Sacramento Fairy-tale

Early, very early, Friday morning Ben and I flew out to Sacramento for his brother's wedding. Even though Sacramento is quite a ways from where I grew up, many of the plants, trees, and even the crisp feel of the breeze reminded me of Temecula. Once we arrived, we went on a shopping extravaganza and us girls went to Ann Taylor Loft (one of my favorite stores of all time!), and we had so much fun! Later that evening we took things play by play as we found out Nat, Sam's bride to be, was sick (the night before her wedding :( , and so we said lots of prayers. We ended up going to Natalie's family's home and chatting while watching the Olympics Opening Ceremonies and prepping food for the reception. Natalie's family is filled with the best of people, and we loved getting to know them better and just talking. We all anxiously awaited the next morning where Natalie Howes would become Natalie Browning.

We were so happy that Natalie was feeling better the morning of her wedding! We caught her going into the temple all radiant and beautiful, as always.

Can I just say...I love the Sacramento temple! 

The landscaping is beautiful and serene with oak trees and flowers everywhere all in a very large, secluded area. We had such a great time waiting our turn to go into the temple by playing with our nephew Tate and walking the temple grounds!

Ben is amazing with kids, and I am not just saying that because he is my husband :) It's true!

Me and my prince at our castle :)

Then it was time for them to become official. The sealing was beautiful; they both glowed! I honestly don't know if I have every seen a couple more smitten with each other :) 

Coming out of the temple

So sweet

I think this picture is adorable.

Natalie has an incredible, beautiful family filled with nieces and nephews--they all looked picture-perfect!

Since Natalie's parents had recently moved to the Sacramento area, her reception was two hours away in the area she grew up in. So in between the wedding and reception, we had pizza with both families and watched the wedding video, and then we were on the way to the reception. 

As for the reception, I don't know if there is a prettier location for a reception on the planet! It was at a friend's home which overlooked the most beautiful river, and it truly felt like a fairy tale!

Picturesque 

The most beautiful flowers!

Elegant

River view

Centerpieces

I wasn't kidding about the river view!

Beautiful cake, and the cake they served was the best cake I ever had in my life! White chocolate strawberry cake..yum!

The bride and groom from afar

Us in our matching bridal party attire with the cardboard cutout of Ben's brother in the corner

I loved that we got to carry a bouquet! It even passed through security with me on the way home, I loved it so much!

Delightful

A beautiful new sister

The happy couple!!

They danced--of course! Her dress was the perfect dancing dress!

Then we got silly with our men's jackets

The Browning girls!

The Browning boys minus a very diligent missionary in Russia :)

And they rode into the sunset--or the darkness--either way it was a fairy tale!

Finally!

The day of the 24th, Pioneer Day, made me SO happy! Reason being is because my WHOLE family was finally together!!! It has been about four years since both of my brothers left on their missions (they overlapped) and have come back without us really being all together.

We have had a few hours where we were kind of all together, but friends of siblings were around and people were doing their own thing, so this is the first time we were all REALLY together, and I loved every minute of it! Since Seth and Leslie, Kim, and Mike all go to BYU-I, and on their off-tracks live in California, it is really hard to get us all together, especially considering they are all on different tracks at BYU-I.

We were going to have a family reunion this weekend, but Sam and Natalie are getting married in Sacramento this weekend so Ben and I will miss it (we often wish we could be in two places at once). My grandparents even flew in from California! But I am just happy that we got to spend one precious day with my WHOLE family, plus Grandma and Grandpa. It was also so fun getting to spend more time with Leslie, my sister-in-law, and having fun with her. She is so fun to be around, and I am constantly laughing at all her fun stories. It's so fun to have an additional sister on the Connors side!

The night of the 23rd, Grandma, Grandpa and Mike weren't in town yet, but we had a family dinner, Family Home Evening, and watched a movie together. It was fun to reconnect after what feels like forever!

On the 24th, Mike and the grandparents flew in, and we all celebrated at The Cheesecake Factory, which I found out has the most delicious Oreo milkshakes, if anyone cares. We then came back for a riveting two hour badmitten tournament!

It is actually pretty intense--with the birdie and all :)

Ben played the whole time!

Grandma and Grandpa watched although Grandma did play for about a half hour! She did quite well; she played basketball in high school and has always been athletic. I wonder where that gene went?

Leslie was amazing! Badminton is one of her many talents.

We then all went on a swim! It was Ben's first time in my family's pool! 

I am so glad Ben is now part of the Connors Clan! 

Classic Seth pose.

We roasted s'mores while my parents were at the MTC (my dad is a branch president there). 

The best part was just chatting about old memories, reconnecting, and eating chocolatey-marshmallowy goodness. I will forever be part of the Connors family, which I am so grateful for! I will be counting down the days until next Christmas when we can all be together again!

Texas is Lucky

Goodbye is an impossible word to use with some people.

 Erica Olsen is one of those people. She has been one of my dearest friends for the past few years. We met in August of 2005 in the dorms (DT) freshmen year. ( I can't believe that was seven years ago!)  We lived on the same floor, a few doors down, and had many classes together. To top it off, we found out we had the same birthday, and immediately became fast friends.  

Here we are as freshmen on the way to a BYU game. 

As sophomores

As juniors at her orchestra concert (she plays the violin beautifully)

As almost seniors at their open house. Russ and Erica are a perfect couple. 

And this is me with her sweet daughter Mackenzie who was only a couple weeks old at the time of this picture. 

Ogden fun with little Mackenzie

And here we are a couple of weeks ago at the Real Salt Lake game. 

There have been very few consistencies in my life over the last seven years, but Erica has always been there for me despite moves, getting married, and having a sweet little girl. In fact, we had the same major at BYU, worked together at BYU's Special Collections, went to every devotional together, and were constantly getting together and having Bobella's (secret code). Erica remembers everything about everyone; she is the most amazing listener; she is also the most organized person I know; we talk about books together; she can tell me if I will like something or not, and she is always right; these are just a few of the reasons why I love Erica Olsen.

Even more than that, she is one of the most loyal people I know. And now, Erica, Russ, and Mackenzie are moving to Texas for Russ' job. I am excited for their new adventure and that Erica can spend time with her family (she is a true Texan) and Denise (her best friend whom I have adopted), but I am going to miss them so much! Mackenzie will grow up so much when they're gone! She is the sweetest little girl. The last few years she has been in Draper, and I have been in Ogden, but every few months we still get together, and when we don't, we talk on the phone. I have loved just knowing Erica is somewhat near, just in case, and it will be sad for me to see her move thousands of miles away. I am just grateful we have technology like we do today so we can keep in touch. And I will have to settle for that until I can have an Erica-hug again :)  

Texas, you are sure lucky to have the Olsen's. Treat them kindly!

Fire 2012

Fourth of July this year:

Quail Fire 2012--parents evacuated for 2 days

Browning family lunch

Connors/Jones family bbq and games

Stadium of Fire 2012 

Dancing to Beach Boys

I didn't know I liked the Beach Boys 

Until I danced to their songs.

Most lively crowd ever.

Best Fourth of July evening ever.

Too much fun.