date.night

Saturday night Devin and I went out for Mexican with Cami and Marc and then headed to Cascade Golf course. The boys and fun playing 9 rounds. Cami and I played maybe 2 holes. We had too much fun chatting and cruising in our golf cart. After we finished we went back to their place to meet Tommy the turtle and then ended night with some yummy frozen yogurt. Successful date night!

canyons.resort

Last weekend we went up to the Canyons Resort for a work retreat. It was fun hanging out with mom and dad for a couple of days. We did lots of shopping and eating, and enjoyed a gondola ride and swimming.

 Devin and I went home through Parleys and stopped at Temple square and City Creek. All in all it was a great weekend.

san.fransisco

 san.fran in a nutshell....

We had an amazing time on our trip to San Fransisco. We did all of the touristy things we could fit in which included lots and lots of walking:) Our first day went drove into the city, which was a new experience all on it's own! We started the day out taking a tour of Alcatraz. Then we walked up to Pier 39 for some lunch. We spent the rest of the day walking around the city. We went to Ghirardelli square, up to China Town, and then took the train out to the Colosseum to see the Oakland A's game. I think that was Devin's favorite part. Day two we did a lot more walking, a ton more eating and then biked up to the Golden Gate Bridge. The next day was Devin's cousins wedding so we spent the day doing the usual wedding routine, sealing, luncheon, then reception. The wedding was beautiful and we were so happy that we got to be there. (Sorry about the mass of pictures, couldn't help myself)

  .alcatraz.

.pier 39.

.oakland temple.

 .golden gate bridge.

 .oakland a's.

.obviously the best cupcakes ever.

trip.to.gunnison

over easter weekend we went down to gunnison to visit gladys. we spent friday night and most of saturday dying and rolling eggs, watching movies, playing in the sun, and helping with house and yard work. it was nice to get away even if it was only one night!

.gunnison dragon.

it's made out of mosaic glass tiles under a bridge. when cars drive by the dragon literally roars!

.rolling eggs.

this is a tradition that the gagons introduced me to. after coloring your eggs you race them down a hill. we found the prettiest, lush green spot sanpete county had to offer!

.daniel had the winning roll.
(and yes, devin brushed the dirt off after and ate it...)

.happy easter.

favorites

So it's no secret that Devin and I enjoy a great meal. Love of food is something we have always had in common. As of late there are a couple of restaurants that make my tummy happier than the rest: Goodwood BBQ and Tarahumara. Of coarse Goodwood, who doesn't love that place!! Delicious meat and amazing side dishes...can't go wrong there. We came across Tarahumara because Devin read Born to Run. It talks about the Tarahumara tribe in Mexico. Devin loved the book so of coarse we had to try the restaurant. It is in Midway, so a little bit of a drive, but worth every mile it takes to get there.

What's even better is when you get to share great food with great people. I always love an excuse to eat out and what better excuse is there then getting together with friends. And I have to say, I have been blessed with the BEST friends anyone could ask for and I love every chance we get to spend time together. I consider myself very lucky!

flash.back

holiday highlights:
buying our first real live christmas tree.eating lots of yummy food.spending time with family.driving around looking at lights.talking to elder gagon on the phone.decorating the house.making candy at grandmas.buying presents for devin and family.christmas eve dinner.ugly sweater contests.puzzles at the brady's and gagon's (i don't see the appeal in them but everyone else does).watching devin open his presents (his favorite was his gumball machine).going to the festival of lights on christmas eve.christmas morning feast.dipping chocolates at moms.lova hot springs over new years.parties.playing games.watching the nieces and nephews open presents.watching christmas movies.listening to christmas music and much more.

boy.will.be.boys

I love when Devin is with his brothers and his inner 13 year old self emerges.

Typical activities for when the Gagon boys get together include: Nerf gun wars, keep away on the stairs, video games, blowing things up with fireworks, shooting their bee bee guns, playing with their remote control cars and the list goes on...

But of coarse it makes me smile every time.

love.hate

I feel like people usually have a love or hate relationship with Las Vegas.

Most people I have talked to either love.love.love going to Vegas or avoid it like the black plague. I have always been quite fond of it. It is a very nice change of pace from good ole Provo Utah. ....however..... This week I was not loving Vegas so much. Devin had the luxury of going there for work, which left me home...alone! I'm not going to lie I am a scaredy cat. Over the last (almost) 4 years of being married to that kid I have only had to spend the night away from him a few times. I am not ashamed to admit that on those rare occasions I slept at my moms house. Well I decided to be brave this week. I avoided every knock that came to our door and probably double our electricity bill becuase I had everylight on at all times but I did it, and am quiet proud of myself! :)

Working hard......

oh hey.....

I feel I have been treating my blog like an awkward friend from the past. Someone that you have not seen in forever. It has been so long that when you randomly do see this person you avoid making eye contact (like you really didn't see them).When you do happen to engage in coversation it is awkward. You just don't know what to say. So much life has happened that you don't know how to catch up. You feel like you are a different person since the last time you spoke to them and so you don't know how you'll get along any more.

I'm sorry blog I have been avoiding you! The first step is admiting it!

I can't make any promises. I could say I'll be a better blogger...but let's face it, I probably won't. But I'll try!

