New Adventures.

It has been a while since I blogged, life has been crazy lately!

I am back teaching for my third year of Preschool!
(for only 8 more work days!)

Bryan and I went backpacking to Havasupai, AZ

(Where he obviously picked up modeling)

 Havasu Falls

 Mooney Falls

We had Sibling Thanksgiving this year in Corvallis.

We went and visited Thor's Well (if you haven't heard of it, look up pictures!) where I was able to get action shots of Allen and Bryan getting destroyed by this wave.

 

and we celebrated our 2 year anniversary!
I can't believe how much things have changed in the past two years!

if you didn't know, Bryan and I are moving to Oregon in a few weeks!

our decision to move to Oregon has been both crazy and exciting

it has left me feeling many different emotions...

anxious

excited

nervous

relieved

happy.

I am excited to move because Oregon is the most beautiful place in the world! And I am excited to be there with Bryan and start our lives and new family traditions there together. 

I am sad to leave my little Preschool kiddos and my swimming kids
(PSA: there is a chance I will still be teaching swimming lessons in the month of June depending what job I get)

it feels kind of crazy to just pick up our somewhat "cushy" lives, a well paying job, our families, our cheap rent, etc...

but it is a freeing and empowering feeling to just be able to pick up and leave without anything holding us back.  

While telling people our decision to move, I have noticed something interesting... 

anyone who has never been to Oregon always asks us WHY we are moving
anyone who HAS been to Oregon doesn't need to.

Here's to a our third Christmas together, a New Year, and a new home!

summertime sadness.

as I sit here, hunched over, sobbing into my lean cuisine, I can't even believe that summer is over. 

I spent my morning signing papers about dress codes, not sexually harassing people at the work place, putting fake food into a fake fridge and trying not to get anal over if the word "Preschool" is centered on my bulletin board.

i am beginning my third year as a preschool teacher. people always say life goes so fast, but they never really tell you how fast it actually goes. I can't believe it's almost September of 2015.

 That literally sounds like I should be living in the future.

 This summer we had the busiest but most amazing summer ever!

swimming lessons and 3 sixty scenery kept us very busy so thankfully, Bryan and I were able to spend over a month of dedicated-one-on-one-together-time STRAIGHT on our vacations. we lit'rally did not leave each others sides for one month.

here are a few of the highlights. 

I was able to be a bridesmaid in one of my best friends weddings

and break it down while singing her wedding song.

AND we rode in a canoe!
my dream.

 We spent a week in Oregon, floating the river, picking blackberries, swimming in Three Pools, looking at Gray whales off the coast, spending time with my shrub and her cute kids (and Allen).

We spent a few days in beautiful Coeur d'Alene, ID.

 and I met my nephew, Reuben.

not to mention we bought this beauty....

 

(and no, we aren't vegan now...)

 Don't forget we went to Kenya (and Amsterdam)!

 and a huge shout-out to Bryan for catching his first fish!!!!!

so let us once again let "HAGS" RIP, until next year...

but like I always say... "kiss me hard before you go. 

summertime sadness"

asante sana squashed banana.

Bryan and I recently returned home from the trip of a lifetime! 

With my parents, aunt & uncle, two younger brothers, and a group of about 7 other people we set off on a humanitarian trip to Kenya, Africa

Since I have been home, people have repeatedly said to me "you go to Africa all the time". To set the record straight, this was my third time, and probably my favorite time. 

The number one thing that sets this trip apart from the other trips was being able to experience it with Bryan.
I have had such a love for Africa in my heart, and I sort of felt like that was the one thing Bryan didn't understand. I really do feel like he has seen and knows my WHOLE heart now-- so cheesy, but so true. 

I have seen different sides of people as they travel to these third world countries.  It was so fun to see my parents to relaxed and enjoying themselves, and totally and completely in their element.  It was so cool to see my two younger brothers being so helpful and working so hard. 

It was so fun to see Bryan in every way.  He was extremely helpful. He worked SO hard.  He NEVER complained. He was the first to volunteer to help.  He was so loving and gentle.  and not that he isn't USUALLY these things, but it was just so amazing to see. (because as a lot of you know, in third world countries, things rarely go as planned, living conditions are hard, and there is usually a lot to complain about).

It was fun to talk to Bryan at the end of every day and ask him what his favorite parts were.  Before the trip, he thought he was excited to see all the wild animals on the safari. But once we left, he had grown a deep love and respect for the Maasai people. 

On this trip, we had a group of "tour guides" who turned into what seemed like older brothers to us.  Three were from the Maasai culture, and one was from the city (although basically adopted into the Maasai family). There men are Life Coaches for my moms business.  They were so fun, and awesome to hear their stories and get to know. 

 Dalton, David, Dominic and Moses

The Maasai culture is "so Africa"- and by that, I mean exactly what you picture from a National Geographic article when you picture Africa.  From their clothes, dung huts, spears, dancing and singing, traditions of drinking cows blood and killing lions, these people are amazing!

 

As for me, my favorite part of the trip this year was Western Kenya.  In western Kenya, we were able to work on several projects.  We helped create a spring of fresh water that will help over 60 families in that community.  We went around to peoples homes and visited them and gave them donations that we brought (clothes, toys, cooking utensils, etc.)We helped plant a garden for a widow of four children.  And we helped children plant 10 trees each ("I Grow With My Tree Project") so in 10 years, they will be able to cut down and sell their trees that they may be able to go to college.  

 

 

And of course, the Safari! Bryan got some amazing shots of these animals!  Because the Great Migration happened two weeks after we left, we saw less quantity of animals, but much more quality than I have ever seen before.

The people of Africa are so humble and so happy considering how little most of them have. It was such an amazing experience, and I know it will not be our last time being there together.

Nakupenda, Africa.