He picked out the ring (which I love) and planned this scrapbook proposal all without me suspecting a thing! Which is hard to do because I am kind of notorious for ruining surprises.

It's kind of lame when your anniversary falls on a Wednesday, so we are going to wait until the weekend and go to Park City. Patrick did get me some beautiful flowers today delivered to my work. How sweet!

Oh, and I got him a new wedding band. He lost his two months after we were married... but that is another post I will save for a different day :)

So Long, Fair Well!

2010-10-08T21:50:00.002-06:00

I think this marks a major milestone, not so much in Avery's life, but in mine and Patrick's life that we have no more bink or bottle! Hallelujah! No more washing bottles or searching for binks behind the couch, crib, or other random places they would end up.

It has actually been a few weeks, but I kept them around just to make sure we didn't have any emergencies. And I hate to admit this, but I am sure the bottle thing could have been long gone before now if it wasn't for me. I love the cuttle time that the bottle would force Avery to have with me!

This is how it happened, all by accident! It was easier then I thought. Avery was teething a few weeks ago and couldn't suck on her bink because she was all stuffed up so she couldn't breath. So she got used to falling asleep without it and BAM it was gone just like that. The bottle was just as easy. I noticed that she stopped asking for it a long time ago, but like I said I kept giving it to her for my own selfish reasons. Then she just stopped drinking it. She had no more interest so I stopped giving it to her and she has never asked for it again. She will sign and say milk still, but is just as satisfied drinking it from a sippie

I always thought I would get to do some cute thing with the bink like send it to the angels with a balloon, or whatever. Oh well

Rub-a-Dub-dub

2010-09-30T20:31:00.002-06:00

Aves is 16 months now. My Mom said she thinks Avery skipped 1 1/2 and went straight to 2! See I told ya :)

Aves is as spunky as ever! She climbs up onto anything she can reach with her little legs. She is still pooping in the tub, but not as often, thank heavens! My mom watched her the other night and she pooped in the tub, and before my mom could snatch her out of the tub she put some in her mouth! Ahhhh! I know...totally disgusting.! Apparently Aves thought so too because she threw up several times. "Projectile vomiting" as my Mom described it. So my mom had to clean up poo and up-chuck all while I just went to the store for like 30 min.!

She is talking more now. Mostly in her own language, but there are a few words that she says very well like Turtle and baby. Of course still Momma, Daddy, banana, bubba (Bangle), cereal, Nanee (My Mom), Grandpa, Grandma and a few others I am sure I forgot. Oh and "no,no,nono,no. She tells me this all the time. She is still signing and knows more than I think is necessary. I mean who really needs to know the sign for boat?

So there ya go, there is the 16 month update!

Here is Avery and her Daddy

This is Avery and her cousin Dawson in the tub together. They'll love this one in about 12 years!

Home Sweet Home

2010-09-25T08:18:00.005-06:00

I went to Atlanta this week, 21-24, and boy and I glad to be home with my family. I knew I would miss them, but didn't know I would miss them THAT much. I went for a Franchise Development Conference for work and although I was in class a ton I also had a few hours for some "self reflection". I haven't had that much time completely alone for a long while so it was weird at first, but I think I made the most of it (p.s. it was only a few hours a day).

Here is the thing... I think I have a little Berry adventure spirit inside me. My Dad had it, always wanting to move around to different places, never could stay in one spot for too long. My Grandma Berry told be her Dad had that same bug. So I think I may have a little of it in me too because I am always itching to move out of Logan and see other places. Don't get me wrong, I still feel that way a little, but boy did I miss my safe little town while I was in the big city! Is it just me or do people hate their life in Atlanta? I think about 95% of the people that helped me either at the airport, target, the mall, etc. acted like they hated their job so bad and were just plain rude! I'm sorry that I want an Oreo explosion shake? I'm sorry that you work here so you are the one that is supposed to make it, but don't be mean to me because I want a little ice cream.

My boss kept saying, "you can take the girl out of Logan..." I really have lived here too long. I forget how the "real world" can be. Logan truly is a sheltered place to live, that is a good and a bad thing is some ways.

I missed Patrick and Avery so much and it was only 4 days! My mom was watching Avery on Thursday afternoon and she asked be if I wanted to talk to her. I said yes so she gave Aves the phone. Aves said, "momma, momma" and I immediately without warning started crying! I never thought I would have that reaction. Then on the plane last night I looked out the window, saw the mountains as we were getting closer, and started crying again! I was just so happy to almost be home! THEN, I was at the baggage claim and lost it again when Patrick called! Yikes I was a wreck :)

So in summary, I missed my family, I missed Logan, I loved and hated the big city, OH and the Ritz is over rated! Who pays $400+ a night to stay in a room that looks like it was decorated in the mid 80's with gold and floral? GAG!

Chelsey and I at dinner

I met Jack! Just kidding, he was a look-a-like. Pretty close though huh?

walking from the mall, back to the hotel

Jeff and Ryan, waiting for our car to pick us up

Yeah we had a lot of fun because we're all goofballs!

