A White Wedding

This weekend I had the privilege of attending one of my best friend's weddings. I have been so excited for this day! Amber and I met when I moved to Washington my senior year of high school. I remember being so nervous before moving (to my third high school in three years in three states)...but then the bishop's daughter, Amber, began writing me emails, and we became best friends before we had even met! 

On choir tour in CA senior year

Our Senior Prom

Disneyland of choir tour 

Summer after freshmen year of college

Other than that senior year of high school, we spent a couple of summers together in Washington and have been phone buddies and visited often in the past nine years, even though we have gone to different colleges and Amber went on a mission to California. We love talking, we love dancing, we love singing, and we love our Katie and Amber-ness. 

For the last few months, Ben and I have felt honored and excited to go down and celebrate with Amber as well as to bask in the warmth of St. George. Let's just say...St. George was definitely warmer than the one digits in Ogden, but twenty degrees is not the balmy warmth that St. George is known for and neither is the snow that came down about eight (or more) inches (which because of St. George's lack of snow resources, basically shut the whole town down. We later found out it was the coldest and snowiest that St. George had been in a hundred years.) It sure was an adventure!

The night before the big day I was able to spend some girl time with Amber and one of her other best friends (also named Amber) :) I gave Amber my gift to her, helped decorate a teeny bit, and then us girls were off to get a manicure. It was my first manicure ever and oh so much fun! Then we had a girls' night to Olive Garden. I hadn't had that much girl time in a while; it was wonderful. 

The next morning the snow was piling down, but Amber had her white wedding and officially became a White! The St. George Temple is beautiful, and the snow added an extra magic to it. Amber looked like a stunning snow princess. 

The snow looked magical but the slush seeping through our cheap flats was not so magical. 

Basically, my second family. Oh, how I love the Haueters!

Ben was so patient through the whole trip. There were times where we were doing girl things and Ben was helping out for the reception. Ben is as supportive as they come. 

After the dancing and the cake cutting, the Whites were off! I am so happy for them! So often Amber and I would sit on her porch swing and talk about our future marriages and who we would marry--the way most teenage girls do. It is magical when those built up dreams come true. 

Giving Thanks 2013

I have so much to be thankful for this year. Giving thanks in 2013, meant thinking about

A patient, diligent husband

Wonderful jobs

Opportunities to travel

Kind families

Health

Transportation

A beautiful home that is feeling more and more like ours, each and every day

Warm blankets 

Nights watching the Andy Griffith show

Reading 

Baking, cooking, and having a convenient kitchen to do that in

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Hope

General conferences

Forgiveness

This year was the first that Ben and I spent with my side of the family during Thanksgiving. I loved hearing my mom call the turkey "the bird" all day, just like old times. It's little things like that that fill your heart with gratitude. We spent a few days at my parents' watching movies with everyone, catching up, making food, and having family pictures. Who knows when we'll all be together again!? With some in CA, VT, ID, and UT, we never really know when we'll see each other next. Here's the rest of the trip in pictures:

I made the rolls this year. They've come a long way since the first time I attempted them for the Browning Thanksgiving 2011 when they looked like little pebbles :)

I also made five pies, and had lots of fun fun making the crust :)

I spent lots of time with Oreo. 

 Because Kim and Leslie are due sixish weeks apart, we had a little celebration for them at a cafe. I am so excited to meet both of my little nephews!

 Ben took some maternity pics of Kim and Steve, so I snapped a couple with my not-so-nice camera. 

I am so grateful that families can be together forever! 

Spencer's Back!

A few weeks ago, Spencer returned from his mission! Now all the Browning family is in one country--yay! We had lots of fun picking Spencer up from the airport from Russia! 

Spencer got to meet Nat for the first time!

He also got to meet his two nephews for the first time via Facetime from the airport! We were glad Josh and Kristen could virtually partake of the experience :) but we missed them!

Spencer showed us some fun Russian things once we arrived home!

He brought back the coolest Russian dolls!

Now the Spencer cut out can retire. It sure did startle me a few times over the last couple of years, so having Spencer back in real life is much better! We have loved hearing Spencer's Russian stories and being with his fun personality once again. We are so glad he was willing to preach the gospel in Siberia and in other parts of Russia! Welcome back, Spencer!

My Love for Furry Things

I am a little obsessed with animals and have been ever since I was little. My family had dogs growing up, and I loved playing with them. Whenever we visited Utah, I would delight in my aunt's kittens. It was one of the main highlights of coming out to Utah as a young girl. I get my love for animals from my dad's parents. They both LOVE animals of all kinds, especially cats. So you can't blame me for my animal attachment; it was totally inherited . . . I know my enthusiasm for animals may border on extreme to others, but I just can't help myself. I knew Ben was "the one" when he took me to a Kangaroo farm on our third date, and I could pet kangaroos! The past six weeks have been filled with some fun animal encounters (and yes, only I would write about this on a blog.)

Coming out of the Brigham City temple six weeks ago, I found this cute kitty just sitting on the temple grounds. It wanted to be petted and held. It was a temple miracle! I loved it! 

I have been able to dog sit for a friend (although not as much as I would like because I have been busier). Sadie, this cute little dog, is so entertaining. I love her!

I knew that our trip to the south would be a success when on the way from Atlanta to Savannah I sat by a dog! When does that happen!? And it happened to me! Granted, the dog was sitting on its owner's lap, but it still came over to me and wanted to be petted. It was basically the best plane trip ever. 

Me and the dog! Yes, it's holding my hand. 

Then our southern trip got even better when I learned that Magnolia Plantation had a petting zoo where you could pet deer! I have always thought deer are one of the most beautiful animals, and my dream to pet one came to pass. 

The deer got a little carried away when it tried to nibble on my earring... This goat and I had lots of fun!

I am sure you wanted to know my chronicles with animals in the last six weeks, but it was too ironic to pass up. I also would like to thank my husband for letting me detain him on many occasions to pet furry animals I find along the path of life :)