Dear John

This is not what I intended to have as my catch up post. Starting with the new year I have really enjoyed reading. This is something new for me, I have tried several times in years past and it would take me months to finish a book, if I even did. I don't know what started it all but I think I get it from my dad who is an avid reader. About a year ago he gave me Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. Sparks is one of my favorite authors writing great ones such as The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, and The Choice to name a small few. I read Dear John in one evening and cried my eyes out the entire time. It was an overwhelming love story.

There have been many books made into movies and I usually end up being sourly disappointed. Movies have such a difficult time enrapturing you in the story and characters that you feel as you read. Dear John is the most recent installment in the Nicholas Sparks movies and I had the opportunity to see it on Saturday with my wonderful sister in law, Jenna. I had a good feeling about this one, even the trailer got to me. Just listen to the soundtrack playing in this clip, the song speaks volumes.

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.