Oh Happy Summer

and here's to more beautiful rain/thunder/lightning storms

After typing up this post I realize that I blog about rain, like a lot.

Case in point here. Oh and here... i just love it so much. Maybe I need to move to Seattle.

Famous by Association...?

So my sister in-law Nikki has a pretty fantastic cooking blog that you most definitely want to check out. It's called Chef In Training. The other night I became one of her Guinea Pigs and tested out a dessert. I know, I have a hard life.

It was called

Died and Gone to Heaven

and for a moment I thought I had.

So show her some love and start cooking.

The Bachelorette Recap #6

My Thoughts/Highlights:

The whole Bentley scene was a let down for me, I wanted something juicier.

Did it seem like Ashley wore the same outfit the whole episode?

I still can’t tell the difference between Constantine and Ben

Lucas is a Texas cutie.

After the group date I’m team Ben not team Constantine.

Ames still looks like a cartoon….

and that elevator scene was completely forced and it made me uncomfortable.

Just about every kiss in this episode has seemed forced.

Ryan is a Goober McGoober

Jp is my favorite.

Man he looks like a good kisser

Ashley’s confession to the guys was pretty intense

Forgiveness is selflessness and speaks volumes about some of these guys.

Hey hey hey Micky… bye bye bye Micky

Ashley’s apology almost made me cry.

I didn’t see Jp in a lot of those “Coming Up” clips…. Which worries me.

How is this going to end? I have no freakin idea.

Hopefully we don’t have to hear another word from Bentley.

Life at the Lake: Picture Overload

These kinds of weekends are my favorite. Time spent with my amazing family, adorable nieces and nephews and great weather.

I about die looking at this photo of Kelbs with Klobug. So stinking cute!

Have you had one? If not hop in the car and get your butt to Garden City.

it was actually a dear....that had issues.

Can you spot Klobugs stitches?

My models, sweet boys always posing for their crazy aunt.

They're not pretty but they're mine.

I wish I had taken more photos but there you have it,

The Avon Bunch annual Bear Lake Trip 2011

The Bachelorette Recap #5

Look at all those mobster limos. mmm classy.

Hey Ashley my dad has that shirt…. He wears pants with it though.

Ashley seems a little boring today…like she’s not her self.

This date with Ben is boring me.

“mental kiss”… awkward but kind of cute in an uncomfortable way.

I own that same belt… I won’t wear it with a onesie.

Their dinner setup is amazing.

Dinner talk made up for the date. Ashley seems to legitimately like Ben.

GROUP DATE

JP is hot!

Ames with that pink getup could be a member of the Chippendales

I despise fighting. I blame my four older brothers.

Micky is hot but he scares me… he’s a little intimidating.

Jp is tiny in comparison to Micky.

Go Jp go go

I’m a fan of Ames attitude.

This is painful to watch. Ames and Ryan are both goobers but I’m rooting for Ames.

I kind of feel bad she didn’t ride in the ambulance with him.

Ames is back, greeted with some brotherly love.

“They told me I was in love and that I have a mild concussion” nice Ames that was cute. As much as I don’t want to like the cartoon that is Ames I kind of do.

Who has two thumbs and is an idiot? That guy (william)!

Lucas’ golf lesson was cute.

Why are they talking about Bentley?

That was nice to give the rose to Blake. He needed the boost in confidence.

Baaaaah Bentley Bentley Bentley.

TWO ON ONE DATE

William better go home. At the same time I ‘m really not impressed with Ben C. either.

William can be everything…. especially fake.

I cannot believe she’s sending Ben home… she didn’t even get to hear his side.

I find that ridiculous.

That whole thing seems fishy…. Kind of like an Ali dismissal.

Maybe they want Ben C. to be the next Bachelor.

Send the man-child home!

Who has two thumbs and is a loser? THAT GUY!

Ryan P. is very attractive… too bad he’s a goober.

I don’t think Ashley is into him.

Will they just show her what a db Bentley is so she can move on.

Who’s going home tonight? I have no clue.

I think Constantine should go home. He looks too much like Ben and its throwing me off.

Wow he gets the first rose… I’m bad at this game.

In the end it was the trainer and I’m not too sad about it.

COMING UP

Looks intense ya’ll.

I love you more than tongue can tell

When I was little I remember my parents always saying that.... at the time I didn't know what a ton was or what kind of tail my parents were talking about but I knew it meant "I love you a whole lot."

Happy Fathers day Dad, I love you more than tongue can tell.

A+ for effort

I scheduled a hair appointment for Thursday with full intent to chop my hair off... as previously stated I've been wanting a change in the hair department.

Well on Wednesday I called and canceled said appointment. You see I had a week or so to live and think about the decision to cut my hair but I found myself walking by windows and mirrors observing my hair. I would see it resting down my back and I would think, "I love my long hair"

So instead Autumn dyed and trimmed it and boy can I say I'm glad I didn't do anything drastic.

