All About Ben (and Leah)

Wedding (massive post)

The Happy Couple

Well it’s over.  With all of the planning, anxiety, money and everything else it’s over.  It was such a great time.  I don’t think I’ve ever been to such a fun wedding.  I could be biased though and I haven’t been to very many of them.

I’ve uploaded pictures from our camera in my gallery.  There are also pictures from the days before the wedding and the honeymoon.

More on the big day:

Groomsmen getting ready

The day turned out to be perfect.  The weather was great, the sun was out and it wasn’t too hot or too cold.  I guess some of the girls might disagree with the too cold part but the guys liked it.  It is the kind of fall day we had hoped for when we set our date so many months before.  We got a lot of positive comments about the ceremony.  I think it was mostly because the people singing and performing were great.  Standing at the front of the church is quite the experience.  It is rather intimidating to be up in front of 150+ people for anything.  Saying our wedding vows was even more nerve wracking but we made it through with no problems.  Finally seeing Leah in her phenomenal dress was quite the sight.  I’m proud of both her and her dad for making it down the aisle without crying.  I’m glad I didn’t take that bet that one of the two would be crying .  The Bishop and Deacon did a wonderful job with the ceremony and we enjoyed getting to work and meet with them before the big day.

Three Groomsmen

The photographer Kim Klein was a lot of fun to work with and we can’t wait to see how the pictures turn out.  Even before the ceremony she got to meet the fun group of groomsmen.  She seemed to get a kick out of them, especially Ryan.  With smiles like theirs I can see why.  After leaving the church we took pictures at Lambeau Field.  It was a little cold in the shadow of the stadium but we got some great pictures there.  I’m sure the tour groups got a kick out of seeing us.  The security guard got mad at Kim for climbing on statues to take pictures.  On our way from the church to Lambeau we managed to drink most of the booze that I thought would last the whole trip.  So after leaving Lambeau we had the driver stop at the gas station for beer .  Ryan even bought a 40, which of course required a paper bag.  The best part was Kim jumping out of her car to get a shot of a bunch of guys holding beer cases, in tuxes outside of the gas station.  Classy.

Joe and Ryan, Friends?

Next it was back to the bus for a trip to Pamperin Park.  This was a great place with lots of cool places for pictures.  The fear in going there was that lots of people take pictures there and you end up waiting for your ‘turn’.  Well we lucked out and got there first.  We had our choice of locations which was nice.  Our first spot was on a cool wooden bridge crossing the river.  Too bad no one noticed the bird poop all over the stupid thing.  Poor Liz even got pooped on or somehow got it all over.  We were able to wash most of it off.  We moved across the bridge for a few last group pics and then some of Leah and I in the trees.  Sometime during the shoot she set her bag down and forgot to pick it up.  We went across towards the bus for a few pictures next to a field.  It turned out that a huge group of kids and/or people were doing some kind of role playing.  They were dressed up in fantasy costumes and were fighting each other.  Weird but funny.

Squish Staying Warm at Pamprin Park

Back to the bag.  Just before getting on the bus Kim realized she had forgotten her bag.  She and some groomsmen starting hunting for it with no luck.  Of course we were all worried that we had lost about half the pictures from that day.  She had to switch cards part way during the pictures.  All of a sudden a car pulls up and hands the bag out the window to our limo driver.  We will never know if they were good Samaritans who picked it up to keep it out of the hands of thieves or if they were thieves who felt guilty about stealing someones wedding pictures.  Either way we got it back.  We took the long way to the reception hall because we had an extra half hour with the limo.  When we got out we gave our extra beer to the driver.  We didn’t need it and he was nice about the whole glass thing.  The limo bus was a great idea.  It really let us have more fun and the girls didn’t have to squeeze in with their dresses.

Before Dinner on the Balcony

We finally made it to the reception, which was at Thornberry Creek Country Club.  It was a great location, with lots of trees around.  Unfortunately fall colors were a little behind this year but they were still pretty colorful.  After a few last pictures off the balcony we started making the rounds inside.  Leah and I were both amazed at how little we really got to talk with most people.  Some people neither of us got to talk to at the reception.  If we didn’t get to talk to you at the reception we’re sorry.  There just wasn’t enough time.   We got to try a few of the hors d’oeuvres.  The ones we tried were excellent.  We did our cake cutting but we ended up having to use the knife they had there.  It was a scary 12” knife that was way overkill for the poor cake.  So I’m sure our pictures look like we’re trying to kill the cake.  Suddenly, after what seemed like 10 minutes, it was time to start dinner.

