Our Little Guy

Mason George Aamot arrived into this world at 3:08pm on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon September 10, 2014.

The last few weeks of pregnancy were spent having prodromal labor, meaning I was going in and out of labor. I was dilated and effaced and my body was doing its best to get things going. Mason however, was not quite ready. I had many doctors visits that left me feeling like I was going to just give birth at home. I was too early to be induced, but I knew my body was not going to get me there without some help. Finally after work on September 9 I met with Dr. Dowling who checked me and was shocked to find I was dilated to a 6. Most women are in the hospital by this point and she was surprised to hear I was still working and going about my usual business. She scheduled an induction for the following morning. I left the office with my heart pounding and my head spinning. I called Kyle to tell him, then headed to the grocery store to stalk up. I pushed the buggy around panicking with every tightening wave over my stomach, because even though I had felt them for weeks I knew this was the end. I would soon be a mom, and Kyle a dad.

I got home to find our mud room sprayed with unspeakable body fluids from our dogs. That's a whole other story, but long story short Kyle had thought it was funny they were eating things from our garden…he fed them a little too much. I could only milk being pregnant for a few more hours and so I took a picture with my phone, sent it to Kyle, and stepped over it and into the house. Picture a 38 week pregnant woman playing hot lava monster…only the lava was poop…and vomit.

We packed up the car. I don't remember now how we spent our very last night just us. Funny looking back I wish we had made a memory of it. You don't realize it's the last time you'll have that time until it's gone. It seems fleeting now, all four years of being just us. In the morning we woke up at 6am and called the hospital to check for a bed. Being a full moon the night before I guess a lot of women gave birth so we were told to call back. Kyle enjoyed a bowl of lucky charms. I refused to eat because I wasn't about to puke while giving birth. We called back again and were told to head in. I hadn't been that shaky or full of adrenaline since our wedding day. Fitting since these are the two days I love most.

We arrived and the nurse told me I looked like a deer in headlights. I replied flatly "well I have to push a human out my lady tunnel." They asked what number child this was for us and we said our first. She seemed confused and let us know coming in this far dilated and effaced doesn't happen often at all with a first…but most of what happened seems pretty lucky now. Around 10am I was dilated to a 7 and the doctor broke my water. You are choosing to continue this read so I'm not apologetic…it gushed. Like gallons of hot water pouring out. I tried to tell the nurse I was peeing the bed after about an hour of this because I couldn't believe there was that much liquid inside me. Around noon I chose to get a "dangerous epidural". We thought the nurses were going to high five us. They were all for it and even though the pain was doable I wanted it to be as comfortable as the whole giving birth experience could be. The epidural was insane. Did you know it goes up your spine?! I didn't and I felt it because the numbing didn't quite work. Kyle came two hot seconds from passing out which gave me a much needed laugh. I was hunched on the side of the bed with a giant needle up my spine when I finally felt a "contraction". Not to sound like a tough guy but through all this time contractions were not what I thought they would be. It was uncomfortable yes, painful not really. Cramps though, those are excruciating. I would rather give birth once a month than have cramps. So anyway, I sat there with my body shaking and tightening and a man trying to give me the epidural.

After he was done I took a two hour nap. Kyle went out to visit with his mom in the waiting room. I woke up to an epidural that had stopped working on my left side and was only half working on my right. I asked the nurse for a flipping popsicle finally because I was starving. I started getting stronger tightening feelings and I asked Kyle if he could come back in the room. Kyle came in and watched the machine and told me when the contractions were peaking so I could see the end of one in sight before the next began. I heard a lot of "this one's huge" and "This is the biggest one yet". He was amazing. The nurse finally came back with my popsicle. I did have tears streaming down my face but to be honest it was more out of fear of what I knew was happening in a matter of time. We were told it would still be several more hours, but then the nurse checked me just before 3pm. She checked me, looked up at Kyle and said "uh the baby is right there". She was holding up a finger and marking her first knuckle. She told me to give a practice push. I started to push and she quickly yelled stop and ran and got the doctor. Dr. Dowling came in and checked me and did the same thing. Once again I started to push and her face looked shocked as she said stop. In a hurry they got everything around us ready. They told me to push during the next contraction. We were all staring at each other and I thought I was waiting for the next one when they informed me what I was feeling WAS a contraction. I assumed it would hurt more I guess. More than just tightening. Four pushes, 8 minutes of labor and Mason George Aamot entered this world.

