Families Are Forever!

One of the reasons I love going home so much is because I get to see my brother and sisters that I don't get to see very often.  I love how close of a relationship we all have with each other!!   This past trip I was also able to spend some time with my Aunt, who is more like an older sister to me.  I don't get to see her as much as I'd love to, so I was really excited to be able to spend some time with her before she headed back to Washington.  I'm so grateful to know that families are forever!!

Future Mrs. Natale

I met Katie my freshman year of high school as we were both starting water polo for our first year.  After water polo we both swam together and both had shoulder problems together :) Katie is two years older than I am so after 2 really fun years playing water polo and swimming with her, she left me behind, which I HATED!! 

About 2-3 years later, Katie was home from college and showed up on my doorstep to say hi..  Since that day, Katie and I have been the best of friends.  When I lived in California, we were attached at the hip..LITERALLY!  If you saw me, you saw Katie.  We had classes together at LBCC, we worked out together, we dieted together, we watched the Bachelor/Bachelorette together, we had shoulder surgery a week a part from each other, I got her a job where I was working, so for many months we worked together, we laughed and cried together, we did EVERYTHING together!

Even after me moving to Utah, Katie and I have still stayed really close with each other.  I'm so glad that even though we are hundreds of miles away we are still so close, still talk just about every day, and still confide in each other. 

On August 7th, Katie is going to walk down the isle and marry the man of her dreams!  I'm so glad I get to be a part of her special day and be a part of whatever I can from Utah.  I'm so glad that I was able to go home to go wedding dress shopping with her and also go to her bridal shower.  Next will be the bachelorette party and the wedding!!  The fun has just begun!!  :)

Here are a few pictures from her bridal shower this past weekend.  I can't wait for the many more to come with all of the parties coming up soon!  :)

Katie, me and Mauro (Katie's fiance)

Good friends

Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay

I DID IT!!!  I honestly thought this weekend was going to be the death of me, and it wasn't!  :)  I cannot even begin to explain how much fun I had running this relay!  I had so much fun, that I'm already planning on running it again next year!!  I think having a fun team really helps, and I had an AWESOME team!!  I didn't get to know anyone in Van 2 really well, but I loved getting to know everyone in Van 1!  My favorite leg, by far, was my 1:30 am run! I didn't think I'd enjoy that leg very much because of the time, but I was so pumped up for that run!  The weather was perfect and I had my team cheering me on the whole way. We didn't finish the race in the time we were planning, but we still did pretty good.  After 28 hours and 8 minutes of non-stop running, we crossed the finish line!  Way to go Belly Whackers!!

Van 1 before heading off to the starting line

The back of our team shirts.  The saying seemed to be a hit with everyone that read it!

Getting ready to start my first leg, which was 5.1  miles

Thank goodness for that super soaker!!  5 miles in the heat of the day SUCKED!

We didn't get any pictures of our night runs, so we took a picture together after we had finished

I got to see the Phat Asphalt team more than I thought I would. I loved it!

So pumped and having so much fun on my last leg, which was 3.8 miles downhill

About to pass 2 roadkill! 

The Belly Whackers about to cross the finish line. Way to go team!

In front of the Ragnar van with our hardware

Harley Ride

I just love when the guys take me on rides!!  Kory and Daryl just bought new Harley's so Jamie and I got to be the first people on the back of the these new bikes.  They had Harleys last summer also, but sold them and regretted every minute of it.  Since they just got these new bikes and the weather was perfect, we jumped on the opportunity for a nice ride.  Thanks guys for such a fun night!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Fathers Day to the most INCREDIBLE man I've ever known! To the man that I adore and look up to! To the man who knows how to put a smile on my face like no one else and always knows what to say. I couldn't have asked for a better Father!!

Happy Birthday Justin

Happy Birthday to my AWESOME, LOVING, KIND, COMPASSIONATE,

FUNNY, and  AMAZING little brother!!  I cannot even put into words how awesome I think Justin is!!  I have always said and will ALWAYS say that Justin, for sure, got the heart of the family.  I have never in my life met someone with a bigger heart than Justin's. One day, he is going to make a very lucky girl really happy! 

Happy Birthday Juster Buster!!  I hope you have a fun day!  I wish I could be there to celebrate with you!  I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!

1 Day & Counting

I cannot believe that the day is almost here and I'm sick.  Luckily its nothing bad, its just a cold, but go freaking figure!!  I'm getting so excited and yet I'm so nervous about this weekend.  I worked out the approximate times I'll be running today, so think of me on Friday around 5:20 pm, then my next leg is around 1:15 AM, and my last leg will be around 11:00 am on Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't die!  :)

Country Throwdown

I have never been to a concert that didn't fill up the place before.  On Saturday me, Kallie, Kory and Daryl went to Country Throwdown, which is a half day concert with lots of  country performers.  When we got to the amphitheater there was hardly anyone there. I'm guessing its because of the awesome weather we had going on (pure sarcasm.  The weather was horrible!), but I still couldn't believe how empty the pace was.  Not even all the seats filled up, which is pretty unheard of!  Even though the weather sucked we all had a good time!  Thank goodness for tarps, good jackets, borrowed rain boots, blankets and hot chocolate or else we would have been cold and wet by the end of the night.

Mud Run 2010

I had so much more fun in the mud run this year! I was in a little better shape and the run seemed to be a little muddier than last year.  I dropped a few minutes off my time and this year I placed 74 in my age group unlike last year where I placed 159.  I thought that jump was pretty good.  I don't do these races for speed (since I don't have ANY), I just do them for fun and to finish, which I accomplished.

Taking the shuttle to the beginning of the race

What we looked like before the race....

 What we looked like after the race

Dad got 20th overall out of 5700 people and 3rd in his age group.  Here he is showing off his bronze medal.  My dad is a stud! Also, Mady got 4th in her age group, but they only give medals for 1-3.  She'll get one next year though ;)

Happy EARLY Birthday To Me!

Ok, so maybe my birthday isn't until December, but I have the BEST parents in the world and I got my birthday present VERY early this year! Of course a bike is fun in December, but it is SO much better in the summer.  Now all I need is my basket and bell and I'll fit in with everyone else in Huntington Beach :)  Thanks Mom and Dad for my new beach cruiser! I love it!

This Is What You Come Home To....

...when you still have a sister in High School :) 

AVP

I LOVE that my parents moved to Huntington Beach a few years ago!!  There is always something fun going on in the area.  This weekend was the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) Tour.  I really enjoyed going down to the beach to watch all of the games going on.  There were some pretty intense and close games. I wish I could have spent more time at the beach, but there just wasn't enough free time.

Fountain Valley Triathlon

My parents stake had a triathlon on Memorial Day, so I was able to watch dad and Mady before I got on the road to head back to Utah.  All I have to say is that I have a dad and sister that kick MAJOR butt!  :)  They both competed in the competitive heat (instead of leisure heat) and they both did great.  Dad did it in 1:10 and Mady did it in 1:48 (and that's on a bad bike. Her time would have been faster if she didn't do the bike portion on a beach cruiser :-D).  Way to go guys! I'm so glad I was able to be there to watch you!