Texas A&M Graduating Class of 2011

He is done. And we are proud.

Today was a GOOD day

We both have been dreaming of this day since I don't know when. Ryan got his Aggie ring! It's a huge deal in the Texas A&M world. It marks the beginning of the end of Ryan's college career. In August Ryan will graduate. We've only got 3.5 more months! I feel giddy just thinking about it! :) The ring signifies all of the hard work, sacrifice and dedication Ryan has put into his years of education. I am sooo proud of him and can't believe we are getting so close! Come on AUGUST!







About the ring....

"One of the greatest moments in the life of any Aggie is the day that they receive their Aggie Ring. This moment began with the Class of 1889. The original ring is very different from the ring worn today. At that time several companies made several different versions of the Aggie Ring. It wasn't until E.C. Jonas, class of 1894, designed a ring for his class that the ring we know today came into existence. It has remained exactly as Jonas designed it, with one exception; in 1963 the Legislature of the State of Texas changed the university's name from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas to Texas A&M University, and the name on the ring was changed accordingly.
The ring worn by all Aggie graduates is the same except for the class year. This serves as a common link for former students. When an Aggie sees the ring on another Aggie's hand, a spontaneous reunion occurs.

The Aggie Ring is one of the most symbolic of our traditions. Everything seen on the ring represents a value that an Aggie should hold. On the top is a large shield, which symbolizes the desire to protect the reputation of the university. The 13 stripes on the shield represent the 13 original states of America. The five stars on the shield refer to the phases of development of any Aggie: mind or intellect; body; spiritual attainment; emotional poise; and integrity of character. The eagle symbolizes agility and power, and the ability to reach great heights.

The large star on the side of the ring symbolizes the Seal of Texas. The five-pointed star is encircled with a wreath of olive and laurel leaves symbolizing achievement and a desire for peace. The live oak leaves symbolize the strength to fight for our country and our state. The leaves are joined at the bottom by an encircling ribbon to show the necessity of joining these two traits to accomplish one's ambition to serve.

An ancient cannon, a saber, and a rifle are on the other side of the ring and symbolize how citizens of Texas fought for their land and are determined to defend it. The saber stands for valor and confidence, while the rifle and cannon stand for a preparedness and defense. The crossed flags of the United States and Texas recognize an Aggie's dual allegiance to both nation and state.

Traditionally, students wear their ring with the class year facing them to signify the fact that their time at A&M is not yet complete. During Senior Weekend at the annual Ring Dance, the student's ring is turned around to face the world proudly, just as the Aggie graduate will be ready to face the world." http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/symbols/aggiering.html

Run, Ryan, Run!

On Saturday Ryan ran his very first ultra-marathon race. An ultra-marathon is anything over the distance of a traditional marathon of 26.2 miles. (I didn't know that.)

The Rocky Raccoon 50k Trail Run in Huntsville is the race Ryan ran this weekend. It was his first race and furthest he had ever ran and he did AWESOME. He placed 10th out of 120 runners. 10th!!!!! He finished the race in 4 hours 40 minutes. He has worked so hard since March of this year to get in shape so it was a great accomplishment. So proud of you Ry.


Here he is crossing the finish line after 31 miles, like it ain't no thang...

Ryan's uncle Brett ran the race with him, making it his 31st 50k race. (There are 31 miles in 50 kilometers so that was pretty cool). He has completed almost 50 ultra-marathons! THAT is awesome if you ask me.

Brett crossing the finish line after 31 miles. Great job Brett!

Don't let the pictures deceive you. The course consisted of very little concrete. It was a TRAIL run. Like a hiking trail. Yeah. A lot different than a road race.


After the race. Nasty sweaty men.


And here's Roxie, their number two fan. (I'm their number one.)

One Year Older and Wiser too...

...Happy Birthday to you!

Ryan's birthday was on Tuesday and I must say, he just gets more handsome with each year that passes.

Wow, that was sappy.

I, very sadly, did not take one stinking picture of the birthday boy on his actual birthday, so a most recent one will have to do.


Us, at Eddy and Miken's Texas wedding reception.

Ryan, I can't believe I've known you since we were 14. Ten birthdays celebrated together. I love you so so much, and really, you are so handsome. Happy Birthday.

Meet the Duck Commander..."Check."

Ryan met one of his heroes yesterday. Nope, not Jesus. Guess again. Nope, not Oprah.

The Duck Commander.


Picture taken with iPhone, sorry so blurry.

As most of you know Ryan is an avid duck hunter and any man who is a true duck hunter knows of Phil Robertson, affectionately called "The Duck Commander".

Well, because he commands ducks of course.



So, for my husband to meet the man who inspired his passion for duck hunting, I think, is pretty stinking cool. Now he can check that off his list of "Things to Do before I Die". I would bet a billion million dollars it was on there.

