The KP and Bessey Wedding Festivities

It finally came: the KP and Bessey wedding!!! Ever since Kaylyn and Ryan decided to seal the deal, I have been anxious for them to start their new lives together. Congrats to them!!! It was a weekend full of wedding festivities. It all began on Friday night with a wedding reception in Bountiful, UT. I arrived at the reception hall and was soon surrounded by some of my closest friends from DC. It was a little strange to see them all in Utah. I enjoyed the reception. I especially enjoyed seeing my old roommate Erin that I have not seen for five months. Jenell sang the song "It feels like home" with Trent as her accompaniment. They both did a great job.

The groom and bride all dressed up.

Diana and Derek * Jay and Peter

Me, Kaylyn, and Erin * Jenell and Trent gave a great performance

The next day was the actual sealing in the Bountiful temple. It was the first sealing I had attended. It was simple and beautiful. I thought it was perfect. The sealer talked a lot about how to treat your spouse and their eternal relationship. Of course, I teared up. Then we went outside to take photos. It was freezing and the wind was blowing.

Kaylyn with the Bennington Boys * Kaylyn and I

Matt and I -- just love going to the temple with Matt * Michael and Matt shivering

Later that day there was a wedding luncheon at the Eaglewood Reception Center. It was so much fun to sit down for a lunch with so many people I love. All the people there said a few words of encouragement and gave some advice to the couple. The best statement was this "I was Kaylyn's human reproduction teacher. She tried to use her sister as her lab partner....but that did not work. Now she has a great lab partner." We all laughed so so so hard!!! Matt and I said a few words together. I reminded them to live their lives like their first date - go to the temple, laugh, stay close to friends, have fun together, and treat each other well. Matt told them to do fun things together like when they both jumped off of a balcony into a swimming pool at Duck Beach.

We also had to say goodbye (for now) to Jenell since she has moved to UT. It was sad to say goodbye to such a good friend.

Ryan and Kaylyn Bessey's first dance being married * After slicing the cake

Public Service Announcement# 71: I thought this was interesting http://www.ehow.com/how_2144112_plan-perfect-wedding-kiss.html

Adventures with Collin

You might think this of the picture above: "That is in the middle of no where." You would be correct. This is where Collin, my nephew, and I's adventure begins. We were driving home when the car began to stop on the highway. The steering wheel was difficult to turn and the car was making an obnoxious beeping sound. I was able to pull off onto this road before the car died. I called my mother and the waiting began. To keep entertained I asked Collin what he would like to do. He wanted to take "silly pictures." We took silly pictures and then made videos of Collin singing and making a video narration of our adventure. Collin was great the entire time. He laughed a lot and did not get upset once.

My mom arrived and could not find what was wrong with the car. We all go into her car and then drove to find my father so he could tow the car. We did not know where my father was located. Collin stated that he would look at his invisible map. He stated that he was the only one that could see the map but unfortunately he was unable to read. However, he was able to tell us that his grandpa would be at the farm. He was correct. When asked how he knew he stated, "because I am so smart." We ended up towing the car back home where we located a bolt that came off and caused the serpentine belt to fall off.

Most of our experiences in life can be looked at in different ways. We can either choose to be upset and angry about a struggle or we can make the best of it. I have found many wonderful experiences that have come out of times when I could have been frustrated but instead I chose to make an adventure out of it all. Today I remembered how much it helps to have someone with you that can also laugh and make the best of an experience.

Video of our Adventure

Public Service Announcement #70: Want to make an adventure out of life? Click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2112366_life-adventure.html

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas

Christmas morning started at 7:00 am when Collin called and told me that Santa had come to his house. We drove to my brother's home and watched Collin and Carlee open their presents. Santa was very generous to Collin and Carlee this year.

Collin had asked for a Squawkers McCaw parrot for Christmas. He was very excited when he opened it and was able to play with Squawkers. Me, my brother Justin and sister-in-law Amber all played with Squawkers for almost an hour. I even taught him to say "Your mom." We laughed so much and played with him for much more time then Collin. Carlee was sick that morning but started to feel better in the afternoon so she was able to start playing with her toy piano and dolls.

