Long Update...

I am so happy it is finally summer! Here is a little update on what has been going on since my last post. Katie graduated from the DSC nursing program in May and we travelled down to St. George to go to her graduation and help her move. I am so proud of her! Katie and Bridger are now living with us which has been a lot of fun. Bridger is getting so big and destroys everything in his path. For the longest time he wouldn't say my name. Every time I would tell him "say Kaela" he would smile and say "no, no, no." I think he was doing it on purpose:) Then one day I was in the shower and had locked him out and he started pounding on the door shouting at the top of his lungs "KAELA, KAELA!" He is so adorable and mischievous at the same time! I love him to pieces...even though he is constantly putting dents in my walls:)

In my spare time (I say that like I have a lot of it) I have been working on family history. I have loved reading stories about my ancestors and completing their work. What a blessing to know we can all have forever families! Also at the end of May I did another triathlon. I woke up the morning of the race and it was 30 degrees and raining. It was freezing! On the way to the race it was pouring rain! I told Katie that I didn't need a big miracle, just a small one...if the rain could just stop for the race. Well I got my miracle! Although it was cold, the rain stopped just in time! Since Katie is living with me I have turned her into my new running partner. I want to run 10 miles before my birthday in August and work towards a half marathon.

Joel has been very busy this summer with work and school. I wish we had more time together! We try to visit family as much as we can and actually went to visit Joel's parents for Father's Day. I bought Joel a new driver for Father's Day (even though he is not really a Dad yet...I just know he will make a great one some day so I celebrate it anyway). We went golfing with his parents which was so fun. After golf we went back to Joel's parents house and Joel loved his driver so much he wanted to use it just one more time. Even though Joel's dad tried to tell him he would not clear the fence, Joel was determined to hit one more ball. It sounded like gun fire! Not only did he not clear the fence, he put a hole right through it! We both felt really bad (Sorry again Mom and Dad)

Look at his face!

Bridger helping with the garden
I would be smiling that big too if I was graduated!
St. George Temple
Salt Lake Temple, where we did my grandparents work
Provo Temple
Draper Temple
Nice work Joel!

Your Inner Crazy

For some reason I can't get my pictures to load onto my computer from our trip to St. George but I need a break from studying so I'm going to do a little post on all the things that make me unique (a nicer word for crazy)that you may not know about me. Here we go...

1. I have a glass of chocolate milk every day. (Skim milk with "no sugar added" Nesquik)

2. I hate folding laundry and unloading the dishwasher but I love organizing things and having a clean house. (I am a proud owner of a label maker)

3. If I get 99 out of 100 on a test in school, I dwell on the one I missed! (No I'm not a perfectionist)

4. I love babies! And when I see someone carrying a baby, I have to fight the urge to ask the complete stranger if I can hold their baby.

5. I can spend $200 on Joel without even hesitating, but I can't justify spending $10 on myself. I usually talk myself out of most purchases.

6. I love macaroni and cheese! Not the homemade stuff but Kraft! I could eat easy mac every single day! (And I usually do)

7. I'm very shy but can be the most competitive!

8. I can't sleep if the closet door is open or if there is anything on the floor.

9. I hate getting ready for bed (brushing, flossing, washing my face, taking my contacts out)it doesn't take long but I always dread it. I'm actually dreading it as we speak!

10. I own way too many eye shadows but would rather not do my hair/make-up.

11. My clothes in my closet are color coordinated and I only use white hangers because it just looks better! (I make Joel keep his this way too)

12. I have forced myself to like the following foods: bananas, oatmeal, peanut butter, avocados, zucchini, asparagus, pancakes, and syrup.

13. I get sooo nervous to speak in large groups and am easily embarrassed!

14. In my mind I can still tumble. I do one back handspring every year, but that's the extent of it.

15. I'm extremely goofy and when I laugh hard I always cry!

Well there you go, I have exposed my inner crazy! I tag anyone who is willing to do the same! (Especially you Katie because I know you are a lot weirder than me:))

2009 wrapped up...and ready for 2010!!!

It's official 2009 is gone!!! Thought I'd give you some highlights of the year...