The head table was up on a raised platform so we got to see everyone in the room.  It was nice to get to see everyone up there, you felt a little closer to everyone than if you’re on the same level.  We noticed that the table ordering got messed up a little bit so people were kind of all over compared to what we had planned on.  No one seemed to notice so it was all good.  Mike, Leah’s dad, got up once people were seated to give a great welcome and speech to everyone.  His use of props was excellent, he had an entire briefcase brought up on stage as a joke.  Luckily the speech was wonderful and fairly short.  The staff at Thornberry came up to ask us when we would be ready because the dinners were ready and could potentially start to get cold.  After they started to bring out food and wine we got to hang out on the stage and talk with people up there.  My brother and Squish both kept asking when they should give their speech.  They were both so nervous about it that they just wanted it out of the way.  Of course they did a wonderful job, despite their worries.  Leah’s grandma wasn’t able to make it for our wedding but Nancy gave one of her famous toasts.  It was a perfect toast for the occasion and she did a great job delivering it.  For the most part the food was excellent.  The only thing I wasn’t happy with was the salmon.  I tried some of my brothers and it was fairly dry and didn’t taste great.

Leah Dancing

Dewey Dancing

Next it was time to head to the dance floor.  The band was really awesome, no question.  It was impossible to get off the dance floor because they kept playing one great song after another.  I heard several people comment that they made it part way to the bathroom or bar and had to run back for the song they just started.  I had to keep leaving because I would get so hot/sweaty that it was getting tough to see with the sweat in my eyes (hot right?).  Our first dance was to At Last and they did a great job with it.  We weren’t sure which song to choose but after hearing it we feel like we made a great choice.  The father/daughter dance was to What a Wonderful World and the singers voice for it was amazing.  You really had to listen to tell it wasn’t a CD playing.  After that they just kept playing one great song after another.  We had been told before the wedding that people won’t remember centerpieces, flowers, what they ate or what color the bridesmaids dresses were.  However, they will remember if you have good music.  After our wedding we 100% agree.  Even my dad made it onto the dance floor with his bad back.  I’m pretty sure half the room thought we were crazy when Meatloaf came on but the band was impressed how in sync our singing was.  I told them that it was mainly because we never sing it that sober .

At the end of the night when the music stopped and people were waiting around for the next shuttle it was rather sad.  Just knowing it was all over after all the planning and hard work.  It was also sad knowing that we wouldn’t ever have all of those people in the same room again.  Of course there is the happy part that we were off to start the rest of our lives together as man and wife.  In the end it really is a special day to remember forever.  It is something that you won’t ever have again but something that you won’t ever forget.

Thank you to all of our friends and family who made it to Green Bay.  For those that couldn’t make it we missed seeing you.

To our wedding party we had a great time with all of you before, during and after the wedding.  It meant a lot to know you were willing to travel from all over the country for our special day. Without you our day would not have been nearly as amazing.

To our parents a very special thank you.  Without you and your support this day would not have been possible and because of you it was the most magically perfect day.  You’re the best!

We love you all very much.  We appreciate all of your love, friendship and support that will continue to be a part of our marriage.

Ben and Leah

P.S. Sorry for the delay in getting this posted.

Go Vote (Get Free Starbucks)

It doesn’t really matter who you vote for just go and vote.  I’m sure you’ve heard it everywhere else but I figured I would chime in as well.  Of course I have my opinion of who you should vote for but that isn’t as important as getting as many people to exercise their right to vote.

On a more fun note if you do vote Starbucks will give you free coffe!  Just show your ‘I voted’ sticker.  If you like getting coffee there then its a great deal.  If you hate Starbucks then this is your chance to stick it to them.  Get your free coffee and don’t buy anything else.  That’ll teach ‘em

Happy Halloween!!!

Screw You Too Dan

Happy Halloween to all!

Ryans Pumpkin

Whenever I think of Halloween I think of Dan’s evil pumpkin (first picture) and Ryan’s bowling ball pumpkin.

I also think of fog machines.  I’m sad I won’t have one this year.

Now for a best of my costumes parade.

Two and a Half Weeks

Not that we’re counting or anything…

It seems to be coming rather fast.  It will be great to see everyone.

Fall colors in Wisconsin

I’m also looking forward to seeing trees again, especially in full fall colors!  It is our favorite season, which is of course why we chose to have our wedding in the fall.  We don’t have a lot of trees here.  I miss getting to walk through a ‘tunnel’ of color.  It is so quiet, except for the crunching of leaves.

DNC in Denver

So the DNC was in town this week.  For the most part it didn’t impact us too much.  Traffic was a little weird but thats about it.  We decided late in the day Wednesday to go downtown to see what it was like down there.  One of my coworkers came with us downtown.  We were all shocked how easy it was to park.

