Christmas Tree Adventure

Today we went on an adventure to find our first Christmas tree. We drove for almost an hour to a national park in Idaho to search for one. Five dollars beats ninety any day! It was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day...see for yourself...

the drive

Kyle and I became friends in high school. Our adventures together really started back when we were sixteen, but it is something we have always been good at. Over the years there has almost always been one commonality with our adventures. One of us does something. It might be painful, embarrassing, hysterical, stupid, or awkward. It is inevitable...and this adventure was no different. We drove up a logging road. A logging road that was covered in snow and ice, but HAD been plowed. Normally a plowed road is a good thing right? Not today! We drove passed a suburban in a ditch being pulled out. I told kyle "maybe you should stay away from the edge." What happens less then five minutes later? CAR GOES IN THE DITCH. This was more of a small cliff though. I was screaming (but trying not to laugh because all I could think was "I TOLD YOU SO") Kyle was terrified. We were sliding towards two trees. Down a ditch. The snow was collapsing under us. Not kidding. We literally came within maybe two feet of the trees, when the snow built up enough between the trees and our car to stop us. I climbed out of my door...and then kyle...and then taylor. Kyle was yelling, he maybe climbed back in hurriedly and spilt my coffee all over. Taylor was jumping around in the snow like a bunny, and I was standing shivering thinking "maybe now is not the best time to say "I told you so"?" Luckily two trucks came down the road within minutes of this happening. An older couple who had been picnicking in the snow (precious) had a winch and helped Kyle get the jeep out. They informed us that years ago, and it had to have been many years, when they were first married they came to this same spot to pick out their first tree. They came every year after that, and got stuck every year after that. Three years ago he made a wise decision and purchased his winch. Thanks Mr :)

behind us is our first tree

We made it safely to a spot we would be able to turn around and began the search. I'm assuming the barbed wire was up for a reason, but what's an adventure without climbing over, or in my case crawling under, barbed wire? Kyle sawed down our first tree complete with his suspenders, plaid shirt, and fur hat. What a heart throb he is baha. 

dragging our tree back to the car. I was pulling the sled and kyle thought it was hysterical to keep steering it into the ditch.

Kyle trimmed it down and TA-DA!

Taylor never cooperates in family photos

We came home, listened to Hanson Holidays (until Kyle realized what we were listening to), and decorated our tree. SPECIAL THANK YOU: my parents went out and bought us ornaments and some decorations because they remembered not having those things their first Christmas together. My dad, who is suppose to be recovering and taking it easy, went out and got us a Christmas tree stand our last night home over Thanksgiving break. He is the best Dad. My parents always amaze me with their love and generosity. We LOVE you two! 

First Christmas tree adventure was a success! 

Apple Cup

Kyle and I have officially experienced Apple Cup. I have to say I am not a fan of all the rivalry leading up to game day. It is football? I was told that the jail filled up three times that night, and paramedics had to check the stands for unconscious people throughout the game. We had the pleasure of meeting an obnoxious boy who could barely stand. He had the pleasure of meeting Kyle's...hand. Apparently some people don't understand a ring on my finger means something. Even with all the drunken craziness we had a lot of fun watching the game. It was a close one!

.jen.lisa.kyle. Apple Cup '10

I have to let you all in on a secret. Everyone in Pullman (including Kyle) knew we would most likely lose. Kyle likes to dream big...and give his brother Connor a hard time. Some day he will learn if he is going to dish it, he needs to be able to take it.

...Things We are Thankful For...

  Kyle and I were able to go home for Thanksgiving this year. I was so excited to see family and friends and just to be back in Bellingham for the week. Both of our parents had made up bedrooms for us, so we didn't need to worry about finding somewhere to sleep. Kyle's family had two Thanksgivings (cooked by Brenda) and my family had one. I tried not to eat too much, but that wasn't truly an option...
  We have really been blessed this year. I am thankful to have Kyle, and to get the chance to experience life and grow with him. We are both thankful for our families, and people that have been like family to us. Life is an amazing adventure, and as corny as it sounds, every breath is something to be thankful for. 
“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.”
We both love being married, and are thankful that finding the right person came before a line of wrongs. I love this quote because of what lies behind it. Marriage is not simple or an ever after honeymoon like in the movies. It is trying every day to be the best spouse you can be. It is loving each other even when you discover quarks and flaws. It is fighting over in-laws, and stressful holidays. BUT it is also having your best friend to come home to every day. Knowing that someone will always be in your corner, and challenging each other to become the best person he/she can. 

uncle kyle and baby griff '10

This was one of my favorite pictures from our time back in Bellingham. This is the newest addition to the Ingram family, baby Griff (Shannon and Linds). He is the happiest little guy, and watching Kyle with him is just about the most precious thing ever. He loves being an uncle, and someday he is going to make an amazing dad. 

hello pumpkin season

I am missing the pumpkin cookies in Utah.

