Birmingham Bells'

Pool Partay

2010-07-09T14:27:00.001-07:00

Nothing better on a hot summer afternoon than hanging by the pool, eating some BBQ, and enjoying life with some of our best friends!

A dive contest...

...of course, a little football...

...time spent talking about the future...

...just hanging out with friends, making memories!

Overhaul

2010-07-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

I realize that I have not updated my blog in almost a year. That is way too long considering the fun life we live. I have given the look an overhaul and will work on filling you in on the last several months of life in the Bell house.

A First For Me

2009-11-07T23:00:00.000-08:00

What a great day! We spent the day in Tuscaloosa, AL at the Alabama vs LSU football game. I had never been to a college game in person before...what an experience! (Yes, I know that is really weird for those of you who also grew up in Bham but you have to remember my mom is from England and my dad is from Chicago...We were/are a hockey family #1)

Michael & I arriving at the stadium...

thanks for great parking spot Mom & Dad

Jeff and Mary Clarice

Jeff, Michael & Joshua

Lots of friends, lots of fun memories!

Great memories on a picture perfect day!

Dinner and Dessert

2009-11-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

We had a great Friday night with some of our best friends! We enjoyed dinner at Logans and then a yummy dessert bar at Barry and Margo's newly renovated house. After dessert we sat around and talked about our future. Always a fun time hanging with friends who live with a purpose and have VISION! We love you all and are grateful that God has put you in our life.

We had 4 flavors of frozen yogurt and 1 flavor of ice cream...oh and lots of toppings

This caramel cake from Edgar's and frozen yogurt cake from TCBY....really, really good.

Thanks to John and Kristina for serving us all...you guys are great!

A great time with great friends...

Sam & Brandie - Love these ladies!

Mike and Brandie - Some of our BEST friends!

Brandie, Mike and Joshua - Having fun

Sam & Jen - beautiful ladies!

I'm not sure about these men :)
there they are

The FUTURE...VISION

Memories Together

2009-10-31T09:57:00.000-07:00

Michael and I spent another weekend at the beach. It was picture perfect. Beautiful weather, great food, time together and some business accomplished!

A Summertime of Fun

2009-08-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

Michael and I had an amazing summer that included family time, the beach, fun with friends, and some work around the house.

We had to have several trees removed in our yard that basically had taken over. Well the removal of 2 large trees in the front led to some much needed yard work - thanks mom and dad for the much needed help!

This is the before (yes, there is a house behind all that!)

and the AFTER

(we had lots of neighbors comment...I think it might have been their nice way of saying "it's about time")

While the yard work was difficult and is certainly not my idea of a fun weekend, I am really pleased with the end result. After the trees were removed we planted some beautiful plants in the front bed and by the mailbox! We also planted a lorapetalum in the large bed...right now it is little but soon it will be huge - these are my favorite!

Now for the real fun - The BEACH!

Michael and I really enjoy the beach and his parents bought a beautiful condo in Panama City Beach last year. We have been able to create some wonderful memories with family and friends and look forward to many more. Here are a couple of pics from this summer...

Michael and I with my parents on the pier...

not that you can tell...but this is Michael...doing something he has always wanted to do...

PARASAILING!

this is the view from the condo balcony...

and the pool...

on the beach!

Well, that's about all from the summer...but I will update you again soon with Fall Livin'

Blessings~

Love It

2009-05-27T07:09:00.000-07:00

Since we last spoke...wow!

Let's see - We had snow in late March, Aunt Maureen and Uncle John visited from England in April, I have completed all of my recitals for the year - too many to count, and we have been to the beach several times. Unfortunately, I lost our camera along the way so I have no pictures to share from any of these events. :(

Right now I am focused on a fun new campaign called LOVE IT! As most of you know, I sell Artistry skin care and cosmetics which I love. Artistry is a top 5 selling prestige brand. The skin care products are botanical and the mineral makeup is hot. I have always been excited and proud to be an Artistry distributor but now more than ever.

Artistry has launched the new Love It campaign and is offering some amazing specials for a limited time! Check out my website and let me know if you have any questions. If you are local, I would be happy to drop some products off to you to sample and if you are at a distance I can mail them.

For my family oversees - check out my website and let me know what you want. I will order it for you and ship it over at no additional cost to you.

http://www.lbell6.qbeautyzone.com/

I am excited to service you as an Artistry customer and appreciate your support!

Blessings~

Home is where the heart is...

2009-02-07T18:08:00.001-08:00

Michael and I were busy just after Christmas doing some buying! We have been working on redecorating our home with new furniture. In the 6 1/2 years we have been married we have never bought a single piece of new furniture until now. I have enjoyed the process of picking out pieces of furniture that I actually want rather than what we have simply been given (which I was also grateful for)! Michael has been extremely helpful and patient. He gave his imput at times but basically left all of the decisions up to me. We by no means are done and have not even begun with painting the house but we are certainly off to a nice start. Enjoy the pics!

My parents gave me this picture... it hangs just inside the front door!

*It'll cost nothing to dream and everything not to*

Our Living Room

The view of the fireplace...this mirror almost did not make it in one piece! :)

We love this couch...it is so comfy!

My mom helped me find this piece...unique, it is.

Our Kitchen

Love this table and chairs...looked forever for the perfect table!

