adding up to Eight.

To celebrate eight we got a babysitter and went out on the town.  We got dressed up, picked up our new {stylish} glasses from Lenscrafters then headed over to Destihl for a nice dinner.  Appetizers, drinks, entrées and all.  For a special dessert we did fresh fruit dipped in chocolat fondu.

Eight years?  Where has the time gone???  As I mentioned in the picture above, these eight years of marriage have been eventful, incredible, soul-stretching, and joyful.  I have loved being married to you, dear Bry.  Thank you for each wonderful day we've spent together.  Here's to an eternity more!

7th Anniversary.

We ended up celebrating our 7th anniversary throughout the weekend.  Friday afternoon Bry had an Edible Arrangement delivered.  Love those!  Yum.  We all enjoyed it over the next few days.  That night we had Emily L. babysit and went OUT on a date. We first stopped at Hobby Lobby to buy a bench.  (While visiting us in August, Uncle John & Aunt Marlene had put two chairs at the end of the guest bed, probably for their luggage or to use like a bench.  They had given us some money for our anniversary so we decided to put it toward an end-of-the-bed bench for the guest room--all ready for their next visit and to remind us of their love and support.)  Afterwards, we had a nice dinner at Biaggi's (you know we are celebrating something special when we get drinks, appetizer, entrées, dessert and all :0)).  When we got home we watched "Amazing Grace."  Such an inspiring movie!

Saturday we found out that we were expecting baby #4!  What EXCITING news, especially on our anniversary.

Since August was our month focused on fun & laughter, Saturday afternoon we took you kids to Tipton Park to play in the splash pad.  That night we did our own version of Goofy's Kitchen and watched "Peter Pan."

Sunday morning was the last of our festivities.  We made a special crêpe breakfast for us all to enjoy together.  Here's to 7 years since the start of the Bry & Sar Graden family :0)

Celebrating Six in St. Louis.

To celebrate six years of marriage, we decided to do a "getaway" here in St. Louis. We celebrated a week late so that Bry could be done with his Summer paper and presentation.  A BIG thanks to the Gublers who watched ALL three kids so we could enjoy some "honey time."  Love that they call it that :0) It was the perfect timing (with some BIG upcoming decisions to discuss) and was so nice to be just us for a little while.

While Isabelle babysat the kiddos, we started off our date by checking out the City Museum.  We'd heard that it was a crazy place and it was!  "Explore the unexpected at this exciting, interactive museum for children and adults. A mixture of funhouse, playground and architectural marvel."  I had never seen anything like it.  My claustrophobia took over and I wimped out.  But it was fun watching Bry brave a few of the slides, tubes and tunnels.  

(30-31 August 2013)

view of the city from the roof.

Other than the brightly-colored recycled materials throughout the museum and the views from the roof, I'd have to say that the highlight for me was happening upon a craft area that they had.  Table with old magazines + scissors + glue + free reign = a little bit of heaven for me ;0)  (Took me back to my freshman year in college when I'd get stressed...I'd cut out scraps from magazines in the art lab and make collages.)  Bry was super sweet and humored me in making "self portrait" collages/anniversary cards.  Here's mine...

Once the kids were dropped off for the night, we headed downtown to the Westin Hotel.  I had found a Groupon for an overnight stay + free buffet breakfast.  We snatched it up to use for our anniversary.  It was a very nice hotel and an awesome deal.