I will have to admit, The Duck Commander is a pretty cool guy. Now he is a little scary looking, yes, and VERY back-woods-Louisiana-red-neck, yes, but after an hour or two or THREE of watching his DVDs you come to know a man that is actually quite decent, hilarious and entertaining to watch.



This is the whole gang. The Robertson Clan, plus two buddies.

All I know is that I'm glad I'm not a duck.

2 Years down...

...Forever to go.

May 19, 2007


Before dinner at The Republic May 19, 2009

What's been going on with us...

Lots of good things have been happening in the Bassham household lately. Here is a catch up...

• I am officially a working woman! I work here , at StarVision Technologies and I absolutely love it. My official title is Communications Specialist which means I have lots of responsibilities pertaining to the company's internal and external communications. I stay pretty busy. I am still getting used to the 8 hour work days and going to bed early and waking up early, but it will come with time I am sure. Everyone else in the world does it! So, yay for a new job!!

Me in front of the office building where I work. My mom insisted.

• Ryan is officially a Texas A&M Aggie! He was accepted into the school as a transfer student starting this summer and we are SOO excited!! It means good things for us: we don't have to move, I can continue working at my new job, and Ryan can get that gold ring he's always wanted. I am so very proud of him, he has worked really hard. Yay for getting into A&M!
  Ryan's acceptance letter. "Congratulations" is all I needed to read!
  
  
  
• Next, I was able to walk for my degree in Small Business Management from Blinn College on May 15th. I finished my degree in the Fall of '08 but all summer and fall graduates walk in the spring at the college's Graduation Ceremony, so we were officially able to celebrate finally! My parents, both sets of grandparents and Ryan's parents came in for the occasion and we had so much fun! Thanks to everyone for coming and supporting me, it really meant a lot and wouldn't have been the same without you here. Yay for graduating!
  

We ate at Cafe Eccell before the ceremony.
Sooo so good.

And here are some pictures from the weekend - provided by my mom.

*Just a side note...we somehow miscalculated how long it would take us to get to the location of the ceremony. The ceremony took place at the other Blinn campus, about 45 minutes from where we live, and if it weren't for Ryan driving 90-100 miles an hour the whole way there, I wouldn't have made it. No joke. Talk about STRESSED OUT!! I almost started crying in the car. I seriously was the LAST person to get in line. UGH.

• And finally, Ryan has been working super duper hard on losing weight, and I have to brag on him because he looks soooo good! (As you can see in the pictures.)He has lost 25 pounds, people! He has been running like a mad man and it really has paid off for him. So so proud. So, yay for lookin' good, hunnie!
  

Picnic in the Park

For date night tonight we got some good ol' FreeBirds, and had a picnic! It was such nice weather. And the company, well it was alright :)

The Burritos at FreeBirds are ridiculously enormous. Seriously, bigger than my arm. But dang it, they are good.




Our view. It was nice.


Roxie had fun too.

Handsome Husband

There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not so stinking grateful for Ryan. He is funnier than anyone I know, treats me like a princess (even though I don't always deserve it). And bonus: my heart pitter patters everytime I see him...he's so handsome:)

Happy Happy Birthday

I threw a surprise birthday party for Ryan this year. It was a lot of fun! Thanks so much to everyone that came and helped me pull it off, for the presents, and for helping me make Ryan's birthday awesome! Ryan LOVED it! He was so surprised!

From left to right: Adam, Jared, Sean, Kellye, Callie, April, Jeff and Tyan(she is behind the camera! Thanks Tyan!)SURPRISE!!I got Ryan some new fleece lined wader pants. He was pretty excited....But not as excited as Jared...Work it, WORK IT!

Happy 23rd Birthday, Ryan! I love you.

Early Birthdays

While we were in Plano last week, Bill and Cherie wanted to celebrate our birthdays with us. We had a lot of fun opening gifts. Ryan's birthday is this coming Monday (the 6th) so he opened first, with the help of Roxie. He got a camo hunting jacket that he has been wanting. He was really excited and decided to model it for us.My Birthday is on the 23rd of this month, and it is my GOLDEN birthday! I am turning 23 on the 23rd. Only happens once in a lifetime people! Sorry to all you suckers that were born on the 1st or something. You didn't even know the awesomeness of that day...poor things...I got a yummy smelling candle and a caramel apple mix...awesome. I love fall foods, smells and flavors. My favorite. I also got the icecream maker attachment for my KitchenAid mixer. I was sooo excited! I have been wanting it for a while. We have already put it to good use. We made vanilla icecream with strawberries and chocolate chuncks. REALLY GOOD. It fact, writing about it has made my taste buds wake up, I do believe I will have a bowl when I am done with this post. mmmmm.... We were also surprised with this gift for the both of us!! A grill! We have already used it many times. Grilling just brings food to a whole new level...Thanks so much Bill and Cherie!My parents also surprised us!! In November they are sending us to visit Mandy and Matthew in San Francisco. Ryan and I have never been to the city, so we are very excited to have Mandy and Matthew show us around. San Francisco, here we come!!!