7lbs and 20 inches long. Tiny perfection. He army crawled up to nuzzle in my neck and that was it. I was overwhelmingly in love with this person I didn't even know yet. Funny how he knew exactly who I was and that all he wanted was to be as close to me as he possibly could be.

All at Once

I'm quickly approaching 36 weeks of pregnancy. Assuming our little man comes on his due date we have about four weeks until our world is forever changed. It's funny how something can be so completely terrifying and exciting all at once.

When I told Kyle I was nervous, but so happy. I was mostly nervous for the reality of it to sink in. The first 20 weeks were spent battling meat aversion, nausea, and a huge loss of appetite. Somewhere around that time many of those things subsided. I was able to continue working through the end of the school year without feeling any large lack of energy at the end of the day. During the beginning of the third trimester I experienced unrelenting itchiness and some nausea returning. I wish I had embraced the last 36 weeks more, but to be honest it was no walk in the park. Most of the time I felt fat…it really could have passed as me picking up binge drinking or filming my own spin-off of supersize me and stopping at all the local golden arches. People said "you barely look pregnant" or the worst was "I couldn't even tell"…oh thanks so I normally look this huge to you? Luckily I had a couple fantastic friends going through all of this with me. My favorite phone call was "pregnancy is so rude." It's true. It's so rude. Don't let those motherhood maternity models fool you.

Beyond the sickness and rudeness and body disfigurement brought on by pregnancy, is something beautiful. My body is being used by God to create this tiny little human. I feel him kick, and spin, and dance, and take in his little world right in the center of mine.  I feel him and realize there are so many women who would do anything to have morning sickness and stretch marks, because those things would mean they have a life stirring in them. A year ago I was trying to convince myself it wasn't in the cards for us. We would travel and get to spend our money, be selfish and have one giant adventure. I was trying to convince myself that would be enough.

I didn't know then it would be my last summer just Kyle and I. We could drink mojitos with fresh ingredients from the garden. I could open a bottle of wine and finish it if I wanted to…and let's be real what is leftover wine anyway? I know our son is not here quite yet, but he is here. He has already changed our lives so much. We tightened our budget and finished paying off ALL of our student loans. We stayed in more and attempted to embrace our new found green thumbs. We changed our house around to make a nursery fit better. I nested. We slowly prepared for the day we will meet him.

Under all that change and nesting there is a sense of panic setting in though. Don't get me wrong, I'm still excited and I know so many of my fears won't matter after the minute I see him and hold him. Panic has set in about life after baby mostly. I have had Kyle to myself for seven and a half years. Though the grand gestures and thoroughly thought out and planned dates have dwindled over those years he is my other half. I cannot even explain the way I love Kyle. Then I think about couples like my parents and sweet godparents and cannot even fathom how incredible that love must be after 50 years. Starting a family means sharing my world and everyone in it. I don't get to make decisions as easily. They are no longer only effecting me. I can't be selfish. I don't get my old life back. I can't take off on a crazy adventure with Kyle. We can't just jump in the car and go…we will need a whole load of things because a small human is depending on us. We have to keep someone alive. That is terrifying. Terrifying and exciting all at once.

