4th of July Weekend

We had an awesome week to start out the month. My family came up to Idaho (most of them...we missed the ones who didn't come!), and on their way through they stopped in Utah. Adam got to call Gideon's little brother, Isaac, whom he is obsessed with. So cute. Isaac was such a good sport talking to Adam on the phone. It made Adam SO happy. Thanks Isaac!

We hung out for a few days with my mom and Adam here in Utah. We went to Nordstrom's Rack and Tai Pan Trading. Gideon was so great helping out with Adam, pushing him around in his wheelchair and giving him piggy backs. We had so much fun!


THEN. . .


We all ended up in my parents home town of Shelley, Idaho at my grandparents house for the 4th. It was so great to see so much family and enjoy the holiday! Ben made us ice cream all weekend, we played cards and vegged on t.v. at my grandparents house, and the boys hit golf balls on Grandpa's yard in the evenings. It was so much fun!


Two of the Katie (Caitie) Nalders! There are three of us in the family named Katie Nalder, although I am now Katie Medley. Good thing! It was getting confusing.

On Monday, Gideon and I went up to Rexburg where Naomi and Colin live. Naomi made tons of great food and we all had a little picnic. Good weather and good food, couldn't ask for more!


After lunch, Naomi took us to the concert hall and played the cello for us. She is amazing! I recorded a little snipped of her playing for us.

Gideon sang while she played AND sang. I am so lucky I get to listen to their musical talent all the time!

The Manti Pageant

Saturday night, Gideon took me to the Manti Pageant. I've been wanting to go for a few years now, so he surprised me a few days early and took work off so we could go. It was really fun to take a mini road trip down there and sit on our blanket to watch the show. Although next time I think we'll just sit in the chairs because our view was a little awkward. Still awesome though! It was fun to do something spiritual on a Saturday night and fun at the same time. We brought a cooler full of otter pops and sandwiches, so we were set! Sadly, our camera died right after we took this picture, so it's the only one we have. But the temple was SO beautiful! Thanks for a great time honey!

Seven Peaks

Jared and Lynn took us to Seven Peaks today for a little family night activity. We just went for a few hours but it was really fun to finally see the sunshine and just relax and play like little kids. Gideon and I got a waterproof camera so we had fun goofing around with it. Thanks Jared and Lynn!

We thought we were getting a picture here, but Jared secretly video taped us. I love Lynn's ambush at the end.

All in all it was a good day! We hit 5 Guys afterwords to gain back all those calories we burned and then came back to our house and had some otter pops and vegged out on TV on the floor. Ah, Summer time.

Have A Seat

We finally got our new couch this week! We love it.

A Little R & R

If you are too busy to take a vacation this summer (as many of us are), then I suggest you try. . .

Gideon and I decided I need to take a chill pill and try to relax instead of stress out all the time over how to save the world and what not. SO. Bubble baths once a week minimum and yoga are on the new to-do list. I'm thinking soon I'll go for a facial. I already notice that I sleep better, feel better, and my skin is even looking better! Turns out all those zen-loving meditating junkees have been on to something all along.

A Party For Myself

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Had a bit of a bad day. Held in a few tears at some points. Went to Wal-Mart on the way home to pick up a few things to have a better night. In line, the guy in front of me tried to hit on me and told me I have pretty eyes. I flashed him my wedding ring as I said thanks, but he wanted to keep on talkin, because he asked me about my purchase.

"Birthday party?"

"Nope. I.. uh. . ."

pretty good conversation killer. It was pretty funny when the lady behind me said, after he left, "I think he was hitting on you!" I told her I'd had a bad day and needed that stuff all for myself. She whole-heartedly agreed as we chatted how once a month a woman is aloud to buy enough food for 10 small children and eat it all herself. The poor male cashier just beeped the stuff through and told me the total. Poor guy.

I was purchasing:

2 BAGS OF SKITTLES

2 BOXES OF YELLOW CAKE MIX

1 YORK PEPPERMINT PATTY

1 RASPBERRY JAM JAR (THE HUGE ONE)

No, no, not buying things for a birthday party. Just going to go home and watch Dear John and then Blind Side. Yep. I felt cool. But you know what? Some things really do perk your day right up.

Lately . . .

I very carefully brought this fabulous dessert home from Miriam's house for Gideon. I took great care not to spill a single drop in the car on the way home. Put it safely in the fridge. The next day, I went to take it out of the fridge for Gideon to enjoy. Stupid fridge, stupid clumsy elbow that smacked the fridge and stupid hand for letting go of the cup. You should have seen the way that pudding and strawberries mixture soared through the air and splattered so beautifully in one smooth motion. The usual cry/laughter ensued.

Gideon surprised me with a new coffee table he found on craigslist. He had Ben bring it to the house while he was at work so he didn't have to see my face, "in case I was disappointed." SERIOUSLY?? Disappointment not even possible. I love love love it. I have the best husband on the planet. Even more than that coffee table, I love my hubby.
ps: going to re-paint and stain the table. Work In Progress.
You may be wondering why my living room is in shambles. Reason: We bought a new couch. SO, we sold our old couch. Problem: New couch doesn't come for two weeks. Gettin real familiar with the floor once again.


Found this little beauty at an antique yard sale. LOOOOOVE it. I think someday I will take up hunting down old furniture and refinishing it and selling it. But that would require a garage. Or at least a spare room, as I've recently learned the hard way: you can't spray paint inside your house. One step at a time.

Note: both of our hair is growing out. We are quite the rebels here in our house.