A Year of Dates: May

Color Me Mine has been on my date wishlist for quite sometime so into the Year of Dates book it went.

Painting pottery together turned out to be just as lovely of an evening as I had imagined.

We enjoyed looking at all the different pieces together and deciding what we needed/wanted most for our home and then choosing the perfect colors. Patrick chose a spoon rest (I had been wanting one forever!) and I went with a vase because I've been hoping to make some paper flowers to add a bit of color to our living room.

I think it was best that we went on this date as a married couple.  I had to concentrate so hard while painting.  I don't think I could have kept up the small talk you usually do when you are on a date trying to get to know someone. I just can't multitask like that!

Patrick is such a good sport about doing crafty projects with me.

Just so you know, we did go home and watch some Top Gear.

We try to take turns deciding what to do together so that it doesn't turn into cake making and crafts every single weekend.

 

Here are the finished projects!

I had the hardest time getting photos that show how nicely our pieces turned out.

You'll just have to see them in person because we are so happy with the results!

Celebrating at the Zoo

Guess who just turned 2?

This cool kid, that's who!

Some of the family was able to meet up earlier this week for a day at the Hogle Zoo to celebrate Grant's birthday.

The Zoo is always a great outing, but it was especially fun to go with Grant and see his reactions to all the animals.

I love seeing life through the eyes of a child!

Aubrey, Grant, Jay, Baby Esther, Austin, Mom, Garrett, and me.

(We were sad that Dad and Patrick were both working and had to miss out on the fun.)

A Spontaneous Sidewalk Performance

As I drove to the Utah Children's Theatre studio in Bountiful last week, I was greeted by artists busy at work creating art on Main Street's sidewalks. My little musical theater students were excited by this surprise as well. They were especially fond of an elephant being drawn just feet from the studio's front door. These kids are preparing for our upcoming production of "Jungle Book" in which they are performing the musical number Colonel Hathi's March as elephants.  They asked if they could practice the song for the artist working on the elephant and I agreed with their cute idea.

 The kids did great with their spontaneous performance and all the people milling around Main Street applauded them.  They are the sweetest group of girls and I have absolutely loved teaching them this past year.

I was able to wandered around Main Street after I was done teaching that evening. A few of my favorite things were found in chalk form...

 Princesses...

 Pigs...

And plentiful color!

My Favorite Face

 Whether framed in colorful glasses,

 Used as a canvas to practice my painting skills on,

Or covered in a chewing gum mishap, 

This face is always my very favorite!

I love you, handsome Husband.

Mother's Day

Whenever I make a trip to my all-time favorite grocery store, Sprouts Farmers Market, 

I can't help but stop and admire the beautiful sunflowers they have for sale.

They so bright, welcoming, and happy!

I decided if my mom were a flower, she be a sunflower because those words describe her perfectly, too!

I knew Mother's Day was the perfect time to finally purchase the long admired flowers. 

I asked Patrick if he'd stop and pick them up since he'd be passing a Sprouts during his drive home from work. He not only agreed, he also made sure to pick up a second bouquet for me.

How did that guy know I was secretly hoping for some flowers of my own?!

I always feel grateful for the opportunity to do something special to celebrate my mom.

She is an incredible woman and I know each of us children recognize the enormous role she has played in our lives. 

We would not be who we are today without her constant love and guidance.

We love you, Mom!

A Spring Temple Date

The temple and tulips. A perfect spring date with my love.

M is for...

M is for...

Mandi? Marks? Montana?

Well yes, but in this post...

M is for Missoula!

Missoula is my second home. During my teenage years, I spent multiple days each week in town for ballet classes. I also lived there the year after I graduated from the Canadian College of Performing Arts.

Many of my fondest memories and experiences took place there.

And Missoula is where I met so many dear friends.

I could go on and on about why I love Missoula but instead I'll share some photos and you can fall in love with it yourself!

We stayed a night at the City Center Motel. It was cheap and in walking distance of all the places I wanted to bring Patrick.
Can't beat that, right?

According to Patrick, "This is the nicest cruddiest place I've ever stayed."
I thought the motel had a sort of retro charm.

Kitty-corner from the motel was the Missoula Children's Theatre. On the 3rd floor is where I took ballet classes, the bottom level is where I trained for my summer as a tour actor/director, and the beautiful theater is where I performed in the musicals "Beauty and the Beast" and Damn Yankees."
Yep, when in Missoula this is usually where I could be found!

A trip to Missoula is not complete without visiting the famous carousel.

A work in progress back in the workshop. This bison is being custom made for a carousel in Canada.

Patrick won the golden ring! If you have been to A Carousel for Missoula before, you know what a big deal that is. 

Caras Park

This guy is fun. I think I will take him on more trips with me.

The Wilma

Patrick and I can always agree on pizza. Mackenzie River Pizza Co. is a local favorite and they offer GF crust so it was a no-brainer.

It was hard to leave Montana. I just feel so at home when I am there. 

It was as close to perfect as a trip can get, and I couldn't be happier that Patrick has now become such a fan of my home state, too.

More Montana Moments

Here are a few moments to remember from our Montana trip...

<Four wheeler rides with Patrick>

 <Showing off the "backyard">

<Watching Patrick race the pocket bike>

No photo documentation but still worth mentioning...

<Watching Patrick as the Mission Mountains came into view>

 <Visiting my dear Amish friend, Chris, at the Mission General Store>

<Nicole's enchiladas. I could have eaten that deliciousness every meal of our trip!>

<Catching up with Katie at the Good Food Store and meeting her new little one>

<Feeling at home>