Ready or not…

Seven

     This week marked seven months of being pregnant. I would love to say I love being pregnant, but honestly pregnancy is for the birds. I find myself silently reminding my heart that there are women who would do anything to feel morning sickness, their skin stretching, their ribs and bladder being jabbed and bounced on. I was once one of those women. I prayed and dreamed, and sometimes thought it would never happen. Now that I am pregnant I can't describe how incredible, awful, wonderful, and painful pregnancy is.
    I have a degree that required years of studying prenatal on through the entire lifespan. It doesn't matter how much I studied, no one could prepare me for the experience that pregnancy is. Sure I know terms, diagnoses, symptoms, all things parenting, and generally what to expect, but that is just not the same as living it. I am growing a little human. He loves music and doing somersaults. He gets hiccups, and must think my bladder is pretty fun to kick...
     And then there are the things that no one warns you about. Even before you are "huge" everything is hard and uncomfortable. You can kiss sleep goodbye...yes that's right, before the baby is even born. Some nights a trip to the bathroom is REQUIRED every couple hours. Running is painful, and don't rule out the possibility of it making you pee your pants. Shaving will inevitably become a struggle, and prenatal vitamins may make hair (that's not on your head) grow faster too. Morning sickness can last longer than a few weeks, and if you're like me, it will be all day every day for half of your pregnancy. You know those cravings you're suppose to get? Kyle gets them for me. I have yet to experience one really *except wine, but that's not a possibility so we won't count that. Your nose may gain superhuman powers...which means a lot of things have the potential to make you nauseous. There's a little thing some women experience called meat aversion during pregnancy. I had that for the first 20 weeks or so. I could not handle the smell or taste of meat. Every store will have the cutest clothes in the world, and you can bet your beached whale self they won't be attractive on you. Sometimes you will just need a friend to call and complain to because "pregnancy is so rude".
     Although putting up with all the unknowns and crazy body changes is overwhelming at times, in the end I know it will be so worth it.

Four Months

Today is April fools day. I have gotten many fake pregnancy calls or texts on this day over the years. This is no April fools. Just the perfect day for us to announce as we are always oozing sarcasm and quips. For Kyle this new adventure was calculated, over thought, picked apart, and carefully prepared for. For me it has been a prayer that I really didn't think would happen. We have been huge on goals, and trying to make well thought out decisions when it comes to the big things. It hasn't been easy to put traveling, material things, and other wants on hold. We have both made sacrifices and worked so hard to get to where we are, and now we are starting on our biggest adventure yet.

 I am officially four months pregnant. Although I assumed I would have a bump and feel incredibly pregnant by now, that is not the case. Everything about this is still surreal, and I keep waiting for our stubborn peanut to force my stomach into huge mode. This has been a blessing in disguise really, because Kyle and I wanted to tell loved ones on our terms. As fun as it is to have a big announcement at 12 weeks, that wasn't our vision. We both had people we wanted to tell in person, on the phone, or via skype. The reaction from just about everyone was priceless. We felt so loved and supported each time we were able to spill the beans. I think one of my favorite people to tell was Carole Burton. My first boss, and as some know, the woman we give partial credit to our love story. She was the boss that held up the sign "She wants you to kiss her". So in appropriate fashion we knocked on her door holding signs that said "you told me to kiss her!" and "look what happened!" I love that Kyle and I have such incredible, supportive people in our lives.

Hello There

I am writing this because today was a day our lives completely changed. Like all life changing days, we tend to look back and have only small pieces of what happened, and all the joy and emotions we felt. We had been waiting for this day. We even made a list of goals we wanted to reach before it came:

1. Go to Disneyland (May 2008)

2. Go to Mexico (May 2009)

3. Stand in Front of the Grand Canyon TOGETHER. (October 2009)

4. Get Married (July 2010)

5. Be Married for at least two years (we are on our way to 4)

6.Skydive (July 2011)

7. Bungee Jump (July 2012)

8. Finish College (May & December 2012)

9. Start our careers (2013: Engineer and Teacher)

10. Pay off our loans (We payed off $40k in one year) June 2014 WE DID IT!!!!!

11. Buy our first home (July 2013)

12. Always go on Adventures (See above)

Most of the things on this list we wrote in a scrapbook in 2007, which seems like ancient history. Some we made along the way though. We knew we wanted to accomplish big things, and be really ready...as ready as we could be. We waited because we had amazing examples in our lives of what it looked like to make and reach goals. So we made them, and then we met them. And then we made new ones. Tonight I introduced Kyle to the name he will have the privilege of going by: DAD. He cried, I laughed...the usual responses for us in the midst of life changing moments. I was too overwhelmed to do anything else. Kyle said "Are you serious?!" about ten times, until I finally said "YES!" Jaylin caught this all on video. It was nothing over the top, but still one of the most life changing moments. I told Kyle several days before I had a feeling. I can't explain it, I just knew (and maybe a pickle craving helped a little). So of course being Bachelor Monday Jaylin convinced me to see if that little line would show. I said hello to you, even though you are really only the size of a sesame seed or some impossible thing. You are going to be our biggest adventure yet.

