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 :) 

Myrtle Beach

I guess the magic of our trip is officially over...now that I have finished writing about it...sigh. 

Our last stop was Myrtle Beach, SC. The first five days of our trip were jam packed with every minute from eight AM to nine PM  filled with fun things to do. Myrtle Beach was a nice, relaxing way to end the trip. Myrtle Beach was all about Ben and I enjoying each other, the beach, the Andy Griffith Show, and the scenery--with no rush. 

We spent lots of time playing in the warm water. The waves there seem to move slower so you can see every second of their unfolding. 

We loved playing in the water. Myrtle Beach is definitely a resort area with hundreds of hotels lining the way. Ben and I decided we loved parts of Myrtle Beach, but the boardwalk nearest to the ocean did not have the cleanest feel to it, so we avoided that and played in the ocean. It wasn't until our last twenty-four hours in Myrtle Beach that we found some of the more family-friendly tourist areas. But that's okay...it meant Ben and I got to spend one whole night watching The Andy Griffith show--yes!

Our new favorite store! Apparently, one was just built in Farmington!! Myrtle Beach is the mini-golf capitol of the country. In Myrtle Beach, there are probably fifty different courses that are fascinating to look at! We ended up at a Greek one!

This was seriously the mini golf course--so cool!

That night we walked around some fun shops and things to do at a center called Broadway at the Beach. We wished we had found it sooner! The whole complex is around a lake. 

We didn't go in, but we found a Wonderworks Museum (yes, the building is upside down) 

Carp were everywhere in the lake. 

We finished off our night at a place called Friendly's, which had delicious comfort food and the most amazing, famous sundaes. We were in heaven. 

Saturday morning was our last one. We woke up and watched the sunrise on the beach. It was too perfect. 

After our beautiful sunrise, we packed, went to the outlet malls until we had to go to the airport that afternoon. It was hard to leave. It had been the perfect trip; we had just enough relaxing mixed with historical sites, the most beautiful scenery, good food, and of course, each other.