Move to Cali!!

Brad and I left August 3rd to move to Bakersfield, California. We left from Coeur d'Alene, ID and traveled 18 Long Hours!!!

It was my goal to take a picture of all the state signs when driving through. Some aren't the best but I was successful! 

So a lot of our drive looked liked this! Sagebrush on the road and my feet up! Before we left Idaho my wonderful husband bought these Sanuk Flip-flops for me. They are the most comfortable flip-flops I have ever had with yoga mat soles. Perfect for California and perfect for being pregnant!

Once we reached California we saw this beautiful mountain. Mt. Shasta!! The picture doesn't do it justice but it sure was a pretty sight!

After driving about 13 hours we decided that was enough driving for the day and we stayed in Redding. It was a good relaxing evening! While sitting there watching TV we realized that this was our first hotel together! It was very fun!

After we ate at the continental breakfast, we headed south to Bakersfield! It was a beautiful drive with orchards of olives, apples, cherries, oranges, and who knows what else!

I especially loved the fields of sunflowers! 

And then it happened! We made it to Bakersfield! It was very nice to get out of the car and venture around our new town! 

I am not going to lie I was very scared at first, for when we pulled into town it was a little sketchy. Barbed wire, bums, and garbage on the street, but I was soon relieved when we pulled into our wonderful part of town and our beautiful apartment complex!

 Our apartment wasn't quite move in ready, so we stayed in a hotel for a few days! PCL was very helpful in making reservations for us and everything! 

 August 5th was Brad's first day! Doesn't he look handsome??

While he was at work I enjoyed my time at the hotel! The Marriott had the best restaurant so I ate there for basically every meal! This was our favorite tri-tip sandwich! 

We were able to get into our apartment Tuesday the 6th but we weren't able to get our furniture until the next day! So we slept in our sleeping bags for the first night! I am just glad we only had to do that once because I was very uncomfortable! 

The next night several of Brad's co-workers came and helped us move in our stuff! I was so happy to have my own bed again!

We really love the area where we live! We found this small lake on a walk one evening! Sorry the picture isn't the greatest! 

We are very happy here and evenings are our favorite when we get to spend time together! 

Brad had a long busy week of training and got all of his certifications! I was a proud wife and had to take pictures! :)

And we kind of went to celebrate! Since we are in California, it was fitting to go to California Pizza Kitchen. Neither of us had been there before so it was a fun outing! 

Our waiter talked us into getting these appetizers! They were delicious! 

We got the California Club pizza. It was very yummy but not what we were expecting! I had never seen toppings like this before!

On Saturday we ventured to Brad's co-workers house, south of Bakersfield about an hour, into these beautiful mountains! 

We went on a fun hike and had a great evening with Rob, Whitney, their new baby Haylie, and dog Scout! Sadly I didn't get a picture of them but we had a great time! 

Well now you have seen our first week of our California Adventures! We have been enjoying ourselves and have been learning a lot with this experience!

 We have truly been blessed and continue to see the Lord's hand in our lives! 

Happy Birthday Quinn!

I know I am like a month late but I had to post pictures of this cute girl! I cannot believe this sweet girl is already one year old! It seems like just yesterday I met her for the first time when she was right around 5 pounds! You are a special girl Quinn! We all love you so much! 

She even had a fun party at Mimi and Papa's house! We were able to enjoy some cake with her too when we were in Spokane, but sadly we didn't get any pictures!  Needless to say she loved her cake and party!

Can't wait till we get to see you again! 

Priest Lake 2013

Summers while being in the Duffy Family have been such a blast! We have made a tradition of going to Priest Lake these past two summers!  

So this is what we do...

First we pack up all of our gear, load it into the boat and take numerous trips to the Kalispell Island where we camped for the next few days! This was our view right on the beach from where our tents were pitched! 

Carmen immediately got her camera out! This was the first day! Can't you tell we still have makeup on and our hair looks nice!  

My favorite part of the night was sitting by the fire and roasting marshmallows and starburst!   

