Lovin the Holidays

I love how Thanksgiving is not only one day but since whoever schedules National holidays planted it on a Thursday you get four days of celebration. And usually since there is so much food on the actual day four days of great food. This year Nathan and I went to Salt Lake to celebrate the day with my family. Some of the highlights: Cooking, laughing, joking, eating, and family.


Going skeet shooting...


Bowling with the entire Kent Family in the very small Malad Bowling Lanes. I don't think I have laughed that hard in a long time. Especially because Nathan's dad had never picked up a bowling ball in his life and kicked everyone's butt.


Taking Kent Family pictures. I couldn't have asked for better sister-in-laws.

Random

It's a big day for me with two posts in a row. I was going through the pictures in my phone and came across some exceptionally good ones that I felt needed sharing.

This first picture was taken during some downtime at Nationals. It is just Nathan and Brady enjoying some cuddle time.


At Nationals Nathan had picked up a new saddle and so of course his brother had to try it out. However, there was no saddle stand around to sit the saddle on so this is the boys improvising. Creativity at it's finest!!


This last picture was taken back in June during the Malad High School graduation. I looked over at these mirror images.

GO BIG BLUE!!

One of my favorite things about going to college was the football games, because we all know it definitely wasn't sitting in class. And it makes it especially fun when your team happens to be REALLY good. This last weekend Nathan and Lisa Gugleman came to visit us and go to the Boise State vs. Idaho State football game. The game is supposed to be a big rivalry but BSU has beaten the Vandals for the past 11 seasons. And quite embarasing for Idaho fans too.

The football game was awesome, besides being 20 degrees out, after the national anthem was sang there were three military helicopters that flew right over the field. And the Boise Airport flew the Horizon Airlines Boise Broncos plane around the stadium. You could feel the patriotism for both our country and the school.

Although you can't tell from some of the pictures we were decked out with Bronco spirit in true Blue and Orange fashion. It was so much fun to be at the game and hang out with some great friends.

Arabian U.S. Nationals

The U.S. Nationals ranks as the most prestigious North American championship in the Arabian show horse industry. It is 1,506 miles from Kuna, Idaho to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The driving time on that trip is about 24 hours. The Tulsa Expo Center is one of the grandest show grounds I have ever been to. At first I was discouraged being stalled all the way in the "who the hell are you" stalls, but after a few days of freezing temperatures I thought our massive enclosed barn with heaters was pretty nice. Nathan showed his stallion, Nobles Top Gun, in the Arabian Reining Futurity. There were two runs and they took the composite score from both runs and Nathan was Reserve National Champion. It was one of the most proud moments of my entire life. And one of the few times I have actually seen Nathan get excited about winning.


In order to kill some downtime during our week at the show I checked out the Oklahoma Aquarium. It was a good way to burn a couple hours. The Aquarium was complete with giant bull sharks (the biggest one in captivity), cute little turtles, big ugly turtles, clown fish, big ugly fish, and otters.

Business as Usual

I would love to write a post about all the wonderful activities we are doing as a couple. Going to the Zoo, throwing a BBQ, going for a joy ride; but we just don't have anytime for that. Last week I spent the entire week in Reno at the Snaffle Bit Futurity working and helping out Annie Reynolds, Nate's old boss. It is the largest show in the NRCHA and even though I was working it was a blast to be there and be apart of the behind the scenes action. There were some of the best horses and trainers in the industry there. Nathan came on Friday and spent the weekend in Reno with me.

Now that we are home it is business as usual with Nathan riding horses everyday and me building my business and riding my horse. I have often thought about other things that couples do together and honestly when we have time to do them we are so exhausted from the week that we both feel like keeping things low key. Our work day doesn't go from 8-5 it's usually 8-8 and sometimes on the weekends when people stop by or when things need to be done. Don't get me wrong, nobody chooses this lifestyle by accident because there isn't any other occupation. It is a lifestyle that we were both born into. We do it because we love it, it's like a drug. I feel so blessed to get to live my dream everyday and to be surrounded by the most beautiful animals. A lot of times I take this lifestyle for granted but the reason for this post is to write my gratitude for the life I live.

