Details, details and more details

So here it is...kind of a blurry pic but still beautiful.

It is a 1 caret princess cut solitaire. It is amazing and Mike picked it out all by himself. I love it so much I stare at it all day long.

So the date is set and the place is picked. But now what? I can't sleep at night because I am thinking of cakes and photographers and dresses. Which colors do I want? Black and Pink or Brown and Pink? Anyone opinions?? I feel like I' m losing my mind and we have only been engaged for six days. But it's a good kind of crazy. It's an excited kind of crazy.

My dad keeps telling me that at the end of the night the only thing that really matters is that I am marrying the love of my life. I thought I lost Mike once...it was the hardest thing I've ever gone through. So to be wearing his ring is amazing to me.

More planning to come....

I'm finally going to be a Kemp!

I know I have been a total and complete slacker about updating my blog and checking facebook but since I was hanging out at my future sis-in-laws house I thought I would take advantage of using her internet.
The love of my life proposed to me about after seven years of dating. I woke up Christmas morning and heard Mike in the living room and when I walked out he was down on one knee holding the most beautiful ring I have ever seen.
I would take a picture of it and post it but the light reflects off the huge diamond and it is all blurry. Just kidding but really I will post a pic of it when I get more time.
So far, all I know is that it is going to be on July 24th 2010 and will be held at my parents house.
Oh and I am so happy I can't stop smiling!

Things I've learned this week:
1- Road trips are not my friend. I should have learned my lesson from the Utah trip.
2- Distance does really make the heart grow fonder.
3- Even the closet of families bicker and that's okay.
4- Somehow, Dad's always end up getting stuck on the tea cups.
5- I need to upgrade my phone plan to more text messages.
6- Card games are still fun when you are an adult and you have nothing else to do.
7- Do not eat the steak salad at Disneyland.
8- I am not leaving Mike for a week again for a VERY long time. Turns out, I really do like him:)
9- I am never leaving Junction City again.
10- Most Importantly, my family means the world to me and this trip was one for the record books.

Ist day of Disneyland

We just successfully finished our first day at Disneyland!!

We started out the day by riding the Pirates of the Caribbean in honor of my Dad because it's his favorite ride. Then we ran over to Splash Mountain because it was closed last April when we here. And after that we ran over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which I got sick on and had to take a break. It was a looong day but a great day.

We all got mouse ears. I think I will Mike his first pair while I am here. They have a set of top hat mouse ears that are adorable and would suit him well. I think they are actual suppose to be "groom" ears but we just won't tell him that part:)

The last ride we went on was the Finding Nemo Sub Marine ride which made me think of Zack and Lincoln.

We ended our evening with a spectacular fire works show. But after the show ended there was hundreds of thousands of people all trying to get out the same gate. Not fun. I got yelled at by a lady pusher a stroller and called an idiot. Needless to say the magic of Disney fades by the end of a long day.

The good news is tomorrow is a new day and we are ready for some more fun!

Disneyland!!

We finally arrvied in Anaheim about an hour ago. It was a very long day of driving. Now I am sitting at the table blogging while my sister and mom move in to the hotel. They unpack the entire contents of their luggage like they are going to live here from now on. While my suit case will stay on the floor and I will live out of that for the next four days. I think I take after my dad when it comes to organizational things. If he were here right now he would be napping on the couch already.
What I have learned for today:
1- I love small towns because they are friendly and clean.
2- I used to say Molly had seperation anxiety but I think it's really me that has it. Hopefully I don't start eating the bedspread too.
3- I really like alone time.

Happy Retirement Mom

After ten years of serving as Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce my mom has decided to retire. The Chamber held it's annual meeting where they present awards and they took some time to recognize her work. I wish the next person luck because in my opinion, and many others, no one will be able to fill her shoes. Through criticism and pettiness, she stood with her head up and kept doing her job. And when she was praised for her outstanding work she never boasted. She loves Junction City so much that it was not just a job, but her passion. I grew up watching my mom and dad volunteer and work in the community they were raised in and they passed along that passion to me. Which I will be eternally grateful for because it has given me a sense of identity. My heart wells with pride when I tell people where I come from. My mom and dad both graduated from Junction City High School and because Mike loves me so much, I will raise my kids in JC and they will be fourth generation graduates. I just hope that I can pass along the love of a small town to them. I'm not sure how I feel about her not being just around the corner anymore but her happiness it most important to me. Hopefully soon she will be kept busy with wedding plans and grand kids. (Hint hint...get in gear Mike:)

Diamond Lake

This last weekend we took a three day trip up to the lake. It was an interesting trip. Full of not catching any fish, lots and lots of bugs, Crater Lake, misbehaving dogs and lots of laughs. Mike and I went camping with two of our best friends, Jason and Kara. It was mostly a great trip with some stressful moments in between the fantastic ones.