13. Hold our baby for the first time

Kitchen Changes

When we moved in the sweet old lady whom we bought our house from had chosen bright colors for all the walls. Walking into the home I fell in love with the original, but re-finished wood floors, and the glass doorknobs. The house had a lot of character. Then I walked into the kitchen and was magically transported to a froyo shop. Lime green walls, green counters, green back splash. During the summer we focused on the outside, and once it cooled down we finally got around to updating our kitchen...so here it is! Concrete counter tops, new paint, and new back splash.

Christmas Tree 2013

I'm sad to report that our Christmas tree adventure wasn't much of an adventure at all this year. Kyle didn't want to go up the mountain to find a tree, because it's not quite as simple as in Idaho. We woke up to freezing cold temperatures and the north east wind. This is the wind in the Northwest that literally makes your bones cold. We drove a whopping 15 minutes and found ourselves at the tree farm. We drove down to where the least amount of people were and pulled into our spot. We clearly were pulling into the spot when a blonde bimbo zoomed in behind us and took it. So Kyle did what I would expect him to do...squeezed in nice and tight to her car. She had sun glasses on the size of her whole face and had a look on her face that told me she was a real Georgia peach (dripping with sarcasm). We laughed it off and began our hunt for the perfect tree. This quickly turned into a light jog because it was freezing. Another couple showed joined us at this point. We all decided to head towards the bigger trees on the far end. There were very few to pick from, and the walk would be through a bare field of baby trees...in other words the wind would be hitting us hard. Kyle and I turned half way there and ducked into some trees for cover. We were so cold by this point I would have gladly accepted a charlie brown tree. Kyle spotted a tree and I said "looks good" and before I could snap a picture of him cutting it down it was down!! He cut the tree down in under 1 minute. Apparently he really was as cold as I was because he was ready to get home to the fire too.

So there you have it, our not so adventurous Christmas Tree Adventure of 2013. I'm just grateful to have a home and Christmas tree this year.

Run Like A Girl

Today I checked another item off my bucket list. I started, and finished, a half marathon. Jaylin and I attempted to train for this over the summer, which more often than not ended in us talking about what we wanted to eat after our run, and of course which kind of wine we should buy to go with said food. Rachelle ran with me once, and I died, because she is a beast! We were all determined to finish the race whether we had to run, walk, or crawl. Luckily no crawling was involved, but I may have asked Harvey for a piggy back ride at one point. I ended up running as fast as my body would let me the last three miles. I was afraid if I stopped my knee would give out and then I would really be needing that piggy back ride. I would be lying if I said it was easy. I found myself repeating the quote "You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it." over and over to myself. It was a lot more than 20 seconds left, and I'm not sure that courage or bravery play large roles in running. By definition bravery is courageous behavior or character. After running the half I guess it does take some strong character. Not everyone finishes what they set out to do. We may not have come in first, but we crossed the finish line running. There was a woman who looked to be 80's or 90's hauling bacon across the finish line. It was incredible to see what we all could be capable of when we just pushed ourselves, and she was the best example of this.

Breathe Bag Friend

When I was 17 turning 18 I took a job at Cafe Caffe. I had no idea how much that job would impact my life. One of the incredible girls I worked with was Kristin. I wasn't sure what to think of her at first because she embraced all her quirks (which are all adorable.) I'm not really sure at what point we became friends, but my first memory of knowing that I wanted this girl in my life was the breathe bag day. I gave Kristin a paper bag. Simple and strange, but when life knocks you off your feet sometimes all you need is someone to sit with you...and remind you to breathe. Kristin and I became quite the adventurous duo and she truly brought joy to a time in my life when I needed it most. I don't think I would ever be able to explain how she impacted me, or know where to start in thanking her for how much she has meant to me. My dear friend found her match in Kyle Dungan and her life is forever changed. I feel blessed to have witnessed the best day of Kristin's life so far, and I can't wait to see where this adventure takes them. Cheers to a life of love, laughter, and endless mischief!

Make your own photo slideshow at Animoto.

