Mr. & Mrs. Stayner 03/11/11

Jessica & Eric were married in the Salt Lake Temple last weekend-March 11th. I felt so lucky to have been even a tiny bit involved in their wedding & we had a great weekend getaway. I loved spending a few days with my family and I tried to soak up as much sunshine as possible while escaping from the Oregon rain for a short time.

Jess had asked me to be her escort at the Temple, and it was such a privilege to join her on her special day. Every moment brought me back to almost 3 years ago when Josh and I were married in the same temple. It was an amazing experience. Both remembering my own day when I married my best friend-and participating in Jessica & Eric's wedding. Thanks Jess for being such a good friend and for sharing your day with us!

Me Cassandra & Jordan

Josh was convinced that it was a bonnet that I was going to wear to her reception...



The Candy Bar



Off to Fiji

Swagger & Young Dubliners

A few years ago, attending a few shows/concerts a month was the norm. Brittney and I had so much fun finding new bands and venues. Since moving from Utah & getting married-I haven't had many opportunities aside from Warped tour in Atlanta. Unless I was in the mood for bluegrass, Dahlonega was too far anything worth attending & Portland has too many venues to choose from! While we were in Utah we were able to go to a Young Dubliner concert with Swagger as the opening band. This brought back so many memories. It was fun to go with my Mom & Step dad, Brittney, and our cute husbands!

Doesn't he look like a crazy leprechaun? He is an amazing violinist but kinda looks like a convict...

Were hoping that in the future Tyler & Brittney move to Portland. We had an amazing weekend hanging out with them and were bummed to go back home. We miss you guys!

Weekend in SLC-Day 3

We were so lucky to be able to spend so much time with our family and friends over such a short weekend. Between going out to Rodizio Grill with my family to celebrate Josh & Daniel's birthday, hanging out with Tyler, Yuko, & little Koharu at Texas Roadhouse, Breakfast at IHOP with Mom, Ernie, & Dan, Chili's once with my Dad and again with Tyler & Brittney, and Sub Zero Ice Cream for lunch with my family-when I say we ate the entire trip I meant that literally!

Liquid cream + Flavorings + Mix ins + Liquid Nitrogen

= ice cream???

We were first introduced to Sub Zero at Brittney & Tyler's wedding reception. I swear Josh and I had at least 3 bowls each at their reception! They make the best ice cream I have ever had and we have made going there a tradition every time we are in Salt Lake City. In fact, we were willing to drive to Provo (where its original location is) just to have this tasty treat. Lucky for us, they have opened a store at Jordan Landing (MUCH closer to both my parents!) so we didn't have to make an extra long trip.



Dad & Brey scoping out the flavors & mix-ins

Too bad Dad didnt realize we were taking a pic...

Raspberry with mixed berries, Toffee Caramel with Cashews, Cake Batter with rainbow sprinkles, Root beer, Black raspberry with mixed berried, & Chocolate with bananas & brownies. I have a horrible habit of finding one flavor that I absolutely love and never ordering anything else. I guess maybe I'm just in tune with my taste but sometimes I miss out on trying new things. At least I was able to try everyone else's! Can you guess which one was mine?

Weekend in Utah-Day 1

Last weekend was such a fun and busy weekend! Josh and I flew into SLC on a Thursday afternoon to attend Jessica & Eric's wedding on Friday and we had a great time seeing family and friends. It seemed like we drove & ate the entire trip!

First day in SLC
Just like the good ol' days!


After arriving in Salt Lake around 1 PM, my Grandpa was kind enough to pick us up at the airport since both my parents were working. After picking up my mom's car (which she generously lent to us for the majority of the weekend) Josh and I went over to my Aunt Cherilyn's so she could fix my color. It was so fun catching up with her and I am so grateful that she was able to fit in an emergency color after my horrible hair experience in Portland. We then went to Chili's with my dad-but failed to take any pictures all afternoon. It was a great dinner-especially when my dad asked our waitress to taste his chalky tortillas...she gracefully declined. =)


Following dinner, Josh and I went to a vocal recital where my Mom and younger brother Daniel performed. Aubrey was attending a special needs mutual, so she wasn't able to perform at this recital. Shortly after I moved to Georgia they all began taking voice lessons and I have missed every performance they have had for the past 3 years. I felt so lucky to finally attend! Dan sang a really cool civil war piece-and my Mom sang 4 pieces. I swear my Mother isn't a day over 30. Isn't she gorgeous?

