A year ago (from yesterday) we took this picture, mere moments after I told Jim the biggest news he'd ever heard::: he was going to be a papa. I had found out myself just an hour before and had hardly processed it yet. When I told him I was pregnant, I broke into tears of shock/joy/fear! He held me close and told me how excited and happy he was, and instantly I was excited too. That's all I needed. And I can honestly say that our love has grown exponentially since that moment; more than ever before. I love how clearly the memory returns when I look at the two shining faces in those photo! Can you see every deep emotion in those eyes that I can?

We're Engaged!

I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!! (Please see here if you need help getting that intonation right...).

Jimmy asked me to marry him on Sunday evening during the last night of our beautiful getaway to Joshua Tree. In true Allie/Jim fashion we were on an excursion down a long, beautiful dirt road, which ended in an amazing 360 degree view of Joshua Tree and the surrounding area. The sun was starting to set, we had the entire place to ourselves, and we were reminiscing on what a perfect vacation it had been. I always thought I'd be completely expecting it when the time came, but he really managed to surprise me (probably because he surprised himself)! Turns out the ring had been burning a hole in his pocket for days as he waited for the perfect moment, so I don't even think he knew it was the right time until about 2 minutes before :).

He even managed to get it on camera! Well actually, I did...I had set up our camera's self-timer for a long overdue vacation shot, and he embraced the moment, getting down on one knee just as the countdown approached zero.

Jimmy, I can't wait to continue this adventure with you.

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In case you care to peek, here are some photos from our magical Eureka Peak sunset.

Gift Guide :: My Man

1. Filson shirt // 2. Mantry subscription // 3. USA made duffel // 4. cocktail guidebook // 

5. GoPro // 6. Hippy Tree t-shirt // 7. box drum // 8. Bushcraft tactical knife // 9. inflatable camp pillows // 10. book about the future of humanity // 11. good coffee, monthly // 

12. sushi and more sushi // 13. whiskey soaked jerky ('cause why not)

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I've been MIA, I know. And it's been kind of nice! But let's see... what is there to report... I've been working, traveling, and watching The Walking Dead. Thanksgiving was delightful. I ate my way through Portland last weekend and have fantastic plans for the holidays. My 'hood is expecting crazy rain today, so much so that the school I work at was canceled, to which the New Englander in me says "pshawwww, you silly gooses, it's just a little WATER", but to which the rational part of me says "Sweet, I'll take it!".  I haven't felt up for working on the 'log lately, partly because I already spend so much time on the computer screen at work, and partly because I have so many things I want to blog about that sometimes it's kind of overwhelming and I just don't know where to start. But I'm feeling a rekindling of blog-love over here. It must be the holidays or something - it brings it out of me! Hopefully we'll see more of each other soon.

So now down to business. Jimmy and I are keeping it light on the gifting this year, mostly because we're putting our dollars towards some 2015 travel, but also because we have birthdays this year that we're saving our energy for (it's a big one for both of us...that rhymes with hurty...eek!). But I couldn't help but pull together a bunch of gifts that I know that he and any other adventure/flavor/music/USA-made loving men would enjoy. Would the man in your life like this stuff?

Happy rain-day everyone! 

Happy Birthday to Jimmy!

It's Jimmy's birthday today! In honor of him entering his 30th year on this earth, I wanted to make sure to post some pictures of his adorable face. And I figured I'd mix in a little #throwbackthursday action by taking a walk down memory lane. **Alert** this might be cornier than my usual post. If an overload of coupley photos makes you gag, turn back now!

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The Story of J & A

Here's the day I realized my crush was for realsies - camping with friends at Acadia National Park 2010. Can you see that lucky-in-love grin on my face?? His face isn't quite as promising...but he came around ;).

Playing hooky from work to go cross country skiing in Western MA. This is when we're both like "aw, you're cute. Let's do this thing."

Jimbo pays me a visit in Boston from his program in Washington state and we overload on alcoholic whipped cream (yuck!) before going out with friends in Southie. Also known as, the first night Jim told me (and the whole bar) that he loved me. Magic cream = love potion.

Then we meet up from our respective sides of the country in Mexico! This was our first real getaway together. And we're both like, "traveling with you is super fun. Let's do more of it".

It's time for Jim to come home to Boston after his time in WA, so we take a long road-trip across the country and have one of the best adventures of our lives.

After a year in Boston we're like...let's road-trip again. But this time in Europe. Cobblestone streets, beer and brezeln here we come!

That spring we also decide to move to the West coast. And if we're going to quit our jobs and move our lives across the country...why not do something awesome in between? We sign ourselves up for the summer of our lives at Fattoria Barbialla Nuova in Tuscany.

Finally, Winter 2013, we move to the Bay Area. Now we've been here for just over a year, exploring all of the beauty that California has to offer. 

photo cred: Danny Indiana!

Happy birthday, Bobe! Can't wait for a thousand more adventures with you.