This is me shouting from the rooftop!

I PASSED MATH!!!!

Can you believe it?

I almost can't.

But, I did. It's no exaggeration when I say it is nothing less than a miracle. Sometimes I wonder if I even have a left side to my brain.

I passed! Which means I am finished with my degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Social Work. I hope to use it in a career someday, but for now I'm just excited to be a wife and a mom and to get to my "after school ends" to do list like wipe down the kitchen walls and vacuum.

It may be the size of a postage stamp

but, Owen has managed to thoroughly enjoy our backyard this summer! Not a day goes by that he doesn't go to the bathroom cupboard and return with a swim diaper for me to put on him. I'm gonna miss the days of sitting on the steps observing his endless imagination. I love watching him lay down on his tummy and splash like crazy, Cause in his mind he's doing exactly what he sees the big kids do at the big pool.

Helping Grandpa Peters fix the sprinklers.

I've loved this summer so much. Over the last 3 months Owen went from baby to boy. He's as busy as ever and makes my life happy. Here are some updates on him:

No more bottle. It made me sad, but had to be done. We'll hold off on the binki for a while.

He loves trucks. He knows and recognizes the difference between all different kinds. When we're driving he'll sporadically yell out "big rig" or "digger" or "dump truck" or "fork lift".

He loves to sing at night. He'll ask for "tempo", "shine", "beap" or "Gog" ( I Love to see the Temple, I am like a Star Shining Brightly, Sun Beam, and I am a Child of God)

We went to a BYU scrimmage a week ago, and ever since he has been asking for a helmet. We have a little toy helmet that he has been so frustrated doesn't fit him. he'll balance the teeny tiny thing on his head, and gets sad when it falls off. I told him maybe he'll get his own helmet for his birthday. Now he asks for it every morning when he wakes up (must be dreaming about it) and through out the day. "Owie, hemet, white, pease" He has to wait a whole two weeks, and we somehow have to find a white helmet. Any ideas?

Him cracking up

We had a fabulous weekend spent at the farmer's market, playing in the back yard, napping in our beds, enjoying the Orem Owls game, and playing at Grandma Bell's.

These pictures of Owen cracking up, crack me up! He has 7 little cold sores right now, a few canker sores, and tender bloody gums, so there hasn't been much cracking up in the last few days. He displays his sadness and pain through tantrums, and kicking & screaming...it's been hard to remember to sympathize when he's acting that way.

I'm so sorry Owen that I gave you my cold sore genes, and I kissed you way too much while I had my own.

Looking forward to hearing that laugh again!

Please excuse

The 7 thousand pictures of Bear Lake!!

This reunion is something I look forward to and love every year. 2010 was no different. All my pictures are of just the Bell family, but it was so great to spend time with Ellertson aunts, uncles, cousins and all their cute kids as well. All the fun on the water, playing in the sand, eating a lot, chatting and laughing late in to the night will hold me over until next year. Those of you who weren't there were so missed!

What Owen's been up to

Seeing Toy Story 3

I always told myself I wouldn't take my kids to a movie theater until they asked for it. For selfish reasons really. I'd much rather pay $1 and enjoy a dvd on my cozy clean couch with my own snacks, than pay a boat load to sit in a much too loud (I always get a head ache) much to cold theater where my feet get claustrophobic, sitting on an infested seat next to someone who usually chews funny or breaths loud.

This one was worth it! Cute movie, and Owen was glued!

Camping with the fam

We went down to the lake and threw rocks. Owen could have done it for days. We'll have to go again. He was in absolute heaven being in the outdoors with Ma Bumpa and his two aunts.

Enjoying the fountains at Gateway with Claire.

Cute little Claire was a little braver than Owen.

Loving his cousins and the horses on the Beus ranch.

Relaxing

Mally

She's on a flight to the other side of the country to be a nanny for a whole year.

Her sweetness, laugh, painted nails and presence will be missed like crazy.

She's brave to go, and I'm so proud of her.

The family she's going to be staying with is in for a treat! They have no idea how lucky they are to be getting the best nanny ever.

She's gonna love those kids like nobody else. Cause that's what Mally does. She gives lots of love!

I love you Mal!

The 4th

Breakfast with the Peters

Dinner with the Bells

Oh, and I made the worlds best S'more.

(despite what my Dad may tell you)

I Hope your holiday was great too!

"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore."

Letter from John Adams to his wife Abigail

July 3, 1776