Ari H

Utah...it never gets old

11:30 AM

First time we've all been together in 3 years



What's winter without snow? Thanks, Utah.

Any time I get to spend with our nephews is precious time



We made snow angels in snow that was up to his waist :)

She's the prettiest

Sibling dinner. Brett is always too busy for us. :(

Favourites

Bachelor party in a suite at the Jazz game

We did some research before our Utah trip for some new, great places to eat. Happy we made it to Sweet Lake - Biscuits and Limeade

Eggs Benedict is my go-to on any breakfast menu. This one with local eggs, fresh made biscuits and red quinoa hash browns gets two thumbs up from me. HOWEVER, the winner of the menu is definitely the pancakes! They are called Conspiracy Cakes. They grind the flour fresh every day and you can absolutely taste the difference. That's probably the conspiracy...

Before heading back to London, we took some family pictures in the snowy canyon



I love my people

bridesmaids

Valerie and Eston 2015

9:30 PM



I adore this girl. From the first time I met her, we clicked. We were assigned to be companions while serving LDS missions in Argentina. I hadn't spoken English for nearly 9 months (other than emails home to my family, which were awkwardly half Spanish, half English anyway) and Valerie was still working on her Spanish. It was an awkward and hilarious time. So many experiences that bonded us like no other 5 weeks in anyone's life could have. Without going into Too Much Information, she took care of me when I was crazy sick, we survived several days without electricity to heat our apartment or water in dead of winter, weird food and broken toilets. Extreme bonding time.
So when she not-so-slyly told me that she was getting married in March, I HAD to be there!

President and Sister Gulbrandsen are some of my most favourite people on the planet. Steff flew in for the day and it was lovely to see her. We were all companions at some point. Love these people.

I mean, we're really cute. haha

Some of the friends that just hung around the temple for a while. Mostly because of our insane love for Val Pal. (Jess, Katherine, the beautiful bride, me and Steffannie)


Oh yeah! Eston was there, too.... haha

All photo credit goes to Mikki Platt, wedding photographer extraordinaire, who also did our wedding pictures. I will forever be obsessed with our photos and Valerie's are just as amazing! Mikki has photographed cousins and friends since our wedding and she's not only a talent behind the camera but the sweetest person ever!

wedding

A magical day

4:07 PM

To be perfectly honest, our anniversary is not the only time I reminisce about our wedding. These photos keep the joy of the day fresh, but the year since has been more than I could have ever hoped for. We have been through so much in 365 days and looking back to share where our new life started was too much to resist. 

I still love the colors, my dress, all the little things that made the day magical. I thought I might. I just didn't know how much more I'd love the man I married. 

Credits: 
Photography: Mikki Platt photography
Videography: Chris McClain Productions, West Jordan, UT
Dress: The Perfect Dress, Salt Lake City, UT
Accessories: The Perfect Dress, Salt Lake City, UT

Alterations done by Lidia in West Valley, UT (ask The Perfect Dress for the reference) It came with pockets though! Winner!

Bouquet and Flower Crown: Blooms & Co. Salt Lake City, UT
Hair: Whitney Breton, Très Très Chic, Orem, UT

Midway, UT decided to be amazingly gorgeous. It was a lovely fall and the first week of October had perfect colors. 

We had been so nervous :) But that face.... So worth it. 

Bursting with joy! There is nowhere else I can imagine beginning such a step in my life than making a promise in the temple. 
Bouquet: Hillside Floral, Salt Lake City, UT

Great people. So many (but not all) of our  amazingly amazing family. We are so blessed!

Had to post this because my mom's face kills me every time. Ruth thought it was funny, too. 

Hair: Ruth Muhlstein, Studio 210, Orem, UT

Manti, UT on a windy, cold day in November 2013

Centrepieces: Hillside Floral, Salt Lake City, UT

Lighting: Moonlight Utah
Location: This Is The Place Heritage Park, Garden Building

Our first dance. 

I am so grateful for every single hand that created, served, helped, soothed and calmed in preparation for that day. It was the best celebration for which I could have ever hoped. 





eternal marriage

Last wedding post, I promise...

10:47 PM

Actually, that's not true. 


I have wedding day pictures and I while I can't truly promise to never ever post about our wedding day ever again, I just wanted to share a little bit of my most blessed day yet. I got to marry my greatest friend, biggest fan, and unconditional supporter. I can't imagine life getting better than this. I don't know what I'd do without that guy. He's just my favorite. 

It was an incredibly perfect day. Even though the cold wind started getting a little out of hand, everything else was a dream. 

Photography by: Mikki Platt Photography

Mr. and Mrs. Larson

My face says it all...  

Hooray for spectacular family and friends!

Two things: I love his face and also, my sista friend did my hair. Her talented little hands were tingling to do something cool and she produced a stellar do! Do a close up on those braids. They're so great!

Shout out to Jerry at Hillside Floral who pulled off an amazing win in the floral department!

If you couldn't tell by pictures yet, I am obsessed with purple...

I love the Manti Utah temple. It will always be my most special place. I will be eternally grateful for the choice we made to be sealed for time and all eternity. We believe that as we obey the commandments of God, keep the sacred covenant we have made to care for and honor each other through life, our joy will be full with our family for eternity. 

East doors. 

This is the Place-Garden building. Nephi and his team from Moon Lighting did an exceptional job!

All the center pieces were lovely. The touch of orange was perfect :)

Amazing lantern-y guys that matched wonderfully. My mother-in-law now owns 12 of them so if you want to rent/buy them from her, just let me know :) They're quickly becoming a hot commodity. 

So much cake. But really delicious! Cake testing was one of the things Taylor participated in as an extremely willing victim...I mean, fiancé. 

We ate the cake. 

That's all for now folks. Don't worry, someday the newlywed thing will wear off and I'll stop being obsessed. 





















2014

Two Thousand Fourteen

12:15 AM

I've been thinking all morning about what this new year will hold:

•I will turn

this year. In two weeks, actually. Whoops. I feel pretty old. I AM getting old. Taylor loves reminding me about it.

•We will be graduating this year! Class of 2014!
Taylor from the Y
And me from the U

•We are moving across the ocean to London, England

•But before we get to Europe, Taylor has training in New York to do. 

•My youngest brothers will both be on missions. 

Brett in the Mexico Tampico mission. 

Still don't know where in the world Sam will go 

But that'll make two Elder Gonzalez' in the world preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and learning so much from everyone they meet. This will make my mom and dad empty nesters this year. 

By this time next year, we will be residents of the U.K. That still blows my mind.  

So our VIEW will change from time to time this year. We are really looking forward to all Heavenly Father has in store for us in 2014. 
And 


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