Last Saturday was my 23rd Birthday.

It was also my one month anniversary.

That same day Max and I had a long drive back from Wallowa Lake, OR to Boise, ID so we did what we do best, and talked for most of our five hour drive.

It was during that drive that I told Max about "The Christmas Eve theory" my friends and I had once come up with. Let me explain:

A few years ago, my friends and I had convinced ourselves that dating really wasn't that bad, (which makes me laugh, because lets be honest: it is.) Dating, as we put it then, was like the Christmas season. And everything was being built up to Christmas Eve, which was our equivalent to falling in love, and getting married. But just like everybody knows, Christmas Eve is way better than Christmas day itself. Once Christmas Day is over, it's all over. No more Christmas cheer. It was over when the wedding was over. Yep. That was our ultra-unaffirmative Christmas Eve theory.

Admittedly, this theory was mostly to console us after an unfortunate realization that who we had liked at the time, certainly did not like us back... But as Max and I laughed in the car and talk about it now, I realized how wrong I was then. I hate to admit it, (partly because I am the co-creator of this theory,) but it is false. All false. There is no such thing as the Christmas Eve Theory. I know I've only been married for a month, but it's been the best month, 31+ days, of all my life. I'll be honest, there are plenty of adjustments: sleeping in the same bed with a wiggle worm and a sleep talker is one of them. I feel like I'll have mono for the rest of my life. But making it to "Christmas day" was a whole lot better than what I already dreamed it could be. Way better than Christmas Eve.

I'm a week late, but happy birthday and one month anniversary to me. I celebrated by coming up with a new theory: my old theory was wrong. Christmas day wins.

family vaca.

Diet cokes and paddle boats, dole whips at Russells, go-kart and mini golf tournaments... I could go on and on about this place and my last week there. I could kick myself for not taking more pictures!

What was really great, this year especially, was having no cell reception/or wifi connection during our stay. I felt so disconnected (in such a good way,) that I came home trying to think of other ways I could simplify my life. But for now, I'll just have to look at these pictures. Something about the prettiest lake in all the world, the family memories, and re-realizing my own priorities... those are at least a start.

call me maybe?

A night with a cabin full of cousins, inspiration from our favorite Disney Channel stars, and a bunch of bruised bananas equals one Walch family music video. These kids were out of control. There is no such thing as babysitting, because I have just as much fun with them as I do with any of my friends at home!

And to make it all even that much better, I don't think I had ever laughed as hard or as much as I did when our parents decided to join in on the fun, too.  My cheeks hurt, my wrinkles disappeared, five more years were added onto my life. Making the Grown Up version of the music video ended up turning into a PG rated dance party -- which was way more fun than anything I had ever seen or been to in Provo. (but I guess that might not be saying much :) so all I can say is what I said before: out of control.

This years' vacation proved to me that the Walch family reunions are the highlights of not only my summer, but probably my year. To be in my favorite place in the world, with all my favorite people, even if I'm listening to my not-so-favorite song on repeat... its the best.

wallowa lake.

Growing up, summers always meant Wallowa Lake. The long drive, the cinnamon bears ice cream stop, the final stretch of the trip, finally getting to see the most beautiful lake in all the world! I love it. And after the last few days (Thursday in the ER, Friday in bed, and Saturday still recovering...) nothing sounds better. Nothing at all.

This year is extra special though, since Max will be a part of it, and I get to spend my 23rd birthday with the entire Walch fam. Wallowa Lake is my home away from home; that place just grabs my heart.

latest favs

I feel like I'm always last on the bandwagon, but these are some of my favorites lately:

1. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

I really couldn't put this book down for a few weeks.  The culture and practice of foot binding in nineteenth-century China was fascinating to read about, (albeit, rather gruesome, too) and was so well written that I really felt like I was a part of another time in history. What especially kept my attention, though, was the story of Lily and her relationship with her "laotong" Snow Flower. Their friendship, the intertwining of their lives through their secret messages and fan; you read their story starting from their early foot bindings at six or seven years old, through their adolescence, marriage, family, children, etc. I thought the concepts and ideas in this book such as "old-sames" and "a woman's duty" were intriguing and thought provoking, and was glad my mom had already read it because it was definitely one of those books you want to discuss and ask questions about.

