American Girl Doll Cake

This was such a fun cake to do!!! Joel's boss asked me to make a cake for his daughter's birthday party. The theme was American Girl Doll. Joel was able to bring a box home so I could see it and make a cake based on it. The wife wanted a little more lavender than pink. I think it turned out great and I know they  loved it!

End of my Associates degree

I started up the last semester of my associates degree this past week! I think my work load will be lighter than the last one, but still not easy. I have Accounting 2, Business Ethics, and Computer Applications in Business. Accounting will be the majority of my work. My Ethics professor is a nut- seriously! I can't take him seriously. We'll see how I do in that class. The computer class shouldn't be an issue. I already learned some neat things my first night. Once I'm done I have to decide if I am going on to get my Bachelors or not. I applied to Ferris State University and was accepted! I should be able to take 3 more classes at GRCC and 8 classes at Ferris to complete my Bachelors in Business Administration. I have been working so hard, that it feels so great to be almost done! The next 15 weeks are going to fly by! 

Out with 2012, In with 2013

2012 has come to an end. It has not been a terrible year, but I am ready for a new one to begin! Some things that occurred in 2012:

Started my own business: Kara's Kakes and Kandies

I kept off the weight that I lost in summer of 2011.

We camped in the U.P twice.

I got all A's in my classes.

Joel got 2 bucks this hunting season.

Joel traveled a lot for work.

Joel designed 2 cross bows for Velocity Archery.

Joel had a design patented by Nestle.

Things to look forward to in 2013:

Joel's 2 cross bows are being launched at the Archery Trade show in January.

I will be graduating with my associates degree in Business Administration.

Traveling to Idaho to see my sister in law graduate (Possibly a trip to Utah?).

Enjoying being an Aunt and Uncle.

Growing my business.

Here's to a great 2013!

Because I'm Awesome- A Brag-Fest and my 23rd Birthday!

I just wanted to let you know, in case you wanted to stop reading, that there is quite a bit of bragging that is about to go on. I am proud to say that I am DONE with this semester! It feels AMAZING!!!!! To recap all of my hard work:

In my Accounting 1 class:
I got a 99% on my last test, over Ch. 9&10
I got a 76/80 on my final, over Ch. 1-8. My teacher dropped 4 questions, so I ended with a 76/72. This means I got a 105% on my final!!! I ended the class with a 100%!!!

In my Management class:
I got a 96% on my final test.
I got a 279.8 out of 280 on my Individual final paper, that's a 99%! Our group paper and presentation got a 179.87/180! I ended the class with a 99%!!!

In my Marketing class:
I got a 100% on my final marketing project!
I got a 91.7% on my final test. I ended the class with a 95%.

That's right- All A's!!!!! My hard work has paid off!

Now, last week was my final week of the semester and it was CRAZY! Besides work and school, Joel had 2 work parties. On Thursday, we had the Nestle Annual Banquet and Christmas Party. We had the banquet and award ceremony at the DeVos Center. Then we walked over to the Amway Grand and had an amazing dinner. There was a potato bar with lots of toppings and they scooped the potatoes into a martini glass. It was different, but tasted wonderful! Then we had a magician for entertainment. He did a great job; some things I couldn't figure out how he did them! On Friday night we went to Notos Italian restaurant in Grand Rapids with the Packaging and Engineering group. This was a very nice dinner and the company was great. I loved meeting Joel's coworkers! Our table had 7 people at it. We ordered 4 first course meals to split so we could try different things. Then we all ordered off of the second course menu. We had some great desserts too! It was very pricey, so I doubt Joel and I would ever eat there on our own. After the dinner, we drove to Joel's parents' house for the weekend. It was my birthday on Saturday, Joel's on Sunday, and Julianne (Joel's sister) had a birthday on the 10th. I got to sleep in on Saturday morning until 10:30 and it was FANTASTIC! Then I got to lounge around because I had no homework to do. I got to open my gifts from Joel's parent's and I got a new camera!!! I've been wanting one, but I forgot that I had mentioned it to them a long time ago. Then we went to get Julianne from the Detroit airport. She flew in from BYU-Id. It was so great to see her! Then we stopped for dinner at a Big Boy's. Our service was terrible, they got my food wrong, and they didn't even bring me a birthday dessert. But on our way home, Joel's mom got my a cheese cake and sparkling grape juice- my favorite! I got tons of facebook posts, phone calls, and texts messages. I also spent the day with family. Overall, it was a wonderful 23rd birthday! I am very loved and am fortunate to have the family that I have! Now to get ready for the Christmas season- We still have to put up the tree and decorations! Not to mention shopping and wrapping gifts!

