i date

Seriously, I love our house and I love that we moved, but I have a complaint. Why couldn't I pack up my friends, throw them in the moving truck, and take them with me? I'd take any of my wymount buddies, freshman girlies, the whole dredge family, some el/ed ladies, a few accounting wives, any or all of Wes's mission buddies and their wives. But, here we are forced to dig in and make some new friends.
It feels soo much like dating.
Oh man, I thought I was done with that whole part of my life. Does this girl like talking to me? Do we have anything in common? Is she just being nice? Does she already have a bunch of friends and isn't in the market for new ones? Will our relationship even work in the long run? (okay, I promise I don't over analyze like this I'm simply making a point.)
Well, I took the plunge.
Tonight is my "first date" with a girl in our neighborhood who moved in about the same time as we did. (oh my gosh should I wear my purple dress or my black skirt?) The plan: dinner with our stake at the church and the relief society broadcast right after (it's going to blow her mind I know and she'll stay up late talking to her husband about how much fun she had). Here's to making new friends and starting over...again.

where we go

How do stay-at-home moms fill up their days and at the same time keep their little tots from digging their head into the ground and rubbing it all over the carpet in boredom? (yes, Halle has done this on several occasions). What do you do when every book has been read, every song has been sung, and every toy has been played with, or when you just need to get out of the house (seriously, I need some new ideas)? Our old hang out was the Provo temple, but since the move we have found a new place where we just go when there is nowhere else to go. Thanksgiving Point is just down the road from us and they let you roam around their beautiful gardens without paying a cent. I get to sit and enjoy the lovely greenery and Halle gets to run around to her hearts content, all made much more enjoyable by the beautiful September weather.

augustus gloop

oh what joy mini m&m's can bring
augustus attacks!
she seriously ate almost the whole can and definitely did not "save some for later."

new favorite

Halle has found her favorite spot in the house. Last week Wes put together this little bookshelf from ikea for her room. As soon as I put her books inside it she was sitting on the ground flipping pages and pulling out one book after another, having her own little read-a-thon. Thank you ikea for lowering your prices so this sweet little girl could have a reading nook just for her.

snuggle

I love the rain. I love that the sun is behind the clouds making everything a little bit gray. I love to see my little kikster running around in her navy blue peacoat slipping and sliding on the wet grass, and loving every minute of it. But mostly I love taking her inside, wrapping her up in a blanket with me, snuggling and getting warm, and listening to her giggle at "melmo" (also known as sesame street if you don't speak Halle). I love the rain.

the inspirational poster business

be yourself
*Not very original I know. Perhaps you can come up with something better?

her name in lights

Our beautiful sister Andrea has moved to NYC to pursue her dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer. She will be finishing high school out there and taking classes at the School of American Ballet. We are going to miss her, but couldn't be more proud of how hard she has worked to get there. You heard it here first, this girl is headed to the top. Love you Andi.

obedience

welcome to a night at the bell home

*as a parent, how do you keep from laughing?

hogle zoo

We had been prepping Halle all week for her first trip to the zoo. She would listen so intently as we would tell her about all the animals we would see there. One time she even ran to the door and said "zoo." Although our trip was almost derailed by a freak food poisoning incident the day before, we were able to keep our promise to her.

Her chariot:

The biggest hits were definitely the bears and the elephant. She made up her own sign for elephant where she raises her arm like an elephant's trunk and makes an elephant noise:

Had to take a walk down memory lane. Been there, done that. What Utah kid hasn't?:

High points: watching Halle's reaction to all the animals, train ride, running around in the burrow, discovery land park, watching the carousel. Low points: the heat, didn't see a lion, some animals were hidden in the corners to escape the heat. Couldn't believe the zoo is actually $1 cheaper than the dinosaur museum at thankgiving point and probably much more fun.

so long...

sweet summer.back to school.

*at least the sunshine is sticking around awhile. can you tell i am from st. george?