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