How to finish off 2011

My real live tree!


Sofia...in a pretty dress from her khala!


Watching A Muppet Christmas Carol by an open fire the eve before Christmas Eve.

Annual Kelm Kandy Houses. Gummy Army men this year,
instead of gummy dinosaurs.

And the even more traditional...the destroying of the candy houses!!!
This year, throwing them off the roof in style with our visiting Arizona Kelms. The grandparents scored each throw.


Jacob's Toss...



Jayden's Toss



Jessica's Toss.



Jocelyn's Toss.



Tamara's toss.



Jocelyn Darling herself with the Gorgeous Tamara. Twins...can you tell?

Kelm Band, featuring the Arizona and Texas Kelms.

We sang the "Happy Song", "Sad Song", "Excited Song", and "Loud & Quiet Song"

Then we played our instruments to Christmas songs.

Grandpa and Grandma Kelm eventually decided if you can't beat them, join them!

And after a long day of adventure, Jayden was all worn out and declared-
"I'm done!", and sat down.

I agree with Jayden, 2011 has been a long year....

Can't wait to see what adventures 2012 holds! Here we come...

The One Where A Kelm Gets Married

Meet the new Mrs. Kelm...Emily Jane Kelm. She married and was sealed to my brother
Michael Wolfgang on December 28, 2011 in the San Antonio, Texas Temple.


Here is the grooms cake my mom and I made. It had crushed Heath bar in the middle with a border of snickers bars.





Coming out of the temple.

With their parents.

Downloading this picture from my phone to the computer did funny things to this picture. Too bad, it was a cute one.

How many people get to have both sets of grandparents attend their wedding? We are blessed.


We didn't match on purpose. Well, we planned the purple, but didn't know we would both show up with our China pearls.


The day was great. Nothing we couldn't handle.

Best quote of the day was by my 10 year old cousin- "So Tamara, how come your younger brother is getting married before you?" Good thing she is adorable!

Congrats to the happy couple.

New Year's Eve Eve Pity Party

Pity Party

Throwing myself a 5 minute pity party.
I will return to my normal, happy, positive self shortly.
I really have no good reason to complain.
But here is the thing...

I hate New Year's Eve.

I don't want to hate it. I want to celebrate it big.
I want to dance my heart out to good music with lots of friends.
I want to count down loudly, and cheer at the top of my lungs.
I want to sing that song I don't know the words to.
But really, I want the kiss at midnight by a man who is crazy about me.
Never had that chance, so everything else seems to be a disappointment.

That is why I hate New Year's Eve.

My second best option is a small group of close friends,
and a glass of Martinelli's Sparkling cider.
Not so bad. It will have to do.

So really my life is not all that bad.

Maybe I need to follow this advice from the San Diego Zoo.



"Tigers usually live alone, but communicate up to a mile away by roaring. A mother roars to call her wandering cubs. Adults roar after catching food. They also roar "I'm looking for a mate." Sometimes a roar means "Don't bother me. Stay away".
Tigers know the difference. "

Rooooooooaaaaarrrrr!!!!!!!
(and that doesn't mean "Don't bother me. Stay away".)

Christmas Letter 2011

I decided rather than a Christmas letter, I'd do a Christmas Blog.

I have much to be grateful for and proud of this year.

I did not get what I wanted for Christmas, but that is not anybody's fault. Hearts desires are not to be granted upon demand. And I had an experience this month I anticipated that would break my heart, but it just left it tender. What I have learned this year is that my life is too full and rich to sit and boo-hoo about what I do not have! Here are my top 10 Riches of 2011!

Richness #1
I got my very own apartment! See the table I bought and put together all by myself?



Richness #2
Made a new record in running a 5K- 26:30.
Could not have done it that fast without my friend by my side.


Richness #3
Built up my "mommy resume". Went to Six Flags and Sea World with Amanda. We rode roller coasters so that one day we will be super cool moms.


Richness #4
Added 4 new temple to my list of temples attended. Travelled to see old college roommates, dear friends, precious family, and create new memories in new places.

Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Easter Sunday

Hutchison Family after an Easter Egg Hunt.

Mesa Temple

Cousin Jessica and her cute kiddo DJ

More cousins, Jessica and Jocelyn, and my aunt JoAnn

D.C Temple

Aunt T and Linnea, she helped me bake cookies.


On to Nashville where I sang at the Grand Ole Opry with famous Shaleen Weston.


Mission Beach, San Diego with Michelle Clements.

San Diego Temple...as beautiful as I imagined it would be!


Richness #5
Dared to continue to love with courage and bravery!



Richness #6
The Kelm family was back together again in June, 2011 when Michael returned from Australia.




Richness #7
Learned to make new food, including Korean BBQ and virgin pina coladas!

Melissa (center) thinks she is Asian. So for her birthday I made several Korean dishes.


Richness #8
Went shooting! LOVED it!


Richness #9
Completed my first year as a PTA, in a profession I really love!



Richness #10
Next week will be the wedding of my youngest brother to his sweet heart Emily Jane. I'm going to have a sister for the first time ever!

Merry Christmas all! And a most Happy New Year!

Shooting, Mariachi, and Salsa Dancing!

December December...where have you gone? Already the 20th really?
Yikes! Time flies.

Here are a few things I did this month...


That is me with a 22 pistol!


I got some lessons on how to load and safety from the good friend who lent them to me, and then took another friend shooting for his birthday. I borrowed three pistols, a 22, 9mm, and 45mm. Wow, talk about kickback, the 9 and 45 were a bit much for me but so fun to shoot! I totally looked like I knew what I was doing!


Then there were two rifles we borrowed. Semi-automatics are fun! The guy next to us let us shoot a few rounds with his rifle that had a scope. We shot from 100 yards away and just about got a bulls eye!


I can't believe how much I really enjoyed shooting!


Then later in the month I went to a wedding of a family friend - Mariano Ruiz.

America Forster (Ruiz) and I at the reception. She is Mariano's sister, and one of my best/longest friends. It was fun getting all pretty for the night.

America's girls Faith and Angel with their Tia Tamara!


Mariano was Paul's counselor in the Elder's Quorum Presidency at one point, so I got to hang out with him at the reception for a bit as well.

What I don't have a picture of is the salsa dancing I did with a complete stranger from Mexico. Some young guy named Jesus. He spun me around and it was a blast!

I also sang some mariachi songs with Jose Ruiz (Mariano's dad) and danced to the mariachi band with my dad.

Life is good. Oh to be young and Me!

UT Brazilian Ensemble at Jovita's - Asa Branca

Gente! Meu Pai....Orlando R. Kelm..once again, back by popular demand! Isn't this awesome?

Sisters

I don't have a sister.

It's okay.
Look at these handsome men I have for brothers...

And one of them is going to get me a sister-in-law soon!
(The other better find me another one in the future.)

But I've had something just as special since 1992.
Yep, that is 21 years!
We have been friends since riding the bus together in
6th grade to Westview Middle School.

I lovingly call them Nadiaandnatasha...they get lumped together.
(For some reason I have always put Nadia's name first,
although I love Natasha just as much.)
They are pretty much my sisters.




Yesterday I got to spend hours and hours with my sisters.
We did what we have always done:
talked about boys,
went shopping (see the fun hats and headbands?),
and ate delicious food together.



I sure do love them!