Remember how much I love weddings?

Really, a lot. I love them. I think I'll have one of my own someday, but in the meantime, I'll go to other people's! My bff Jenn got married last Tuesday and I was privileged to not only be in the bridal party, but to take the pictures as well! It was such a fun party and I was grateful that Tracie went with me, because not only is she a lot of fun but she is a great assistant! So enjoy some of the pics!

They got married at Rose Sachs Gardens up parleys canyon, and it was beautiful! It was really hot and sunny, but very serene and pretty. I love Jenn's dress, she is so pretty!

Our dresses were super comfy and breezy, which was nice. And we all wore flip flops, which you can't beat.

I love this. Not because of how it turned out, which I do like, but because I am always having people do this for pictures but I never realized how hard it can be. So funny!

In case you were thinking, woah, Kat's hair looks rockin, I will show you a close up. My cousin Heidi did my hair and I loved it so much! It was totally solidified, also, and didn't move even after I slept on it. For three days. And wore it to church. Amazing. Ok, just one night. And I loved the earrings, too! Really, I just think we all-around scored as bridesmaids.

I'll probably be framing this picture. Blowing it up and framing it. Putting it on a billboard. and framing it.

This is Brian, the guy that I walked down the aisle with. He is hilarious and it was so funny watching him dance. I know that some of you lucky folks are familiar with my old man run? Well, he was all about the old man dance. Awesome. It was an unofficial dance throw-down and I'm pretty sure I won. If only because I copied all of his righteous moves.

Everything about Jenn's wedding was unique, which was so fun. Instead of bubbles, birdseed or flowers, we made ribbon wands to wave as they left. They were so fun, the kids loved them, and they make for such cute pictures! Tracie whipped me with one, though, twice, and it hurt. So I hope that Jenn and Allen didn't have any welts from any over-enthusiastic kids. Or 17-year-olds.

And this is the only picture we took together all night. I was telling Jenn today that I felt bad because I was off my game that night, I forgot so many things! The night before we all got together at Jenn's and did pedicures and watched "Bride Wars" and I won't lie, at the end when they are doing the "best friend" montage, I got a little teary eyed. When it comes to bff's, I really lucked out. I have sometimes been a slacker friend (like 10th grade. . . snow college. . . after snow college. . .) and she has always been so constant. I have always known that I could count on her for anything, and it made me sad to see that it took her getting cancer to make me realize what a blessing she is in my life--not just on birthdays and holidays, but all the time. And she is the best card chooser/giver ever.
I am so happy that she has found Allen, they are so cute together and the happiness they exude is almost gross. Not really, it's just great. Happy forever, friend!

Who knew?

Well, I think Heavenly Father did. Knew that Tooele wasn't the job for me, so even though the interview went really well and I felt very calm and confident (thanks so much for all your prayers!) they decided to go with someone else. They did like me, and it was "neck and neck" between the other person and me. So, I know that I'm qualified, I know I'm a good candidate, and I know that another job is coming my way! So thanks again for all the love and support, I have the best friends ever!

Can I get an AMEN?

Really, you can say it silently, but I have a favor to ask you guys. As you know, I have had a hard time finding a teaching job this summer, and have a big interview on Tuesday at Tooele Jr. High. It sounds pretty promising, the Principal is really impressed with my placement file (portfolio) that I sent him, and I feel really good about it, but I could use some extra prayers. I may have to go out of state if this doesn't come through. . . not that it would be so bad, but you know. So, the interview is on Tuesday. Thanks for your help, I'll let you know how it goes!

Additional Video

Here is the video from Wednesday night, Jason and Jeanine dancing a Travis Wall routine to Jason Mraz called "If It Kills Me" and it's amazing. I am a big fan of Mraz anyway, he's got great melodic and lyrical skills. But as Cat Deeley says, this is Travis' choreographic debut, and it's so amazing. I wish I could find a vid with the whole clip, the intro and then the comments of the judges. The reason I cried is not only the beauty that is danced, but because it was the realization of a dream, and that always makes me cry. PS the story they are dancing is that they are long time best friends trying to decide if they should take the next step. . . joint bank accounts, I think. Oh, the passion. So great.

Dancing is Buck.

Have you been watching "So You Think You Can Dance"? Ever? I am sad that I only started watching it last season, I think I missed out on some amazing performances from the first three. I know that some of you may not watch because Mary Murphey has one of the most annoying voices/screams/laughs/comments in the world, but you cannot deny the talent that is on that show. So. For those of you who have not seen it, I am going to post some of my favorite videos. The first one is "Bleeding Love" performed by Chelsea and Mark, choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha, "NappyTabs". They are so so so amazing! It is from season four and I seriously watch this all the time and now I won't have to search youtube. I'm so nice to do all the work for you.