XOXO ~ Kara
(yeah...too much Gossip Girl this week)

IT'S SUMMER

I can't believe it is already July! I have a feeling the rest of summer is going to fly by without us knowing it. So far it has been filled with...warmth.snowcones.a wedding.sun.parties.cornhole.new niece.sun burns.parades.croquet.bbq's.shorts & sandals.fireworks.bike rides.walking lucy.hiking.playing with friends.popsicles.weekend in St. George.fresh fruit.extra freckles.girls camp.work.tan lines.temple trips.carnivals...just to name a few!

And we get to look forward to:

birthdays.reunions.more bbq's.moving(fingers crossed).devin not having to start school again.trips to the bear lake.lotoja(maybe).bike rides.going to the drive-in.hiking timp.best friends wedding.weekend trips.rodeos.and much much more:)

These are the only picture we have from this summer so far...

Strawberry Days Festival

(Taco Amigo fresh strawberry shakes...I love this time of year:))

The kids loved the rides at Strawberry Days!
THE HAPPY COUPLE

Jeff and Emmy got married on June 28th! The sealing and reception were both amazing...it was an awesome day!

Temple trip down to Manti! Drew went through for the first time...he leaves for the MTC so soon!

4th of July!!

Yes we made our awesome shirts. It was Jamie's idea! Unfortunately I got drentched by Benjamin before we got a picture of the 4 of us in our matching patriatic shirts!

Grandpa Brady got to ride on a tank in the parade. He is in the hat on the front right corner. He was adoarable with the biggest smile on his face! You could tell he was having so much fun!

Did i mention I won a fish! His name is Abraham!! And yes he is still alive even though I am the only one who thought he would live past a week!

A couple weeks ago this little treasure joined our family! Little Annie Mae! She is so stinking adorable! I love all my nieces and nephews...our family is getting so big!

We love our Chick-fil-a!

Hiking in St. George! A group of us were able to go down at the beginning of the summer. We did a lot of swimming, eating, relaxing and hiking:) It was a great way to kick off the summer!

When it Rains it POURS

If you are an avid follower of http://devinandkara.blogspot.com you'll know at least two things about Kara and I:

1 - In the last 2 1/2 years I never have posted a single thing on the blog...until today.

2 - About three weeks ago the late Nissan Maxima (our one and only car) was sold to a body shop after it got rear-ended on the freeway. Woof.

Since the tragic loss of the Nissan we have been borrowing cars from both of our parents which, luckily, hasn't been bad. Although we have spent hours looking for a new car we haven't found anything we like at a price that we can afford. I'm way to picky. It has been a nightmare and to add to our sad story...

On the way home from a car lot last night my dad an I happened upon a nasty wreck on 1-15 in American Fork. We were about 2 minutes behind the accident and got caught in traffic about 50 feet away from a rolled semi-truck.

Twenty feet ahead of us was a car with it's emergency lights on that looked like it was backing down the shoulder of the freeway right next to us. I thought to myself "Oh, someone stopped to help and now they are moving out of the way...how nice." About 4 seconds later I said to my dad, "He better turn or he is going to hit us" and I began to honk on the horn. Another 2.3 seconds later the car was 4 feet away and we, pinned in traffic, came to the realization that no one was in the car. Curse words #1, 2, & 3.

Two hours and a lot of flashing lights later, I had my 2nd accident report in less than 3 weeks and my dad's Corolla had a nice dent in the door.

When it rains it pours, and needless to say there is a gloomy gray cloud of curse words hanging over American Fork.

So here are 10 take aways from the last three weeks:

1 - ALWAYS set your park brake or leave your car in gear when you get out of it...especially on slight inclines. That one seems pretty obvious...but just in case.

2 - New cars are way over-rated because the car that hits you is always in worse shape.

3 - IF you are pinned in traffic, a car is rolling backwards right at you, and its reverse lights aren't on...there probably isn't anyone in the car and you are screwed.

4 - No amount of caution can keep you out of some accidents.

5 - Whiplash is so much worse than it sounds. Really though.

6 - 95% of the cars on KSL are either overpriced or wrecked.

7 - Good insurance is worth every penny.

8 - Asking "why me?" is a horrible idea because it may just happen again so that you can find out.

9 - Firefighters use kitty-litter to clean up oil/gas spills.

10 - People that text and drive and follow to close, literally give me nightmares. I'm not joking.

After all is said and done, I'm just happy that no one has been seriously hurt in any of the accidents. It's honestly a miracle. Drive safe :)

Family Birthday's

Birthday's galore for the Brady's!

We just got to celebrate Alex and Kristen's birthdays. And as our pictures will show...we had some CRAZY fun! Thursday we went to Tyler and Kristen's for Alex's 3rd birthday party! Then Friday we threw Kristen a party at mom and dad's! We tried to incorporate all of Kristen's favorite things
...adventure...pictures...yummy food...and lots of laugh's! After a jazzy photo shoot we went on our mini version of The Amazing Race. Krist, Ty & I were on a team ( the winning team might I add :)) and we raced against Benjamin, Kate & Devin!

It was so fun, I just love my family!

Team T Double K! We mean business!

Team BDK! They put up a good fight!