a belmont boy?

aaoh boy.... where do i begin???

Everyone who knows me, knows I love being a Belmont. 1) the belmonts are two of the most wonderful, generous, amazing, hilarious, beautiful people in this entire world 2) the house where it all began will remain in my heart forever (heart is where this home is) 3) Belmont tours and tattoos.. something about this house welded us girls together for a life long journey.

And years later, we all live separately - until now.................

So I'm living in LA and feeling a bit lonely - Kortney lives over 60 miles from me.. 60 LA miles - that is a big deal. But I make that trek every weekend and I don't even mind. I had forgotten that since moving to the Hills, I had friends just 5 miles from me. A bunch of guys moved out here from Utah years ago. We all hung out while in Utah so why not in LA. I was a bit nervous as I was flying solo - no kortney sidekick, but it had to be done. I have got to get out there and start living my life off of my front porch. While I love my front porch, it isn't going to make me any friends. So off I go. The night was filled with the regular extracurricular activities and a bee hive making machine (of course).

And what to my wondering eyes did appear??? but a belmont tattoo.

I had to ask. What's with the belmont?

Turns out Belmont Boy lived at 1012 Belmont Ave in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Our belmont - he lived at Our belmont.

The Belmont - a gift that keeps on giving.

visiting hours

Saturday, Whitney and I head out on the town to enjoy our beautiful day - Sunny and Hot! Tank tops and Shorts... Lovin it! Valecia and I are texting a little here, a little there.... she inquires about my plans for the night and informs me she will be at the John Wayne airport at 7:30 and requires a ride.

WHAT?!?!?!?!? most amazing friend ever.

First stop, Class of 47.

and no, we don't know the two dudes in the back.... :)

Nothing like wearing matching shirts... ps. shirts were sans-sleeves.

Valecia pictured below with her and Matt's luggage.  That's it - that is all they brought... Amazing how people change sometimes.. Valecia used to love to pack.

We hung out at the bar and had some drinks and then a friend offered to take us out on his duffy boat.

Matt "titanic-ing" off the front...

really? we don't have any fun. at all. ever.

Whit did a dive bomb into our photo at the last second, which in turn, is why Valecia decided to bite her.

Ohhhhhh.... the next day.

Matt was super excited about our duffy boat ride the night before and even more excited he got the guy's card. A real-life ship captain's card!  Whooooieee! He might even ask him to be friends on facebook - he has never done something like that before..

Above, just a few things included in Valecia's purse...

Breakfast at Woody's Wharf and of course, bottomless Mimosas.. :)

After breakfast, we had to find a place to park.... It wasn't easy, finding the place or parking...

Matt had to take over and did a mighty fine job if I do say so myself.

seriously??

Below is Valecia's cup (you can tell it's hers by the lipstick) I asked if I could borrow.. When I asked if she was through with her gum - her response, "Yes, you can chew it now."

so giving, thank you V.

Now we had to find another boat.... But first, we had to change their flight. They originally were only supposed to stay for 24 hours and that just wasn't enough time.

V hard at work.

Me being supportive.

A visit to Jane's Corndogs to celebrate a victory - she scored another 12 hours!!!

Off to the harbor and our pontoon.... love this idea.. no open ocean for this boat.

Skytypers.com overhead.

Seals taking over a boat... these things were huuuuge and made Ula just a bit nervous...

We are just all happy to be here.....

Our cruise around the harbor ended all too soon, but we had to get back and watch the second half of the football game.

Thanks beautiful people in my life...

You make me happy when skies are gray - you'll never know dears how much I love you,

please don't take my sunshine away.

out on the open ocean

What better way to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day, than on a boat...

Well, for some maybe.. I thought we were headed to a duffy boat - which basically just cruises around the harbor. I knew at first sight, 1) it was not a duffy boat and 2) (most importantly) that we would not be staying in the harbor..

But you can't win if you don't gamble - so here we go.