Happy Birthday Nathan

Disclaimer: This blog is kind of a catch-all


My most wonderful husband turned 26 on Tuesday September 15th. Birthdays have always been a big deal in my family. Both my brother and I get very excited during the time of year when people start mentioning presents and especially a day all about us. For anyone who has been around me about a month before my birthday knows this about me. And I have always been pained by Nathan's lack of exuberance for his birthday. To him, it is just another day! WHAT???? Did I just hear that correctly??? Yes.... just another day!!!

This year I asked him if he could eat anywhere in the world where would he want to eat. His response.... Texas Roadhouse. A usual stop for us when it comes to going out so I was a little disappointed that it wasn't that special. But we were joined by good friends and family.
We have also been extremely busy this month with horse shows. September 10 - 13 we were in South Jordan, Utah for the Affiliate Finals and Derby. This last Wednesday through Friday Nathan went back down to Ogden for the Heritage Derby. And Wednesday we are going back down to South Jordan, Utah for the Arabian Autumn Classic. Then the following Monday I am leaving for the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Finals. I am going down to help out Annie Reynolds, Nate's old boss, with her sale horses. Whew, what a month. It has been slightly overwhelming but we are managing.
Also, as I was downloading the pictures from Nathan's birthday I found these pictures from a while ago. My dad is a huge golfer and he gave Nathan and I his old set of clubs. We have gone to the driving range and find it a nice way to spend the afternoon away from the horses. One visit we had to Sacramento we went to the driving range with my dad and these are some of the pictures from our time. We both play pretty well for two people who have no idea what they are doing.

Our First Visitors

We have officially had our first visitors in our new home. One of my dearest friends Mike Matthews and his wife Brooke drove up from Salt Lake City on Thursday and then sadly left yesterday. Mike is one of the first people I met when I first moved to Salt Lake. We had a political philosophy class together and sat next to each other and complained about how much we didn't like the class. And we have stayed friends ever since. He got married to Brooke a year ago and I got to be in the sealing room during their wedding, one of my favorite memories. She is an awesome addition to have to the friendship.

They drove up to not only hang out but to ride some horses and shoot some shotguns. It was fun being able to share what Nathan and I do everyday with them. The horses were awesome and everyone learned a lot this weekend. On Saturday Mike, Brooke, and I went out in the middle of nowhere and shot some shotguns. Nathan didn't get to come because he had to stay behind and work a horse for one of our clients.

They stayed through church on Sunday to listen to Nathan and I talk in church. Yes, we had to speak in Sacrament meeting. We spoke on the Be Attitudes that President Hinckley came up with. I think it was one our best so I was pleased. I am so grateful for good friends and thank you to Mike and Brooke for coming to visit.

Never be left behind....

Our little puppy, who isn't very little or a puppy, is so attached to Nathan and I. He goes out everyday with Nathan and hangs out in the barn or makes himself a nice little spot in the arena while Nathan rides around. Whenever we are getting ready to travel somewhere he always gets nervous when we start packing our bags because he thinks he is going to get left behind. As soon as the car door opens, he dashing in his seat and WILL NOT get out.

So last weekend we were in Malad for Preston's wedding and by Sunday he was thinking we had been there long enough and every time the car door opened he would dash in and take his seat, even if we were just trying to go to church. When it came time to leave Nathan took one of the bags to the car he opened the trunk, put a bag in, and left to get more stuff for the trunk. A few minutes later we were visiting in the kitchen and Nathan looks out the window and sees this....

Brady will do anything not to be left behind.

Preston & Lisa

My wonderful brother in law married the sweetest girl in the world on Thursday August, 13, 2009. They were married in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple, which is extremely pretty. I was always worried because Nathan and Preston spend lots of time together going to horse shows for days at a time, I wanted Preston to marry someone cool so I could hang out with someone else besides those two. And I am so pleased that Lisa joined the Kent family. It was a beautiful wedding and Nathan looked so smashing in his tuxedo.

