Little Tank

Due June 2011!

Saying Goodbye

It was not long after Andrew and I were married that he began strutting these shorts around the house. Granted there were a few less tares in them then, but hopefully you're getting the picture on how awful these shorts really are. I could do nothing to get Andrew to get rid of them. I even tried hiding them a few times to see if he noticed (that's how I end up getting rid of his worn through clothes). He noticed. However, when this move came around, Andrew announced all on his own, it was time to let these suckers go. This of course warranted a picture before the tragic throwing away took place. That's definitely something to enjoy about our move.

Speaking of what we are enjoying. We love the Tillamook ice cream they have here, not to mention the 3 pound Tillamook cheese blocks. We laughed when we saw it. Very yummy. Andrew is also pretty thrilled about finding Grandma Sycamore bread. Can you tell I've mostly just made it to grocery stores?

Disneyland

Before moving up north we decided to have a little fun and go to Disneyland! We were even able to convince others to join us for the adventure. Sure enough, Little Bug's favorite "ride" was the Tiki Room again. We went a total of 6 times in two days. She was also quite impressed by the Jungle Cruise, which she enthusiastically called the "animal boat."

The gang

Dumbo. Also a favorite.

They had a Christmas parade where Little Bug got to see Buzz, Woody, plenty of princesses and Santa. Her eyes were big with excitement and she couldn't help but to dance and clap during the festivities. But not for this picture. Apparently when the parade ended the fun died as well.

Sigh...Andrew and I are already talking about how fun it would be to go back. Not that that will happen soon. There is just something really fun about taking Little Bug to the world of magic.

Christmas

This past Christmas we celebrated by spending Christmas Eve and Day at my parents. Growing up my dad would read aloud the story of Christ's birth while my siblings and I acted it out. As we grew older, the acting began to have a sacrilegious tone to it. So, one Christmas my parents wisely decided we would just read the story. Now with Little Bug and Z around we have begun to act it out again. However, with just two kids we needed lots of adult recruits. I was lucky enough to just be able to watch this year.

This year's cast;

Our little angels who did a superb job this year.

And Little Bug's face running towards the tree Christmas morning. It was quite fun watching her discover the play kitchen Santa left her. She still proudly tells us about how Santa gave it to her. She also has been telling Andrew and I she wishes it was Christmas time again. Little does she know we all wish for that.

The Pacific Northwest

Well, we made it to Washington! Andrew has officially been working for a week now. People are asking if he likes the job. The answer is, I believe so. Last week he had a lot of paperwork to get through, but he did meet the gentleman he will be working with and likes him. So that's an important start. Meanwhile I've been unpacking. It is a much slower process with only one adult and a two year old running around pulling out what you just put away. But, I am happy to announce that at this exact moment our duplex finally feels like a home. The boxes have been carted out to the garage and most things have a place. Just a few odds and ends left. That is until I start going through the garage boxes, but that's a tiring thought I'm avoiding.

At the moment I'm taking in a little peace as I sit on our couch and gaze out the dinning room glass doors into the backyard. I love staring at the two trees in the distance. In fact, I've caught myself gazing at them for long periods of time while trying to unpack boxes. It has been quite sometime since I've been able to enjoy nature from my home. Somehow the beauty is a reminder for me to be grateful. I love having such a reminder as I transition to a new home and place.

December 19, 2010

I am so proud Andrew completed his graduate program and officially now has a PhD in Chemistry! Although Andrew would shrug off such an accomplishment, it was no small feat. I am amazed at his ability to focus on his school work while still being dedicated to his family, church callings, and apartment managing. He has made many sacrifices for me during his program and I will always remember such sacrifices made. I am so lucky to be married to such a hard working, loyal and kind man.

Now it is off to Washington state for us! Andrew will be working at the Pacific Northwest National lab. So if you have any recent complaints about the new x-rays they are using in airport security send them his way. Ok, so in actuality I am pretty sure that wasn't his department, but he will be working in national security using lasers.

And if anyone is interested, here is a snippet from Andrew's acknowledgements page from his dissertation (I thought some may like to read a thank you in his own words); To begin, I would like to thank my wonderful wife Melissa who’s encouragement and support sustained me throughout graduate school. Additionally, I would like to express gratitude to my parents, Mark and Laura, for being my life long advocates. As well, my appreciation goes to my wife’s parents, Doug and Kristin, for their reassurance in the process.

Congratulations Andrew!

Lumber Jackery

The University ward decided to have a beardfest challenge for no shave November. So, this is what Andrew looks like with a beard. I am not going to lie, I like him clean shaven, but it was pretty fun to see him and the ward guys growing out beards. In the end, Andrew won the prize for best lumber jackery. I think it fits the bill pretty well. Too bad we couldn't find a flannel shirt for his beard shot.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I was really excited to meet you, until I saw you. All that red was pretty intimidating and you didn't look familiar. However, mom and dad insisted that, if I wanted a play kitchen I had to tell you. So, even though I was crying and I quickly ran to my mother's arms after this picture was taken, I did in fact turn back and say, "I want a kitchen." I am just a little worried you missed that part. Perhaps next year I won't be quite as taken aback by all the red.

Sincerely,

Little Bug

Merry Christmas everyone!

Welcome to the family

I know I have said this before, but I can't stand laundry. For various personal and economic reasons, I lug all our dirty laundry up to my parents house and do it there once a week. By far the biggest downer of the week. Makes me grumpy to even think about it. However, things are looking up on the laundry front, we bought a washer and dryer this past black Friday! We really are not into black Friday shopping/deals, but my sister called on Thursday to inform us of all the good washer/dryer finds she was seeing. I am way more excited about this purchase than Andrew. Tickled and giddy are a couple good descriptions of my mood on the subject. This at least gives me one good reason to be excited about our upcoming move to Washington in January.

I think I could kiss them.

4 years

We recently passed our 4th wedding anniversary. This was the first picture we took together and marks the first family Sunday dinner Andrew was invited too at my house. It brings a smile to my face when looking at it. In part because Andrew is wearing a three wise women cooking apron, but mostly because I am just as happy now to be with Andrew as I was then. As Andrew describes it when asked, "It's pretty fun being married."

We decided to celebrate a couple weeks late when Andrew would be done with his dissertation (signed and turned in two weeks ago)! We used my sister's time share and stayed at a place in Windsor where we caught up on cable tv, slept to our hearts content, and ate all the cake we wanted. Can't wait till next year!