Changes:

-side swoopy bangs

-a darker do

and three one inch off the length giving it a nice clean feel....no matter what. (I went right into an Orbit dialogue)

Summer is that You?

Doesn't this just look heavenly? This is my nephew Jayden. We (dev,autumn,&kids) spent most of the day together, riding bikes, smelling the Russian Olive trees and watching the Lavender bush bloom.

Happy Summer

Now let the bbq's and Bear Lake trips begin.

Bachelorette recap # 4: On the Border

Thailand! I bet Bentley wishes he had kept his secret for one more week.

I want Annie the hostess to be my friend.

Ok Ben F. and Constantine are the same person. (I'm sure everyone agrees so I won't mention it again)

I know I’m not the only one that believes she does NOT plan these dates.

Constantine and Ashley don’t look romantic to me. He’s almost on the border of old chumtown.

Good advice from the old Thai guy.

Ashley is looking at Constantine accusatory….he’s like “what? I haven’t done anything yet.”

I like Constantine. He seems like a nice guy. Too bad he looks like he’s sweating profusely on this date.

I don’t see him with Ashley.

Do the “coming up” scenes bother anyone else? I don’t want a sneak peek what I really want is to continue watching without commercials.

Bentley Bentley Bentley….. we can’t escape him.

ASHELY DIDN’T SET THIS UP! Jaheeze guys don’t kid yourselves

But really the producers planned a sweet date. Service is good. :)

The guys don’t like Ryan but I do and I think Ashley does too….so get over it boys.

I really don’t like all this carrying that the guys are doing… I know Ashley is the size of a twelve year old but why are they picking her up so much?

I can see how Ryan is considered a “goober” with that last conversation.

Ames looks like Hercules and that’s not a complement, he looks like a cartoon.

I’m pretty sure Ames comes from money. Cooking school in Thailand. Ivy League schools and fake teeth.

That’s a good one Ashley: “Someone that is devoted, devoted to his family, to his wife.” I like that.

Oh my Ames is cheesetastic rain or shine by sea or by land.

Do I dare say it … Ames may be growing on me.

Ok the thing with Ames is that his camera confessions (if you call them that)…. Are terrible and annoying.

Poor West that’s a hard situation to be in.

Ok so Ryan is a little intense… maybe on the border of loonytown.

This season is so strange. I usually have my favorites picked out from the first or second episode. With this season my opinion changes after every episode.

Who’s it going to be? I think it may be that blonde divorcer. Oop no his name is Lucas and she called him first haha

She better keep West!!!!!!!!!!

Bahaha did anyone else notice how Chris Harrison scared Ashley. He’s sneaky.

Noooooo! I’m really upset… I liked West.

Next eps looks intense… could B be behind that door?

Paris Paris Paris

I'm sure most of you have already done this but if not head over to Oh Happy Day now for your chance to win a trip to Paris... the one across the pond.... as in France!

4(because i couldn't find 5) movies that i want to see

The Vow

Cliched? Cheesy? who cares because it looks adorably heart wrenching!!

February release date.

The Help

I love Emma Stone! I haven't read the book but I've heard its great. By the way if any of you have it and would like to lend it to me, you will become my best friend.

August release date.

Harry Potter

I've been in a serious relationship with Harry Potter for 10 years! So sad it's coming to an end.

July release date.

Abduction

I could do without Kristen, don't much care for Rob but I love me some Taylor Lautner.

September release date.

What are some movies you're excited about?

Bachelorette Recap #3

Ok this recap is late so lets jump right in:

"I can't believe all these guys want to date me."-Ashley

-uh sorry Ash but they don't. (Bentley)

Ben C's ONE ON ONE DATE:

- In the beginning I really liked Ben C. but now he kind of scares me. He was a little intense with all that love talk mumbo jumbo. Plus he talks too fast.

- over all he's cute.

-Bentley is obviously his same charming self.

- "The next time I see Ashley the mask is coming off." -Mask Guy

-uh yeah I'll believe it when i see it....I bet he goes home tonight.

-Mask guy is super awkie.

-she thinks he's annoying.

GROUP DATE:

-all of these guys had no idea who Jeffrey Ross was before this date.

-But thanks for the introduction boys... because I had no idea who he was either.

-Worst date idea ever!

-William is officially on my dislike list.

-No one is funny....they're just mean.

-Bentley is a snake! Do you see the manipulation happening?

- William is stupid and obviously doesn't understand women in the least.

- William how about you start with "I'm sorry." Idiot.

BENTLEY'S CONFESSION:

-How's he going to talk his way out of this one?

-total manipulator

-He's the perfect villain in romantic comedies. Doesn't tell the truth yet doesn't really speak any lies.

- Bentley should be the next Bachelor, he's good TV.

