Moving Day!

In the state of Utah, July 24th, is almost a bigger holiday than July 4th. Until moving here myself, I had no idea the 24th of July was a holiday! What is this holiday only known to those who call themselves Utahns? Pioneer Day! This is the day the Utah was discovered/claimed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! Being a member of this church, I truly do appreciate all that the Pioneers did! So, in honor of them trekking across the country in all sorts of weather conditions, and enduring many unknown diseases, we decided we would move! It's probably the best way to honor such a sacrifice!

Okay not really... But we did end up moving on Pioneer Day and I found it to be a little ironic... We started out the move the night before when my amazing parents, Lorilee & David, met us at our apartment with the bulk of our things. They just told us they would meet us after work with some stuff, but then ended up loading up most of our storage units! I couldn't believe all that they had grabbed! We unloaded that stuff, then woke early the next morning to finish packing our things before our moving party arrived. Mostly, Michael and I found ourselves throwing things in random boxes which made unpacking super inconvenient, but what can you do? We had Bryan, Ed, the twins, my Mother and Parker Bullock, one of Michael's Marine buddies, there to help. Lucky for us, we fit most of our stuff in the van/trailer, truck, and our car so only a few people had to drive up to Salt Lake. Then, Dan, Jaimie, Brad, and Jeff met us in Salt Lake to help us unload! We had it done in probably 15 minutes! It is so incredible to me how blessed we are with our supportive family! We are still working on settling in, but I've got some pictures from the big day! Honestly, this day couldn't have gone any smoother! Thank you for all of your help!

Selfishness

This post, I'm embarrassed to say, is purely for my own enjoyment. Michael being gone forces me to go back through every picture we have together. It started out with when we first met, and after getting to our Bridals, I stumbled across a certain picture that I have absolutely fallen in love with yet again! You guys, only 5 more sleeps until I can finally have my guy back. I appreciate his service in the military, but it makes for one lonely redhead! 

Enough of this sadness! Here's the picture!

X O X

A VERY LONELY,

Katie LaPriel

Decisions

Sometimes while Michael is gone, I am faced with these huge, life altering decisions that need to be made when I have no ability to speak with Michael about them first. This past week was just one of those decision making times! As you know, Michael and I are currently living with my parents. Obviously, it isn't our first choice, but it has been really nice to reconnect with both sides of our families, and also helped us save a few bucks. Now that we are fast approaching the end of summer 2014, it's been time for us to be looking for a place closer to where our lives have taken us, Salt Lake City. Michael and I have been constantly looking all summer, but had our heart set on one in North Salt Lake. Unfortunately, at the time it was just too expensive. It was strange though because every time we would go out looking, that apartment would flash across my mind. Finally, about Tuesday of this week, I called them to see if anything had changed and to my surprise they had! They were right in our price range and I couldn't be more ecstatic! The catch being I had to sign the contract   T H A T   D A Y !   They only had this special through the end of the week and I had to move fast. So, I signed on the dotted line! Michael had no clue and here I was putting a deposit down on our future apartment! Lucky for me, when I did tell Michael, he was really excited that everything had worked out! Then I told him we would be moving 4 days after he gets home and he got stressed. Oh well! The Ridings are moving out... A G A I N ...

X O X

Katie LaPriel

4th of July

It's amazing how having Michael Linley around for the 4th makes all the difference! It's true, he's gone now,  B U T  he was here for the holiday. Pick and choose your battles I guess... Anyway! We started out the morning up South Fork canyon with Michael's wonderful family! We had breakfast, shot rockets, and while the boys played soccer, we sat around and enjoyed a stimulating conversation. Every time we get together with Michael Linley's family, I am reminded of how truly amazing his they are! I fall in love with them all over again! I am so blessed to have married into such a killer family!

These were our well thought out celebration outfits! 

Mmmmm! 

M I C A E L   L I N L E Y   I S   O N E   H A N D S O M E   M A N ! 

While we were there, Michael Linley and his brothers played a game called Donkey! Sadly, Michael Linley lost, so as punishment, they got to kick the soccer ball as hard as they could at his D E R R I E R E !  Luckily, they had terrible aim and didn't hit him!

The Rock Jump...

Michael Linley, Brad, and the twins headed down the canyon to jump off   

" T H E   R O C K . "   After an eventful rescue of a families paddles & kayak, they were ready to willingly plunge into the depths of the freezing cold Provo River! 

Want to know a secret? I've never ever done "The Rock" jump! Shh... I don't handle cold water well and lucky for me, Michael doesn't pressure me into it! 

Maybe one day I'll work up the courage!

Then it was up to Snow Bird Resort for our evening of swimming and laughs! We could hardly believe how beautiful it was up there! It was our own little paradise!

This is our awkward family photo. I think we pretty much nailed it.

It's super pixelated, but when all you've got is your iPhone, 

you deal with what you're dealt! 

Allison, Jordan, Michael Linley & I ended up staying the night! We woke up the next morning, obviously ate breakfast at iHop, then Michael and I went on a hot pursuit for the perfect apartment! Unfortunately, no luck so far! We are praying I find something while he is gone!

X O X

Katie LaPriel

The Drive-In

Alright, so Michael is gone for his Annual Training, so while he is away, I'm gonna play quick catch up. A couple of weeks ago, Michael and I house sat for my brother - in - law, Daniel, and his wife Jaimie. While we were there we spent a lot of time with Allison and Jordan! Although I didn't get too many pictures, I grabbed a few from the Drive-In we went too! We saw How to Train your Dragon 2 and Maleficent! Both movies are seriously amazing and we would both highly recommend going to see them! Aside from an awkward catcall from a man at McDonalds, it was such a massive success! 

It was a good group. A really great group! 

X O X

Katie LaPriel

Suck it Up

On days like today, I want for nothing more than to be with my little family. 

Details of the day aren't important, but the moments 

I hope to never forget can be displayed in one simple picture. 

Thank goodness for these boys! 

I don't think I would be sane without them! 

 X O X

Katie LaPriel