Monday, June 10, 2013

Stephen and Cheyanne's Wedding

Stephen and Cheyanne had the cutest wedding, 50's theme and they pulled it off perfectly!
 The boys looked so sharp


 Stephen pushed their little girl down the isle!


 Walker and I probably drank 20 of these that night, cola overload

Wishing those two all the happiness in the world!!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Moving Jitters

T-minus 31 days til we set sail for big sky country! That means only 21 working days left! I can't believe it's come so fast.  Last weekend Carolyn and I headed north for an extended weekend to hunt for housing. It rained and rained and rained and rained some more, being from the high dessert area I can honestly say I don't think I've seen so much rain for so long...Overall it was a successful trip but I was so shocked at how hard it is to find decent rentals in the area. According to the locals because of the oil boom in North Dakota a lot of people are relocating to Billings which is one of the closest metropolitan cities. We made about 100 phone calls and drove up and down almost every street up there. Good news is I got a good feel for how to get around. We did find a place and I am super excited! It's a little duplex that is owned by Colton's secretary's mom...did you follow that?. Anyways super nice lady, super nice place and within the budget YAY!!! Our planned moving date is June 22 and I start school July 8. (again still in shock that it's so close). 
Good news #2: We are fairly certain Walker has a job working for a surveyor. So relieving to have this taken care of prior to moving. Billings is a little behind on the times and a lot of businesses up there don't have websites making it difficult to find places and work. 
So glad things are starting to fall into place. Currently we are just working on checking of items on our Utah county bucket list as well as wrapping up some ongoing projects!
I can't express how excited I am to be at the start of a new adventure and am just about ready for it to be here!! 

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Happy 2013

Well the world didn't end and 2013 came without a hitch. We spent the long weekend at the Ray Ranch and were so grateful to have two four day weekends in a row.

It was freezing but a perfect day to shoot
 The Ray Men
 we were glad the sun was out
 That hill way out there that you can't even see, that's about 1000 yards and where the target is
 That's my man
 The Ray clan and our toys

The weekend was great other than being a frozen tundra. The boys went out two more times to go shooting...I opted out and went shoe hunting with my mother-in-law Carolyn instead.  
We rang in the new year pretty quietly. I slept til about 1145, woke up in time to see the clock change and then went to bed, what can I say we're an exciting bunch.

2012 In Review
Last year I decided to go back to school to finish up my prereqs for PA school. The two semesters were successful (now if I could only finish my calculus). I applied to two PA schools, U of U and Rocky Mountain College (Billings, MT). RMC offered me and interview and I was accepted into their 2015 class (I had to read the letter a few times and do some math). I start this coming July and couldn't be more excited. 
Walker and I moved out of our first apartment which was bitter sweet. It was our first home and treated us well but it was time for an upgrade. I love our new town home and have a beautiful view of Mount Timanogos along with three bed, three bath, a garage and a walk in closet :-). If we were planning on staying longer I would love to buy it. 
I decided to take a full time position at Utah Valley Orthopedics and not work at the High School. I love my job and the people I work with but I definitely miss working with the kids.
Walker got a new job working at Kindig-it Design up in Murray as a fabricator and he is without a doubt much happier there. 
I ran my first half marathon (in the dark) which was such an amazing experience. One of my goals for 2013 is to run at least one or two more. I definitely found a passion for running during my training and plan on continuing for years to come. 

2013 
I'm not big on resolutions because most of the time its a big craze for about 2 weeks and then it's back to eating chocolate cake and sitting on the couch. Mostly I just want to live happy and healthy and take what comes in stride.

Happy 2013 everyone!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Christmas Time

Walker and I spent Christmas with the Rays. It was an amazing four day weekend at the Ray Ranch.
Saturday I helped Grams wrap last minute presents, went to lunch with Sally and her little one, and was Return of the Guardian with Dad Lindy and Jaymie... I'd call that a successful day. Sunday we had dinner at Grams' with Dad, Lindy and the kids and exchanged early Christmas presents followed by Taboo and Mad Gab. We had a great time and were glad we got to spend some quality time with them. Monday we just hung out and watched it snow. Christmas morning was perfect and I introduced the Ray's to German Pancakes (my favorite)! We headed over the Grandmas Shirley's for lunch and reluctantly headed back home.

