My Babies Daddy...

That's right...I know you're jealous - Gary has promised me the greatest gift one could give. (No it's not the gospel - I already have that silly!) He has promised to be the lucky donor in the case that my streak of single-dom continues on into my 30's. I figure if I can't have children the way I wanted to when I was like 20 million years younger than I'm going to alter my family fate and do something about it. So you just might be gossipping about me in a year or so when you see that I'm pregnant and not married...however keep in mind I will be the only Single and Virgin 30- something you know. Gary and I just say, "Let's give them something to talk about..."
Let's just say it's a decision that I'm not going to pray about. I know you might think I'm crazy and I just might be. But that little chit-lin of ours is going to be one talented, good-looking, Broadway star! Don't worry I'll post pictures of the whole proccess. Yaahoo...(turkey baster and all!)
p.s. Gary says he called Mucchia Prada and she's already working on his designer hospital scrubs for the future delivery!!!

The King on (or in) his throne!

Don't be mad at me...he just crawled on in and I happened to be there to snap a few photos. That little guy is sooo mischievous! (and plus it was totally bleached out - so stop contemplating if you want to call child protective services on me!)

Sorry - gotta add a few more - can't help it!

Yeah...better watch out Mary Kate...here comes Skilly!!!

Apparently looks are in her genes - nothing is more fun than having a photo shoot with my little niece Skylar Blue!

I have a GIFT!!!

Matchmaker Matchmaker Make Me a Match...I guess you could call that my theme song cause I'm a freaking genious at finding my friends the love of their life. Do you know that I have been responsible for the marriage...TEMPLE marriage of at least 8 different couples. Think about it - that's a lot!
You see - I have a gift. I see someone and I immediately start placing them with someone else I know. Not only do I have a gift at picturing 2 strangers together in blissful harmony - but I also have some great skills at making it happen. Like for instance...Spencer Munns. This guy has one heck of a particular taste. I, knowing the surface aspects of his taste can pick his type out of...hmmm...let's say...a movie theater?! Yep - I did that once. I was on a date and saw this girl that was just darling and as far as looks wise, a definete homerun! So I scoped her out for a bit and decided that her personality might also be hitting the jackpot. So during the previews I went and sat beside her and asked if she was single. Now you might be thinking that she might be thinking I'm a lesbo etc. But the thing you have to understand is that I have great skill at this. You see - people - these strangers - they like me. I know exactly how to take all awkwardness off of them and onto me so they feel comfortable and flattered and most important of all they quickly trust my opinion. I mean are you kidding - who in the world doens't like to be the person thought of as the perfect match for someones single friend. I can sell the idea to any old grouch!
With this girl that I wanted to set Spencer up with - I had to let her know that I was on a blind date and (no offense) my date was not a reflection of my taste in men. She totally trusted my high recommendation of Spencer and gave me her number. And of course, having many times set Spencer up, Spencer trusted my taste as well and called her up. Yeah...don't worry that they dated for like 5 or 6 months! Skills...I got skills!
Well today another lovely opportunity presented itself to me. I was at 7 peaks and this gorgeous girl sat right in front of me. I have a total staring problem and proceeded to do just that. I was immediately wondering who I could set up with her. Well lucky Chad Ahearn happened to be at 7 peaks as well so I chose him. I prepped him up with a nice pep talk and then sent him on his way to meet the love of his life. Now I'll have to admit that after they talked for a while I went over and talked to her and found out that she had a boyfriend. - So it looks like this time it's not going to result in wedding bells. But having captured Chad's sly move in- on the beach towel I felt the need to admit publically of my gift.
I think because I'm so dang good at setting people up I assume others are the same. NOTE TO SELF: Ummm...that's not the case!!! And in the past 3 years I've felt it's been my duty to be the victim of blind date after blind date. Well - this is exactly how I know that I have a gift...no one else thus far has even come close to matching my abilities as they've tried to set me up. I-yi-yi...the stories I could tell you! And perhaps I shall...

Freaky Friday!

