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

Wasatch Back

Last weekend I was able to run the Ragnar Wasatch back. It was quite the experience. Everything went pretty smoothly other than the idiot who slept in and made the whole team over an hour late ( I am so sorry!). It was challenging and exhausting, but so fun and very worth it. My aunt described it perfectly as being like pregnancy. She said it's so hard and you never want to do it again. Then it's over and you forget about the hard part and can't wait for the next time. My team consisted of cousins and my aunt Kristen. We were named Un. Bell. eivable, and ran in the the honor of Grandma and Grandpa Bell.

It was such a blast to spend two days and a night squished in a car with some of my favorite people. Thank you to my awesome cousin for founding and owning this amazing race. As a first time runner, I was overwhelmed, impressed and so proud of him. What an amazing idea to make running a team sport. Pretty cool to think that as a family we ran from Logan to Park City. 188 miles!!

I ran 3 legs. A total of 15 miles. My favorite leg that I ran was at midnight in the farm land of Morgan. The stars were bright, the air was crisp, other than the sound of Sprinklers it was silent. It was heavenly.

Thank you to all my teammates for the conversations and laughs. You guys worked so hard in organizing. I just got out of the car and ran, when I was told to do so. Maybe next time I can be a little more help...or at least get out of bed on time. I love you all!!!

What's new in our family?

Nothing too exciting. But I always tell you all about it anyway right?

Soccer: Lots of World Cup going on at our house. How 'bout yours? Owen couldn't be happier. He'd rather watch "gocca" than Tigger and Pooh.

Treavor's calling: Nursery leader! can you believe it? He's with two other men, and they chose the right guys for the job! I walked in on Sunday to get something from Treav, to find three tall men with their hands on their head singing head shoulders knees and toes, with 10-12 munchkins staring blankly back. I love it!

The wreath on my door and runner on my table: I had a craft night with Treavor's mom and sisters. Always a good time!! I love my new creations that took a lot of help from all 7 of the other women.

Pimples: I break out when I'm stressed. I have multiple zits almost as big as the one on my chin in my 8th grade photo. And that my friends is sayin' something. I remember my mom trying to convince me that the giant blemish was cute and a sign of "youth and adolescence" or something like that. I almost believed her!

Perma-pigtails: My hair has been, and will continue to be in teeny tiny pony tails until it is over the awkward-growing out stage. It could be a while, but that's ok, I've

always liked ponytails.

Blue walls: we painted our kitchen. It took me 3 years to get around to it. Never in my life have I chosen the exact color I envisioned, until now. I love it.

Visits with Bodie: Telisa is in town with her cute boys, and Treavor and Telisa took them to the aquarium. Owen was a little apprehensive about some of the animals he saw. How cute is Bodie's obsession with ears? Treavor said the second he picked him up, his hand went straight to his ear.

"Bolf"': Owen is loving golf. before he plays he puts a hat on. He always takes two practice swings, and then hits the ball.

Thank Goodness it's Friday!

Today we went to the gas station to get a treat. We both chose blue tootsie pops.

When I told Owen it's called a sucker, he put it up to his foot and started kicking it.

Soccer is his latest obsession.

We ate them in the front yard.

Owen was happy.

Some Thoughts

I'm loving the weather. We've slept with the windows open for the last few weeks. That is my favorite part of this time of year! rain falling sporadically, wind blowing, the sound of the train on the nearby track, the smell of the dark crisp night, and the birds chirping in the morning. It makes me sleep better, wake up happier, and enjoy my day more. Spring is my favorite.

Pillsbury should make a toaster strudel with no jelly filling. Can you imagine? Just warm greasy bread with icing on top. YUM!

Owen has been at such a fun stage. He's starting to remember and talk about things we do. He used to only want to do something when I brought it up, but now he's having ideas of his own all the time.

• We borrowed my father in law's truck and Owen was in HEAVEN! every time we see a truck on the road he says "WOW, CUCK!" To actually ride in one, was pretty amazing for him. a few days later he was sitting in his high chair eating, looked up at me and said "Bumpa CUCK!".
• Throughout the day if he ever gets a little bored he'll come to me with his hands in the airand in a really high pitched voice say "eeeeh moke?" (where's the remote?), informing me that he want's to watch TV.
• A couple days ago, out of the blue he said "pease, Ninnie, Adews?" He wanted to play with Kinnie and Andrew. Considering that they had a moving truck parked in their driveway, the timing brought me to tears.

I've been enjoying my internship with DCFS. I think in the last couple weeks, I've learned more than I do in most college courses.

• I've been doing a lot of shadowing of child protective services. I get a little peace of my heart broken every day, and have learned that I could never have that particular position as a career (3 weeks down, 5 to go). but thank goodness for agencies and people who make an effort to help these poor children. Seeing all these abuse cases, have pretty much wiped away my fears of being an inadequate mother. They also make my prayers a little more thankful for my life and childhood.
• Owen is so taken care of. He gets to go to the park with Grandma and aunts all the time, his days are full of sandboxes, slides, treats, rock throwing, rivers, extra bottles, visiting Lindie at school lunch, and anything else he might rub his chest for (please).
• Treavor is a sport. He's pretty much been running the show around here when he gets home from work...dishes, laundry, and putting Owen down.

We're glad Owen got a haircut.

(Don't worry, this is the "before")