The end is near....

Well.... Another month has flown by! I can't believe that tomorrow is December 1st! I'm in the final stretch of the fall semester. I have just 2 weeks left! But included in that is: 3 tests, 3 final papers due the last week, 2 papers due next week, 2 presentations, and lots of studying!!! Besides what I have to do, what did I do this past month? Joel went hunting with his dad in Port Huron area. He got an 11 point buck with his crossbow and then a 5 point buck on opening day of rifle season. I went to Joel's parents' for a visit at the beginning of the month and for Thanksgiving weekend. Thanksgiving morning I went to Nantucket Baking Company for our traditional bread and muffins. Then we packed and went for a 14 mile bike ride. It was chilly! After rushing to get cleaned up and the car packed, we went to Muskegon to visit my dad's side of the family. It was so great to see my grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We didn't get to stay as long as I would have liked, because we had to get on the road so we wouldn't be late to Thanksgiving dinner with Joel's family. We had a lot of delicious food and I'm proud to say that I didn't gain weight this year from it! I only ate a plate of food at each location- no second helpings for this girl. I'm finding it very hard not to put weight on now that I don't have time to exercise. I'm already looking forward to spring and the chance to ride my bike at least once a week again! I feel like I should have done more stuff this month, but I honestly can't think of what else I did. Here's to a great (and busy) December!

We're getting it mounted...

A Halloween-less Year

I am so sad to say that I will not be participating in Halloween this year. I have class tomorrow night, so will not get to hand out candy. This is the first year as a married adult, that I won't be able to participate. I have been so busy that I didn't even decorate my house for fall. Not a single decoration! It's a shame! Fall is my absolute favorite season!

This month went by very quickly:

The first weekend Joel rode the White Pine Trail to Cadillac and back.

The second weekend I participated in the ColorBurst Tour in Lowel. I rode 17 miles in the cold and rain!

The 3rd weekend Joel and I took a trip to the cabin in the U.P. I stayed indoors Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday working on homework and studying for a couple of tests. Joel was busy working on projects around the cabin, like building a shower house and fixing his chain saw.

This past weekend I was able to go to a friend's wedding in Stevensville. It was such a lovely wedding and a great party afterwards. I was a blast seeing my friends from Ferris again- Especially my best friend Ashley. We stayed up late talking after the reception- just like old times. I know I miss her, but when I get to see her, it reminds just how much. I am grateful for our friendship.

Here's to getting ready for a busy November as classes begin to wind down. I have a couple of big papers to write and presentations to prepare. Yikes!

My bike on the back of the truck. 

Wet and cold!

Joel finishes his ride from GR to Cadillac and back!

Drive up to the U.P.

 

The new shower house.

 

From the other side

Love this girl! Ashley is my best friend and it was great seeing her!

 

My cute niece and nephew on their first halloween!

Hitting a Rough Patch

Lately I've been in a slum. I'm so busy with work and school and life in general, but that's not the problem. I'm beginning to be very unhappy at work. I've put in three years with my employer (been there longer than anyone else, apart from the owner.) and it's the same old crap over and over and over again. It's really bringing me down. I hate that I am not happy, but I have to keep at it. Today I came home in a terrible mood. As soon as I walked in the door, Joel was there and I couldn't hold back the tears. We talked about our days a little bit and Joel asked what he could do to make it better. I said "Just hold me." and he did. Then we walked towards the living room and he had a present and card sitting on my spot. So I started crying again - happy tears this time. I didn't deserve a gift, but I was grateful that my wonderful husband was thinking of me. I read the card- and more tears. Then I unwrapped my gift and there was a brand new Pink laptop for me! I have never had my own computer before! And this was PINK!!! I can't believe how lucky I am to have Joel in my life! He noticed how frustrated I had been getting with the old laptop (his from when he first got home from his mission) and needed a good one for school. He even got me a new cute mouse and a laptop bag. It's an early birthday present and it just brightened my weekend! He's so thoughtful!