I wish I had more pictures from their concert but I was worried about people getting annoyed by the crazy wannabe photographer in the front row. This concert was such a blast from the past. I felt like I was back in High School as different performers sang song like "Dirait-On" and "I'm not that Girl" from Wicked. I miss taking voice lessons!

Later that evening after my family went to bed Josh and I went and stayed the night at Brittney & Tyler's house and kept Britt company while her husband and family were out of town. It was a spontaneous decision to actually stay the night (we were way too tired to drive home) but it was fun to see my best friend a little extra while we were in Utah. Staying up late at her parents house made me feel like I was 18 again. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Big Al's Bowling & Birthday dinner

Josh's birthday celebration continued with bowling & dinner at Big Al's Bowling and a home cooked meal at his Mom's. Josh had requested either paintballing or bowling, and bowling ended up being the best activity for all of our family. Big Al's bowling is a new complex with arcades, restaurants, shops, and two alleys. I couldn't believe how packed it was!

Sports Bar inside. The food was really similar to Iggy's Sports Bar, but I thought the TV's were a little cooler. We are such attention deficit Country-it was a little crazy trying to focus on one game/show with so many playing at the same time!

I HAD to take a picture of Paul's burger. Have you ever seen such a huge hamburger? He barely ate the whole thing!

We had an hour wait before an alley would be ready for us, which worked out perfectly because we were starving! I was happy to eat beforehand!

More treats...

Even though we had already had so many treats, I knew I would never live it down if I didn't get him a little cake for while we were home. A miniature strawberry Ice cream cake from Baskin Robbin did the trick!

For his birthday present I reserved a room at the Coho oceanfront resort in Lincoln city in a few weeks. It will fun to get away during our spring break and celebrate his birthday even more!

Dinner at Mom & Kelly's

On Sunday (Josh's actual birthday) we went over to his parents house for dinner and dessert. Josh requested Shepherd's pie and it was great! We forgot the camera, so excuse the dull pics we took on our phones.

More chocolate cake!

Josh had specifically told me NOT to buy him either an Xbox or any Apply products. (both of which I was considering) so it was perfect the his mom & Kelly gave him one! He LOVES it & I'm excited to use the kinect.

Josh's week long birthday celebration!

Happy Birthday Honey!

Life may be super difficult at times, but we are seriously so blessed. Whenever I get frustrated about things like my school taking FOREVER, having to work full time at a stressful job, waiting to start our family until we are both done with our degrees, busy schedules, difficult callings (I teach the 17-18 year old Sunday school class and it is a major challenge!) and so many other unimportant struggles-like my hair getting totally messed up a few weeks ago by an over-priced, egotistical stylist (I'm sure you have all heard that story by now!) It is so important to reflect on how blessed & spoiled we really are. We recently celebrated Josh's 24th birthday and it was a huge week long celebration. I hope he knows how loved he is!

Some of these photos were taking by our cell phones, so excuse the horrible quality of some of them!

Josh's birthday celebration began a few days prior to his actual birthday at the Casa Del Matador in downtown Portland. Jared and Courtney joined us and it was so fun to go out with them at a restaurant we hadn't been to. The atmosphere was almost Disney-like with wall to wall votive candles, skulls, fire etc. A combination between the haunted mansion and pirates of the Caribbean. We had a blast and enjoyed a delish chocolate cake with a caramel drizzle and ice cream for dessert.



The Matador is on 23rd street downtown so I knew it would be cute before we even arrived. A co-worker of mine-Shanti, suggested it and I'm so glad we went!

Again, I know the quality of these pics are HORRIBLE, but I'm glad to have something to remember the night!



Our food was so yummy!





Leave it to Jared to make a hilarious face. =)

Happy early Birthday!