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.

Parade of Homes

Accenting Decorations.
Light colored paints.
Big windows.
Beautiful shutters.
Upstairs bedrooms.
Two ovens.
Window seats.
A formal dining room.
Wallpaper in the laundry room/some bathrooms.
Elegant light fixtures.
Built in book cases.
A second mini sink on the kitchen island.

These are some distant dreams that I created for myself while walking through the Parade of Homes. *The Parade of Homes lets you go through 30 homes around the area, which are all professionally decorated,  over the span of a few weeks*

It was Ben's brilliant idea to go to the Parade of Homes this year. I am so glad we did it, even though it was right after our craziness of being out of town and some nights I wanted to just stay home. Every time we went out we had so much fun talking about our future hopes and dreams for life and for our own home. We even want to adopt some ideas of decor for our own home! I took so many pictures, but here were some of my favorite homes, styles, layouts, and designs. Many of which, may never be a reality in the Browning home, but it's fun to dream, right? :)

I never knew a brick wall (mind you, only one of four walls) could feel so cozy and Victorian

This is a disguised refrigerator and freezer! 

Star burner? Yes, please!

Cutest child's play room

Fire truck engine bathtub? yes, yes, yes!

A newly built Victorian home--was this made for me?

I love the cutouts in the Victorian home!

Built in bookshelves

Ben and I are obsessed with these spaces that are on the second story that overlook the family room area, where kids' desks can go and where it is easy to see who is coming and going because it feels so much more welcome and inviting than a narrow skinny upstairs hallway.

The best part was being able to dream up dreams with my best friend :)

The Marriage of True Minds

Shakespeare

Sonnet 116

 Let me not to the marriage of true minds

 Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds, 

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark 

 That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

 Within his bending sickle's compass come:

 Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

 But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

 If this be error and upon me proved,

 I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

 I have always loved this sonnet as Shakespeare describes love so beautifully as "an ever-fixed mark" that never alters and "bears it out even to the edge of doom." Sorry, I just have to incorporate some of my English nerdiness occasionally on this blog; I can't help it!

 Speaking of love... (smooth transition, yeah?) the day after we got back from Youth Conference was the wedding dinner for Kelsi, who I could not have survived my Ogden single days without. Can I just say...this girl is amazing. She gets more done than anyone I know while being the most loyal friend anyone could imagine. Picture this. The day before my dear Kelsi Anderson becomes Kelsi Flint and then will move to Wisconsin as Ty, her husband, will finish dental school, she hands me this at her wedding dinner for my birthday:

 First of all, this is precious. Second of all, it's so precious it made me cry. Third of all, she is so thoughtful she is giving me a handmade birthday gift the night before she gets married. Fourth of all, the realization of Kelsi Joi leaving me and moving to Wisconsin for the next few years hits me. Tears. I just love my Kelsi Joi. Here's the list of how similar Kelsi and I are so I can persuade to you the depth of our friendship:


 1)We both have teaching certificates in English and love books, except Kelsi taught English at Jordan High School this past year whereas I have only student taught.
2) We both love singing, but Kelsi can play the piano exquisitely while singing.
3) We both analyze everything, for good or bad; however, I am the worst at this.
4) We both got married at the same age, other than it was a few months sooner for Kelsi.
5) We love talking to each other.
6) We love talking to each other.
7) We love talking to each other.
8) Our birthdays are in June.
9) We worked at the Weber State Writing Center together.
10) Our differences complement each other.

 The next morning was Kelsi's sealing at the Bountiful Utah Temple. It was beautiful. Kelsi and Ty just beamed. I am so glad Kelsi and Ty found each other--they are perfect for one another. As a side note, we saw Elder Ballard (from afar) inside the temple, and I was standing right next to Elizabeth Smart at one point. Kind of crazy! I must say... Kelsi looked absolutely stunning. 

I felt honored that she wore the tiara-sparkly-pearl head piece I wore for my wedding. It made me feel like somehow I had been a part of Kelsi's whole day experience; silly, I know but I can dream, right!? 

See, we're twins!

 After we took pictures together, Ben and I raced down to Ogden where a family shower was being held in Natalie's honor :) and I needed to make some cucumber sandwiches and help with preparations.

The shower turned out quite charming--it was outside, we ate, we talked, we laughed, and we got to learn many things about Natalie from her mom (one of my favorite parts).

Opening gifts

They even look color coordinated.

Wonderful family :)

After the shower, we tried on bridesmaid skirts and chatted, and then it was time for Ben and I to go to Kelsi's lovely reception.   

This is Kelsi's grandma's home, and it was a darling place to have a reception. 

Beautiful

More Beautiful!

The cake

Dancing

I don't think I have seen a more darling wedding dance picture than this one, even with a not-so-good quality  photo.

Sigh

Look what I caught! 

No, I did not catch the bouquet.

It was vintage, elegant, and fun--very Kelsi. And when the time came for her to drive away with Ty, I had to withhold tears thinking that this simultaneously meant she is moving away.


 So basically, this post is about the excitement and changes marriages bring, the moving of a best friend, and the addition of a sweet, wonderful sister all because of the best choice anyone will ever make, marriage to an eternal companion.

Arise and Shine Forth: What I Learned about Camping

From our beautiful business-like experience at Sun Valley we drove straight to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho (the opposite side of Idaho) for Youth Conference (we were the coordinators this year). The conference had started earlier that morning, so we knew we would be coming right after they arrived from the swimming complex. We saw some wonderful scenery along the way. 

This was right by a bunch of Lava called Craters of the Moon or something like that...

It was fun to get out and walk around on our long drive.

I love this man so much :)

Then we arrived at the campsite, which I had arranged. *Note: Yes, I Katie arranged the camp location for youth conference. Me. Who knows nothing of camping. I picked Smith's Trout Haven. Sounds delightful doesn't it? Anything with the word "trout" in it adds appeal and intrigue. 

All jokes aside, I was actually pleased with the campsite. It was beautiful near a river with a precarious bridge and cute, old red benches. 

This is where the girls stayed. 

We had fun eating tinfoil dinners, which were actually delicious: meat balls, hash brown patties, cream of mushroom, peas, and carrots. I was so impressed. We had our speaker, the Pocatello institute director, come and speak to us, and he talked about setting goals so the youth could "arise and shine forth"--our theme. We then had a testimony meeting--I always love those. After going to the hot pots, the youth sat around and had s'mores and sang by the campfire. 

At this point, I was in heaven. "I love camping," is what I told Ben over and over again. He doubted my enthusiasm. I loved looking at the stars, the sounds of nature, the tinfoil dinner and the s'mores. What was there not to love!? So we retired in our own little tent without pillows, we forgot those...and after waking up several times in the middle of the night, I woke up to a loud, obnoxious heron for the final time and  announced, "I hate camping!" I got no sleep, was absolutely freezing all night, every joint in my body was aching, and somehow I received eight wondrous mosquito bites. Then and there I decided I like being in nature and then retiring to my OWN bed. 

The next morning we went on a hike to paint the L on Lava Hot Springs. Here are our brave youth, and I mean BRAVE. We hiked with no trail, large paint buckets, and were on the steepest terrain I have ever experienced. 

Did I mention I don't do well with heights? Luckily, the youth are braver than I am and were good sports. They even helped me down the mountain because it was so steep, and I was scared I would slide right on down. Such dear girls :) We then went tubing on the river after our hot and tiring journey. It was a short youth conference with much bonding and I learned, once again, our youth are such examples of "arise and shine forth."