Vehicle Graveyard

For my birthday my amazing husband, dad, and mom all pitched in to buy me my new camera. It's a Canon professional camera and I am in love with it. Just around the corner and down the road a little is what I call a vehicle graveyard, or where all old vehicles come to rest. It is about an acre filled with old vehicles of every shape and size. I have always had a random thought that it would be a great place to take some pictures. Yesterday I was on my way home from shooting sale horse videos in Glenns Ferry and as I was driving along on my way home I decided I was going to stop at this vehicle graveyard. The lighting was magnificent, the sun was on its way down and I was in love. I into the drive of this place, not realizing that someone actually lived there. The nicest old man, Slim, came out and met and let me wonder around and take pictures around his place. I left the place in a euphoric trance. Here are some of my favorites...

Birthday Vacation

I have the best husband in the world. My birthday was on July 23 and I turned 24.... man I feel old. I told my hubby that I wanted to go white water rafting for my birthday and he made it happen. We went to Jackson Hole and his cousin Andy was our guide. It ended up being Andy his wife Andrea and Nathan's family all floating the river.


The drive to Jackson Hole is so enjoyable. The road travels over hills and mountains covered in lush greens. It was a stark contrast against the bright blue afternoon sky. Floating along the river we saw about 6 bald eagles sitting high in the tree tops along the river bank. And a beaver building his home along the side of the rocks. I have only seen a bald eagle once or twice in a zoo but it was amazing to see them in their natural habitat. I was unable to get pictures of them because we couldn't bring cameras on the boat. Saturday evening after a short nap we walked around downtown Jackson and had dinner at the Silver Dollar Grill. It was a great historic restaurant, one of the first in the town. Sunday morning we woke up early and walked to breakfast at Jedediah's, home of delicious hand made sourdough pancakes. After breakfast we did some shopping and I visited my favorite shop, Moose Be Christmas. An amazing little shop full of amazing Christmas decorations. I love Christmas decorations, I wish I could keep them out year round. On our way home we stopped at the Idaho Falls Temple, walked around the temple, and took lots of pictures.

Wakeboarding

Saturday Nathan and I had the opportunity to go to Owyhee Lake and go boating and wakeboarding all day. We were invited by Darren, our horse shoer and his family and their brand new hurricane wakeboard boat. Nathan has never been out on the water except for his grandpa's little fishing boat. Wakeboarding is one of my all time favorite summer activities. There is nothing better than being on the water on a hot summer day.

I do give it to the man... he never gave up. The first thing Nathan tried was knee boarding just to get the feel of being pulled behind the boat. He tried about 10 times and wasn't able to get his knees pulled up onto the board. But he did get really good at just laying on the board and being pulled. After a short break he tried his hand at wakeboarding. After swallowing half the lake and pushing water like a pro it was time for another break. And then later he tried the air chair. Side note: Darren makes the air chair look super easy and is fabulous on it. He was getting at least ten to fifteen feet of air across the wake. So Nathan decided to give that a try and thirty tries later couldn't quite get the hang of it. I was then worrying that he was going to hate the water and I was never going to get him back on a boat.

After a little longer break, and watching everyone else go again on the wakeboard, he decided to give that one more shot. And he finally got it! I was so happy, he figured out how to get up like a pro and then just had to figure out the steering and balance. He said he had a good time and would do it again. Phew!!

Here are some pictures of Nathan and all his attempts and Darren on the air chair. There aren't any of me because I guess no one else knows how to use a camera. But I was figuring out how to get air over the wake. It was a very good wakeboarding day for me.

Williams Family Reunion

This weekend was the William J Williams family reunion. It is Nathan's mothers side of the family. They had the reunion at a park in Malad and the campers filled the place. We got there really late on thursday and the reunion started late afternoon friday. Saturday was filled with lots of good food, tennis playing, decorating t-shirts, and singing by the campfire.

I think Brady was the most excited for all the food.


For those with bad eyes... my shirt says my name and then "I'm with stupid" and Nathan's says "I love my wife" that's what he gets for letting me decorate it for him.

Nathan and his newly engaged brother.