On Saturday we drove to Crater Lake. It was Kara and Jason's first time seeing it. It was soo soo hot and the dogs were so completely miserable that I sat in the car with them for the majority of the trip. But all in all...we got some pics and Jason and Kara gave the big whole in ground a big thumbs up.

On Saturday evening, after a four hour long nap to recover from heat, we went out on the lake and soaked up the beauty of Diamond Lake.

There was a wild land fire going on a few acres away and the helicopter was dipping water out of the lake. They dipped their bucket about 25 feet from us and we all got a kick out of it. Jason and I are on the department together and I think every fire fighter's dream is to be a smoke jumper.

We stayed out on the lake until the sun set that evening. I could have stayed out there all night with Mike. Isn't he cute?

Our happy family.

Kara and I taking a self portrait. I, of course met J through the department and then met his wife later. She is by far one of my fave people ever.

Jason, Kara and Daisy.

It was a long but wonderful three days. My favorite moments were ones with us just hanging out around the camp fire.
We are incredibly grateful to have such good friends and even more grateful to have each other. We got home and just thanked our lucky stars we have a nice, quiet, little life together.

Sad News

The company I work for blocked me from opening any blogs! Its like they don't want me to spend my time blogging instead of working or something. What's up with that? So I will either post much less or beg my adorable boyfriend to let me get internet at home.
So don't worry Lissa, I will be posting a pic of our new attire as soon as I have more then two minutes to blog on my break.
If anyone feels the need to call Mike and convince him to let me subscribe to the net at home...feel free:)

PS- Bex, glad Max is okay. Wish we could fly over and help!

Engine Rides

I can't believe I forgot to post about my favorite part of my vacation. I invited the Smith family and the Barker family to the Fire Department for fire truck rides and other types of mischief. My dad took them all for a engine ride, let them spray the hoses and showed them the water pressure we use on large structure fires. I loved showing them part of my life that I'm very proud of. The kids were all incredibly cute running through the water and my dad loved the whole family. Here are some pics that Roberta took.

I was so excited when Zack finally tried out the hose. He was a little hesitant at first.

Laura & Linc in front of Junction City's first steamer engine.

Lydia & I on the nozzle. I love Max watching in the back ground. I think their favorite part was running under a stream of water and splashing in the puddles. Soo cute!

Kemp Family Reunion

I successfully survived my first Kemp Family Reunion! I have to give my self a pat on the back for that! Keep in my mind I was raised in a family of four so 18 people in one house was a big change for me. I have to say that even though I am technically not family yet, I felt like such a part of the Kemp's.





On Wednesday, we went to the zoo and I watched all the cousins play. That was a long and exhausting day but soo much fun. Little Max seemed to be more clingy to me that day so I carried him for most the trip and I'm not going to lie, I was sore. But I am quite attached to him as well so I had no objections.

Becca and Max stayed with us for one night on Wednesday. We loved having them. Addy played with the dogs and chased the cat pretty much the whole time. Then the next day we left for the coast.

On our first day we ALL went to the Aquarium. It was so much fun!

Here are some pics...

Becca & Addy



From left to right-

Sarah & Lydia

Mike & Max

Becca & Zack

Brandon & Addy

Little Max & Uncle Mike

Sarah, Lydia and Uncle Mike

I've been asked if after seeing the whole family together if he is still worth it. I'd have to say, yes. I think I only love him more.

Thanks Kemp Family!

Some things I'm excited about.

We have so much stuff going on this summer and I'm so excited because the majority of it involves spending multiple days with my hunny!!

• Camping this weekend w/Doug and Marci
• The Kemp Family Reunion in Lincoln City
• Lots of fishing at the river in the drift boat
• Camping at Diamond Lake with Kara and Jason
• Heading over to the coast for the weekend and getting Mike to take the old time pictures with me finally
• BBQ up on the top of the hill
• Family fence building day

Should be great!

The last few days....

