See You Later

Kyle and I first started this blog to keep friends and family updated on our lives as we set off on a new adventure. Our adventure was starting at WSU and navigating our way through married life. I remember writing the very first post. I remember moving and thinking that I was once again leaving everyone I would ever need and love. Pullman was closer than Utah, but still world's away. Kyle was excited and positive as always. He balances me out in that way. I had no high hopes for Pullman, I can't lie.
This is probably the last post I will write while sitting in the first home we had together. The last time I will write from Pullman. It is so bittersweet. All of it. If you had told me two and a half years ago that I would be sad to leave this place I would have laughed. Today, I'm much more than sad going into our final week here. As I reflect on our time all I can think about are the AMAZING people we have come to call friends here.

Kyle met this ridiculous group of guys right off the bat. All I heard was "Justin this.." Justin that. Then came Nate and Brady, Nick, John, Chuck, Sanders, Giesman, Evan, Riley and Stefan. I know I'm forgetting people, but these are the guys that I got to know most as well. I was so nervous to meet everyone and I imagined them talking about math and weird engineering problems. Sorry boys, judged you wrong! Kyle made some great friends and to my surprise so did I. These guys have made us laugh, supported us, and made our college experience worth every penny. It would not have been the same without them. Not one bit. And lucky for me, some of these guys have wonderful girls in their lives that we became friends with. Emily, Brittani, and Jenna you have made my time here fly by. Brittani you are the most down to earth girl I think I have ever met. Your smile is contagious and my life is brighter because of you. Em, I am so excited that I get to live in the same zip code as you again soon. You are so caring, and it was so good to have you around with all those boys. Jenna, I wish I would have gotten to know you sooner! But I can say that Kyle and I will be friends with you and Nate(and the gang) for years to come so we will make up for that.

My first semester at WSU...I was nervous and so unsure about meeting new people. I walked into what I now look back on as my all time favorite class, and sat down at a table full of gorgeous girls. My first thought was oh no, they are totally sorority girls and I'm going to regret my seat choice. There I go being absolutely wrong again. Julie and Rach, you were my first close friends here. I cannot begin to tell you how much you have meant to me. Julie, you have made me laugh even on the worst day. You always know what to say and I never once worried about being real with you. You are a true friend and I can't imagine my life without our crazy antics. Rach, my coffee friend. You have the biggest heart and the sweetest soul. You always asked about my life and knew what was going on and we became friends at such a deep and unexpected level. Sisterwife I'm going to miss you a tremendous amount. I'm going to miss all of the Duncan girls. Emi, Shannon, and Christine you girls made me feel like an honorary roommate and Lord knows that was a good break from living with a boy sometimes! You are all so beautiful and I can't wait to see where life takes you. I grew up surrounded by boys for the most part, and being married to an engineer only added to the testosterone in my life. My time with you was so needed and appreciated. I am going to miss it. I didn't expect to come to college and find a group of girls that I loved so much.

Taryn and Steve: well we met this adventurous pair in our stairwell I believe. They lived right across from us, and as fate would have it one day Taryn locked herself out. We started talking and found out they were married the day after us. We ended up joining their soccer team (which is a whole other list of awesome people we met here), and spent more and more time together. I would say the icing on the cake was when we had to call Steve to pull our jeep out of the mud. From then on we went on our adventures all together. I honestly believe that in that short amount of time we met our married couple lifelong friends, because there is such a thing. When you miss someone so much you fall asleep watching a movie together over skype...well that's when you know it's a friendship worth keeping in my book. Especially when it's a disney original. We can't wait to come adventure with you in England/Europe...miss you guys!

Last but certainly not least is Ashlee. I hired Ashlee then quit being the manager and convinced her to be. She has become not only my Pullman best friend, but one of my best friends in any zip code. Ash, thank you for being there, no matter what. Who would have thought I'd be friends with a red head and a "housewife"? Life has some pretty great surprises, and you have been one of my favorite.

WSU you had your way with us and gave us some ups and downs, but certainly left us with a thousand memories for the books. We had the most incredible college experience and we owe a lot of that to all of you. Definitely not goodbye, just a see you later. Go out and change the world...and hey, GO COUGS “You have four years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay out late. Go out on a Tuesday with your friends when you have a paper due Wednesday. Spend money you don't have. Drink 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but college does..." -Tom Petty

WSU>UW

rushing the field

MR. & MRS.

the girls

I'm sure you have heard by now, but the cougars finally won the apple cup. I couldn't be more thrilled on the timing because it was our last one, and we spent it with our favorite football friends. This semester has been long and hard for Kyle and had so many big changes for me, but we have been so blessed. I couldn't have asked for a better send off from WSU. We are leaving Pullman so proud to be Cougs and with memories that will last a life time. 