So at about 9pm tonight I was finally informed that today was Friday the 13th...a day destined to make you squirm. Well I will have to admit that I was squirming all day as I swam in the cesspool they call "7 Peaks" - however...I was hoping for something a little more haunting to come along.
I went out to eat with my Fister...(fake sister)Alice Hobbins and we went to a very scary restaraunt to visit our friend Hailey. Don't worry that Chili's stuck with the gross theme and served me up the nastiest tortilla soup I'd ever tasted. But Hailey came to save the day and took good care of me. That's my girl!
Alice decided to take me over to her new favorite boys house for me to meet. She talked them up so much that I was just positive they were going to be willing to go along with my desire to spice this freaky friday up a bit. Let me tell you that I was not dissapointed.
Cam...my new personal favorite (in fact Cam - here's a T.F. (remember that's a 'tell first' straight from me)for you - I think that not only do you smell really good and know how to show a girl a good time, but that just in case you wanted to take me horse back riding the answer is YES!)
Ok...so back to Cam the new favorite of mine - well tired as he was after a long day of being on the lake- he said he'd take me out on his motorcycle to the graveyard. He told me that there was one that glowed in the dark. Oh man - I was in! So we took off and went searching.
No ghosts in the graveyard tonight unfortunately...A for effort though Cam....your still my new personal fav!

Away Station

I would just like to be the first to mention that I am a true "Band Aid" to the up and comming music sensation, "Away Station"!!! Oh - you don't know what a "Bandaid" is? Well let me tell you. A "Band Aid" in the music world is way cooler than a groupie. It's the kind of person that inspires the artist to write their music etc. At first I wanted to be known as their #1 groupie - but Steven Waite, the bass player for Away Station told me that being a band aid is way cooler.
I was in Vegas last weekend and I went to church with my old mission companion, Marleen Waite's (now Gunnerson) little brother Steven. He's about to hit it real big and I gotta say the music was pretty sweet. I even got the low down on what the lyrics really meant! Oh do I love insider information! Church was kinda boring ( I know that's bad to say!) so Steven and I worked on some lyrics. He did a great job in helping me out on the Bridge (that's the kind of one liner that ties it all together) and I requested that he share my thoughts with the band and get back to me. I'd must also mention that Steven did in fact suggest that I go into lyric/music writing. Wow - who'd of thought I have another hidden talent to work on!
So keep your eyes open for these guys. It's good clean fun music, sort of like U2 or some might even say Coldplay? I think you can look them up on MySpace - but I don't know how cause I don't get that whole MySpace phenomenon! Check them out...and know that my p.f. is for sure the one that sings about needing something else to get me through this!!!! I love it!

Cougars don't cut corners...oopps!!

Are you kidding me? I hated running cross country in High School...what makes anyone think that I'm going to start liking it now?! Lindsey and her bright ideas! She picked me up early in the morning to go and run a 5k with her. Well, the good sport that I am I hardly even complained. In fact - Skylar and I decided to start right at the front of the start line to see what it felt like to be a winner. So we threw Lindsey the leash to the dog that we weren't even allowed to have there and off we started at the front of the pack! Holding hands we quickly moved to the side so we didn't get trampled and waited for Lindsey and Page (Ryan's friend) - we couldn't find them. So then we decided to wait a little longer because maybe Micah and the baby would show up for us to walk with. Umm...we never saw them either! So what did we do? We made our way to the finish line and waited there!
Now that's my idea of a 5k done well! This cougar has got to cut some corners...in that kind of heat...you better believe it!

The 1st step is to admit you have a problem...

Well let me take care of that...
My name is Tristen and I'm freaking obsessed with anything produced by Apple! I couldn't help it - I bought an iphone! Now I'm generally pretty good at not living outside of my means. But talk about major temptation taking its toll on me. I mean, I am currently unemployed (should that embarrass me? cause it doesn't at all) and it's not like I have my lovely paychecks perking up the end of my work weeks right now. In fact, the other day Summer Thacker asked me if I was collecting unemployment checks. I told her that of course I wasn't! And she was very confused as to why I wasn't. Um -how about that I quit my job...I didn't get fired. And how about the other fact of my being somewhat responsible and having some sort of financial plan to save my day! How classic is that girl! Gotta love her. But - I have come up with an ingenious temporary plan! While I am patiently waiting for the most perfect sales job to come my way that I can conquer, I have decided to become an Apple Store employee! Did you know they train you on all of the products and applications? How awesome is that?! I have a goal to become MAC certified and this will totally help me be on my way! I have already sent in my application and have been assured I'm good to go! Tell me you're not some what jealous about that!!!
So the point of this story is - save your money cause there might be the funnest treat in the whole world that you just can't live without that you need to purchase the first day they come out and if you save a little collection of dough then maybe it's ok to sort of live outside of your needs for just a tiny second!!!

p.s. Butterfly's are a beautiful thing!!! They can really save the day!