The rest of the day was filled with eating and playing. We had a yummy breakfast of pumpkin pancakes with vanilla ice cream and then a delicious turkey dinner. One of our favorite activities of the day was playing guitar hero and dance revolution. The kids loved to dance around the room while the adults all gave the games a try.

We had a beautiful white Christmas

Public Service Announcement # 69: http://www.ehow.com/how_2063203_blend-christmas-tradition-religion.html

Christmas Eve Traditions

When I was a child, my favorite day was Christmas Eve. I loved the intense feeling of anticipation for Santa and trying to stay up as late as possible. However, I loved this day mostly because my entire Brewer side of the family would meet at my grandparents home. Not only do we meet with my aunts, uncles, and first cousins but we also have my great uncle and aunt that join us. On Christmas Eve, we would eat a big meal, lots of pie, give each other presents, watch old family videos, and go caroling/ deliver cookies and gifts to other families. This is a Swedish tradition that came from my Grandpa Anderson. Now the focus is no longer on the gifts but on spending time together.

Our favorite Christmas Eve activity is playing the card game Scum. We all trash talk each other and laugh constantly. My Grandmother Brewer is the worst offender of the trash talk. She is very sassy and says whatever she likes. She becomes very animated if you stand in her way. A few years ago she even hit (ever so lightly) a guest of my brother. This year was no different with the trash talk but this time she only struck me (ever so lightly.) My grandmother Brewer and I are a lot alike. She still enjoys dancing, singing, and being sassy yet sweet.

Mom and I in the kitchen * Gram Brewer making meringue * Collin checking out the pies

The entire family eating dinner

This is my favorite holiday decoration. It is a Christmas goat that is part of a traditional Swedish Christmas. This Christmas goat was brought to the USA by my great-great grandmother when she came from Sweden. It has been passed down the family line and will actually be going to me next!!!!

Cousins Thad and Kaitlyn with Carlee * Brother Levi * Me with Carlee and Collin

Public Service Announcement #69: For more Swedish Christmas traditions click here http://www.ehow.com/how_11732_celebrate-swedish-christmas.html

Bowling with the Jensen Family

Kami, Carlee, Eric, mom, dad, me, Collin

When my brothers and I were young we would go bowling as a family. We had not gone for a while so we decided it was time. We arrived at the Alley, laced up our bowling shoes, searched for our bowling balls that we have used for the last 15 years, and put up the bumpers for Collin. We all had a great time together. Collin gave us a victory dance whenever he knocked down some pins and Carlee entertained us with her ability to discover every crook and cranny of the building. Most of us had an average score with the exception of my dad getting a 205!!! It was such a fun activity and was made perfect with the music in the background: all 90 era songs that would be featured on Delilah.

Collin and Carlee watch on

Collin and I -- he always has silly faces when taking pictures

Public Service Announcement#68: I think that we taught Collin each of these bowling rules/ etiquette http://www.ehow.com/how_5156_practice-bowling-etiquette.html

Ghost of Christmas Past

So here I am sitting at the Denver airport just waiting for my flight to the Idaho Falls airport, where my mother will be anxiously awaiting my arrival. During my flight today from DC, I could not help recount the past Christmas flights that I have taken. I especially remembered last years fiasco/ blessing.

So there I was in the Baltimore airport very excited to go home for Christmas. It was the 21st of December. I arrived early (via the MARC train) at the airport to beat some of the crowds and not be too stressed about travelling. However, when I arrived I soon found out that all flight into Denver were canceled. My flight was to go through Denver to Salt Lake City. I waited in line for an hour and a half only to be told that the next available flight they could offer me would be leaving on the 24th. That was completely unacceptable. I asked them if they could get me anywhere near Utah....maybe Vegas, maybe Boise??? Alas, they could get me nowhere. I was feeling defeated and I called my mother with the terrible news. She consoled me as I took the bus back to the train. When I was about to get on the train she called me and said, "don't get on that train. I am buying you a ticket to Las Vegas that will leave in a few hours." She did not know how I would get home from Vegas but she said that she would drive to get me if that was what it would take (8 hours.) I was in tears and so happy to be anywhere near home. I went back to the airport with the biggest of smiles.

