Mt. Rushmore!

After only being married for 6 months, we've already lived in 3 states! We started in Rexburg, Idaho where we attended BYU-I, then after graduation moved to Portland, Oregon for Ben's job, then Ben's job moved him to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...of all places!

On our road trip to Wisconsin we stopped at Mt. Rushmore! Ben was like a little kid, all giddy and excited to fulfill one of his dreams...Mt. Rushmore, up close and in person.

Another place we can now mark on our map of places we've visited. Another magnet and Christmas ornament to collect. Another handstand picture!

"Portonians"

Ben calls the people of Portland, "Portonians." He obviously is not from there.



After graduation we made our way up north to the beautiful state of OREGON where we made a temporary home in Portland. I must say I wish it wasn't so temporary. We fell in LOVE! In love with GREEN...not only is it so lush and green, with rolling hills, but the people are very "green." They are earthy, organic, very hippi-like, really diverse, and very accepting. In fact you can walk outside wearing anything you want and you won't get a second glance. We had some good laughs at some of the crazy outfits and the unique people we met there.



Portland is the perfect place for a runner like me. There are trails everywhere and my favorite is the trail along the waterfront and the endless trails at Forest Park. Forest Park is the biggest park in the nation that is within a major city, it is 5,000 acres! I signed up for the FOOT TRAFFIC MARATHON on Sauvie Island, nearby.




Ben and I had so much fine dining out in Portland since there are countless restaurants, all very unique. We rarely went to a chain restaurant. One place, Montage, specialized in mac & cheese. They wrapped your leftovers in tin foil shaped as something...mine was a swan!

I rarely went to a mall since there were so many streets with the cutest boutiques. The $hopping is AMAZING there! Plus there is NO SALES TAX. What a dream! :) This is Lauren, Rachel, and I shopping on Alberta Street.




Ben and I visited the Chinese Gardens.




Just about every Thursday night a group of us would catch a midnight premier at the theater. This time we saw "UP" in 3d!




The Portland, Oregon Temple...Gorgeous and unique!

If you thought Ben can't dance...

...You still might think so.
It was "Mullet Night" at PGE Park! Our office went to a Minor League Baseball game, Portland Beavers vs. Nashville Sounds and Portland kicked trash! Haha...Mullet Night! So, of course Ben and our friend Jimmy bought mullet wigs. During the festivities, their good looks and charm also got them a spot in the dance competition during the game! To ALL of our suprise...Ben won! He won a baseball cap and probably some more pride...pride for how he looks in a mullet, and how he thinks he can dance! That is my husband....if only he broke out those moves at our wedding!

Viva Coldplay!

YES...this is Coldplay.
YES...we are going to their concert July 10th in Portland.
YES...Ben surprised me with the tickets because he loves me.
YES...I am so stinkin excited!

HAPPY EASTER!

My parents flew in from CT to attend our Graduation and my Sister Heather drove up from Utah. It was so much fun being the hostess and having them spend the weekend at our home. I remember when I was little, I asked my mom if she was the Easter Bunny and she didn't say a word, she just wiggled her nose at me. Haha. Now this year it was my turn to wiggle my nose...

Graduation!

April 10, 2009...Blog worthy day!

Phew! We finally graduated from college with our Bachelor degrees! We feel it is really special that we could finish off our last semester at college as husband and wife and graduate together.

We are so thankful to our parents for their support through the years and for watching us as we recieved our diplomas.

Ben ran into his favorite mission buddy, Brandon Brown, at the Graduation. (He randomly runs into him in the most random places!)

What a SWEET celebration...mainly because we just graduated but also because we had Cocoa Bean Cupcakes...yum! We held a little graduation party with our parents, Uncle Shawns family, and Grandpa Larsen.

Goodness Gracious!

I'm posting this picture in honor of my sister Laina and her blog "goodness gracious" because she is always posting decorative/artsy fartsy stuff. (We love you Laina Kay!...The future Martha Stewart haha!)

These dessert plates are by SPODE. I had to have them...they are adorable! :)

Ben's 2nd love

Ben skipped school, hopped on a plane, and joined his dad and brothers for their traditional trip to AZ to watch MLB spring training...lucky! I miss him like crazy but I'm happy he can be enjoying his second love-baseball....of course I am his first love. :)

The first night he was away I pulled down the covers of our bed and I found this baseball....how cute is that!

2 months married!

February 17, 2009
Ben surprised me by making me a wonderful dinner in honor of our 2 months mark. I hadn't realized it had been 2 months so when he asked what the meal symbolized by having 2 of everything I responded: the two of us? twins? I then read his sweet card which explained the meaning well. How could I forget! Oops, women aren't supposed to forget these things, the men are aren't they? Well my man is an exception, he is by far the best! I love him!

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!

Valentines Day!

This weekend was special...we spent Friday night in Jackson Hole Wyoming, at the Wyoming Inn, which was rustic and classy. We strolled around the quaint town and shopped a bit, then ate the most delicious dinner at Cadillacs. That evening we relaxed by our fire and in our jacuzzi. The next day we went snowboarding at Jackson Hole Mt. The weather was perfect and the Mt. is now our favorite spot for boarding!

