THIS IS US
Nate, McKell, Bryant, and Chase
Here is a little bit about us, what we like, what we do, how we met, and who we are!
This is Us
{Nate}
Nate was born and spent most of his youth in Orem, Utah. He ran around his neighborhood with a group of boys who introduced him to soccer, which became a major part of his life growing up. When he wasn’t playing soccer, he was riding around the neighborhood on his Redline BMX bike (which he still proudly owns) or playing with one of his 5 sisters. His family moved to Alpine when he started junior high (thankfully because, this is how we ended up meeting). He found another impressive group of young men that have become lifelong friends. He continued to have a passion for soccer and even ended up with a high school state championship during his junior year. He was a part of the high school drum line and took several AP classes. During his senior year, he was on student council and loved being involved.
After high school, he attended Brigham Young University for his freshman year before leaving on a two-year mission in Santiago, Chile for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nate returned home in the summer of 2009, went back to school at BYU, and in 2010 our love story began.
Nate and I dated most of 2010 and were married May of 2011. After we were married, Nate finished his undergrad at BYU, worked for Goldman Sachs for five years, and got his MBA from the University of Utah. During his studies, we welcomed two beautiful babies into our world and bought our first home that has become our sanctuary. Just 6 months after we bought our house, we decided we needed some more space for our boys to play. Nate finished our basement, with the help of amazing friends and family, in just over 5 months. He is currently working full-time for PayVision, a credit-card processing platform company, where he is a Technical Integration Manager for their American market. Nate is always a husband and father first, but is so good at wearing all kinds of hats. He juggles the title of Husband, DAD, Technical Integration Manager, Exercise Enthusiast, and Executive Secretary for our church (that's a lot of hats!), and he does it well. He makes our family the happiest.
After high school, he attended Brigham Young University for his freshman year before leaving on a two-year mission in Santiago, Chile for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nate returned home in the summer of 2009, went back to school at BYU, and in 2010 our love story began.
Nate and I dated most of 2010 and were married May of 2011. After we were married, Nate finished his undergrad at BYU, worked for Goldman Sachs for five years, and got his MBA from the University of Utah. During his studies, we welcomed two beautiful babies into our world and bought our first home that has become our sanctuary. Just 6 months after we bought our house, we decided we needed some more space for our boys to play. Nate finished our basement, with the help of amazing friends and family, in just over 5 months. He is currently working full-time for PayVision, a credit-card processing platform company, where he is a Technical Integration Manager for their American market. Nate is always a husband and father first, but is so good at wearing all kinds of hats. He juggles the title of Husband, DAD, Technical Integration Manager, Exercise Enthusiast, and Executive Secretary for our church (that's a lot of hats!), and he does it well. He makes our family the happiest.
Nate is our provider and protector. He is a devoted husband and our kid's daddy. He is compassionate and patient. The best word that describes him is LOYAL. He always keeps his promises and gets things done. Nate is trustworthy and a fantastic friend. He's always looking to help those in need and never bats an eye at his own agenda. The words I hear most from him are "How can I help?". This makes him a fantastic father and my best friend.
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{McKell}
Hi! I'm the author of this page. I was born in American Fork, UT and spent my childhood in Highland, UT. I am the second of four kids. I have an older sister and two younger brothers. Growing up, we lived on a secluded lot surrounded by horse pastures. We always owned at least one dog and a few horses. I spent most of my childhood playing with my brothers and sister, exploring my yard, and loving on animals.
When I was 12, we moved to Alpine, Utah. This is when I met my Nate for the first time, never even considering how much that would change my future. I was excited to move to Alpine; I love new beginnings and have learned to embrace change. I made some lifelong friendships with girls in my church ward and at school, and loved being in Alpine for the rest of my growing up years. I worked several different jobs and loved the independence of making my own money. During high school, I worked as a nanny, a UPS store sales associate, and a golf course hostess.
My passion has always been teaching children. I was always searching for ways to spend my time with kids. My mom ran a preschool, and I arranged to get school credit for teaching with my mom. It was by far the most rewarding “class” I ever took and created some of my favorite memories. After high school, I knew I wanted to become an elementary school teacher. I spent the next 4 years studying elementary education, all while dating, (re)finding Nate, and planning a wedding. I taught 3rd grade after graduating from UVU and loved every minute of it. My students became my children, and we had a closely knit "classroom family." We learned to love each other and embrace one another's strengths and weaknesses. When I became pregnant with Bryant, I put my school teacher dream on hold to focus on raising my two beautiful boys. I'm the luckiest!
When I was 12, we moved to Alpine, Utah. This is when I met my Nate for the first time, never even considering how much that would change my future. I was excited to move to Alpine; I love new beginnings and have learned to embrace change. I made some lifelong friendships with girls in my church ward and at school, and loved being in Alpine for the rest of my growing up years. I worked several different jobs and loved the independence of making my own money. During high school, I worked as a nanny, a UPS store sales associate, and a golf course hostess.