Bringing 50's Back!!!

Be-Bop-A-Lula...yes we brought it back and we brought it back with class and style (except when Summer B.A.'d all of us in the middle of our watching "American Graffiti")! We all spent a fun night filled with old school festivities. Micah cooked up a gourmet feast on the B-B-Q while Briti ruled the Shake Shack. Everyone backed their cars up for a front row seat at our make shift drive-in. It was fun and now I'm too tired to write anymore so just look at the pictures.
Oh - and if your really wanting a good laugh you'll have to check out Katie Hoffman's blog! In all of 60 seconds with Cora Greiners roller skates on I managed to fall twice!!! And I'm talking the kind of fall where I literally questioned if I broke my big bootie!!! If it wasn't for my lovely and almost weekly routine of "orange tanning" that gives my skin an all over golden cover up glow - you'd be able to see one heck of a black and blue rear end. (Or at least I'd be able to see it...)

Boot Camp Graduation!!!

Trey was happy to graduate his week of Bella's Boot Camp!!! But I miss him already! He gave me a big thumbs up as I documented the special moment. I love the other pictures of him in his chosen time out spot. He was so good about accepting the consequences of not listening or choosing to have a freak out moment. He would even time himself and not leave time out until his time was up. We had a fun week together and I think we both learned a little better how to be in charge of our freak outs! I love my cutie pie Trey.
I called to check in on him once he was back at home for a full day. He had a few episodes and his siblings egged him on knowing that he was working hard to control his freak outs. His mom said that she could hear him all day telling his siblings, "You're NOT Bella! You're NOT Bella!" He wanted them to remember that he didn't have to answer to them - I gotta say that I'm kind of liking the influence and the sort of power that comes along with this mothering type of thing! I could get very use to it!!!

Boot Camp = No Baptism?

I just got home from an event at the St. Regis that I went to with my mom, Trilby, Lindsey, and Micah. I left amazed at the money that some people have their willingness to spend thousands of it in seconds!!! It must be nice. But because today was the first official day of Bellas Boot Camp - I asked Briti to watch Trey for the night. She had some humerous things to report back.
Briti and Trey were on the way to "Maggie Moo's" (our p.f. ice-cream place!!!) and she asked him how old he was. He replied that he was 7. She quickly responded with a lot of enthusiasm in reference to what his next birthday would hold. "So you're going to turn 8 and get baptized?" He responded with his eyes downcast shaking his head and said in a dissapointed voice, "No, I don't think I'm going to get baptized." Somewhat shocked Britni then asked him if he didn't want to get baptized. And then he very innocently and humbly responded with, "Well I'm at Bella's Boot Camp and I probably won't be able to."
Now that is one heck of a sweet boy! Don't worry everyone, I'm not torturing the kid! Tommorow when he wakes up were going to talk a bit about that! I'm even going to see if I can somehow get it on tape. How priceless would that be?!
A little later Britni was still talking with him and asked him what he had learned so far in Bella's Boot Camp. He said that he hadn't learned anything, afterall it was only the first day!!! She said she was going to tell on him cause she knew he had already learned something. Then he reluctantly told what he had learned. He said, "I learned that I'm the one that's in charge of my reactions, that I'm the one that decides if I'm going to freak out or not. And to listen the first time." Then Britni decided to test him and asked him who was in charge of her actions - he responded by pointing to her.
Now that's one heck of a fast learner!!!
And to finish off the first day of boot camp we said our nighttime prayers. Trey asked Heavenly Father to help him be a good boy and listen the first time and make the right choices and not get mad. Ohh I love that child! What a fun treat for me to be able to spend this time with him!