A Few Things

2010-09-19T20:03:00.004-06:00

The Glo Open House was a success! Thanks to everyone that came and helped spread the word. I am loving this new business venture! It's like I get to hang out with friends and meet new people all while getting paid and making them feel good because they are tan.

Avery's molars gave us a break this weekend from her crabbiness, thank goodness, and here is a short little blip with her wearing my glasses and trying to find her daddy to show him.

Terrible 15 months?

2010-09-12T09:01:00.003-06:00

Is that how the saying goes? Well it does in our house!

At what age do you start time-out? We've got a problem on our hands here people... Avery has started to hit me. Yep, she will open hand slap my face (or anywhere else she can reach) when she is angry or frustrated. If course I tell her not to hit and try to find something to divert her attention away from whatever is making her upset, but she has actually thrown a few tantrums. I mean on the full on throwing herself on the floor while kicking kind of tantrums! I was so shocked the first time it happened.

What to do...what to do?

It's GLO time...

2010-09-05T11:34:00.006-06:00

I'm starting a business! That's right...I'm starting a business! After weeks and weeks of research, practice, more research, more practice, and testing different products I am ready to launch GLO Mobile Tanning.

Lots of people have asked, "Mandy what made you want to start this?" I had the idea when I was at the Fireworks at Willow Park on the 24th of July. Patrick and I saw a car with a window decal that said Mobile Tanning. I said, "We don't have a Mobile Tanning business here? Well I guess we do, but I didn't know about it?" Patrick and I were just joking around like we always do about starting businesses and then we didn't talk about again. Until a few weeks later I saw a segment on the TODAY show about a young girl that started a website called Operation Beautiful. She didn't look to be much older than me and she was being interviewed by good old Meredith Vieira about her new book she wrote. I thought if this young girl can start something...why can't I? I instantly thought of the mobile tanning idea. Yeah sure we had someone here doing it, but they obviously weren't very good marketers because I had never heard of it. That is how GLO was born! I have been doing research on the business of mobile tanning, buying samples of any solution ever made, testing them on Patrick :) and other friends and family, and am excited to get started making people look and feel good about themselves.

First step in launching a business is having a launch party and guess what! You are all invited!

GLO Open House Launch Party!

When: Thursday 16th, 5:00pm-8:00pm

Where: My House (call or email me for directions)

How much: $15.00 (HALF OFF!) OR bring a friend and get sprayed for $10.00 each! (Keep in mind this is crazy discounted because I normally charge $30)

**I will set up the spray tent in a private room so don't feel like you will be out in the open in front of everyone.

email me if you would like more info mandy@glomobiletan.com... or call me @ 435-932-5642.

Don't forget to ask me how you can get your tan for free by hosting your own party.

If you can't make it that's okay! Give me a call or shoot me an email and I would be happy to come to your house and make you tan there!

Some things to know:

Before you GLO

DO shower and exfoliate your entire body. You should be free of all deodorant, make-up, moisturizers, and perfumes
DO make sure any waxing or shaving is done at least a few hours before tanning.
DO wear a dark colored bathing suit (or your garment, if any, of preference) to tan in. The solution washes out of most clothing, but tends to stain light nylon and other light synthetic materials.
DO wear dark, loose clothing and shoes to your appointment. Avoid white clothing and tight jeans.

After you GLO

DO wait at least 8-12 hours before showering after your tanning session.
DO apply moisturizer, morning and evening. Hydrated skin makes your tan last longer.
DO take showers instead of baths. Baths can accelerate exfoliation and fade your tan.
DO NOT sit directly on leather or light colored fabric right after your session. It is best to sit on a cloth or towel.
DO NOT exercise or get wet until after your post tan shower. Avoid water altogether until your first shower.
DO NOT exfoliate until your tan has faded completely. Exfoliating will make your skin appear blotchy.
DO NOT freak out! Your tan is not washing off! When you do shower the first time the cosmetic dye will wash off revealing your new GLO tanned skin underneath. The tan left behind will gently and gradually fade until your next exfoliation. Your skin type affects how often you need to tan. Dryer skin exfoliates faster, so hydrating with lotion between sessions is essential to keep your tan GLO-ing.
Do know that you are lookin’ hot! You have a healthy GLO now that will not prematurely age your skin or cause cancer.

A Funny Patrick Story!

2010-09-02T21:20:00.004-06:00

I hope this will sound as funny written out as it was in person because what Patrick did last weekend was so damn funny!

He had just finished mowing the back lawn and started weed wacking the edges. I was inside feeding Avery Mac and Cheese (her favorite!). The windows were open because it was so nice and windy last weekend and it was great to get some fresh air blowing through the house. Our kitchen window is facing the backyard so I could hear Patrick out back wacking those weeds, when all of the sudden the sound of the weed wacker stops and Patrick says , "oh gosh" in a most disgusted way. Then heard him turn on the hose and and then he started gagging! I was laughing of course and asking what happend, but he had his headphones on and couldn't hear me.
He comes inside a little while later and I asked what happened. Turns out while he was weed wacking he slapped a dog turd and it flung up and hit him in the face! Not just anywhere on his face though ... it was a poo mustache right under his nose! So he rushed over to the hose to try and wash it off, but the smell was too much and he started to gag!

Good one huh?! You gotta love him