Smile

 

Happy birthday to the most precious one year old I know. This boy has kept us all on our toes and been Mr. entertainment. I cannot wait to see what he has up his sleeve during his toddler years. Mostly because we can spoil him, then send him home to mom and dad(:

Dad's Weekend 2012

Kyle and I are both lucky enough to have Dad's in our lives. One thing I love about WSU is that they take time to appreciate family and the people that got us to where we are today. Dad's weekend 2012 was a good break mid-semester to spend time with these special guys. I don't think it really matters what kind of relationship you have with your dad...nothing and no one can ever truly replace it. My dad is the man that scared every monster away, sat with me on the couch when girls were mean, and my longest running valentine. He has shown me unconditional love and what it looks like to be an amazing father and husband. He has set the bar high for Kyle and given me everything he ever could. I would be lost without him, that much I am sure of. Kyle's dad is someone who always cares and wants whats best for Kyle. He is sincere and sensitive. Though they claim to be polar opposites, from time to time I catch glimpses of Matt in Kyle. Kyle wouldn't be the adventurous, risk taking, passionate, and stubborn guy he is without his dad. 

Thanks for driving the distance to spend a little time with us. We love you both!

Forty.Five

 My Parents celebrated forty-five years of marriage. Almost half a century of being best friends, adventurers, travelers, partners in crime and laughter. I truly cannot imagine either one without the other...that, to me, is a marriage worth having. They have set such a beautiful example for all of us. You two deserve the absolute world. Thank you for loving all of us unconditionally. Hope you know how much we appreciate and love you both!

You Got My Sunshine

Mallory Anne Ingram: welcome to the world sweet baby girl. 

“A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for"

Mallory and her great-grandma (91)

any day now

My world is about to get a little more estrogen. I have had nephew after nephew, so to finally be getting a niece is the most exciting thing. I am very close with my two oldest nieces, and they have had me wrapped around their fingers literally since the day I met them. I cannot wait to meet Mallory Anne. She already has my heart and I haven't even met her!

Something I've done since my best friend had her first baby is nursery art. I'm not an artist by any stretch of the imagination. It gives me a chance to be a part of it while I have been away at college. Even though I'm not there, a little piece of me and some love from me is. Here is what I made for the newest addition to the Ingram Family:

almost done with the small ones

love you to the moon and back

always have me

Don't even try argue with your dad...he enjoys it

When I was making this and thinking about who Mallory will be and how Linds and Shannon's worlds are about to change so many memories flooded my mind. I wondered what kind of dad Shan would be to a little girl, and thought about how nervous he must be. It's one thing for a father to have a son, and a completely different life event for a father to have a daughter. Then it hit me, tears and all, he is going to be an AMAZING dad because he has been the most amazing brother to me. I couldn't have asked for a better big brother. We laugh a lot and tease each other, but when you boil everything down he is my one brother that has been there for me from start to finish. He loved me a crazy amount when I was growing up. He spoiled me, invested in me, and included me in his life...all crazy adventures included. He traveled a lot, but he called. And strangely when my world felt like it was falling apart or I didn't know where to go he was the person I called. He has always hugged me. Seems simple and maybe even stupid, but if you know my family you know we don't hug a lot. He always does. I never have given him near enough credit for the brother he has been. He taught me how to swim, dive, snowboard (if I can call it that), attempted to teach me how to drive a stick, and so many other things. He never walked away, and he treated me like a princess. I have had my brother wrapped around my finger my whole life. So Mallory, I'm passing off the torch...he will be wrapped around your little finger the second he lays eyes on you. Trust me, it's easy to do with him. He will teach you so many things and probably a few things your grandparents will say he shouldn't. You are in amazing hands and will have no shortage of love.
                                    Now you just have to get here so we can all meet you!
                                                          Love Always, Aunt Lisa

Photography

In the last couple of years I have really developed a passion for photography. I'm not overly talented or skilled at it, but I absolutely enjoy capturing moments with people I love. The majority of my pictures have been for family and some close friends. My favorite have been babies and family shoots so far. I didn't think I could really capture other moments that well, but I recently had the privilege of taking some engagement pictures with a friend who has a photography business. I have to admit that I am slightly proud with how they turned out! I have a lot to learn and a long way to go, but I think I have found what I truly love doing with my time. There are almost 200 images from this shoot, but here are a few that I played around with in Lightroom. Since I do this as a hobby I don't have a signature look to my pictures yet, but I think that's the best part because I can really mix it up. Congratulations again to Linds and Damien. You are going to make a gorgeous bride, and one happy and loving married couple. You have the most amazing adventure ahead of you! Take in every moment, because this time in love and life goes by so quickly.