My passion has always been teaching children. I was always searching for ways to spend my time with kids. My mom ran a preschool, and I arranged to get school credit for teaching with my mom. It was by far the most rewarding “class” I ever took and created some of my favorite memories. After high school, I knew I wanted to become an elementary school teacher. I spent the next 4 years studying elementary education, all while dating, (re)finding Nate, and planning a wedding. I taught 3rd grade after graduating from UVU and loved every minute of it. My students became my children, and we had a closely knit "classroom family." We learned to love each other and embrace one another's strengths and weaknesses. When I became pregnant with Bryant, I put my school teacher dream on hold to focus on raising my two beautiful boys. I'm the luckiest!
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Words that describe ME: planning, organization, mom-ing, Christmas cards, birthdays, TEACHING, projects, learning, girl time, fashion, shopping, boating, hiking, reading, children’s books, scrapbooking, memories, HG SURVIVOR, swimming, journaling, the zoo, Lake Powell, my family ranch, date night, matching, weddings, sunshine, morning snuggles with my boys, packing cubes, Disney Plus, cleaning, decorating, holidays, gift giving, chocolate chip cookies, heated blankets |
{Our Love Story}
May 6, 2011
Nate and I grew up just a few houses apart (after we both moved to Alpine). Nate was best friends with my older sister, Whitlie. Lucky for me, she let me tag along and hang out with her and her friends even though I was 3 years younger. I always thought Nate was a cute boy, but I was pretty shy, and we didn't interact much.
I went to Utah State for my freshman year of college. Nate came home from his mission that same year and I went to his homecoming. I saw him at a few gatherings at my sister’s house after that, and we slowly started talking more and more. After my freshman year at Utah State, I came home for the summer. Nate was also living at home for the summer, and that's when our dating life really began. We started spending every day together, and I decided to continue my education at Utah Valley University since Nate was attending BYU. We both moved to Provo for the fall semester and continued spending every second we could with each other.
By the time fall semester ended and the holidays arrived, we had talked in depth about moving forward with our relationship. We really loved each other and decided we wanted to get married. Nate proposed on Christmas day with quite an elaborate scheme. I traveled around Alpine to all of our favorite spots, collecting clues and memories in a sort of scavenger hunt. It ended with a rose-covered little trailer that he had all set up in the spot where we had our first kiss. (I was so grateful for the warm trailer, because it was cold!). He knelt down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes! Nate is the best decision I've ever made.
For the next six months we planned our wedding, which took place in the spring of 2011. Our wedding day couldn't have been more perfect. It was the warmest day we’d had yet that spring and it felt like the heavens were smiling down on us. I'm sure there were things that didn't go exactly as we had planned, but I don’t even remember because we were SO HAPPY. We were married in the Mount Timpanogos Temple by Nate's grandfather. All of the people we love and adore came to celebrate us, and it was the best party!
I went to Utah State for my freshman year of college. Nate came home from his mission that same year and I went to his homecoming. I saw him at a few gatherings at my sister’s house after that, and we slowly started talking more and more. After my freshman year at Utah State, I came home for the summer. Nate was also living at home for the summer, and that's when our dating life really began. We started spending every day together, and I decided to continue my education at Utah Valley University since Nate was attending BYU. We both moved to Provo for the fall semester and continued spending every second we could with each other.
By the time fall semester ended and the holidays arrived, we had talked in depth about moving forward with our relationship. We really loved each other and decided we wanted to get married. Nate proposed on Christmas day with quite an elaborate scheme. I traveled around Alpine to all of our favorite spots, collecting clues and memories in a sort of scavenger hunt. It ended with a rose-covered little trailer that he had all set up in the spot where we had our first kiss. (I was so grateful for the warm trailer, because it was cold!). He knelt down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes! Nate is the best decision I've ever made.
For the next six months we planned our wedding, which took place in the spring of 2011. Our wedding day couldn't have been more perfect. It was the warmest day we’d had yet that spring and it felt like the heavens were smiling down on us. I'm sure there were things that didn't go exactly as we had planned, but I don’t even remember because we were SO HAPPY. We were married in the Mount Timpanogos Temple by Nate's grandfather. All of the people we love and adore came to celebrate us, and it was the best party!
{Bryant}
Bryant was born August 30th. To our surprise he came a week earlier than expected, and we were beyond thrilled to meet him. He was a very pleasant baby and has always LOVED food. He walked at 9 months, but never really crawled much. As soon as he could start talking, he wanted to know the names of all the different types of dinosaurs. We learned a lot about dinosaurs. By the time he was 2, he could spout off their long, complicated names. And by the time he was 3 he memorized all of the leaders of our church, the alphabet, and several numbers, colors, and sounds. He loves to learn, and he soaks it all up like a sponge. He attended 2 years of preschool, which he enjoyed, and made some really cute little friends.