Bella's Boot Camp

Along with the first day of summer came the first summer "freak out" for my nephew Trey Brockbank. Trey is 7 years old and is the sweetest boy in the world. He has an imagination that can keep you entertained for hours and is so fun to be with. However, he being Megan's third child he has a way of disrupting an afternoon at the beach with a lovely little tantrum.
Megan called my mom and was worrying about how her family's summer was going to turn out with Trey freaking out whenever he got frustrated. After hearing some of my mom's great advice I decided to add some of my own.
I told Megan that I wanted to come pick Trey up to stay with me for a few weeks at my version of Military School...hence the name, "BELLAS BOOT CAMP!" She thought it would be a great help and even though she'd miss him terribly she was willing to try it. In talking with her we wanted to make sure that he didn't think he was getting rewarded for misbehaving by getting to go stay with Aunt Bella. So I told Megan to make it sound like it was going to be a bunch of hard work and discipline. Well after realizing what he was in for Trey wasn't that thrilled to come to my house. He started calling it, "Boob Camp" (not in reference to my chest...but in reference to being a whiner...geez you perverts get your minds out of the gutter!!!) and said he would refuse to get in the car.
Surprisingly when I drove up to his house this morning, his bag was packed and he was all ready to go. He got a little teary eyed when he said by to his siblings and his mother. You would have thought he was going off to prison or something. Well on the way back from San Diego I began to talk with him about some of the things we were going to work on together. We are really trying to focus on him realizing that he is in charge of his own emotions and he can make the choice to react to others in a good way or in a negative way. And we are also focussing on him listening the very first time he is told to do something.
He really is such a good and sweet boy. Today we already had a lesson learned and a time out given. I have to say I was surprised at how quickly he recognized why I gave him a time out and that the consequences he receives for making a wrong choice aren't an excuse to react with a tantrum!
I love being able to spend this time with him. It's fun for me to be an Aunt that gets to be a pretend mom for a second or two.

Calin got her ears pierced!!!

So in our family you have to wait a few years to join the fashion world in adorning your ears with jewels. You have to be 12 years old to be exact! I was thrilled when that day came for me long ago...and Calin invited me to be a part of her special day too. I did my best to put the fear of getting an infectious and painful disease in her, but to no avail - she went through with it and is sporting a lovely pair of diamond studs! I can't believe how grown up she's getting. She's a mini Rachel Hunter in my eyes! What a beauty!

And a Few More....

Don't You Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Her?!?

Are you kidding me? Life is not always fair! Can you believe the looks on this girl? Britni Samuelian/Seastrand is absolutely gorgeous and I being her best friend and all captured it all on film! What a looker! I took these yesterday with Jason as my ever helpful assistant! What a team the three of us make. I'm going to miss you guys when you leave back to Vegas. Now I have to get a life and find a job again! YUCK....but at least I've got my hobbies: photographing beautiful best friends!!! T.B. 4-ever!!!

My Bun in the Oven!

The little baby is basically my own. They finally picked a name...actually they stole a name! They stole the name I was going to name my first baby girl...cause after all it is in fact a GIRLS name!!! So because of these hideous facts I will be calling the Baby “Scott” from here on out. Regardless of the bad name choice...I love the little guy!
Back when Katie Lark got married, her friend Tara had the cutest little thing to wrap her baby in and go about her daily tasks. Knowing that Lindsey was pregnant at that time I purchased a carrier for myself to carry her baby in! I am obsessed with it. He’s my little pea in my pod!!!
I carry that little boy in it for hours. He loves it! And so do I! I get to feel like I’m pregnant and have the love of my life cuddled up right next to me. Not to mention it’s pretty dang cute with those crystals etc!!! I sure wish I’d thought of this contraption...it’s ingenious!!!

Happy B-Day Briti!!!

So I thought it only appropriate to give a little shout out to my girl Briti...cause she is in fact turning the big 24 today! She wanted me to send her 24 things that she would love but apparently she hasn’t heard that I’ve been unemployed for the past 8 months. So instead....24 reasons I love her! (And I’m not going to pull a Jason and do a few repeats!!!)

