Weekend Hideaway!

A few weekends ago, Michael & I stole away for a little weekend get-a-way. We started the weekend eating @Johnny Rockets! (Michael's such a sucker for a juicy burger!) 

Then, it was straight to the mountains to hide! We rented movies, played games, & snuggled by the fire! The little cottage we stayed in was positively flawless, but since it was a friend's house, I'll respect their privacy & keep pictures of the cottage to myself!

I mean, look at this gorgeous world that we live in!

Feeling renewed & ready to take on the new semester! 

X O X 

K A T I E   G O O S E 

Walking on Snow

One of our favorite parts of living in Utah is having access to these

B E A U T I F U L    M O U N T A I N S !   Every time we go exploring, we can't help but stop & take the time to thank our Heavenly Father for this world he created for us! 

This year, we have not had much time to enjoy them with school & work, but we decided one weekend we would clear our schedule & go on an adventure! We looked up snow shoeing trails, found one that we thought would work & headed up   B I G   C O T T O N W O O D   C A N Y O N .   It took us a while to find the right trail head, but once we did, we strapped on our shoes, turned on a little Dave Matthews & headed out. 

One of my favorite things is being able to hide from the world & just be with my sweetie. I had no idea when I married Michael that I could fall in love with someone this deeply! 

X O X

K A T I E   G O O S E

New Years Eve 2014-2015

T R A D I T I O N ! 

I married into a family with extremely daring brothers. Remember how chilly it was on December 31, 2014? Yeah. Well, my boy was out in that cold in his baby shorts jumping into the Provo River while I sat in the snow terrified he wouldn't make it back out. I have absolutely no idea how this tradition got started, but every New Years Eve, we spend it here. 

I'm getting a little ahead of myself here. By the time the actual river jump rolls around, these boys could use the cool down. Why? Dancing. Hard. 

This aint no 2 step, hands in your pockets, boys on one side, girls on the other dance party. If you come, you sweat. If you come, you head bang. If you come, you are 100% guaranteed to be wishing you hadn't danced so hard the next day.  Hours are spent in the basement of the Riding home or playing games upstairs with Mom & Dad Riding. Friends come. Friends of Friends. Friends of friends of friends come until we have ourselves a real party so loud the windows shake. 

X O X

#katiegoose

Mary Allison Wagner Staheli

Guys. It's so fun being related to your best friend! Nothing but perks. 

I love this girl so much. She has taught me a lot & is always making me laugh. 

I can talk to her about anything without feeling embarrassed & she is quick with words of wisdom. 

She lets me snuggle up real close & play footsies when Michael isn't around. 

I can't make it an hour in the day without communicating with her somehow.

We wear matching clothes, & even have matching phones.

 When I grow up, I wanna be more like her.

X O X

#katiegoose

Family Pictures

I can't believe I haven't posted these yet! I have been absolutely obsessing over them & apparently too selfish to share them! Lucky for me, my cousin is besties with the talented Madison Herbas who introduced me to her flawless photography. I'm not kidding you guys. Do yourself a favor and call her. We were done with the actual shoot within the hour and she was so speedy getting the pictures back! The only issue I do have is deciding which picture to have as backgrounds/profile pics! The struggle is real! I'll stop rambling & allow these pictures to speak for themselves.

S I D E   N O T E : How did I get so lucky to have found Michael?
He is so dashing!

X O X

#katiegoose

KocherMayWagsBlinSmellSwainSenNook Gone Holiday

Meet my people: 

Kara (Kocherhans) Wadsworth, Olivia (Maybe) Parmley, Katie (Wags) Riding, Hailey Hamblin, Kristen (Mella) Hamblin, Carly Swain, Frances (Sorensen) Grover, Ciarah Cook

These girls are my sisters. We see each other at least once a year for our Holiday party, but it feels like no time passes. Every year, we get together, eat, laugh, cry, dance, sing, laugh, cry some more, laugh, pose for awkward pictures, laugh & then cry once again. 

I don't know how I got so lucky to be included in this family, but I am grateful I was at the right place at the right time to be loved by these girls. They are people I look up to and have the uttermost respect for. I can tell them anything & trust they will take care of me. 

I love my sisters.