On Sunday I wore my red letese skirt, that was made for me in Botswana, and Ben wore the matching tie I gave him. He also wore the cuff links I made him out of heart buttons! We were the cutest couple around that day :).

I made Ben a Valentines day themed dinner...with martinelli, candles, and three courses! I put "conversation hearts" on the table. On the back of each heart was a question to create romantic conversation. We then had chocolate fondue and fruit for dessert.

Pinnacle Snowman

We built our first snowman together!

Our home sweet home!

Our home sweet home!

After the wedding, receptions, honeymoon, and new year we settled into our townhouse in Idaho, where we made ourselves at home, and lived happily ever after...
THE END...not quite :)

Our interesting lives go on and we are finding marriage is bliss! We are attending BYU-Idaho and plan on graduating this April together. Amid all the stress of studying, our favorite pastime is decorating our house. We've done lots of projects together, collaborating our design senses...FHE has never been so fun, it almost always is a project for the house.

The pictures in the slideshow:

• We bought a table at DI, sanded it and painted it red. It is now our favorite piece, a catchall table by the front door.
• The green end table from Potterybarn, a gift from mom and dad Snarr. It matches our decor perfectly!
• A bench that was once Grandma Snarrs and we reupholstered it with fun fabric, we were going for an Anthropology (the store) look.
• We painted an accent wall in house green. It was Bens idea to paint stripes for a gradual transition from the green to the tan wall.
• We painted a picture frame and a clock a pretty blue.
• There is a photo wall we created going up the staircase.
• We hung a colorful map of the world that we had framed in the kitchen. There are pins in it representing the places we've traveled.
• Our Anthropology bedding...we love!

Honeymoon in Aruba!

Aruba!

Aruba! Aruba! Aruba!

After a perfect, yet chilly wedding in Boston, we flew directly to Aruba for our Honeymoon! Nothing we could have seen or read could have prepared us for the magical stay we experienced on that remarkable island! Our stay was at a private beach, where we rented a beachfront bungalow that opened-up footsteps from the sand. Relaxation seemed to be the theme of the vacation as we found ourselves sunbathing on the beach, near the pool, on our terrace or under the canopies. However, with so much to do on such a little island we felt as though we needed to take it all in.... and take it in we did! We went on a Off-Road Jeep Safari, which included stops to the Lighthouse, Abandoned Mine, Ostrich Farm, Natural Bridge, Bat Caves, secluded Baby Beach and Eastern Shoreline. We sailed in a Pirate Ship that took us Snorkeling and touring and we even tried-out the rope swing! We both went para sailing for the first time and we were sure to do some shopping as well. Our daily activities were concluded with one of our highlights of the Honeymoon... Aruban dining. The restaurants are all remarkable and we were sure to sample a variety of the establishments the island had to offer. We stayed busy doing a variety of things but in the end it seemed the islands laid-back feel became contagious. We just wanted to relax.
We won't soon forget that island and we long to return. It was a great way to start-off our adventure together!

Utah Luncheon

Utah Luncheon

We started the New Year off with lots of FUN and FAMILY! January 3rd we hosted a luncheon for close friends and family who were unable to attend the Wedding and Reception in Boston and Connecticut. The luncheon was held at Eaglewood Golf Course in a lovely room filled with windows overlooking the Salt Lake Valley, the views were amazing. Fortunately, the weather cooperated as well and in addition to being surrounded by warm familiar faces, it was a bright and sunny day. We both spoke a bit about each other and our courtship, but ultimately we wanted to have the luncheon in honor of all our guests who had graciously served and supported us throughout our lives. It was a wonderful afternoon and we thank all who were able to attend.

Dancing the night away!

Reception at the Pond House

Reception at the Pond House

The reception was that evening at the beautiful Pond House. We enjoyed a catered sit-down dinner with all the trimmings, while we embraced the east coast hospitality. When we first entered the reception hall our jaws dropped at the site of the lavish decor. The sights, scents and sounds of the venue were also accompanied with amazing evening views. Mingling and greeting took place as guests flowed in. Conversation and laughter filled the air as we were surrounded by dear friends and family.

The fathers started the festivities with two very dear toasts where memories and close feelings were shared. Afterwhich...dinner was served! The meal was delectible and we made our rounds to each of the tables personally thanking all who were in attendance. After eating and mingling, the dancing shoes came out as we turned the music up and began dancing! We had alot of fun and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. To us ... it was perfect. Darlaina needs to be thanked most especially for the countless hours she spent on our behalf. Her attention to detail was the icing on the cake for a magical evening.

Boston Wedding

Boston Wedding

Our new lives began on December 17th, 2008 in Boston, MA. We were married on a winters morning with all of our family there to share the special day with us. Ben's friends from Washington, DC even made the trip as well. It was a bit chilly, but we were all smiles as we were sealed together with our loved ones present. After a few photos and some cold ears and noses, we drove to West Hartford, CT for a lovely dinner reception and dancing!

December 17, 2008

image by Kristopher Orr Photography