 I love this picture of Kortney and Kai.. There were more than a couple cameras happening at this point and I got neither one to look at me.. But it works ;)

 We are officially out of the harbor and cruising out on the open ocean!! and Im okay for now. Seated to my right is our friend Kaitlyn, who is also our favorite bartender.  She is super fun and came stacked full of treats....

 Then we stopped to watch the glorious sunset.  Some on-lookers on the front...

  Kaitlyn comes to the back to on-look with me :) and

give me skittles.  I love Moms (kaitlyn is a mom), always coming prepared.  (There I am, not feeling very well but trying really hard to push through it.. Kaitlyn opens up her bag of goodies and tells me that sometimes it helps to suck on something sweet... and it did...)

And how glorious it was.... even with the sea sickness... its still pretty amazing that 1) its January, 2) Im on a boat (aka small yacht), 3) this is my life.

Happy MLK, jr Day.

ps. fully aware that I count things out often... just so you all know that I know.

hungry ellen

My dear friend, Ellen (utah) was returning from a Study Abroad program in Thailand and she so cleverly planned a 9 hour layover.  Normal people wouldn't do this except when they know they have me to pick them up from the airport and spend the day in sunny LA. 

I took her to a favorite little restaurant that has an outdoor patio and fire pit (which we didn't need).

We spent the next few hours catching up on life, our past and current events. 

She was craving tequila and mexican food.. While I couldn't get her the mexican, she did get her tequila and me, my white wine. 

Our server was fantastic and at the end, came out with a piece of cake and two candles so we could celebrate the new year together.

Make a wish.....

 We headed to the Hermosa Pier, so she could see the ocean and the second sunset of the same day due to her time travels through the time zones..  and then BAM... it was time for her to go :(

Hungry Ellen at the airport... what a mind blowing experience :)

the christmas that just keeps on givin

With Grandma Elsye passing, I went home to say my final good-byes, and while sad and difficult, I am thankful I had the opportunity.  It also meant I could spend some time with my family and being so close to the holidays we decided to make it festive.

Three stooges in Ellendale.

Then it was off to Breckenridge for Christmas dinner.

Looks like my dad is hungry huh?!?!

Everyone was helping themselves to some salad and I look over and notice my dad's bowl... really Jerry? It's lettuce - you can have more than one.... Turns out the piece had fallen on the table as my mom was scooping so he put it in his bowl in the interim but we sure did have a good laugh at his expense.

Then it was off to family photo time (which is never easy)... 

 Below is a picture of mostly Scott.... up front and center stage.

Bet you didn't know my brother was a line-backer :)

Then - dance party!

Present time!!!!  How much more fun is it to watch kiddos actually open their gifts -

So much excitement!

Jacob in the Viking slippers I got for Scott.. We shall see if Scott ever even gets to wear them. 

 Sleeping bags from Grandma and Grandpa were hit, along with the travel pillows.

 

 Scott finally getting the money box open from Aunt Judy...  which he actually broke in the process... cheater. :)

then downstairs to another dance party......

Kristin left us to attend a bachelorette party but "needed" Scott and I to go pick her up! So it was off to Casey's Bar for the second time that week.  The first night I got in Scott and I tore that place up. I even got a free shirt.. (no idea how??!?!) but I arrived in a salmon long sleeve and left in a green one. A co-worker of his was there with his huge family and they were so much fun. They got such a kick out of my glasses and everyone took turns wearing them and getting their photo taken (striking Austin Powers' poses no less).. so are my glasses a joke or are they just that cool??  I am sooo LA... 

So not to be outdone on our second night, the Nicholson family had to take a turn as well.  

 heehee..

 One of my favorite bartenders from Casey's. He made me come around the bar to take this tasty treat.. Breckenridge isn't such a bad place to be...

I think the Christmas season is officially over now and that's a real bummer,

but I really did get to spend the times with so many of my favorite people.

Thank you, for I am blessed.