This last week seemed to be an eventful week for us. The week started off with Mike stepping on a broad headed arrow and splitting the bottom of his foot open. I've included a picture just because I know he would love to know that he made his sisters squirm:)

He went in his "man room" to show our friend Alex something and I heard an awful noise and went I went to check he was lying on the floor and blood was spurting every where. Due to the fact that he does manual labor all day long and works harder then the average man, I tried to take him to the ER for stitches but of course he was stubborn and wouldn't even let me touch it.

Hmm...Mike stubborn. Imagine that.

Moving on to Saturday...
Max and Lydia came over to spend time with us and we had a fantastic time! We took them to the Junction City's annual cruise-in. They were pretty amused actually. They watched the cars for almost an hour and a half before getting antsy. My favorite part was watching Mike be an Uncle.

He may be Mr. Tough Guy on the exterior but he absolutely melts when he gets around those two kids.

What a wonderful father he will make...

I dream of it.

After the cruise they came back to our house for some much needed quality time with the dogs. We played out in the back yard for hours. At one point I needed to go inside to grab my cup of water so I asked Lydia to keep an eye on Max while he played and when I came back outside this is what I found...

First of all I don't even know how he got on top of the lawn mower and I swear I was only gone for 2.5 seconds. That's what they all say right? He is such a monkey. I love it. This wasn't the only trouble I got into with Max that night though. About twenty minutes later he dropped his pacifier on the ground and put it back in his mouth faster then I can say go. Sarah, if your reading this...I swear I cleaned him up right after I laughed hysterically and took a picture.
I could not even believe how big those little creatures are getting! I remember both of them as infants. I'm so thankful we got to spend a couple hours with them. I'm ready for another over-night-er Sarah!

On to Sunday...

I went out to my parents as I always do on Sunday's. We mostly just hung out and tried to stay out of the heat. We had dinner and played with the dogs. Sunday is my day of relaxation. I go out there to prepare myself for the week and get away from the city life. Not that Junction City is a huge town or anything but for a country girl it's sometimes hard to take. Can't wait to live out there next to my parents in a salmon pink duplex. (Inside Joke)

We got home and pretty much crashed!

WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND.

Mike's Most Recent Experiment

Yes those are chickens or as Mike and I have affectionately nick-named them, beep-beeps.

Mike has picked up a new and expensive hobby...farm animals. He now has three cows, four pigs, four sheep and 16 chickens. Rhode Island Red chicks to be exact.

I think anyone reading this knows that I am an animal lover so its all okay with me. Just a little bit odd.

Anyway, during my lunch break today, I went to the Farm and Garden (where Mike has worked since he was 14) and got them a new feeder.

Then I went home and cleaned out there cage, gave them fresh water and fed them. All the while talking to them like a crazy woman.

Then without even realizing what I was doing, I went inside and heated up a nice juicy piece of chicken. It made me kind of sick to my stomach. Mike's going to get me all attached to these animals and then butcher them and I'll cry and become a vegetarian. Thanks a lot Mike...

Last night I got my butt kicked!
On Thursday evenings, I drill with my Fire Department. We train and learn new practices. Lately we have been practicing new techniques to get a down fire fighter from a burning building. Last night, our training officer put us through an obstacle course that has small holes and tunnels and things to crawl over. You are blacked out with a mask so you do it all completely blind and when you find the down fire fighter you have to pull him back through the course. Needless to say, this task is very hard for me since I am the smallest member of the department. But I don't like to give up so I finished the drill and was actually quite pleased with myself.

I can hardly move today because I am so SORE but it was worth it.







(The source of my inspiration, My dad)

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mom's day to all the mom's out there.

I am dedicating this post to my best friend...my mom.

I don't know where I would be with out my mom in my life. She has been there to walk me through every scary step I have ever had to take. She has been there when I didn't think I needed anyone. Her words are quite possibly the wisest I have ever heard. She doesn't push or force advice on me and when I do ask for it she doesn't expect me to follow it.

I think when I first started working at PCB, the girls there all thought I was insane because I either saw or talked to her about every hour or so. But now that they know me better they are just envious of the relationship that I share with her. I feel like I could say anything to her without fear of feeling stupid in my emotions. All my worries and joys are shared in the kindest way. Having your mom as your best friend is without a doubt the best feeling in the world.

Thanks mom for always being there...even when I said I didn't want you around:)

Thanks for never giving up on me. I work to make you proud everyday.

You're the strongest, most amazingly funny and wonderfully smart woman I have ever known.

