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

Kristian Ciarah Cook

Sometimes in life, you meet people that you can just tell will be friends for life. Lucky for me, I met these girls in high school and I know no matter what, friends for life will we be! We may not see each other everyday, but when we get together, it's like no time has passed.

Our most recent gathering was for Ciarah's Birthday yesterday! Honestly, nothing but grand words to say about this gal. I honestly don't think I've ever met someone who's laugh is so contagious! She is such a ray of sunshine in our lives!

Because we apparently struggle taking pictures, I had to crop these ones down from the group pictures... Priceless...

Although not all of us were able to be there, everyone was totes there in spirit! I am so grateful for my Junior year of high school when these girls decided to accept me into their family! 

Even when we marry, we are forever friends.

I cannot wait until Friday when all of us will finally be together! Obviously it will be a picture overload! I'm not ashamed!
#kochermaywagsblinsmellswainsenook

xoxo

Katie LaPriel

Girls Night!

New Blog Design! Holy lick is it late, but sometimes when you get excited about things, sleep just isn't an option and boy am I excited about the new look! What do you think? I'm obsessed!

Back to the original reason I write this post. 

Last weekend was Michael Linley's time with them thing they call the Marine Corps! It was his last drill before he heads out to Annual Training (his 2 week training) next month. I am so dreading next month! Please help it go by fast! 

Anyway, while Michael was away, I worked, then spent my evening with two of my favorite gals! My dear cousin Allison and our friend Amy. (Amy and I have only hung out a handful of times but I swear we are soul sisters! I just really heart her.) We met up at Thanksgiving Point and watched The Fault In Our Stars at the Mega Plex. I know, I know! I've already seen it, but I seriously haven't fallen in love with a movie like I have this one in such a long time! Yes, it is a sad movie, but not in the kind that makes you want to go kill yourself. It's more along the lines of a movie that makes you want to hug your loved ones a little tighter when you see them. 

Once the movie ended, we spent sometime in the bathroom attempting to salvage any make up we had on. Well, I might as well be honest, it was mostly me trying to fix my face! I can't help that I am an extreme crier... I get it from my Dad. Where was I... Oh! We got this awesome bathroom selfie! 

Ice cream obviously was a must, so we headed out to find some. After about an hour of nothing but laughing, we drove past the sister-wives house and headed home! Michael told me that he was staying on base that night so when I walked in the bedroom door and he was there, I was shocked!  Earlier in the evening, he called to say goodnight and pray with me when in reality, he was sitting in our bed the entire time! What a little sneak! 

It was the perfect ending to an amazing #girlsnightout

xoxo

Katie LaPriel

Parade of Homes

If there is one thing that I have gotten from my Mother, it is my love for DIY and my love for looking at other people's houses... As creepy as that sounds, that is exactly what we do come June! We try our hardest to make it to the Parade of Homes each year, but have missed the past 2 years due to other commitments. This year, we tried really hard to make it to as many houses as we could! This year, we left definitely feeling inspired!

It was back to the booties for us! For some reason,
they were  E X T R A  large this year. 

Michael Linley and I will have these in our house.
Disney quotes.

This theatre was absolutely amazing! It was dedicated to Harry Potter, but here is the kicker, 
I T    W A S   A L L   A U T O G R A P H E D !

X O 

K A T  I E   L A P R I E L

Pictures

I have been dying to share these pictures with the world! A couple of weeks ago, I had the talented M A D I S O N   B O H A N N O N  take some pictures of Michael Linley and myself. I have been wanting to get some nice ones for a long time, but photographers are just so dang expensive! Lucky for me, I have an amazingly talented best friend who was generous enough to snap some shots! Huge Shout out to M A D D Y ! we love them! Check them out! Sorry there is kind of a lot, but she Has so much talent!

THIS PICTURE CAPTURES SO MUCH!

I MEAN  C O M E   O N ! WORKING IT!

Maddy said I looked to formal and to do something with my hands, so I whipped out this ANTM move and then immediately felt awkward!

 I am one crazy soul, but these pictures are just too embarrassing not to share! It is a good thing Michael Linley makes me confident enough to share all of my embarrassing moments!

This man is my absolute favorite. 

X O X

K A T I E   L A P R I E L