mermaid shark

Halle has a favorite movie.
It is called "mermaid shark."
At least that is what she calls it.
You may know it as "The Little Mermaid."
She named it "mermaid shark" because one of her favorite parts is where the shark is chasing Ariel and Flounder.
Another favorite part is when Ariel's dad gets mad and breaks all of her treasures in her grotto. She has named that part "dada mad."

She is definitely a drama seeker. We may have a future drama queen in the making.
She laughs hysterically when Ariel is in the castle and Sebastian is being washed with the clothes.
She sings like Ariel and sometimes holds her throat like the sea witch is taking her voice out.
I am trying to find anything Ariel at the stores, but the little mermaid is one under appreciated princess who can't compete with the likes of Cinderella or Belle.
And probably with good reason.

She doesn't have very many redeeming qualities. She disobeys her super buff dad. She wants to be something she is not. She bargains with a seriously scarydevil octopus witch. And puts her friends in danger for some guy.
However, putting all cynical analysis aside, Halle loves her mermaid shark so I will continue to feed the obsession any way I can.

happy birthday

Grandma Bell!

Remember how you always have a stash of mimmy's for Halle?

Remember how Wes wanted to marry you when he was 7 because you were just that amazing?

Remember how you are a big reason Wes is the wonderful husband and dad he is?

Remember how you let us live with you while Wes did his internship?

Remember how you sew and alter Wes's clothing because I can't sew at all?

Remember how you are the most wonderful in-laws anybody could ever ask for?

Remember how you are super mom and can do everything?

Seriously I can't think of anything you can't do.

We love you!

and how are we doing?

How am I doing on my goals for the year?

Time for my monthly check up.

• Attend the temple at least once a month: Made it, in the middle of the month, and even went to a new temple. Go us.
• Eat better: ...ummm...don't worry, I fell off the wagon for awhile, but today I am back.
• Read some classics: Finished Anna Karenina. Three words that describe that book would probably have to be--adultery, politics, farming. Only one more classic left (Sense and Sensibility) on my have to read list and thanks to my lovely friend Katie, I have many more classics waiting for me that I am so excited to dive into.
• Plan a trip: Still in the works. We may need to plan something closer to home and go somewhere that isn't "all about the benjamins, baby." Kind of a wait and see thing.
• Learn to bake something: Successfully made chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, and peanut butter cookies. I am getting the cookie thing down. I also conquered my mom's amazing salsa, which I should share sometime although it may be too good to share.
• Serve my family, neighbors, and young women: Does lending eggs and vanilla count as serving? I volunteered to teach the young women a hula this week at our mutual luau. I think that is going above and beyond the call of duty folks. My hips don't lie.
• Do pilates: ...hmmm... about that...
• Teach Halle to share: Halle actually did really well this month in nursery and with her little buddies, not so much crying, but definitely much more violent this month with hitting and shoving.
• Be lovely: I got most of our mountain of laundry washed and folded. I think that makes me the most lovely woman of all.

happy birthday

to our little cousin Jake!

one year old and cute as can be.

make sure you really go to town on your birthday cake.

once you are older it is not quite as cute to really rub your face in it.

can't even tell you how much little halle adores you.

she can't get enough of the videos of you.

she talks about you and your binky all the time.

and when she calls someone on her phone it is almost always you.

We love you!

going national

What? You didn't know that my mother in law is an author and writes wonderful books?

One of my favorites was the first book in her Butterfly Box series. I couldn't put it down.

What? You didn't know one of her books is going national?

Now you do know.

March 16th is the release date for her young adult novel called "Summer in Paris."

Sounds fun and European doesn't it? And I bet you're already imagining the fun a girl can have in France (unless you're in the movie Taken).

Better make sure you know which Paris she is talking about.

Did you know about the little town called Paris in the state of Idaho?

What could ever happen there?

You're intrigued aren't you?

Michele Ashman Bell is one fabulous author. Seriously, I read a lot so I should know.

And I am not just saying that because she is my MIL. She really is an entertaining and thoughtful writer and we are so excited for her newest NATIONAL release!

You want to know more about this amazing lady? Click here and you can check out her blog.

You want to know more about this new book? Click here and you can read a little more about the book and you can also pre-order your very own copy.

Just do it. You know you want to.

when you love someone

you will sit outside freezing your tail off watching them play just because it makes them happy.

olympic thoughts

shaun white's red hair is prettier than mine.
all those visa ads keep making me emotional.
three words to describe johnny weir: whoa. ew. weird.
kelly clark singing before her halfpipe scared me.
why are they playing "party in the usa" at the olympics?
is it just me or is evan lysacek kind of cute?
who knew vera wang designed male ice skating costumes?
that chinese figure skating couple deserved the gold. i love that they are married. weird they live in seperate dorms.
snowboard cross. four boarders racing down a course at the same time is intense.
watching people achieve their dreams makes me emotional.
i love it when the athletes are really excited about winning a medal.
skiing and g-force. whoa.
gretchen bleiler kept on smiling.
but i think my favorite part was lying in the dark with the tv on mute watching figure skating while Halle girl sleeps in my arms.
go world.