1. Because she’s my best friend in the whole world. TB 4-ever!
2. Cause she let me talk her into dating Jason for the first few months!
3. Cause she lets me wear all her cute clothes...even if she hasn’t worn them yet.
4. Cause she always thinks my dance moves are seriously the best!
5. Cause she’s freaking gorgeous...and sometimes people think I’m her sister!!!
6. Cause she lets me assist her at hair school.
7. Cause she feels she has a special power when I’m around her! (but I don’t have your back when the big lezbo’s want to beat you up!!!)
8. Cause...”note to self - never wear a white mini-skirt”
9. Cause she let me make her kiss 21 boys on her 21st birthday.
10. Cause she got me in trouble by her mom the day before I went into the MTC for taking her to the “White House”
11. Cause she’s grosser than I ever DREAMED! (J calls it “demented”)
12. Because she sang a duet with me at the Colosseum in Italy and received a standing ovation!
13. Cause she wants to one day play the harp and I know she will. ( and i wanna play the accordion!)
14. Cause she sometimes tries to out-do my jokes and makes me laugh really really hard at her attempt!
15. Cause she will always do my hair for free and not be mad that I don’t leave a tip!
16. Cause we’ll grow old together and be like the old ladies you see at the mall that have too much makeup on and wear crazy colored big hats!
17. Cause if she gets rich first she’ll pay for some sweet best friend excursions for us to take!!! ( Right back at ya!)
18. Cause she tried to teach me how to kiss a boy...and demonstrated on her hand!
19. Cause she’d go to jail for me!
20. Because we can do nothing but watch t.v. and eat all day and I don’t feel lazy or fat around her. She just thinks it’s as fun as I do!!!
21. Cause she married the best person in the world and the 3 of us are a little happy family!!! I love my J!!!
22. Cause she’s married and when boys are checking her out I can point that out and she follows up with a, “But she’s single...want to go out with her?”...yeah thanks a lot Briti!
23. Cause when I wrote her my letter she knew I was sincere and teared up!
....and the best reason I love my Briti.....
24. Because she missed me as much as I missed her and is IRREPLACEABLE!!!!

Happy 24th Briti - Hope you have a fun day with Jason. Tell him to call me if he’s needing any ideas! I’ll see you two soon and am counting down the days!!!

I Love Dutch...Much

The greatest day yet in my life has finally arrived! My baby boy was born! Well, I guess he’s not actually mine - but he’s as close as you can get to being mine without literally having given birth to him.
So last week Lindsey called me while I was still in Utah to tell me she finally had a date for the baby’s birth. I was immediately packing my bags ready to head home to Ca. I spent a few days helping my bestest friends ever - Briti & J - packing up their house and even took a little detour in Vegas with Seth’s kids. But soon enough Sat. night I was home waiting for the arrival of little Dutchy!
Lindsey and Micah went into the hospital Sunday night to get the process going. Early Monday I was called by Micah and told she was dilated to a 2 and better hurry up and get there. I could hardly believe the day was actually here. I was so quick to jump out of bed I forgot about my throbbing toe and fell immediately to the ground in pain. I managed to take a fast shower and chose not wash my new nasty haircut. I have yet to learn how to fix my latest lesbian do and wasn’t about to waste time worrying about it on Dutch’s BIRTHday.
So off I went to the hospital. They didn’t have a wheelchair to bring me in with, but they did allow me to park in the 20 minute parking all day. On my way to the hospital I called my good friend Dr. Reimer (retired head orthopedic surgeon in So. Ca.) and asked him about a handicap pass for myself as my foot was in some great pain. He thought my request was quite humorous...I still don’t see the humor and would really like to know how I can get my hands on a handicap pass while my little toe heals up!!
Well it was some time before my little baby made his debut, but well worth the wait! He is the sweetest cutest little 7 pounder thing I have ever seen! They have yet to choose a definite name but Dutch and Tristan are in the running. I’m personally a fan of both! I think he should be name after me - you should see how much he looks like I did when I was a baby. The name is quite fitting I think! His eyes are a little swollen so we’re not sure if he’s got the Asian thing going on or what. I will be sleeping with him for his two night stay at Mission Hospital and can hardly wait to coozie up next to him! That’s my Baby Boy!!!