            

Late Night Laugh

Turn up your volume and enjoy. 

Our life is busy and hectic, but every once in a while we try to slow down for a night and take time to enjoy each other. Tonight we made dinner together, then we were getting ready to watch "What to Expect When You're Expecting." Kyle was changing and I had finished making icing for a cake. I was planning on letting Taylor lick the jar as a treat, but I think she knew it was coming. She came running around the corner and before I could hand it to her, her face was shoved into the jar! 

It might just be funny to us, but hopefully you all get a good laugh from it too. Love, US

Three Days Off

Being a teacher has some perks, like getting holidays off. Since we had a three day weekend we decided to go spend it with Kyle's family in Spokane. Colin and his new girlfriend Carleigh drove over from Bellingham for the weekend as well. I normally get very nervous when meeting new people, but I loved spending time with Car! We come from similar backgrounds, and had a lot in common...not just surface level. Colin, you better keep this one around because I finally have someone in my corner. Friday night we stayed at our place then drove up to Charlies Saturday morning. 

Charlie has meant so much to Kyle and I and I'm not even sure she knows how much. She is one of Kyle's family that didn't ask any questions or make any judgments. She hugged me the very first time she met me, and treated me like family. Charlie has been there for Kyle and always loved him no matter what. Everyone should know what it's like to feel like they are part of a family regardless of how they came into that family. The majority of the weekend we spent laying on a dock and hanging out with family. Uncle Bob and Aunt Debbie came out. Bob reminds me so much of my Dad and it always makes me smile. Mark and his wife were there too with their new addition. I haven't spent much time with them, so it was so much fun getting to know them better and meeting their sweet boy. Growing up the majority of my extended family lived in Texas, so it is really fun to have all of Kyle's aunts, uncles, and cousins and know that there will always be family that love us.  

Thank you for an amazing weekend and more importantly for giving us a huge sense of family. 

                                              Love, Us

kyle and I enjoying some sun

car & i

                                                                       

tired baby

obsessed with Kota

August

The month of August has been a whirl wind for Kyle and I. Now that we are settling back into our routine here in Pullman, I hope to catch up with some posts. Firstly, for those of you who have not heard, we are moving back to Bellingham in December! It was a toss up between moving away and having a couple of years to be somewhere totally new, or putting down some more permanent roots. My entire family is in Bellingham for the first time since I was very young, so I cannot wait to spend time with everyone. But the most important and exciting reason for the move home is that Kyle got a job offer. He signed a contract and made it official during his last weeks with Granite. He is very excited, and I am incredibly proud of him for making such an impact during his internship. Life is changing so fast and so many things have been falling into place. It is both an exciting, and nerve wracking time for us. Thank you so much for loving and supporting us along the way.  Love Us.

Enjoying our final days in Bellingham

Second Anniversary

A long time ago, or what seems like it now, Kyle and I use to sit up in a tree on squalicum beach and talk about our goals and dreams. In a scrapbook we made a list of places we wanted to see together, and adventures we wanted to go on. I called them "Kyle's Firsts" but as the years have gone by I have definitely been on some "firsts" of my own with Kyle too! Last year for our first wedding anniversary we went skydiving in Hawaii. That was one of the most incredible things we have done. I always tell him it's up there with the wedding day. This year for our second anniversary we went bungee jumping in Whistler, B.C. I told Kyle that was one thing I would never do, no matter what. Then I realized something...or rather a few things. First, I made a vow to be by Kyle's side through all of life's experiences (which doesn't exactly mean jumping off a bridge, and I realize I could have just been there to witness). Second, if I didn't bungee jump with Kyle he would still be going...without me. He would have that memory with someone else and I would probably regret it. Lastly, I thought about it and the one thing I'm terrified of most is dying. BUT maybe, just maybe, if the only thing I have left to do at the end of my life is die, then dying won't be quite so scary. So I decided to face my fear and take a risk. It's not something that I am itching to do ever again, but I am really glad that I did it. We had another first together and lived to tell the tale. For our next anniversary maybe we should just relax on a beach...

We have shirts to prove it.

