it's without a doubt that 2016 was a grand ol' year. i take a look back at all that I was able to do and see, and all the places i got to visit and experience; no other word in the dictionary can describe it but blessed. at the beginning of 2016, my wife and i decided that we should try for a baby. i really didn't know how to absorb something like that; it's such a grown up decision. i've never been faced with something that made me really sit and rethink my entire life like this did. it's truly a life-changing moment. I mean, there's a ton of choices in life that can alter your life but there really isn't any other choice like this one. it's just crazy to me; we legit planned to have a baby. like we really said to ourselves that we're are going to attempt to conceive a life. not one of those oh shit, i accidentally.. uh... yea... we planned this. well, my wife did all the planning, i just did my part in the process i suppose, haha. it's one of the best decisions i've ever made. most rewarding, at that. i know a lot of people are scared to have kids, or just waiting for when the time is right but i've always believed that there really isn't ever going to be a time where things are right. it's those people who hang on to that belief that someday, all the stars will align and hold up a sign that says, "hey, it's time to have a baby." and even if that were to happen, it's not as simple as going to the store and swiping your card and bam, there's your baby. i know people who have waited and when they finally decide to have kids, it's too late. i've heard some sad stories about the stress that comes with many failed attempts at have kids, or ivf's not working, which are hella expensive by the way. i thought to myself at that time,

hey, i'm in my late 20's, 30 is right around the corner, i don't own a house, i don't have a steady income, i really don't know how we are going to handle 2 kids with no family around to help, but shit... we can figure all that shit out a long the way. fuck it, let's have a baby.

it was a tough choice to put away my travel bug. it really took some convincing, that this is way more important. it's not like i've never travelled. hell, i've done quite a bit of traveling around the world and i think that's what made it easier for me to make the decision. i've got to see the world and experience so much diversity outside of the states. although i know there's so much more out there to see and do, i am 100% content with putting a bookmark where i left off and pick up this new book and start this new chapter of my life. i think the change in pace will do me some good honestly. it was my dream to travel the world and get paid for it; i did that.

now it's time to follow through with another dream of mine, to have and raise a daughter, to raise kids, to raise a family.

01.07.2016 // started off the year by revisiting one of my favorite spots to hit in the winter, Donner Summit Tunnels . for years, i've bee wanting to come here when the massive icicles hang from the ceilings and glad to have finally witnessed it.

01.23.2016 // i grew up in ohio, so snow was nothing all too special; although i love it. after moving to california, i quickly learned how much i under-appreciated it so being able to visit Lake Tahoe to have a snowball fight with my family was a m… — 01.23.2016 // i grew up in ohio, so snow was nothing all too special; although i love it. after moving to california, i quickly learned how much i under-appreciated it so being able to visit Lake Tahoe to have a snowball fight with my family was a must.

02.04.2016 // one thing checked off from my bucket-list while in Alaska; see the aurora borealis.

02.05.2016 // hiked on matanuska glacier and found these ice crevice

02.07.2016 // drove 7 hours from anchorage, alaska on a whim chasing the aurora and it was totally worth it. definitely changed my life.

02.08.2016 // took my first helicopter ride, landed on colony glacier and fly into a gnarly alaskan sunset.

02.10.2016 // wife gave me the biggest news of my life, she's expecting!

03.12.2016 // hosted MIGHTYKILLERS EXPLORE TYO II with these Tokyo All Stars

03.13.2016 // experienced a bit of Shanghai nightlife.

03.31.2016 // took little man to hit the slopes for the first time.

04.24.2016 // held the first mightykillers get/together meet at mt. tamalpais; good times.

04.30.2016 // revisiting one of my favorite spots, foresthlll bridge.

05.21.2016 // glamped with hotel tacoma with a bunch of awesome people; met bryan greenberg - yes.

05.30.2016 // our gender reveal cake revealed that we were going to have a baby girl!!!! :)

06.03.2016 // hangin poolside at the line hotel with the family.

06.11.2016 // caught an explosive sunset at taft point in yosemite national park.

06.12.2016 // soaking in and reflecting on life with good company at mirror lake, yosemite national park.

06.12.2016 // one of the most peaceful places i've ever sat.

07.06.2016 // baby-mooning in paradise at hyatt maui.

07.07.2016 // saw some of the most beautiful waterfalls in a helicopter going over hawaii

07.08.2016 // catching the milky way for the first time in hawaii.

07.10.2016 // one of the best scenic drives ever; the road to hana.

07.11.2016 // hyatt maui was kind enough to let me get roof access right in time for an epic sunset over the mountains.

07.12.2016 // snorkeled at molokini crater; a very expired volcanic crater.

09.11.2016 //  baby shower #2 — 09.11.2016 // baby shower #2

10.07.2016 // my world as i know, changed. mia kassidi king was born.

10.10.2016 // finally brought our baby home.

11.06.2016 // flying under the milky way while en route to iceland.

11.07.2016 // listening to the roars of gulfoss falls in south iceland.

11.08.2016 // the beautiful town of hofsòs.

11.09.2016 // icelandic horseback riding.

11.09.2016 // waterfall of the gods, godafoss falls.

11.09.2016 // namafjall hverir, aka mars. this place was breathtaking.

11.09.2016 // bathing all the while getting wasted in the myvatn nature baths.

11.10.2016 // close encounters with whales right near the arctic circle.

11.10.2016 // standing on the edge of the most powerful waterfall in europe, dettifoss.

11.10.2016 // seeing lady aurora dance in the nighty sky.

12.03.2016 // celebrating my wife's 28th.

12.25.2016 // mia's first christmas. our greatest gift we all could've asked for.

new book. new chapter.