This year, Bryant finished kindergarten and loved riding the bus to school. I think all of his dreams came true! He's so excited to start first grade this fall even with a mask! Bryant loves to be active. He played t-ball this spring and loved it. He will play basketball and soccer (again) this fall. He is excited to start flag football this year, this will be a first! He enjoys being on a team, but doesn't seem to be too competitive, which makes the games pretty entertaining. Bryant has always been 98th percentile for weight and height! He's our big boy and is always wearing clothes 2 to 3 sizes bigger than his actual age. He is such a happy boy. I've always called Bryant "my sunshine boy." He's empathetic and kind. He always tells me when he has done something wrong, which is hilarious and nice all at the same time. He is a sweet older brother and always looks out for those around him. We're so lucky he is the oldest of our family, I can't believe he is now 6 years old!
This year, Bryant finished kindergarten and loved riding the bus to school. I think all of his dreams came true! He's so excited to start first grade this fall even with a mask! Bryant loves to be active. He played t-ball this spring and loved it. He will play basketball and soccer (again) this fall. He is excited to start flag football this year, this will be a first! He enjoys being on a team, but doesn't seem to be too competitive, which makes the games pretty entertaining. Bryant has always been 98th percentile for weight and height! He's our big boy and is always wearing clothes 2 to 3 sizes bigger than his actual age. He is such a happy boy. I've always called Bryant "my sunshine boy." He's empathetic and kind. He always tells me when he has done something wrong, which is hilarious and nice all at the same time. He is a sweet older brother and always looks out for those around him. We're so lucky he is the oldest of our family, I can't believe he is now 6 years old!
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Bryant's Favorites: red and blue, basketball, gymnastics, eating crepes, riding the bus, FIRST GRADE, Imagine Dragons, Taylor Swift, wrestling with dad, movie nights with cousins, snuggling mom, Legos, riding his scooter and his bike, playing in the sandbox, and playing with friends. When he grows up he wants to be a "builder."
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{Chase}
Chase is my Christmas baby! He came into the world two weeks early, and it was the best early Christmas present ever! As a baby, Chase had bad reflux and chronic ear infections. Medication helped the reflux, but he was still a pretty uncomfortable infant. He ended up getting tubes placed at 8 months old, and that started to help with the infections. He finally slept through the night for the first time when he was just over 1. None of this stopped him from getting things done, though. He crawled at 6 months and walked at 9. His very favorite thing to do was SWING. We lived in our backyard, so Chase could swing all day long, and to this day, it's still one of his favorite things to do! He goes outside hops in the swing and pumps himself.
From the time he was tiny, we knew Chase was fiery. He knows what he wants, and he will get it. He is a very independent soul. As he has grown and gained more independence, he is so much happier! He loves to do everything on his own and in his own time. Chase is a climber. He scaled a 15-foot rock wall with ease and is always trying to climb something new. Chase loves being the boss! He tells us all the time that he is the boss of our house and he's not totally wrong...
Chase’s favorite thing to do is play with his big brother. They play so well together and come up with all kinds of imaginary games that I get to listen in on. Chase is going to a gymnastics class where he excels; he can climb and swing on things to his heart's desire. He tried a class in our community called "itty bitty basketball" and loved it. And he will start preschool this fall! Chase is a giggler. He can always make us smile or laugh with him. Chase loves things to be clean and organized. He lines things up and puts things away in the right places. If we ever have anything out of place, Chase quickly corrects us. Chase is our tiny guy, only 3rd percentile for weight; he is way too busy for food! He is a goer and loves exploring the world around him. Chase keeps us all busy, and we wouldn't have it any other way. His strengths are STRONG, and I can't wait to see what he does with them as he grows.
From the time he was tiny, we knew Chase was fiery. He knows what he wants, and he will get it. He is a very independent soul. As he has grown and gained more independence, he is so much happier! He loves to do everything on his own and in his own time. Chase is a climber. He scaled a 15-foot rock wall with ease and is always trying to climb something new. Chase loves being the boss! He tells us all the time that he is the boss of our house and he's not totally wrong...
Chase’s favorite thing to do is play with his big brother. They play so well together and come up with all kinds of imaginary games that I get to listen in on. Chase is going to a gymnastics class where he excels; he can climb and swing on things to his heart's desire. He tried a class in our community called "itty bitty basketball" and loved it. And he will start preschool this fall! Chase is a giggler. He can always make us smile or laugh with him. Chase loves things to be clean and organized. He lines things up and puts things away in the right places. If we ever have anything out of place, Chase quickly corrects us. Chase is our tiny guy, only 3rd percentile for weight; he is way too busy for food! He is a goer and loves exploring the world around him. Chase keeps us all busy, and we wouldn't have it any other way. His strengths are STRONG, and I can't wait to see what he does with them as he grows.
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Chase's Favorites: gymnastics "nastics", sausage, independence, "I can, I can", Hot Wheels, Bear Hollow Preschool, Wild Kratts, soccer games, scooter rides, yogurt, swinging, animals, counting, and Blacky the dog. When he grows up he wants to be a "Leopard."
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