2007 - The Williams Family Ski Chalet

Grand Opening of the Williams Family Ski Chalet: Winter 2007!

  First Nick and Nate Fletcher visited...

and we've had ski visitors every year since!  We love hosting and we love Alta!

This was how I got to work for the first year living in SLC - I quite liked it actually... 

until Garett bought his first car...

This car wasn't so great for Utah winters... just ask my nephew, Taylor.

2006 - Virginia to Utah via the OBX

Graduation from Med School and the MCV gang headed straight to the OBX

where we rented a house across from the beach from Brooke's aunt -

plenty big enough for all of us plus some. 

Lots of swimming, partaking and late night BBQ'ing

But then Garett and I had to head back to the RIC to load up the moving van

and get on our way to SLC

doesn't make all of your belongings look like much.  But that's all of it!

We carpooled with Raul and Kami's dad three days to Utah

we knew we'd made the right match when we reached the mountains of our new home!

2005 con't - Honeymooning in Moorea



Moorea, Tahiti: can't wait to go back for Honeymoon #2...

we watched every sunset



we went scootering around the island

we climbed some mountains

we watched the whales

we swam with sharks

we celebrated

2005 - I married him because his last name is Williams

I suppose there are other reasons I married Garett.  But Williams is much easier to spell than Beiswanger.

The wedding at the Gateway was everything we imagined.  We had a beautiful week in Bozeman and aside from Northwest airlines going on strike that week and messing with some of our guests' travel, the whole weekend was perfect.  I had my best friends by my side: Brandy, Jen, Melannie and Megan plus Kirk, Nick, Nate and Stu.  Garett and I have the greatest friends.

 

hmmm.  meat on a stick. 

2004 - the Year of Calvin

We decided when we got engaged that we would plan our wedding for the summer of 2005, so that meant a 2-year engagement - plenty of time for planning, and a lull in the major life events. 

This is how I remember the conversation going:

me: "you know, Garett - in 2002, I moved to Virginia, last year we got engaged and next year we'll be getting married.  What's happening this year?"

Garett: "let's get a dog!"

Calvin on day one.  and he's been my best friend ever since.

"shhh. its nap time"  Garett took this picture while the two of us were sound asleep.

Calvin and I successfully graduated from puppy training at the local PetSmart.  I'm still convinced puppy training is more about training the human than training the dog.  Calvin has been the best except that he loves to run - so there's always a panic when you find the front door or the fence gate open...

2003 - Engaged!

2003 was a fabulous year. Garett took me to the Pilalas Lighthouse in Noank, Connecticut for the Fourth of July.  Much to my surprise (how did I not see it coming!?) he proposed under the fireworks and I accepted!

He used the ring his mother had given him, which comes from her mother (circa 1910).  It fit perfectly, which was amazing, because I wear an unusually large ring size! I guess it was just meant to be.  Turns out Garett had that ring for quite a while before giving it to me! 

 Back in Richmond, Garett helped me buy my first car - the blue Subaru, since I had moved out the hood and could no longer walk to work in Richmond down Broad Street.  I'd still have it if only I had opted for the wagon instead of the sedan.  But back then there were no dogs or babies!

2002 - Montana to Virginia via Hawaii

In 2002, I graduated from Montana State University.  Garett flew out to be at graduation and spend Mothers Day brunch with my family at the Gallatin Gateway Inn.

 After graduation, I went to Kauai with the Williams family, thanks to the Pilalas annual trip to the Johnson House.  It is an absolutely beautiful location and I plan to go back again someday!

After returning from the trip, I drove with Sean Goodrick in a U-Haul across the country to land in Washington, DC.  I spent the summer there looking for jobs before finally moving down to Richmond to start with a national Architectural firm, HKS.  Garett started Med School at the Medical College of Virginia and we enjoyed being close enough to DC to visit Garett's sister, Michaeleen.