-I hate how he's blaming his daughter. Pretty cowardly.

-Okay he can't be the next Bach... he's heartless.

-You think she's crying a lot now? Imagine if B had been completely honest.

JP's ONE ON ONE DATE:

-Aw Jp is one of my favs

-Too bad his date was lame.

Bye Bye Mask guy and buy to whoever that other guy was.

Something New

Do you ever get the itch to dye or cut your hair, to make a drastic change? Well that's me right now, I get this itch about every summer. It's the itch/need/longing for a change in my appearance.

Maybe not this drastic ↘

1.

2.

I've always wanted bangs

3.

Pixie Cut

4.

Definitely a possibility

5.

New color?

6.

Back to blonde.

7.

and my favorite.....BIEBER!

4. and 6. are front runners and actual possibilities. What do you think? Help me decide should I cut it or dye it?

ps this website is totally fun! It's called ivillage.com. My sister inlaw Katie and I spend a good hour (or two) on it.

The Proposal

I would assume every heterosexual female with a pulse has thought about their dream proposal. If not she has at least thought about what she doesn't want when it comes to the asking of that big question.

I have one of those lists

-a don't even think about asking me like that- kind of list.

Here it is, just three simple requests:

1. please do not ask me in front of your family...or my family.

2. please don't make me go on a scavenger hunt.

3. pretty please get down on one knee.

See not too bad, I don't think its ridiculously demanding.

Anyway I saw this video and it got me thinking of the perfect proposal.

I like this idea, it's fun and the couple was adorable. Yet, I prefer a more simple tactic, like a romantic dinner and then star gazing on a blanket in the park....ahhh dreamy right?

What would be your dream proposal?

Have you heard? I'm officially launching my photography business.

I'm excited to start this new adventure. I really would like to thank my family and friends for the support they've shown and for the encouraging words they offer me.

If you are in the Utah area and in need of a photographer please email me at arika_averett@yahoo.com or follow the link to facebook.

Portraits:

Little Ones:

Engagements:

Family:

The Proposal

I would assume every heterosexual female with a pulse has thought about their dream proposal. If not she has at least thought about what she doesn't want when it comes to the asking of that big question.

I have one of those lists -a don't even think about asking me like that- kind of list.

Here it is, just three simple requests:

1. please do not ask me in front of your family...or my family.

2. please don't make me go on a scavenger hunt.

3. pretty please get down on one knee.

See not too bad, I don't think its ridiculously demanding.

Anyway I saw this video and it got me thinking of the perfect proposal.

I like this idea, it's fun and the couple was adorable. Yet, I prefer a more simple tactic, like a romantic dinner and then star gazing on a blanket in the park....ahhh dreamy right?

What would be your dream proposal?

Bachelorette Recap #2

Tragic Pasts:

Lets jump right into the first date with William…

- From the movie Clueless I quote Cher’s daddy. “What is that? It looks like underwear.” (referring to Ashley’s white dress)

- In Mormon culture (most cultures) if you bring up marriage on a first date.. there isn’t a second date.

- Will is freakin out

- Ashley just delivered the first, “I’m falling for {insert guy’s name}” of the season.

- Sad story about William's dad.

- Morale of the story Alcohol is no good.

- GROUP DATE!

- When did Ashley become a “dancer”? I think they made it up in order to make her seem more interesting.

- No denying she has a banging body.

- Ashley is a total munchkin compared to these guys.

- One on one time with West. Another sad story. This season is full of past tragedies.

- One on one time with the D bag… I mean Bentley.

- Poor Ash is making a total fool out of herself, practically begging Bentley to stay.

- He is such a sleaze.

- One on one date with Micky

- He is super gorgeous but he seems a little cocky…or maybe just boring.

- Poor Micky, another tragic story. I can relate to Micky which makes me like him a little bit more.

- Ahhh! Colbie Caillat. Love her! What a cool surprise. This date is much better than William’s one on one.

- Cocktail Party

- Williams is slipping to my dislike list. He isn’t funny and should probably reconsider his dreams of being a standup comedian.

- What’s Mask Guys name? Never mind, it doesn’t matter. I think I’ll always refer to him as Mask Guy.

- Oh goodness another sad back-story…we’re on number four I believe.

- Ahhhh there is no way that was not planned…I’m seriously laughing out loud. Who is that guy that just interrupted Mask Guy’s big reveal?

- And Bentley continues to surprise me with his douche baggedness (sorry for the crude language but seriously there are no other words for this guy)

- Rose Ceremony

- Bye bye Constantine, I mean Ben...no wait Stephen.

- Super sad baby face Ryan M. went home I thought he was a cutie.

Love list:

Ryan P has it all. He’s my favorite at the moment.

And West

Hate list:

Ames. He's lame just like his name. (bahaha that rhymed)

And the infamous DB Bentley