I received another phone call from my oldest brother, Eric. He stated that the roads would be icy and he did not think it would be safe for me to drive home from Vegas. I told him it would be okay. He refused to accept it and he said that he would buy me a ticket from Vegas to Idaho Falls. I was in tears and he was in tears and my mom was in tears. I profusely thanked him for his love and generosity. I was taken back of how such an awful event could lead me to feel so much gratitude for my family. I realized that they were people that would do anything for me and that I was extremely blessed to have them in my life. The trip worked out perfectly. I flew into Vegas just in time to watch BYU win the Vegas bowl and storm the field!!! I spent the night and took an early flight to Idaho Falls were I was greeted by my mother, father, brother, and nephew.

Public Service Announcement # 67: Some hints on how to enjoy your holiday http://www.wikihow.com/Special:LSearch?fulltext=Search&search=christmas+travel

4 Christmas parties, 2 states, 1 magical night

I first want to start off by thanking Mary for the title of this post. It is a great title.

Saturday was the night of Christmas parties. Mary and I had been preparing for a week for an Ugly Christmas Sweater party. I decided to use an old, red fleece jacket of my own and the add some embellishments. I added two pockets. One was a snowman and the other was a Christmas tree. The sweater was a little boring so I added a some miniature lights to make the Christmas tree pop. Mary found a fugly sweater at JCPennys. Then she added some red, feather cuffs and a red bird that was adorned with sparkles. We were looking fantastic!!!

The night started out with 12 of us caravanning to the Ugly Sweater party in Potomac, MD. We got to the house, which was beautiful and decorated for the holidays. At the home, we all took turns taking pictures in front of the Christmas tree. We were laughing so hard about all the poses we were coming up with. Then we gathered some people around the piano and we all sang Christmas carols (poorly but loud.) However, not that many people would join us.

Then all 12 of us drove a few miles away for another party that Mary had been invited to attend. We all walked in together and we made quite the scene. We quickly searched for the Christmas tree and proceeded to take many family portraits with the family dog. We must have caused such a commotion because everyone came scurryin' to see what was the matter. We took some fantastic photos and then again gathered everyone around the piano for some Christmas caroling. This time everyone sat in the room and sang together. We sounded much better with more voices to help carry us.

Group photo at party # 2

Joe, me, Andy * Joe and Andy with the host (and her dog)

Stephanie, Andy, Me, piano man, Mary and Brad all ready to sing

We all enjoyed our time in Maryland but it was time to head back to Northern Virginia. So we all hopped into our vehicles and drove back to Arlington for our 3rd party of the evening. We agreed that we should keep alive our tradition of Christmas tree pictures and Christmas caroling. So when we arrive at the 3rd party, we huddled around the door, knocked, and then proceeded to carol "We wish you a Merry Christmas". We were received with a round of applause and hearty hugs. We found what was the closest thing to a tree (see the photo below) and then danced a little. However, they were getting ready to end the party (12:30 am).

Stephanie and Mary by a completely electronic tree

We did not feel like we could end our night-o-parties so we drove back to Katie M.'s home and started our own dance party with just 11 of us. We played it stake dance style. There were some songs for fast dances and some for slow dances. Andy and I practiced a few lifts and I even did a leap. We danced for an hour and then wrapped the party up with taking a picture in front of the Christmas tree. All in all it was a fabulous night, even if I woke up the next morning asking myself, "Did I really do leaps in front of my friends last night."

Andy and Mary slow dance

Public Service Announcement # 67: If you'd like to have fun at a party read this http://www.wikihow.com/Be-the-Life-of-a-Party