I think I might take a swing at baking some...

 i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me, I carry it in my heart. i am never without it. anywhere i go you go,my dear;  and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling. i fear no fate, for you are my fate, my sweet i want no world, for beautiful you are my world,my true. and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant, and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide. ...and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart i carry your heart. i carry it in my heart. -E.E. Cummings This poem has been on my mind all week. I have decided that it's not so much homesickness we experience, as an ache to see the people that mean the world to us. It's a hole because you know you are missing so much while you are away. This is for my niece Madesyn, who turned ten before I could blink, and Kyla who has the biggest personality. For my parents that take the time to know what is going on in our lives, and not just on a shallow level. For Bridget and Tanya and Lindsey, who I am so lucky to have in my life and brighten my day even if it is over the phone. To Eric who I think of EVERY time I come across a ridiculous youtube video. And Shannon who will always be my big brother in every meaning of the word. To Stephi K who I think of every time I remember the past. To the Long family and the friendship and love you have given both of us. We have three weeks until we get to see our families and people that we love. In this moment three weeks seems so long, but I have to remember how lucky I am to have so many important people in my life. Kyle has been a part of my family long before this summer. I'm not sure if it is common to mesh lives well, but I am so excited that the people I love most love Kyle and I both. They invest in us and want to know HOW we are and what we are up to. Thank you so much to the people that we think of when we think of "home"...wherever you are.

Rainy Days...

“Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain”

 Today I woke up at 5:15 in the morning and headed off to work. It was pouring rain and i LOVED it.I came home to breakfast (and a messy kitchen) and Kyle. We spent the next few hours looking through old things that have been passed down to us. We found a box of all the notes and pictures and cards from when we first started dating. We were so cute and young. I know, I know...we still are so young. 

vase: one dollar


While we were talking I got an itch to add some sort of fall decor to our apartment. Since Kyle is against everything except for Christmas trees, I made a small center piece using some old fall pictures. It's not much, but at least our dining room has a little bit of fall. 

sneaking in some decor: priceless

the good stuff

fall in a great wonder

Fall. Hot chocolate and staying under the blankets with each other just a few moments longer. Curling up with a good book or getting things done that you had set aside in the summer. If you are anything like me you set aside everything to make room for summer. It is after all what I look forward to all year long. I'm not sure if it is growing older, or the opening of my eyes that has made me fall in love with fall. It is beautiful. Today was full of cold air and blue skies. I couldn't wait to come home and make hot chocolate and spend time with Kyle. We thought about this time last year. We had an amazing week of fall traveling around to national parks.

                                    

                                           bryce canyon

grand canyon

 Kyle and I both grew up with the same basic childhood. We ended up in the same place, despite having very different experiences that took us there. One thing that Kyle told me from the time our friendship became deeper is that he wished he could have seen more. I took for granted all the things I was fortunate enough to see and do growing up. I always tease him that his life would be boring without me. We made a list of things we wanted to do and places we wanted to see TOGETHER. We are young and have checked off so much of that list. Kyle has now been to Disneyland (thanks to my parents) because it is a place every child should go...no he was not a child but believe me as soon as he saw the place he might as well have been eight years old and on a leash. We went to Mexico to one of my absolute favorite resorts. Last fall Kyle finally got to see the Grand Canyon in all its beauty. When I was little it seemed so much bigger. I highly recommend seeing it in the fall. The colors were unbelievable, and the only other people were home school kids and precious old people seeing one last wonder before they called it a day. I only hope that I will choose to do the same when I am older. To see, and do, and love everything that I never got around to. Albert Einstein once said, "It is not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years"

Cancer is a Word, Not a Sentence

Today my Dad has his pre-op. If he is cleared and feeling better he will have his surgery on October 25, 2010. Most people know my dad as quiet, funny, or hard working. I know my dad as strong. I have only personally known a handful of people that have battled cancer. Honestly, I never really gave cancer much thought. It's one of those things we put in the back of our minds until it stares us right in the face. Knowing that someone I love and think the world of has cancer made me realize something; cancer does not care. It does not care who you are or what you have done with your life. It does not care if you are old and weak, or just learning what life is. When I was sixteen I wore a "live strong" bracelet because it was in style. Now I finally understand it is not fashion, it is a hope.
"If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them.  When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope?  We have two options, medically and emotionally:  give up, or fight like hell."  -Lance Armstrong

                                       Our first Pumpkin Carving in our new home

Pumpkin Carving in the past few years

                mmmm Pumpkin Guts!

Here We Are

I am married to my best friend. Although it has now been 103 days since our wedding, I still hear "Lis! We are MARRIED!" on at least a weekly basis. I personally am still waiting for everything to sink in. None of my professors can say my new last name, and it brings back memories of intentionally butchering it in high school. I guess when you pronounce my first name wrong (Leeza), I am more than allowed to make jokes about your last name. Little did I know it would be mine in a few short years. Kyle is spending most of his time in the library or with his nose in a book. I spend most of my time wishing I could catch up on sleep. I miss home, but I have yet to have a homesick breakdown. Last year I was scooped up into Kyle's arms on several occasions. I think living in Pullman is easier because home is so much closer. I have to admit, I miss all the laughs with Shan and Linds. Here we are in Pullman though. That little town built around a college in the middle of wheat fields. It is beautiful in its own small way. You know those sunsets that take your breath away? The ones you try to capture in a picture, but they never turn out quite like real life? We have the most amazing view of them every night. Nothing replaces where you spent your childhood, or the people that you call family and love most, but I know that the next couple of years we spend here will be incredible...