Meet the Kennedys

Starting a blog was one of those things that I planned on doing as soon as Andrew and I got married. But life happens, and here we are! At long last, we have finally joined the blogging world. I’m planning on keeping this updated, so if you have no idea what is going on in our lives I can now say that it is no longer completely our fault :)

For my first blog post, I think a little introduction to who we are and how we met is in order. Sorry this is so long! But there are lots of pictures to keep you going. 

Andrew Dale Kennedy was born and raised in Brigham City,Utah, about an hour north of Salt Lake.

Brigham City is the county seat of Box Elder County.

Check out this adorable picture of little Andrew:

As you can see, his love for adventure and the great outdoors was instilled at a young age.

Pretty impressive for lil' whippersnapper. 

I was born in Santa Barbara, CA. When I was two we moved to La Crescenta, CA, and that’s where I grew up.

Although I have also lived in Utah and now New York, I think I’ll always be a California girl at heart.

Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium. 

Andrew and I both decided to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, UT for college. We met on a study abroad at the BYU Jerusalem Center in September 2008.

Andrew and me by the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem

We actually sat by each other on the plane ride to the Holy Land. It wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but Andrew won me over and we were both pretty interested in each other by the time we left the Jerusalem Center four months later.

Pools of Bethesda in Jerusalem

Living in Jerusalem and visiting Egypt, Jordan, and Galilee were life-changing experiences for both of us, and not just because that was where we met our future spouse. We saw some incredible places, learned a lot about Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, and met some wonderful people who have become our lifelong friends.

Jordan

Sea of Galilee

After coming home from Jerusalem we had some ups and downs, but finally got on the same page and dated for about 14 months. We had some great adventures during that year together in Provo.

Cutting down a Christmas tree from the mountains. Andrew and a bunch of friends dressed up like lumberjacks. I was the only girl there...ha. It was epic. 

Harry Potter themed dance. So fun! We went all out. Oh, and Andrew sewed our cloaks and ties and crocheted his scarf. And carved our wands from some sticks we found by his apartment. 

Olvera Street in Los Angeles

Bridal Veil Falls hike in Provo Canyon

Andrew taught me how to write in Elvish while we were in Jerusalem so we could write notes to each other that no one else could read. I thought it was pretty cute. 

I was part of the BYU Women's Chorus for two years. This is after one of our concerts. 

We got engaged on February 9^th, Andrew’s 25^th birthday.  That night, I took Andrew to Rock Canyon thinking that I was bringing him to a super secret surprise party. Turns out the “party” was Andrew serenading me at sunset and then getting down on one knee to pop the question, so I was the one in for a surprise!

Andrew and I were married and sealed for time and all eternity on June 25, 2011 in the Los Angeles LDS Temple.

The wedding took place in a small private ceremony inside the temple. You aren't allowed to take pictures inside the temple, so we just have pictures of us coming out of the temple doors and on the grounds outside.  

Just after the wedding ceremony.

We were so grateful for all of our friends and family that came to California for the wedding. We love you all so much! It was wonderful to be around so many people that we care about.

The whole group.

My great-grandmother and grandparents. We love and miss Grandpa Bill. 

Grandma Stratford (Andrew's grandmother)

My old roomies, Cambrie and Remi <3

Johnson Family

Kennedy Family

Bridesmaids: sisters and besties from California

The groomsmen. This tree is now gone by the way.

After the ceremony, we had a wedding breakfast at a nearby church. I remember all the people who sang songs and our parents talking and giving us marriage advice. We also carried on some fun traditions.

A surprise rendition of "Halo" by Beyonce--one of my favs

Kennedy siblings singing "Bridesmaids are in Yellow." 
Caroline wrote the lyrics to the tune of "Yellow" by Coldplay. 

A Tahitian wedding tradition started at Andrew's parents' wedding by his uncle, 
who had just come home from a mission in Tahiti.

The "pinning of the tartan." Our wedding had somewhat of a 
Scottish theme per Andrew's request.

That evening we had a reception, where my mom arranged to have a bagpiper give us a surprise performance.

Andrew's lifelong dream of wearing a kilt to his wedding was partially fulfilled. He wore it to the Wedding Breakfast and to our reception in Utah. 

Being lifted up on chairs to the Jewish wedding song "Hava Nagila" at the reception that night. 

Our first dance, "Crazy for this girl." This was the song Andrew sang to me right before he proposed.

Afterwards we left on our honeymoon to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. And thus began the adventure of a lifetime!

We stayed at an awesome resort on the beach.

Four wheeling through the jungle.

A lot has happened since our wedding day, but I think this is a good place to stop. More posts to follow about our first year in school, Hawaii with the Kennedys, India, and some of our adventures since we moved to New York.