1. Bridger and my niece Elizabeth were born January 2009


2. Our cruise at the end of January 2009


3. Katie and Bridger came to live with us May of 2009


4. First Tri June 2009


5. New York in June 2009


6. I turn 25 August of 2009 (not really a highlight more like a milestone)


7. With only a year left of school (in business finance) I change my major to nursing and start all over. I plead insanity!!!

8. Joel loses 60 pounds in four months with good ol' fashioned diet and exercise!


9. Lake Powell September 2009


10. California October 2009


11. We celebrated our 5 year anniversary November 18, 2009


12. The holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas) especially watching Bridger for his first Christmas. (Yes those are Ute pajamas...from yours truly!)


So all in all it was a good and crazy year! I love the new year because it almost feels like a clean slate, a fresh start! I have made my resolutions and I am determined to stick with them this year! I'm looking forward to the adventures of 2010 and hope this will be our year:) Good luck to all of you and your resolutions... may you make it past January!

November...come and gone!

Right now I should be studying for finals but I need a little break so here is an update of my favorite month NOVEMBER!!! November 18 was our 5 year anniversary. I can't believe I've been married for 5 years- time goes by so fast! November 19 my boss got all of us girls tickets to the pre-release of New Moon. November 24 was joel's birthday. And of course the 26th was Thanksgiving which we spent with joel's fabulous family! Katie and Bridger also came for a week which was always fun! The first week of December is already over and now I have a crazy couple of weeks with school and Christmas parties ahead. Life is so hectic right now! I look around at my house and still see fall decor. Does it make me a scrouge if I don't have time to put up a Christmas tree this year???
Here are some random pictures for the month:)Most of them are of Bridger becuase I like to brag about how cute he is!

Seems like it was yesterday

Thanksgiving night...all that triptophan

Bridger's favorite toy (ding, ding) well besides the heater vent

Me and my buddy

Bridger officially likes joel more than me now! (Traitor)

Notice the big sucker in Bridger's hand. Am I the best Aunt or what! How am I not the favorite???

California!!!!

Last week I took a trip with Katie, Bridger, my dad and his wife to Cambria, CA for a family reunion. Our hotel was right across from the beautiful ocean. Every day we would walk along the beach with hot chocolate (it was pretty cold there). We went and saw Hurst Castle, and also watched the elephant seals. It was fun to meet family I had no idea existed and take a little vacation. I just wished Joel could have come with us! Enjoy some of my pictures.


Hurst castle swimming pool...rough life huh

Bridger at Hurst castle

Bridger's first time at the ocean...a little cold

Missing Joel

First day at the ocean

They barked like puppies:)

I wanted to snuggle with them!

Hurst castle--White bricks were imported from UTAH!!!

Lake Powell... A much needed break!!!

We just got back from Lake Powell and as always had a terrific time! I look forward to it every year. The things I love most about Lake Powell are...


Spending a whole week with my hubby,


Spending time with my fun family,


Playing with my cute nieces and nephew(Gracie is a mermaid and has her face painted as a cat),


Wakeboarding (Oh if only I could just wake up every morning and spend some time on the lake),


And of course the beautiful scenery and stars at night!

I can't wait until next year!!! Thanks Gary and Julie, you are the best!!!

Birthday, Blessing, & More!

So I am officially a quarter of a century! I know, I know 10 years from now I'll look back and wish I was 25 again but for now it is a hard age to accept. For my birthday Joel took me to the Homestead (Thanks Gary & Julie!) to stay where we had massages and swam in a crater. He also took the day off and we went shopping and had a great time! On top of all that we had a couple family & friends dinner celebrations. I was definitely spoiled!!! Thanks everyone!

Joel, Katie, and I went to the temple open house. It was absolutley beautiful. I love seeing all the different temples. The temple is such a peaceful place and safe-haven from the world. I am so grateful for temples!

Bridger also had his baby blessing. He looked so hansom in his little white outfit! Joel blessed him and did such an amazing job. No joke I cried like a baby through the entire thing! I am just so lucky to have such a great husband who continually impresses me. He always makes me want to be a better person! We had a little lunch with all the fam. afterwards and it turned out really nice. Thank you everyone who came to support Katie and the baby.

It was a busy, busy week!!! Check out the slide show...