X O X

#katiegoose

Temple Christmas Lights

I have no idea why these pictures are uploading blurry, but we can just deal. Friday after Christmas, the Wagner clan decided we would meet up at Juli & Jeff's house for dinner ,then make our way over to Temple Square for a stroll through the Christmas lights. 

The Salt Lake Temple has always been one of my favorites. Growing up on the east coast, I was always shown pictures of this Temple & the feeling that came along with these pictures was different than the others. Then, when Michael & I decided to get married, I knew we would be sealed here. Not just because it resembles a castle, but because I am fascinated with the history behind this magnificent building. 

 I have always felt for the earlier saints who sacrificed so much for the completion of this Temple. I feel that by attending this Temple, I am honoring their sacrifices. 

I am so grateful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

I am grateful for Temples & the ordinances we perform in these sacred places.

I am grateful that I can be sealed to my people for time  &   A L L   E T E R N I T Y ! 

I am grateful for my brother, Jesus Christ, who died so that I can return to live with Heavenly Father again. I know these things to be true.

If ever you find yourself wanting to learn more about the "Mormons," click here.

X O X

#katiegoose

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

What a Merry Christmas we had! Normally, the Wagner house is up around 6 AM, but this year we decided to do things quite a bit differently. Brother Bryan was very disappointed in us. We didn't get to the present opening until nearly 10:00 which is absolutely unheard of!

However, this year did bring it's challenges.

I woke up Christmas morning with an awful toothache! I took ibuprofen, but it just wasn't enough. 

So, I ended up on something a little stronger that caused me to be the entertainment of the morning... Luckily, I got used to the medication and I wasn't crazy for the concert that night!

This year, Michael & I did something I never thought I would do.

We sang a song just the 2 of us.  W H A T ?  Me? Singing a solo? I don't know what got into me, but we had so much fun preparing it, how could I not? We decided to sing a classic, 

I    S A W    M A M M A    K I S S I N G    S A N T A   C L A U S !

We sang the 1st verse as normal but then decided it would be fun to add on to it. Our addition went a little something like this: 

"I saw Daddy tackle Santa Claus, underneath the mistletoe last night.

He didn't see him creep, down the stairs to have a peek.

He thought that Pops was tucked up in his bedroom fast asleep.

I saw Mommy wave to Santa Claus, as he left our house that snowy night!

Oh, what a laugh it truly was, & I'm laughing just because.

Momma got caught kissing Santa Claus!"

I don't know about you, but I think it should be added to the official lyrics. 

Now comes my most favorite memory of the evening. After everyone left, we all sat around talking for a while, which then for no reason in particular turned into a giant 80's dance party! 

I mean how many families end their Christmas dancing! Everyone in the family joined in & it was a Christmas event I won't soon forget. 

Each Holiday being married stretches my comfort zone far more than I ever thought possible. Although in the moment I am stressed, nervous, & a little sick, each memory helps be become a little bit better.

Merry Christmas!

X O X

#katiegoose

Bryan & Kara's Babyshower

Bryan & Kara are having a baby! While this is old news, the past few weeks of my life has been devoted to getting a baby shower together. Kara isn't due for a few months, but we wanted to make sure we got a shower in before Jayme headed back to Ohio after the Holidays. After asking Kara & Bryan for a few themes, we came up with: Airplanes. Sounds easy enough, but it took me hours to get everything together! Finally, we were able to set it up and see how it all looked. I was pretty proud of how everything pulled together. Take a look!

The clouds are made of batting sewn together by fishing lining. Aren't they just the cutest?

This sign has precut letters, but everything else was hand cut and glued together.

It didn't take long, and it was a nice touch!

Aren't they just the cutest? They are going to make the such amazing parents. 

Their little man is one lucky dude.

Sweet Grandma & Grandpa let us hold the baby shower at their house. It was a perfect setting.

X O X

K A T I E   G O O S E

A Garlick Hot Cocoa Bar

Jill Garlick is the cutest little lady  E V E R !   Next holiday season, when planning your festivities consider a Hot Chocolate Bar! She had mini mallows, whipped cream, a plethora of chocolate varieties, and games to keep us busy for hours! Everyone had a blast, and it was such a creative idea.

X O X

K A T I E  G O O S E