We got dressed up (thanks again Elaine for the outfit) and headed to Franco's for dinner.  They had sent me an email about getting two glasses of wine on the house for our anniversary.  In the notes for our reservation I asked if they could do a non-alcoholic beverage instead.  When we arrived our server brought us a sparkling citrus soda with a sprig of rosemary.  I was so impressed that they had been so accommodating.  Wasn't so pleased when I accidentally spilled part of it on the tablecloth and my dress.  Just keeping it real ;0)

~ESCARGOTS baked in shell, saffron-garlic butter, Spanish chorizo, Madeira

~SOUP OF THE DAY (artichoke bisque)

~GRILLED MISSOURI RAINBOW TROUT crème frâiche gnocchi, English peas, beech mushrooms, 

pea shoots, mustard seed gremolata

~COQ AU CHAMPAGNE champagne braised chicken, baby turnips, carrots, roasted Yukon gold, 

truffle salt

~CINNAMON BEIGNETS confiture de lâit

our hotel fridge--I had to push the pre-stocked beverages aside to make room for Lij's little bottle of pumped milk.

 After the delicious hotel breakfast buffet, we finished off our getaway by checking out the Soulard Farmer's Market for the first time.  It reminded me a lot of Pike's Place Market.  I loved seeing all of the fresh produce and bright colors.  We got some sweet cherries and blueberries (and a pear) to take home with us.   

When we pulled up to pick up the kids, we were greeted by sweet Lij, happy as a clam.  

I was SO relieved that he had taken a bottle and had been a good baby.  Way to go little man :0)

Today marks...

...SIX years since we were married & sealed in the Provo Temple, for time and all eternity!  In some ways it's flown, but as we look back, we definitely have six years worth of adventures and growing up, learning and loving.  It honestly took me about 3 years of marriage to realize how often Bry sacrifices to make me happy.  He is forever doing sweet things for me: leaving me notes, making breakfast before he takes off for school, calling me during the day to see how things are going, helping pick up the house when I don't have much left to give, rubbing my feet when I've had a hard day, never complaining about meals or lack of clean clothes or sticky kitchen floors.  Although I of course tried to show my love for Bry those first three years, since that moment of realization I've been trying to catch up with his thoughtfulness: trying to get up to see him off in the morning, occasionally leaving him notes in his lunch, buying ice cream flavors that he'd enjoy, sometimes helping out with the kids' bed time when I can tell he's exhausted.  It's amazing how much has changed since that beautiful August day six years ago.  Our love was so new and fresh and exciting.  Three sweet, full of life and easily excitable little children now join us at the table, date nights are often spent in instead of out.  Weight has come and gone and come again ;0).  We've lived longer outside of Utah than in.  We're more open about our frustrations, needs and worries.  We've come to depend on each other.  All that we do is for our little family: All his long hours, hard work, juggling of responsibilities...my cooking, cleaning, creating, caring for the kids.  It's all for us.  I wouldn't trade this little life that we share.  How grateful I am to have this faithful, loving, sweet, thoughtful man by my side.  Happy 6th Anniversary, dear Bry.  Je t'm fort mon amour!

(Julia took these pictures for us.  LOVE THEM!)

Night Out at the Fox.

On our actual anniversary Bry was busy preparing for his end-of-the-summer presentation, so we officially celebrated a few days later.  I decided to check to see what was playing at the Fox Theater...the Lion King!  A play I've wanted to see for years.  Going on a Tuesday and sitting in limited visibility seats (like we couldn't see the left third of the stage ;0)) we were able to get pretty reasonably- priced tickets.  

We rarely have occasions to get dressed up so I wanted to make it a big deal.  Brie helped me lay out my outfit that afternoon (including the beautiful necklace that Bry had given me on our surprise getaway), then when the time came to get ready, she helped me slip my shoes on and got in on the lip gloss fun--I wanted her to know that it was a big deal going out on an anniversary date with her Dad :0)

                                 

Before Bry got home I typed up a letter, tucked it into a little card and set it out on my outfit. My letter had been inspired by my reading of "Heaven is Here" (by Stephanie Nielson of NieNieDialogues...such a great book!)  I addressed it to "my Mr. Graden" and outlined MANY of the things that I love about him.  As I took the time to type it up, my heart was filled with an even greater love and appreciation for him.  So at dinner that night I had him read it aloud...I knew I couldn't...heck I was crying through the whole letter just listening to it ;0)