You are truly one of a kind. Lucky me....

Love you.

"I know you were on my side even when I was wrong and I love you for giving me your eyes...Staying back and watching my shine".

-Taylor Swift, The best day

April showers bring May flowers

Yesterday I had a meeting after work so Molly & Emma had to be cooped up for hours. Thankfully I got home to almost no destruction. Usually Molly eats the mattress when I'm gone for too long. I think that's called separation anxiety:) Anyway, I took them on a long walk as a reward for being good and we came across this big, beautiful lilac bush. It reminded me so much of Mike and when we were first together. He used to pick them for me and leave them in my car because I love the smell of them. I can't wait for when we build our house so I can plant dozens of them.


I planted a ton of pansies in my flower beds this year. They were about the only thing that survived from last year so I decided that they were meant to be my kind of flower. I generally kill everything pretty quickly. Roberta came over and helped me decide where to put everything so it doesn't all grow together like last year. Needless to say, I am not the greatest gardener in the world but I'm learning!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

My parents are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in Disneyland this week.

They are having such a great time. I talked to them the first night they arrived and they were just getting off the Indiana Jones ride, which is my personal favorite. They sounded like little kids running through the park towards another ride. It was so great to hear them having such a good time. Over the years their jobs have become more and more stressful so I'm so thankful when they get away for a bit.

This picture is of them on the Buzz Light Year ride. It's kind of a little kid ride but as you can tell, they seem to be enjoying them selves.

Disneyland was kind of a tradition growing up in the Perry family. We went about every three or four years. Disneyland was actually where they celebrated their honeymoon 30 years ago. I hope and pray that 30 years from now Mike and I are still as in love and happy as my parents are.

Thanks goodness they are coming home tomorrow! We've missed them!

Opening Day

Turkey season opened yesterday and this was Mike's kill for the day. He got these back behind my parents house.

I'm pretty sure he is still dating me just for the excellent hunting grounds. Just Kidding!! But seriously, he might really be. :)

Becca, make sure you show Max. Although Mike has probably already text a copy of this picture to him. Needless to say, he is pretty excited.

Recently my cat has developed some strange habits.

Lately he has been extremely obsessed with plastic. He eats it. Does anyone else find that strange? He sits in it, he lies on it, he sleeps with it and he eats it.

I've heard from different people that when animals don't get all the right type of minerals and crap in there meals that they eat strange things. But who knows...

All I know is that he is a weirdo.

Snow & the Dudes

Friday evening, Mike and I attended a showing of Jon's latest play called Snow and the Dudes. It was a 1960's version of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. Jon played the mirror and was hilarious as usual. I may be a bit biased but he seemed to be a lot more natural and comfortable then some of the other kids on stage. I was very impressed with the performance. I am also very impressed with how supportive Mike is. Sometimes its like pulling teeth to get him to commit to something in advance but he has faithfully attended the last three shows Jon has been in.

He is such a good big brother. It still shocks me how grown up Jon and Tay are though. I still remember when I was first coming around the house and Mike used to beat them up until they cried. Sad! I don't imagine Mike would try that now though considering they are taller than him.

Don't tell him I said that!

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter!
We celebrated yesterday with the family. Max and Lydia came out and hunted eggs with Grandma and Grandpa.
I love this picture of Lydia. She said she had to sit down because "she was sooo tired from hunting eggs". What a gorgeous girl.

After they collected all their eggs, we went back inside and had dinner. Taylor's girlfriend Alaina came over and ate with us for the first time. It made me think back to when I was new to the family. There is nothing like meeting the Kemp's for the first time. Weirdos!! Just kidding! Actually, not to be too corny but after we got home I told Mike that I felt incredibly blessed to be a part of the family. I can't imagine my life with out the Kemp's.

The kids colored eggs after dinner. Max was very serious about the whole operation. What a mess they made. But of course, Grandma was prepared and ready for it. I guess after seven kids you have that kind of wisdom.

It's been a great weekend. Life is good.

New Patio!

On Friday, Mike decided to extend our little patio out further and build a cover for it.

I'm so excited! I had to share some pictures.

Mike is such a hard worker. He always finds a way to get things done.


Everyone say yeah for helpful friends!! Alex (in the blue shirt) finishes concrete for a living so he came over and helped and did an amazing job! The other one is Jason and he pretty much helps us with everything. I love these guys!
There will be more pictures to follow after Mike finishes the cover.