Dancing Queen

Jocelyn also had her recital this week for ballet. She did a wonderful job and LOVED being with her bestest friend, Maddie. They both looked adorable!

Spokane

So Elayna and I went up to Spokane for a couple of days to see my college friend Jessy and her sweet little boy Will. We had a fabulous time and Laynie and Will were fast friends. How could they not be when their moms are? It's amazing that even though they are six months apart in age they are the same size. Actually I would hazard to guess that Will is bigger. That would be my genes that have destined my children to a life of shortness. :)

When I got back from Spokane, as soon as Reed and the kids picked me up, Jocelyn said, "Can I see a picture of your friend Jessy?" I took a couple dozen pictures while I was there but not a SINGLE one with Jessy. What's up with that? Instead I just had to show her Jessy's blog.

I'm in love with the beach

During Reed's break from school, we spent three beautiful days at Lincoln City enjoying this wonderful beach house with a gorgeous ocean front view. It was the perfect trip. Our good friends, the Parsons, joined us which made it all the more fun. We had the best time: great seafood from Mo's, perfect weather, fabulous outlet shopping, fun friends. What more could we ask for?

Lincoln City

Look what Laynie can do!

The number 10

10 years

120 months

520 weeks

3,652 days

87,648 hours

5,258,880 minutes

315,532,800 seconds

an unfathomable number of sweet moments spent with you


I can't really wrap my mind around the concept that we have been married for this long. Only "OLD" people have been married for ten years. I just don't feel old. Honestly, in many ways, it feels like it was just yesterday. And yet logically, I get that we have three kids, college degrees, a house, and alot of experiences behind us but I often feel like it's not possible for time to have passed us by as quickly as it has.

The first time I met Reed, I was 14 and he was a senior in high school. He was picking up his sister, Katie, from a Christmas party at my house. He came in with a friend and actually hung out for a bit. He was hilarious and of course I was smitten-as really only a 14 year old can be. I remember thinking a bit enviously how some lucky girl would get to marry him and how fun their lives would be, how they would always have laughter filling their home. At that moment, I never really imagined that girl would be me. I was right, though. Our lives have definately been filled with laughter and I am thankful every day that I ended up being the lucky girl who married Reed.

Breaking Dawn

So I finished the last book in the Twilight series last Saturday- approximately 24 hours after I started it. I've been meaning to post my two cents worth:

Things I didn't like:

1. Honestly, is this really geared at young adults(ie mostly teenage girls)? It's very sexual. I mean, I get that they are married, but still... I felt like even I must be blushing a couple times. There is no way I'd want my teenager reading this.

2. This book was fairly predictable for me. All of the twists I saw coming ahead of time.

Things I did like:

1. Obviously, the story is captivating. Like I said, I read it cover to cover in 24 hours. I am amazed at Stephenie Meyer's imagination and thoroughness (maybe at moments a bit too thorough :)). But she is definately talented and rich because of it.

2. I like happy endings. I like books (especially series) that tie up nicely at the end. That probably says quite a bit about my literary tastes but I can't handle all the crying that comes with people dying or love unrequited. Breaking Dawn- ends all warm and fuzzy. Gotta love that.

Reunions

This week has been filled with so many fun reunions! First off, my good friend and his wife and adorable daughter were in town and surprised us with a visit on Sunday evening. It was so fun! Robert's family and my family grew up together, our families even built houses next door to each other. I can't count the number of memories that I have that involve the Bird family. It was so fun to have him and his family over- his wife Jeana is so great. I think we've only been together three or four times since they got married but I always feel like we've been friends forever too. It was great to see them and we're keeping our fingers crossed that they make their way back to Oregon.


Then on Monday night we reunited with the Gold's, the Haroldsen's, and the Oyama's. We had them over for a BBQ. Funny thing about this group is I always start to say "Reed's friends from growing up" because Ben, Dan, Joe, Andy and Kyle were all in the same ward together. But if I stop to think about it... Dan married my friend Melanie. We lived on the same street when we were younger and were great friends. She moved in elementary school but we reconnected in high school and college. And then Emily, Ben's wife, is one of my good friends from college. Actually Reed and I were with them on their first date. So really these girls are as much my good friends as the boys are Reed's good friends. It was so fun to spend the evening with them.

The last reunion- well this one hasn't happened yet- but I bought my ticket to go visit my friend Jessy in Spokane at the end of this month. I met Jessy 10 years ago during my freshmen year at BYU. We've been good friends ever since and I can't wait to see her!

Anyways, I am all about reunions! I can't even count all the fabulous people I have been touched by over the years. I just wish we all lived in the same neighborhood together! Since that's hardly realistic I will just have to be content with reunions. I really wish every week was filled with these kind of moments.

Pictures of some of the Bell cousins