My Surprise for Kates

While Kates was up in W. Yellowstone I worked on a project. I told her about it and she always asked but I wouldn't ever tell her. I told her that I did talk to my family about it and that its something she can use. I worked on it for weeks and spent lots of time bugging my mom asking her if it was right. It was originally supposed to be a Christmas present but when Kates showed up at home for the year earlier then was planned I just couldn't wait. I rushed to get it done so I could give it to her. She was so happy and the quilt stays on her bed and keeps her warm at night!!

Here she is opening the present. I was so excited that I didn't even wrap it. I just threw it into a bag!

I was hoping she would like it!

I spent a long time measuring and cutting out the squares. It was well worth the time and effort to see her smile!

That's a section of the back folded over. The levis I used were mine and I even cut up a good pair of my jeans so I would have enough squares to finish the quilt!

What she did while she was gone!!!

During the summer of 2010 Kates and her two friends spent time in West Yellowstone. They worked at the Hadley's Motel and Woodside Bakery which are both owned and operated by her family. She would clean rooms during the mornings and end her days at the bakery. When she wasn't working they enjoyed their drives through the park. One on her favorite destinations was Hebgon Lake! She would often drive there when she needed a break and just enjoy being outdoors. We spent countless hours on the phone talking and updating each other on whats happening. I would keep her informed about my progress in the Police Academy. She was so proud of me, but was upset when she got the call about me being hurt! I didn't want to tell her but she was going to find out when I didn't graduate. One of their favorite things to do was driving out to the lake to watch the stars. I wish I would have had the time to get up there during the summer but with the academy and school it just wasn't possible. Kates and I have since made a trip there but hope to go again and actually get the chance to go through the park. Which she enjoyed doing with Brynn and Kara. When she finally came home for the year she rushed as fast as she could. She also told a little lie about when she was coming home. She arrived earlier then expected and I couldn't have been more happy!!

Mmmmm Marshmallows.

Brynn and Kates.

Craig keepin the fire going.

Somewhere under all that dirt is her car!

There it is!

Brynn and Kates.

Kara and Kates.

At Woodside Bakery!! Look how happy they are to be there!

Out and about exploring

Kates and Kara, look at that air!!

Brynn and Kates. Showing off her superior jumping skills once again!

One of the occasional road trips to get Taco Bell.

This is one of the giant bugs that I would hear about. Kates would call and fill me in on the latest bug attack she experienced while cleaning rooms. She was so dramatic, I only wish I was there to save her.. instead I would laugh as she told her stories!! She was so adorable!

Using a pen for size comparison!

Kates mom Kelly. She makes amazing desserts and meals!! As well as incredible wedding cakes!! She is the genius behind the bakery. If your ever in West Yellowstone be sure to stop by and the Woodside Bakery for her amazing treats!

Tips, Tips, Tips.

That all looks so good!!

A list of goodies the Bakery sells. But don't forget the delicious sandwiches!

Soda and Coffee

Kates snapped this photo and though of me, I wonder why ;)

Quake Lake

Just one of the pretty places she got to go.

This is a result of the big storm that rolled in.

It uprooted trees.

And tore off rooftops!!

The beauty of West Yellowstone!

More pretty places!

Although it's still in operation, the motel is under construction for a remodel on some areas. Its a lot of work but the family all takes time to head up there and work on what they can. Here Kyler is seen working hard.. I wonder where everyone else is :) Hopefully they came back to help ;)

Hadley's Motel.

Ummmm, I hope they weren't moving. Neither of them are watching the road :)

Catching up on her zzz's after a hard day.

What I did while she was gone.

In the summer of 2010 Kates took off for beautiful West Yellowstone where her family owns and operates Hadley's Motel and Woodside Bakery. While she was gone I continued working at Lagoon as a Sergeant and Supervisor in the Parks Loss Prevention Department. I am in charge of our Security Officers, Access Control Officers, and EMT's. I've been there for seven years now. I've seen and dealt with all kinds of situations and worked one on one with Farmington Police Department. I also worked with Command Protection Services as an armed guard where I worked all over Utah. I have worked everything from construction sites, parties, sporting events, the Dew Tour after party, and undercover and uniformed store security (including stores in Las Vegas), to body guarding, divorce classes, private investigating and vehicle repossessions. The time and experience led me to Weber State Universities Police Academy. I started in April of 2010 and continued while Kates was gone until July 21. I suffered and injury 12 days from graduation and was unable to graduate. I found out the bad news on her sister Jenny's Wedding day. Thankfully she was home to help me through that. I was allowed back in November several months later after the injury healed and graduated January 12th, 2011. My best friend and Utah Highway Patrolman Eric Ellsworth was there to present me with my certificates! Kates by then had been home a few months and helped me through them, needless to say it was frustrating for me to be unable to go back for that time I was injured. I will post pictures of graduation later!!

Training for our new officers at Lagoon

At home with my vest on. I was headed to a night shoot for firearms training.

In the police car at Weber State doing traffic stops.

SWAT training at the Swanson Tactical Center with the Davis County SWAT team!! This was a blast. I was the only person that day from my team who did not get shot!! Kates was happy about that!

Chilling in my office at Lagoon after a call.

Every year Karl Malone brings his kids to Lagoon and spends hundreds of dollars for them and for random guests. He is so generous and paid 100 dollars for people he didn't even know to play a game until they won. I was chosen to be assigned to him for the day and accompanied him and his personal bodyguard throughout the day. The man to the right of Karl is a close friend of his, and happened to be Muhammed Ali's Business Manager. This was by far one of my most memorable days at Lagoon

Sitting at the desk in my office enjoying a day the park was closed.

Pretending to work hard!! And yes, I am tough as nails :)

Listening intently to the instructor at the police academy.

This is what I wore when I worked undercover arresting shoplifters. I wore black jeans with holes and combat boots. Nobody ever suspected a thing. Good times!!

This is my Command uniform that I wore to our uniformed contracts. I had six different uniforms but this one was my favorite.

Tactical Ground fighting. I was the bad guy in this scenario. I am fighting with Cadet Shawn McKinnon. He is now hired with Tooele PD. This is what caused the injury to get worse. I fought him after I got hurt fighting Cadet Carver.

Me and McKinnon

Me and McKinnon again. Captain Rickards is in the back. He is the Director of the Academy.

Me just before I went up against Carver.

Sitting in class. We had class all day for 8 hours then went to firearms that night for another 4 hours.

This is Cadet Carver. The strongest one in class. I was paired with him. I was the officer and he was the suspect. We started out in a hold of his choice on the ground. The instructor dropped a training gun beside us saying that during the arrest my gun came loose. I was to fight for my life and control of the weapon and suspect. We were allowed to call for back up but in my scenario back up was two minutes out. I called again and was told by dispatch (the instructor) that back up was delayed by an old lady in the cross walk and was another 30 seconds out. I fought Carver for three minutes until the instructor called "End Scenario." I was successful in retaining the gun and was able to hold him and gunpoint the last few seconds. I tore the muscles and such off my collar bone and tore a muscle in my neck. It was extremely painful but went on to go up against McKinnon. I spent the next few months in lots of pain. Even now it still hurts on occasion.

During our lunch break. more than half the class is not pictured here. Pay no attention to my Facebook, I promise I payed attention.. Kinda haha