Back in 2010: Part 4- Our Summer Apart

We last left off with Travis and I being madly in love after 3 months of dating. Travis had to go home to work over the summer, and I was stuck taking classes at school. Our feelings progressed quickly, so we were pretty bummed that we had to spend the summer apart. 

I have to start this by saying I had the best roommates. My original roommate, Emily, was such a great strength to me! During the first semester, I was a baby "missing my missionary". And now this semester I was a mess, missing Travis. I'm pretty sure she was used to me crying and whining. She was fantastic and very very patient. And, of course, we had a blast together, like always!

So anyway, my semester was busy with classes and homework. Nothing too exciting on my end. Except for the fact that my mom came up in June to go dress shopping with me. Whaaaat? Yeah, we weren't even engaged yet. So, yeah, that was a little crazy. I fell in love with the first dress I tried on. Of course everyone told me I couldn't have the first dress I tried on. But we went to 3 or so other stores, tried on 20 more dresses, and, yep, that was the one.

 Over in Virginia, Travis was working TWO jobs, trying to save up for a future. He was working at Home Depot from 5:30 am-2:30 pm every day. Then 4 pm- 9 or 10 pm at Red Robin. Isn't that nuts? And then with all the closing stuff, he didn't get home until after 10. He was always sooo tired. He basically floated his way through that summer, barely sleeping, and working like crazy. He was determined to save for a engagement ring, so he worked hard.

Travis and I wrote letters to each other every day. We'd send a batch of letters to each other every 10 days or so. I LOVED getting his letters. Yeah, snail mail is wayyyy dated, but I loved seeing his handwriting. It just felt more personal. We also talked on the phone every night. 

He usually fell asleep while we were talking on the phone, so I was grateful to have his letters. And now, we have binders of letters that are basically a journal of the beginning of our love. It's pretty awesome. Travis and I also sent pictures to each other of us doing normal things, since we were missing out on that because we were apart. I know, we were CRAZY.

These pictures crack me up. Travis would set up his camera on a timer and then pose. hahaha

 Yeah, he wasn't really playing anybody.

  

In the middle of the summer, my family went to Disney World. My mom surprised me and flew Travis out for a couple days. It was heavenly! 

 We visited the Temple while we were in Florida. It was beautiful.

 

 So after Disney World, Travis and I had to go our separate ways again. Back to the grind. Luckily we just had to make it to August and we would see each other again.

Up next, the vacation in Virginia (meeting Travis' family!) and THE PROPOSAL!

<<<<<<<Part 3: Our First Kiss

Part 5: Vacationing in Virginia>>>>>>

Christmas Vacation

Hailey and I headed out to Washington 10 days before Travis did (on December 13th). He had finals, so we decided to get out of his hair. I was so worried about flying solo with Hailey, but she did so great! We managed to get an empty seat next to me on both flights. It was amazing. She's becoming a professional flyer.

We hung out with my parents, Savannah, and Jake (and Lyla) for about a week until everyone started arriving, closer to Christmas.

  Of course we had to stop by Grandpa's office.

 Hailey ate really well for Grandma, which I was grateful for. She's been on a picky eater streak lately.

Poor Hailey tripped and got a bloody nose. Luckily Grandma was quick on her feet. She got lots of cuddles.

Hailey has a special place in her heart for her grandpas. She loved sitting on the porch swing with Grandpa. 

Travis' parents came down to the Tri-Cities for a meeting and we were lucky enough to have lunch with Travis' mom. It was fun having both grandmas in the same place for Hailey.

Hailey looked so pretty in her Christmas dress on Sunday.

 We were excited when it was time to pick up Dad from the airport.

It was great being with everyone. It's not too often that my family is all together. Usually we're missing a few people. So it was so nice. Hailey loved playing with her cousins!

We visited the reindeer at Beaver Bark. The munchkins loved them.

 Then we ventured inside and saw Santa.

 This picture is hilarious! Only little Lily was calm with Santa.

 Christmas was fantastic! There were presents galore and the grandkids had a great time!

Here's before the presents...

BOOM!! And after..

 Hailey was spoiled (by Grandma and Grandpa and her mom and dad).

 She instantly loved her cowgirl boots from Grandma. She's been obsessed with them ever since.

 George was a big hit too.

Abbi and Hailey played on Abbi's trampoline all the time together. It was like a giggle fest every time they were on it.

During the break, the flu (I'm assuming) was passed around from person to person. We each took turns being sick. Even Abbi and Hailey got it. It was sad. We have to the break the tradition of passing sickness around when we get together. Hailey had a good pal to keep her company when she wasn't feeling well.

After Christmas (and our recovery from sickness), we made a trip out to Spokane to visit Travis' parents for a few days. Hailey loves them. We helped them move into their new house. It was nice spending a few days with them. (I stink and didn't get ANY pictures of Hailey with her Bammy and PopPop. Fail.)

Hailey put my socks on all by herself. It cracked me up how high they went up her leg.

 We went and saw Big Hero 6 with Bammy and PopPop. It was Hailey's first movie theater experience. She did great! And the movie was stinkin awesome! (Travis and Hailey have been doing the fist bump "ba la la la" ever since the movie.)

We don't see Travis' parents too often. But that'll change now that they're in the States!

Christmas break was a dream! It's always fun being with family. I was out of town for like 27 days total. Crazy, huh?! Coming back home was weird after such a long time away. But I'm glad to be back to my normal, boring routine. Thank you to everyone that made Christmas break a wonderful success!

It's a{nother} GIRL!!

We found out this last Friday that we're having a GIRL. And we couldn't be more excited. Seriously. I'm giddy. I'm looking forward to Hailey and her little sister becoming the best of friends. 

We were convinced it was a boy since having a girl would be too convenient. (We already have all the clothes and I wouldn't have to redecorate Hailey's room when they share.) I was honestly just as excited for either gender, but I'm ecstatic it's a girl. 

I've been so distracted this pregnancy. When the ultrasound tech was walking us through the ultrasound, pointing out all the body parts, she was moving the wand all over my stomach. I thought, "Is the baby really that BIG? Holy moly." I've just been so preoccupied with Hailey that I haven't had time to stop and think about this pregnancy. Seeing the ultrasound of my 7 oz baby made it so real to me. Eeeeeeek! There's a baby GIRL in me!

And no, we don't have a name picked out. We have at least ten names picked out. But the list continues to grow. So we'll see if we can ever narrow it down.

And just for kicks, here are some pictures from the baby's photoshoot.

Here's the money shot. Supposedly it's a girl. haha. I'm just trusting the ultrasound tech knows her stuff, cause I cannot tell anything from that picture.

Here's her sweet profile. These ones are always my favorites.

Almost creepy, but here she has her hands around her head. Almost as if she is trying to block the noise.

Here are her arms in front of her. She was so active! It was fun watching her move.