Two going on Forever

This summer has been a busy one for Kyle and I so far. It has been so nice to be back in Bellingham and closer to friends and family. Strange to think that this chapter of our lives is slowly winding down as we get ready for the next. We have a lot of big decisions and changes in the not so distant future. Being a 'real' adult isn't always all it's cracked up to be, but our childhoods are surviving and thriving somewhere inside us still.
Two years ago Kyle and I said our vows. We wrote our own, because although we love traditions, we tend to go with the nontraditional. We vowed to be by each other's side through all of life's experiences, and share this crazy adventure called life together. The past two years have not been perfect all of the time, but to be honest, they have been pretty amazing. People told us the first year would be the hardest and the worst...we had the time of our lives and enjoyed being married an absurd amount. Our second year of marriage a lot of people listed off a lot of statistics and told us the second year would be our worst. It was a little more challenging because we both had very busy class schedules, but...we still made amazing memories and had a lot of laughs. We made our apartment into a home, and tried a lot of new recipes together. Sorry to break it to you, but kitchen hugs, dancing in the dark, forehead kisses, Sunday adventures, and TLC beat all the statistics. Life isn't a fairy-tale, or a Nicholas Sparks book, but sometimes it still turns out pretty extraordinary. Sometimes two people's lives intertwine and in this perfectly ordinary life we get swept off our feet. So Kyle Mathew Aamot, thank you for two incredible years on this adventure. Sometimes you still even sweep me off my feet.

odds and ends

Dad's 72nd

makeovers

cohen's first "rib"

bein cute

uncle kyle

family bbq

eric...ha

kyle and seth

bridget and co

Big

Being home means spending time with family. I love that my family is growing so much and how much fun we all have together now that we are "growing up". Here's a peak at some of the cute nieces and nephews we have spent time with over the past few weeks. Having a big family means getting picked on and teased, but it also means someone's always got your back.

jasper

cohen

seth

madesyn & kyla

sweet spot

We are home for the summer, and it has been incredible. Kyle is interning at Granite, and I am teaching at Whatcom Day Academy. Kyle is absolutely loving every day of work, so I guess he really chose the right career. Not only will he enjoy what he does, but he will make good money doing it. The kids that I get the pleasure to spend time with are really adorable and I think laugh lines are just around the corner for me. We are getting so excited to see what the next 6 months hold for us. It feels like life is starting for us. It is both terrifying and amazing. To celebrate being home we went for a walk on "our beach". The memories that place holds for us are so precious.

We Did It.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." If you had told me five years ago that I would one day marry my best friend, and not only graduate college, but be on the Dean's list, I would have told you those things would never happen for me. What lies behind me I will never forget. I will never fix, let go, or understand. What lies before me? Something unimaginably wonderful. What lies in me is more than I ever thought possible. I did it. I did what I never thought I could. I kept going. I am two weeks away from receiving my college diploma. I'm a first generation college student. I wanted to give up so many times. Instead I pushed through and somehow wound up surprising even myself with what I was capable of. 
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
Kyle is a few credits away from being done. Yes, we are walking at the same graduation ceremony. No, it was NOT some special request. He was given the option to walk in Spring or Winter, and chose spring so we could celebrate together with our families. Kyle has come so far since he started college. His GPA has improved tremendously. He may even graduate with honors...he's pretty darn close now. I have seem him defeated and seconds from tossing in the towel. He never did, be proud of that. He isn't a quitter, and when people push him down he just comes back swinging. When people discouraged him or told him he would never make it, it only gave him more fuel, so thank you. Thank you for being a part of his drive to surprise anyone who doubted him. He knew what he wanted to become, and didn't lose sight of that dream. 
Our life looks pretty amazing on paper and in pictures. It isn't always perfect though. We have struggled. We have encouraged each other through the struggles. This has been one crazy and fun adventure together. It isn't easy to go out in the world and try to figure out who you are suppose to be. It's harder when people that are suppose to love you no matter what always expect you to be one way. Harder yet when what they want is always changing. We have been looked at through a magnifying glass, and we are well aware. The comments and rumors don't stop shy of our ears. If you love Kyle then you know I'm part of the package. I'm slow to warm up, but I'm probably not the person you were expecting. Give me a chance. If you love me, then accept Kyle. I'm not stupid, I'm married to him. I know he is flawed, as am I. As are YOU. Accept that and love him because I LOVE him. Stop being so hard on him and give him a chance. We are so happy that we get to experience a happy marriage and graduate together and live this crazy life together. Be happy for us! Have hope for us. 

“I hope your dreams take you... to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known.”

WSU 2012

Thank you to everyone who loved, supported, and believed in us. Your encouragement helped us get to where we are. It has meant so much. 

Love, US.