This is Michael's dresser from when he was a child. It works wonderful in our kitchen as a buffett...thanks mom who helped me paint it, of course!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2008-12-30T11:19:00.000-08:00

Tacky Christmas Party with Friends - we looked ridiculous but we had fun!

Mom on Christmas day

Michael and Dad

My stocking from Ann and Bill

I believe my mom's comment was "Ann and Laura are cut from the same mold" - I think that "mold" is the best one to be cut from :)

Michael and our niece Moira

Moira loved the bear rug we gave her!

The Bell Family - Take 2 (we did not make a 3rd attempt)

Our living room on Christmas morning!

Our stocking contents...

Michael and I had a wonderful Christmas spending time together and with our family. We split time between my parents house and his parents house as we always do - it really makes it nice that our 2 families are so close.

I started Christmas Eve by heading to mom and dad's to do some cooking with my mom and Stephanie - I look so forward to this each year - it is our time to catch up and hang out! After Michael got off work at noon we headed to eat lunch with James, Anne and Andrew at Davenport's Pizza. Then headed to the Bell's house to see our niece Moira - she is so adorable! After some time at the Bell house it was time to head to Mom and Dad's for the traditional Christmas Eve get together. Mom, Dad, the Honeycutt clan, Uncle Wayne and Michael and I enjoyed a lovely Christmas Eve together just hanging out and of course, the guys watched some football game :).

Christmas day was spent at home in the morning where Michael and I exchanged gifts and then we were off. First to mom and dad's for gifts and food! Then to the Bell house for gifts and more food! Yes we eat 2 Christmas dinners :)

Michael unfortunately had to work on Friday so we headed home about 11:00 after a fun filled day. We were once again reminded as we celebrated Christ's birthday that family and friends are what is most important to us!

Hope you enjoyed the photos!

Wishing you and yours a healthy and prosperous New Year!

With all our love!

Just some various pics to share

2008-11-15T17:27:00.001-08:00

This is a picture of Birmingham's beautiful fall scenery...

...unfortunately this pic is a little cloudy...

...and another!

After lunch at California Pizza Kitchen with Meagan, Amanda & PJ Williams. I kept these kids when they were just that - KIDS! It was a great time catching up after about 5+ years

Lovin' the Beach

2008-11-13T17:25:00.000-08:00

Michael and his momma

The view from our condo

Michael braving the COLD water!

This is actually the only time I stepped foot on the sand

Michael I recently spent the weekend in Panama City at the beach with his parents. While it was a little chilly - not bad considering it is November - we had a wonderful time. Here are just a few pics from our trip!

Stay Blessed!
Michael & Laura

Fall is in the air...

2008-10-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year - the temperature outside, the leaves changing - it is so beautiful! I bought some plants for the front porch several weeks ago that were beautiful and perfect for fall. Unfortunately we were out of town in late September for a weekend and it was really hot - needless to say they had a short life. I must buy more and this time I will do better keeping them alive.

Anyway, things in the Bell house are going GREAT! We have just returned from Indianapolis where we spent the weekend with the newest member of the Bell clan - our niece. She is the most adorable niece, maybe ever! Michael and I really enjoyed our trip seeing both of his brothers which we do not do often enough. On our way home we stopped an a HUGE outlet mall and I hit the jackpot at Ann Taylor. My sweet hubby bought me all kinds of clothes. He is sooooo good to me!

Ballet is off to a great start this year with really good kids in all my classes! There are some funny ones always who say the things that I just don't get but it keeps it entertaining to say the least...

Michael went to the race in Talladega. Unfortunately Dale Jr. did not have a good day - but I think Michael still had fun with his dad. An Irish man at a Nascar race - that is one you don't hear about every day. >:)

Well, just wanted to give everyone a quick update and let you know that all is well with us.

Take Care!
With love,
Michael & Laura

For our family and friends...

2008-09-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

Michael and I are excited to have started this blog to keep all of our family and friends up to date on our life. We are excited about all the God has in store for us throughout our life together and wish to share those memories with you whether you are near or far.

and so I begin...

Michael is currently employed with Regions Bank, working in the loan department. I am teaching ballet - this is my 13th year which is hard to believe! This school year I am teaching at Briarwood Ballet, God's House Kindegarten and Evangel Classical Christian School.

In addition to our jobs we are working together at a business project. It has always been fun working together, but is now becoming amazing. Over the last few months we have really been seeing things click and we are beginning to reap a harvest of the seeds that we have sown. God is always faithful to His promises!

We live in Hoover about 25 minutes from my parents, 25 minutes from Michael's parents and 10 minutes from lots of great shopping! If anyone from overseas wants to come and visit, I will be more than happy to direct you all through the malls around town - right Ann and Bill?!? Hey- someone has to pay the price.

Michael and I have an amazing family and equally amazing friends. We are privileged with the friends and mentors that God has put in our life to help guide us on our journey together.

Michael is still as disciplined as ever when it comes to going to the gym and working out. He gets to play a little ice hockey - well he will get to again when the rink is back up and running. They have had some pipe issue that has had the rink closed for about a month now. He also enjoys Nascar and is looking forward to going to the Talladega race in October with his dad.

I enjoy being home, watching good romantic comedies which are hard to find these days, sitting on my back porch reading a good book, as well as my all time favorite pasttime - shopping.

Well that is all for now as I must head downstairs and tackle the first load of clothes that has just buzzed at me from the dryer. Check back soon as I will keep you up to date on adventures in our life.

Much love to you all!
God Bless!