12th Man

Lyndsey and I decided to "surprise" Chandler and Kyle with Seahawks tickets. We more or less failed at the element of surprise, but it was still an incredible weekend. Kyle and I had never been, and as you may have guessed (if you know much about us you know we LOVE checking off firsts) we were so excited. Kyle had never been to Pike's place either so that was a must. I always forget how stunning Seattle is until I'm standing in the middle of it on a cobblestone street. If you have never been, go! I promise it's so much more than rain and traffic. It's fresh flowers, flying fish, and cute people everywhere. It was a breath of fresh air, oddly enough coming from someone who is living in the county again. Sometimes I need something busy and buzzing to help me center again regardless of how strange that may seem. 

pike's place

We spent a weekend full of laughter, over priced beer, and wandering on adventures. Sometimes in the middle of life that's really all you need. Until the next adventure...love, us.

Good Luck Piggy

Summer Love

Goodbye party for Colin!

Mal and Kyle

Ferry ride to Haven Lake

brothers

Haven Lake

Two of my favorite people

First Wedding as a Photographer!

sister love

Three.

Today we celebrated three years of marriage. If I'm honest for a moment, our third year was happy/crappy. Kyle and I talked and both came to the conclusion that our third year has been our least favorite of marriage so far. I know I'm probably not suppose to let you all in on that secret, but we like to keep it real. Our first year as husband and wife we were on cloud nine the entire year. The second year we slowly floated down to reality and into study halls at school. Our third year was this strange in between of being graduated but not moved on to the next chapter. We were stuck and trying to figure out how to enjoy that time together...but not successful at it a great deal of the time. Love is tricky sometimes, but the belly laughs and slow dancing make it oh so worth it. To celebrate the end of this year together and the many hard adventures and new paths it brought us along the way, we went to one of our favorite places. White Rock, B.C. was one of our favorite date spots when we were dating as teenagers. Sounds wild now that we have been part of each other's lives that long! Looking at Kyle I felt the butterflies. He is one handsome man, and he is my handsome man. And dang is he lucky to have a catch like me ;) 

Cheers to three years and many more to come

Love.

Playing Catch Up

January: We started settling into our townhouse in Bellingham. We didn't fully unpack, and I never really decorated much. Kyle and I were hoping to be approved for a home loan and start on the hunt for a more permanent place. Kyle was glad to be back at Granite, only as an engineer, not an intern. We went to Maui with my family. We love spending time with them, but it also made us want a vacation just us. It felt like ages ago since we had gone somewhere new together, just us.

 February: This month was fairly uneventful. I started back to work, and Kyle and I had very little time to spend together. We hit six years together, which may seem like a small feet in comparison to others, but for us it was exciting. 

March: This month I opened my e-mail to find that Whatcom Day Academy needed someone to fill in for a teacher on leave. I was so excited to be putting my degree to better use, and get more hours. We celebrated our mom's birthdays and spent more time with family than we were use to.

April: We celebrated lots of birthdays and spent even more time with family and friends. The year is officially flying by now that we are back...

May: This month Kyle got more serious about searching for a home. We are looking for a home that will be a little bit of a fixer, but something we can hopefully sell in 5-7 years. Eventually it is still our goal and dream to build a home together. Kyle looked on craigslist...because he's obsessed with craigslist, and we found the one! We went and viewed it the next day, and made an offer the day after that. She accepted...

June: June marked the end of the school year, and waiting for our big move...

July: We FINALLY moved into our home...I will try my best to get a video tour up soon. WE ARE HOME OWNERS 

We are moving on up in the world...still figuring out life after college, but we are enjoying the adventures along the way.

Here and Now

We've been home now for about a month. It is both strange and exciting to be back where everything is familiar. Strange because it is just that...just familiar, because nothing and no one remains exactly as you left them. We are all moved in to our townhouse and on the fence about how much we want to make it a home. I thought we were in this "in between" time during college, but we are now more than ever before. We finished an absolutely incredible chapter of our lives and are in a prologue to what lies ahead. I have been doing a lot of cleaning and running around town while Kyle works. He loves his new job and it is going so well for him. I am starting a job as a lead teacher next week. I'm trying to look at it as a stepping stone until I find a position in what I feel more called to do. Life just feels very up in the air at the moment. For now we will do our best to soak in the little moments and blessings we have while we pray for what comes next. “For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” -VG

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)