2. Jonsi



Go Icelandic music.


3. The Artist

I will admit, although I'm sure I've tried to sound cultured (read: trendy) enough in admitting that I enjoy silent movies, and periodically visit the Organ Loft, if I were really being honest, I would tell you that I actually get bored every time. It is only fun for the first five minutes, and then I check my watch every few minutes after that waiting for the end. This silent movie, however, (a very, very big however!) was enchanting, charming and simply perfect from start to finish. Max wishes he could be Captain America, I wish I could be Peppy Miller. I have seen it three times already, and can honestly admit that The Artist is definitely a new favorite in every way.


(and what kind of person shares lists like these without sharing a viral YouTube video. now, that is the bestest... it's yumma!)

alaskan honeymoon.

I made a little movie of our honeymoon, (which I'll post soon, I'm sure,) but in the meantime, I thought I would share a few (okay, a lot) of pictures of the best eight days of my life.

Shirley temples at two in the morning, laughing so hard at the most potentially awkward situations only a honeymoon can bring, and seeing some of the most beautiful things on earth -- why, that sums it all up. An Alaskan cruise deserves an A++ from me.

When people ask me what my favorite stop was, I would have to say it was Victoria. Everything seemed like a piece of history and was beautiful; the Butchart Gardens especially. Sitting in "The Dining Room Restaurant" in the Italian gardens (probably the nicest place I've ever been to!) and looking at my husband across the table (and mentally having to process that Max is really my husband now!) I almost burst with joy at the seams!

I can't imagine anything better than those eight days combined. Breakfast in bed every morning, train rides and salmon bakes, late night dinners, reading/watching movies/cuddling, and a vacation with you and your best friend only -- life doesn't get better.

diet cokes on my wedding day.

There was nothing better than driving to McDonalds on State for some more-than-necessary diet cokes after one long (hot) and happy wedding day! This is probably #10 on my list of favorite things about that day, (only because there are so many to the list!) and I'd have to say it was the best diet coke I've ever had in all my life.

We sort of felt famous driving around, with the Just Married sign and tin cans on the back of the car, but it was one of the best ways to end the night. Our driver made sure to turn on the wedding march as loud as the car speakers could possibly handle, and we drove around Salt Lake City before making our stop to McDonalds and arriving to the hotel, (which should be noted: not planned, not expected, not anything -- our hotel room fatefully ended up being Room #1111. I died.)

I wasn't going to share this til later, since it was, after all, the last part of the wedding day... but this was just one of the things I couldn't wait to post! Max and I didn't have our cameras or phones, so our driver took several pictures and emailed them to us, and told us specifically: out of all the requests I get, I have never had a McDonalds drive-thru on the list.

If anyone is getting married, I highly recommend making Princess Ivy a part of your wedding day. You will really feel like a princess.

an american.

Ralph Waldo Emerson has said, "America is another name for opportunity. Our whole history appears like a last effort of divine providence on behalf of the human race."

I've always liked that, and I've always, always believed that.

The Fourth was simply a lot of fireworks, burgers, swimsuits, and a lot of jokes from old friends about how I used to think President George Bush (Jr.) was cute; but it was really big in a lot of ways too. I felt pride and gratitude. I stood with others as the Star Spangled Banner was sung by the choir. I echoed the words, God Bless America. And I loved the flag, my flag.

I am glad to be an American.

mr. & mrs. bingham - engagement video

My new last name is Bingham, and before my very first name comes a Mrs. I've only been married for 10 days now, but it's been the best ten days in all my life. I have a million things I'd like to say, but it's mostly that I've never felt so happy. Like a really, really, real real real happy. I can't compare this feeling to anything else. Waking up every morning (after a whole night of listening to Max talk in his sleep! which is totally worth an entire post of its own,) and looking over to see Max's freckles and sleepy blue eyes is the best part of my day.

So although I'll go into all sorts of meticulous detail in the next few days about the wedding day itself, (amazing, amazing, amazing!) and Alaska (amazing, amazing, amazing!) I wanted to share our engagement video. Sara (the best kind of friend you could ever have!) made this beautiful piece for us for our wedding day, and it was special in a lot of ways because Sara has been a part of everything from day one. I couldn't have been more happy with how it turned out, and I just love it so much!