Security at the DNC

We got out and wandered towards the convention center.  We were a little disappointed when we couldn’t get inside the perimeter because didn’t have super cool badges.  So we got to stand out side the big barriers and watch the people filter in past security.  I didn’t take the picture above but it gives you an idea of what it was like.  Except the area we were standing by had lots of cops in riot gear standing around.  They even had secret service there checking badges.

DNC HulaHoop on the 16th Street Mall

Then we wandered down to the 16th Street Mall to have a few beers.  We stopped at the Rio for margaritas during some of the first speeches.   Then we left to wander around some more.  We called another co worker and met up with them.  They mentioned that Obama was staying in the Brown Palace so we stopped by to see if he was out and about.  He wasn’t…  So we gave up and went to sit outside on the mall and watch the people.  We were sitting right by where the person with the hula hoop above was hanging out.  They were getting people to do it for peace with Iran.

We ended up staying out past midnight, which made for a long morning.  It was worth it though, I will probably never see another one in my life.

Green Bay

We’re back in Wisconsin this weekend. Leah had to come back for a shower here so we figured we would pile a few more things on top. So we settled the tuxes on Friday, Leah had a dress fitting Saturday at 9:30, shower at 11:00, final flower stuff at 3:00 and we have a meeting at 5 with the Bishop here. We also have to get the invites stuffed so we can send those out Monday. So it’s a little busy this weekend.

It isn’t all work. We get to have fun at night as we see all the people around here. We hadn’t seen Leah’s dad since March when we moved. We had dinner with him and Cathy Friday night. You just don’t see supper clubs in Colorado. I hadn’t even seen them in Minnesota growing up. It’s fun to sit around and get drinks, get your order in before you’re even seated and then just have your food ready.

Well time to go meet the Bishop.

Bachelor Party

I think more than a few people have had better mornings than Saturday morning after the Essen Haus.

Just leaving the Haus Finger and Dumes decided to empty out their stomachs to make room for more booze (see above). More than a few boots where held with the toe down, what a shame. Perhaps a highlight was when DMS and Johnson tried to get some women to polka with them. When that failed they decided to just dance with each other. I ended up home before midnight and don’t remember much after leaving the Haus. I do remember seeing my parents favorite bartender Gary. I also remember giving us a bunch of whiskey shots, yuck.

We did survive to the next day. Let say we didn’t start out drinking heavy. I’ve never seen pitchers last so long at the terrace. We moved on to the bars where we could get mixed drinks. Those went down a lot faster. I guess we had enough beer the night before. Well Larson and Casey wanted a beer while we were at the Pube. The mixed drink I had while I was there tasted like it was rubbing alcohol.

Overall it was a great weekend. Thanks to everyone who came out. Can’t wait to see people at the wedding.

Ben

See Gallery

Rocky Mountain NP Trip

Way back in May Leah and I went to RMNP for the weekend. It was a perfect weekend weather wise and the park was fairly quiet because it was before labor day. There were more elk than people.

Saturday we went for a hike out of Bear Lake parking up to Emerald and Dream lakes. It was amazing to be walking over feet of snow while sweating like crazy. The snow kept the last part of the hike pretty quiet because most weren’t willing to go that far without snowshoes, which we didn’t have. The view was amazing, just check the picture out. We also got to see some crazy guys ski down from the top of the mountain. You have to look very closely to find them but you can see as they get further and further down. They took their time, I’m sure they wanted to make sure they didn’t you know, die.

Sunday we went for a hike near our campground. What a difference elevation makes, it was like 80 degrees done there. Needless to say our legs weren’t too happy about the day before so this hike was a little rough. The lake at the top was cool to see but nothing spectacular.

On our drive home we stopped at Oskar Blues. Great beer and great food.

New Pictures

I am finally getting around to posting a bunch of pictures. Most of them were older. So if you haven’t been here in awhile you might actually find the pictures you were looking for.

I also posted pictures from when we were moving. New Dan, Andy, Maggie and Brandon can finally see those pictures.

Added pictures from Ryan’s visit out here. It was a great time and hopefully we can get him to move out here . I can say Ryan is in much better shape than me. It was rather sad to watch him sprint away up a climb that I can barely stay up right.

Leah went on a trip to visit Squish just before we moved out here. All of her pictures from the trip are now on my page. I wish I could have made it. Looks like a fun time.

Snowy Day

It was a great morning here. A nice inch of snow around the cities and the mountains covered in a white coat. Locals complained about the snow, saying they were ready for spring. I agree that I can’t wait for 70′s and sun to run and bike. However, I enjoyed the view and compared to Wisconsin the conditions outside really weren’t so bad. Sure there was snow but it wasn’t bitterly cold and the roads weren’t icy. All the perks of snow without the bad stuff. You can’t get much better than that!

Now to the grind.