More of sitting by the fire. Bonding and telling stories!  

The next morning we were out on the boat! Due to being pregnant I just observed and thankfully I had quite a few boat buddies! 

Brexton and Annie loved helping out with the flag! 

Lots of wakeboarding....

and EXTREME tubing! 

My favorite boat buddy of the week was Shae! We had a special bond this trip!  One of the days I was just hanging out on the beach and Shae got up on the boat to go for a ride and she turned to her mom and said, "Where's Katelyn, I need Aunt Katelyn!" 

I could never let down that sweet offer! It seemed as though she couldn't ride on the boat unless she was on my lap! We had so much fun! 

If we weren't on the boat, then we were having fun on the beach! Brad was good at squirting us all! 

And he was always in the water! 

The boys enjoyed snorkeling!  

(Nathan, Brian, and Brad)

And it wouldn't be a trip to the lake if the boys didn't play "King of the Tube!"

More time with my cuddle buddy! Love that girl!  

Shae also loves her Uncle Brad! She had so much fun driving the boat! 

But probably the most exciting day of the trip was when Annie got up on the ski skimmer!

She was so brave! 

She is such a big girl! I love watching all of the nieces and nephews grow up! Can't wait to see them interact with our kids someday! 

The whole clan! We had such a blast and time flew by so quick! I could have definitely stayed out there for a few more days!  

A big thanks to Don and Heather for organizing this whole trip! Thanks to Nicole and Carmen for capturing all of these wonderful photos! I am so grateful for the time that was spent with family before we moved to California! We all had great bonding time and grew closer as a family! 

Love you all!

Summer Weddings

Brad's two best friends got married this summer! He had the honors of being groomsmen in both of them. 

The first wedding was his dear friend Alex Kling. They have known each other since they were very young and played football and lacrosse together in high school. Alex married his girlfriend of 9 years and they couldn't be happier!

We love Alex and Caitlin so much! 

July 26, 2013

The two best men walking Caitlin's mother down the isle. 

Caitlin's father and step father had the honors of walking this beautiful bride down! 

Their vows were so sweet! And isn't that scenery amazing? (Sorry these pictures were all taken with my iPhone so they aren't the best!)

Mr. and Mrs. Alex Kling!!!!!!!!

I love how casually they walked out! They are so fun! 

I had such a handsome date that night! Love you babe!  

It was so fun to dance to be apart of the whole ceremony. Brad gave an awesome toast to they newly weds and we enjoyed a delicious dinner, cake and a fun night of DANCING! We are so happy for you, Alex and Caitlin! Can't wait until we can get together again! We need to rendezvous in Boise soon! 

The next morning was an early morning and we drove to Seattle for Tom and Brenna's wedding. 

It was a lovely morning and we had a smooth drive across the state of Washington!

We arrived at the temple right on time! 

I was so excited to go for I had never been inside the Seattle Temple! 

The sealing was so special and the spirit was so sweet there! 

We then waited for the bride and groom to make their grand entrance! 

Mr. and Mrs. Perry!!! July 27, 2013! 

They were so happy, can't ya tell? 

Pictures turned out great!

The handsome groomsmen!  

So glad we could be apart of your big day! 

We were then off to their reception at this beautiful community center. 

I absolutely loved Brenna's decorations and style! It was so cute and fun!  

  

Brad and Tom served their missions together in Tijuana. We are excited because Tom's parents are moving to Spokane and our families will be close so we can hopefully see each other over the holidays! We will also see them back in Rexburg when we return in January!! 

We love weddings, one because we see couples so happy, and two because we have more married friends!! 

Brad also had a cousin get married on August 3rd. Matt and Courtney Duffy were married in the Boise temple. We were so sad to miss it, due to moving, but they are now living down in California so we are going to have to make a special trip down to see them! 

I had to steal this awesome photo from my sister in-law, Nicole! She captured their pure happiness at the wedding reception last weekend in Seattle!