 Love That Smile


 JJ in Her Robe



 Thanks so much for the Lysol

 He's Special
 Updated Family Photo
 Ma and Pa Ray

ZZ Top Round 2

Last year the Ray Clan went to ZZ Top in Vegas. We all had a blast and decided for this years Christmas we would do it again. So Mom, Ray, Bob, Carolyn, Colton, Walker and I all tripped to Vegas for the weekend and ZZ Top. 
Friday we went to the concert which was amazing. They've been performing for over 40 years and know how to put on a good show; definitely a talented group of people.
It was NFR week down there so Saturday we went over to Cowboy Christmas. I've never been before and had a great time browsing through all the booths. 
 The Whole Clan

 Mom and Ray

 Bob and Carolyn

 Attempt #1

 Ya I'm not sure...

 Attempt #2

 Attempt #3 = Success

 Billy F Gibbons

 The Band

 The Lobster bib

 Ya he hates his picture taken








Can't wait to see what next years trip brings

Thanksgiving Time

Yes I'm well aware I'm WAY behind on blogging but I still want to get it in.  This year for Thanksgiving my Mom and Ray came up to spend it with Walker and I.  We were so grateful we didn't have to travel anywhere.  Thursday Mom and I cooked a traditional thanksgiving dinner which turned out very yummy. Friday the boys ran around and did boy things, mom and I went up to City Creek to start our Christmas shopping and see the light downtown.  The weekend was perfect.
 The boys just chillin
 Mom 
Love his face

Friday, November 9, 2012

Month of thanks

So I've been inspired by all you people posting thanks every day. I'm not diligent enough to do it every day but here's a list of 22 things I'm thankful for:
1. My husband - this is a belly button answer but its true. Walker is the most amazing thing in my life. He's my rock, my inspiration, my best friend and my person. He tests my strengths and my weaknesses and always challenges me to be a better person

2. My family - all of my moms and all of my dads and everyone in between. I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful beautiful crazy large and expansive family and I would trade them for the world.

3. To be an American - the recent election has brought to my thoughts exactly what it means to be an American. And although the outcome is one I didn't support I'm thankful for the opportunity I had to vote and for the right to voice my opinions.

4. A warm car in the morning - this one kind of falls under husband. It's been cold out and my sweet husband starts my car for me so its warm when I drive to work.

5. My job - I absolutely love my job from what I do to the people I work with.

6. Our home - I love our home that we've made for ourselves and the shelter it provides from the world

7. My friends - I've never been one to have a big group of friends and prefer to get to know a few people really well than a lot of people not so well. For those friends in my life I am truly thankful.

8. Technology - It baffles me how people got along without technology and technology itself amazes me. I love all my gadgets and am thankful I am fortunate enough to have some.

9. My education - I love school and learning new things. And at this time I'm thankful to be able to continue my education with graduate school.

10. Hot tea/coffee - With the weather getting cold my all time favorite things are hot drinks to warm me up. I've taken a recent liking to green tea with honey.

11. Boots and other winter wear - winter is quickly approaching and it's currently snowing outside so it's time to bust out the boots and coats.

12. Books - I love love love to read pretty much anything. And am thankful for this escape from everyday life.

13. Health - knock on wood walker and I are very healthy and try to live healthy lifestyles to maintain that.

14. Grandparents - I already said family but I'm especially thankful for all my grandparents and the opportunity I've had to develop close relationships with all of them.

15. In laws - another family one but my in laws are awesome, I couldn't have found better people to marry into if I searched the whole world round.

16. Fiscal blessings - I'm truly thankful that walker and I are fortunate not to struggle financially.

17. Handy hubby - having a handyman around is awesome. Our bathroom sink had pretty much ceased its ability to drain and this weekend he cleaned out the drain. Made my whole day.

18. Sunday afternoons - my favorite time of the week. We generally spend this time relaxing and preparing for the week to come. I cherish this quality time with the hubby and recharging my mojo.

19. Jobs - for walker and I in general. I'm thankful we both have good jobs in a time when they are sparse.

20. Walker is thankful that I'm writing a thankful blog so he doesn't feel obligated to.

21. Health insurance - I took the big step and enrolled in an insurance plan today something I've been unable to do and have gone without for a few years.

22. Life in general - life is good and beautiful and messy and crazy and amazing. I love my life and wouldn't trade anything in it for the world!

Just a side note. This list was a little difficult and not because I'm not thankful for things but the opposite. I'm thankful for everything and everyone in my life. Happy thanksgiving everyone I hope your holidays are wonderful!