I also want to post this video of Tabitha (of NappyTabs) dancing because I like it. I just do. Tabitha is the one in the pink shirt. Such cool moves.

This next one was from last week, season five, with Kupono and Kayla dancing a Mia Michaels routine. So Mia is straight up amazing. I don't know how people can move their bodies like that, but they do so it's possible. Also, the music to this is by Sarah Bareillis, called Gravity, and the lyrics are so amazing. When I get a job, that's the next cd I'm buying. PS this video starts on second 14. . .wait for it, it's worth it. K and K are both so amazing in this, and Kupono really, well, watch.

There is one from last night that I will post as soon as it is available because it was so good it made me cry. You be waiting.

I Heart Bear Lake!

I have always been a fan. For as long as I can remember, we have gone to Bear Lake every summer with my mom's side of the family. We sit and talk, eat, swim, get sunburned, and this summer, we were eaten by mosquitoes. They were so bad this year! But I'll put up with a little itching for some lake time. The water was pretty cold, but as always, once you get in it's perfect!
I had a wedding on Wednesday so Laura and I took Toria, Brayden and Audrey up with us on Thursday morning. The kids slept over Wed. night so we could get an early start in the morning. Everyone was so excited, and we finally left the house around 8:30.





























The kids loved rocking out to the music, and it was so funny to watch them. Toria would sing with us so loud but didn't know any words until she could pick up the chorus, so it was just a lot of mumbo-jumbo madness. Awesome!
When we got to the lake, we ate lunch and got ready to go down to the beach. We slathered the sunscreen on the kids and were off!
















































We had a great time playing in the water and the sand and just relaxing. Cute little Audrey was so cold and just loved being cuddled all wrapped up in her towel.
We had a yummy group dinner with all of the family that was there and had a great time just hanging out in the pavilion and talking. Grandma helped the kids take showers and then they got sticky with smores. But you gotta have them! Audrey slept in the trailer with Grandma and Grandpa and Tor and Brady slept in the tent with me. Laura and Tracie slept in another tent. The kids did so good in the tent, but I guess Audrey took forever to go to sleep.
Friday morning we got up and had breakfast and played around for a bit. Tracie, Laura and I took Audrey for a ride in the car so she would fall asleep because if anything is going on around her, she will just play and play and never take a nap. When we got back, Erik and Kami were waiting for us on the beach. We got ready and headed down there and played some more. When Alan and April got there, I took Audrey up and traded for the baby and held Ellie while they went down to play.



















Dad took out the raft and gave the kids rides and they loved it. Alan and April took the kids home with them Friday night and although I loved having the kids there, I really liked not having to take them potty and getting them ready for bed.
Saturday we packed up and went with Erik and Kami to meet up with Heidi and Clayton, Kami's sister and brother-in-law. We hung out with them on the beach and played with a frisbee in the water for a while. It was pretty overcast, but it was really nice anyway. It's always nice to get one more swim in before you have to call it quits for another year.

It was a great trip and I can't wait until next year!

Life Goes On

Sad, but true. We, like the rest of the world, have been listening to MJ a little more (and with a little more love) than usual. We may have a moment of silence for him as we begin our drive to Bear Lake before we rock out as usual. Tracie did an unbelievable job as a guest poster, so I'll never let it happen again. I mean, come on, people, she got so many more comments than I did! But, I guess that's not what it is really about. Writing something to make YOUR day better is what it's really about. So, if it can't be me (all the time, anyway) I'll let it be Tracie.
It's been a pretty busy week. Well, as busy as it gets for me, lately, anyway. Last weekend was ca-razy, I had a fun bridal shower for Jenn, where I made many delectable desserts and impressed even myself, and learned a lot about Mary Kay from my new personal make-up artist. That was fun. Don't worry, I'm not selling.









I don't even remember everything I did, last week, to tell you the truth. I know I went to the gym every day, monday through friday, which was the first time in a while. I've missed the consistency, and I find it's harder to make myself go when I don't have a real schedule. "Oh, I can go whenever," I tell myself, but you can't find whenever when you can sleep forever or play with the kids or read or. . . . so, go me.









I made a goal to fill out an application or something every day this week, and for the big finale, on Friday I wrote up a killer cover letter, combined it with my resume, and sent it to THIRTY-FOUR principals of junior high and high schools in the Granite and Salt Lake districts. I even used the merge function in word. AND printed envelopes. Amazing. Working on my due diligence so I can combine my works with my faith. I'm excited to see how it all pans out.
Yesterday, Tracie and I went with EriKami and their friends to Sugar House park to see the fireworks. I haven't been there forever, and it was a lot of fun! I was impressed at how long the fireworks went, and it was fun playing HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL UNO before. It's true, I didn't know that there was an official HSM uno, but there is. Phenomenal. So, enjoy some pictures from the last week and be sure and check out my new photography blog!


I wish I would have filmed the finale instead. . . oh well.