Hiking with Dodger

About a week ago before the cold weather came I took Dodger with me up to the foothills in PG and we did a little hiking. We hiked up Grove Creek canyon one day and then up Battle Creek canyon on another day. It was actually a lot of fun. I forgot how much I really love the mountains. Dodger had a great time being able to run free and not be confined to a leash. He did really good about not running to far and staying with me most of the time. There was only once when he got away from me and I thought he was gone. When we went up Battle Creek we hiked to the top of "G" mountain. There were deer all over the place but they were far enough away that they didn't tempt Dodger. Once we got to the top we came around a corner and surprised about 10 deer. They took of running and Dodger followed. I tried to keep up but there was no way. No sign of the deer or dodger. I walked in the direction they ran for about 10 minutes calling Dodger until I finally heard his tags ringing and he finally came back. All in all it was a lot of fun and we plan on doing a lot more hiking this summer.

Nate's Update

Hey everyone, just thought I'd write a little bit and update everyone on what's going on in my life. As some of you may know, I've been working for a occupational health and safety company performing site inspections and other various duties for mostly construction companies. I've been doing it since October now, but I really don't enjoy it that much. A couple weeks ago I realized one day how unhappy I was working there and how it was beginning to affect the other aspects of my life. It made start to think about what I really wanted to do for a career and I came to the conclusion that it's time to move on with life and start working on a career I'm going to love. For almost as long as I can remember, I've wanted to be a police officer (just like every little boy trying to be a hero). Well, looking at some other options and a lot of contemplating, I've decided that that's exactly what I'm going to be. I'm going to become a police officer. I've talked with several officers here in Utah about their job, and kind of got the scoop on how things work here. I also talked to a police officer down in Mesa, Arizona about the ins and outs in Arizona. Next week I'm taking a trip down there to talk to an officer face to face about it. The way things look now, Celeste and I will be moving down there in about a year or so, and I will try to get on the department there. There are a lot of advantages in going down there then staying here. They pay more, benefits are better, better departments, and they pay me while I go to the academy. Here I have to pay $6000 to go to the academy. I'm really excited about it. I get anxious everytime I think about it. I don't know if I can wait a year. I would love to go now, but we have to wait for Celeste to graduate. I'll update things as time goes by, but that's the direction I'm heading in for now. Here's a link to the Mesa Police Department if anyone wants to go check it out: http://www.cityofmesa.org/pdjobs/default.aspx

**Assistant Manager**

Today I met with my boss and he gave me a promotion!! I am now officailly the assistant manager at Allyse's Bridal. I got a raise and will get bonuses if the store does well. I am so excited! I love my job and hope that I will be a good assistant manager! :)