We set out for the Theater just as the sun began to set.  It was a beautiful evening and so fun to be out on the town spending it with my handsome sweetie.  Not to mention him buying me an over-priced warm pretzel to avoid nausea hitting and THEN slipping out, just before intermission ended, to get me a drink (the drink that the woman next to me was drinking..it turned out being sprite with ice...I eyed it right as the lights were dimming and it looked so good and my pregnant self needed to have one right then.).  Thanks Bry ;0)

The theater itself was so unique and elaborate and the play was really colorful, lively and fun.  We especially enjoyed the African chants and songs, the artistic costuming and Rafiki.  And I personally loved holding Bry's hand throughout the evening.  Simple pleasures of life :0)

Thanks for a delightful evening, Bry.  Je t'aime fort!

Here's to 5...and many more!

Last year for our anniversary post the subject line was, "Here's to 4 and many more."  Before opening the post, someone thought we were making an announcement.  Ironically this year, we are expecting the 5th member of our family.  Here's to many more? ;0)

It really is fun to look at wedding pictures and think back on our big day.  It was perfect.  But it's amazing how much Bry and I have been through these last five years and how I definitely love him so much more!  He is such a faithful, helpful, loving, fun, thoughtful, hard-working husband and I am SO grateful to have him by my side.  Je t'aime mon amour.

P.S. You think we look young now, just look at us when we got married ;0)

It all started...

When Bry was in Chicago and a bouquet of chocolate-covered strawberries was delivered to our door. I had been sitting at my computer, watching as the truck pulled up and the delivery man walked by with something covered in cellophane. I thought to myself that it'd be fun if he were to knock at my door. Then he did... was he at the wrong door? What was the occasion? Our anniversary wasn't for another week or so. I glanced at the card, they were from Bryan wishing me a happy 4th anniversary. Too sweet :0) (That night he told me that they were suppose to have delivered them the following Monday--the night that we were going to celebrate our anniversary--but no worries. There's nothing wrong with getting chocolate a few days early ;0)) Apparently great minds think alike because I had bought dipping chocolate and strawberries for our anniversary. I bagged my idea and ended up saving them til Bry got home on Friday...all weekend we whittled away at them. Yum.

Instead of doing a typical getaway for our anniversary our friends (the Gublers) were SO awesome to take Brie for us (6:30 PM-11:30 AM). She was overjoyed to have a "sleepover" at Peter & Sam's house and we did a staycation at our place. (They offered to watch Alex too, but he's gotten into the habit of getting up 1 to 2x/night so we decided to keep him with us. Thankfully he went down at 6:30 and didn't get up til 1 AM!)

We had decided that it'd be fun to make dinner together so we came up with a menu, shopped for the items and spent the early part of the evening cooking and grilling. (The majority of the recipes came from Cooking Light magazines. I joked that we could have said that our meal was brought to you tonight by Cooking Light and our Weber Grill ;0)) Bry set the table and put the finishing touches on dinner while I showered and then we enjoyed a romantic candle-lit dinner, with Michael Bublé playing in the background. Throughout the evening we'd spontaneously slow dance around the house to some of our favorite songs. It was delightful.

The Menu:
(Click on the menu items to see the online Cooking Light recipes.)

Raspberry Lemonade
Black Bean Hummus with Toasted Pita
Grilled Romaine with a Creamy Herb Dressing
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Parmigiano-crumbed Zucchini
Sirloin Steak (with a homemade steak sauce)
Pina Colada Sorbet with Chocolate-dipped Cookies

The next morning we slept in as long as Alex would let us then made breakfast together. Just as Alex was ready to go down for a morning nap, breakfast was ready to be served. Perfect!

We had Smoked Gruyère Ciabatta-stuffed French Toast. It was definitely not your typical french toast, but we really liked it...shallots, gruyère and all. We'd definitely make it again for another special occasion.

After breakfast we planned, schemed, dreamed, reviewed our past year and set goals for this coming year. Four years down many more to go! Every day I feel blessed to have married Bryan. He is the perfect match for me. Je t'aime mon amour!

Here's to Four and Many More!

Springfield---Walk Down Memory Lane.

For our 3rd wedding anniversary we decided to head down to Springfield (where Bry spent most of his "growing up years") for a walk down memory lane.

Famous frozen custard from Andy's.

after attending church at his old ward.

We spent the weekend with Ben & Ashley.
Thanks for EVERYTHING guys!

After a visit with the Zahn Family.

Ben & Ashley made us breakfast in bed AND THEN watched Brie ALL day long so that Bry and I could enjoy our anniversary just the two of us.

Bry's old house was up for sale and the real estate agent was so nice to let us walk through it. It was fun to hear Bry reminisce and share fun memories associated with each room.

We got AMAZING sandwiches at an international market...French & German sodas too.

We visited Bry's old high school....KICKAPOO High.


One of Bry's science teachers.

I have to admit that nausea hit me HARD on this trip, but other than that we had a WONDERFUL time. It was so fun to finally see Bry's old stomping grounds AND so sweet of Ben & Ashley to let us stay with them.

As always, Bry thought of everything!

So we decided that Bry would be the one in charge of planning our anniversary getaways...he's so good of thinking of all the little details that make it so fun.
Needless to say that he planned our getaway last weekend, and of course it turned out GREAT!

Part of the fun for me is having it a surprise so it wasn't until we were passing Ogden that I figured out that we must be heading to Logan. In any case, here is a little play by play:

Bry had a bag full of fun snacks for the car ride up to Logan (2 kinds of trail mix, peanut butter M&Ms, Goldfish crackers, plums, etc.).

Around lunch we decided to stop for a quick lunch at Wendy's. (I don't know about the rest of you but a Wendy's Kids' Meal is one of my favorite fastfood choices, I know not super healthy, but come on...mini fries, mini frosty, mini hamburger and drink :0))

The cashier asked if I wanted the toy. I was about to tell her no when I realized that their toys--that I once thought were a waste of money--are perfect for Brie!

Neither of us had been to the Logan Temple so we did a session.

What a BEAUTIFUL temple!

Bry reserved us a lovely room at the Marriott SpringHill Suites. While walking into the lobby he pointed over to the check-in counter at a bouquet of flowers and told me that they were for me. He had picked them out online, called in and arranged for them to be there when we checked in to the hotel. What a sweetie! (He pointed out that he had picked this particular bouquet because there were TWO of each kind of flower...in honor of our 2nd anniversary. Cute!)

The room was super nice (living room, fireplace, two TVs, etc.) and because the jacuzzi tub wasn't working we got hotel points AND dinner reservations...

...to the Elements Restauraunt, on the manager's tab!

(A bummer turned into a blessing!)

It was an excellent dining experience...great service, delicious food, perfect weather and a beautiful view of the sunsetting over the river. Wow! (That's our table in the right picture.) We probably wouldn't have gone somewhere that nice otherwise (or at least been able to order a full meal--appetizer, drinks, main dishes, dessert), so it was a special treat.

.

.

.

So as nice as it was getting away just the two of us...
we were both SO excited to see our little Breebsie when we got home.

What an awesome anniversary! Thanks Bry :0)

AND thanks to everyone who helped to babysit Brie so that we could getaway!!
(Mom, Julie & Walt, Heather, Em, Dad & Julia, and Alan & Liz)

2th Anniversary :0)

(This week we got a really sweet letter from Grandpa and Grandma Graden. In it they wished us a "Happy 2th Anniversary". Must have been a typo but it's been a fun little running joke the last few days that we're celebrating our twoth anniversary :0))

I'll post more later about our AWESOME anniversary weekend, but for now...

Happy 2 years Bry!

Ish liebe dish :0)