Thankful

This year has brought so many extra things to be thankful for.  Each year, I write a gratitude journal entry in honor of Thanksgiving.  It is interesting to go back back and read what I've written over the years.  There are some blessing that I always mention and others that reflect what was going on in my life at the time.  This year it is no surprise that Patrick was top of my list!  I am so, so grateful to have met him.  My life is full of extra joy because of him!

We had very nice holiday weekend.  We spent Thanksgiving day at Noni and Pete's home.  The food was oh so good!  Patrick made a sweet potato casserole that everyone raved about.  I could have eaten only the ham and been a happy girl.  Seriously, it was the best I've ever tasted!

I've really enjoyed getting to know Patrick's family.  It is fun to see the different dynamics our families have.  One of the highlights of the day was watching Pete and his grandchildren ride horses.  He is such a good teacher and the kids were loving every minute of it!  Too bad I was much to full from our Thanksgiving feast.  I would have been right up there riding horses with them!

Friday and Saturday I was able to spend time over at my parent's. (Patrick had to work but he came over Saturday evening).  Most of the siblings were there. (We missed you Montana Jensens!) Aubrey and Austin both have November birthdays so we turned the weekend into a little celebration in honor of them.  There was bowling....

A gingerbread house contest...

The house Patrick and I built.  I thought our marshmallow smoke was pretty creative.

My parents couldn't decide which house was the best. "You're all winners!"

And of course, lots and lots of food. (There was also a wild game of SPOONS, which I wish so badly I could have gotten a picture of !)

Happy Birthday, Aubrey!

Happy Birthday, Austin!

Thanks for giving us an excuse to party! 

The Bridal Shower

This is Heidi...

and this is Kayla.

These ladies know how to throw a party!  

Heidi and Kayla hosted a mustache-themed bridal shower for me.

The shower was so cute and fun!

There was plenty to eat and drink...

The decorations were fantastic (and hilarious, too)...

Everyone gave such wonderful and thoughtful gifts...

And I was surrounded by so many of my fabulous friends.  Who could ask for more?!

*Noor and Zainab*

*Amy and Krystal*

*Paige*

*Amber and Alison*

Sadie, Sadie

We did it!  Throw some confetti and shout hooray!  We are married!

When I called my mom a few days after the wedding, she broke out singing "Sadie, Sadie, Married Lady" which is from one of my all-time favorite musicals, FUNNY GIRL.  It made me so happy!  That song had been playing over and over in my head ever since our wedding day.  I'd been dying  to dance around the apartment belting it out just like Barbra but I worried Patrick would think he had married a crazy women.  So this week I waited until he was gone for a bit and then I danced around the apartment singing it very loudly.
Click here to sing and dance along, too! I am loving being a Sadie!

The wedding weekend couldn't have gone better.  It was a lot of time and preparation to get everything ready and then it seemed to been over in the blink of an eye.  I am excited to blog about everything from the bridal shower to the honeymoon so I can relive some of the memories!

Stay tuned!

A Sunday Drive

Fall. The greatest season of them all!  All the yearlong I dream of sweater weather, pumpkin flavored anything, Farmer's Markets, and those colorful leaves.

Last Sunday, Patrick and I took a drive up Little Cottonwood in search of this...

and this...

but along the way we also found this...

A not-so-subtle reminder that winter is approaching all too fast!

Happy Fall!  Enjoy it while you can!

Mermaid Fins

Last month Patrick and I took a trip to Texas to visit his family.  Last month I lost my camera on our trip to Texas to visit his family.

But don't feel too bad for me.  I found my camera!  Let me tell you, it was like being reunited with an old friend.  I've had this camera for eight years. We've been on so many adventures together.  And although it has seen better days and I always complain about how it doesn't work and I keep saying it is time to get a new camera, I wasn't quite ready for it to be gone for good.

My camera was found at the Salt Lake International Airport.  After I picked it up from the lost and found, I was eager to take a picture of something. Anything.

I had hosted a princess party earlier in the week and had my costume in the washing machine.  I just fill up the washer and clean it by hand.  I had left the costume to soak and when I walked back later, I saw this...

At a quick glance it looked like a mermaid had decided to take a dip in my washing machine.

I was so happy to have my camera back so I could capture this random moment that completely made my day.

Here's to many more random pictures, dear camera!

That Happy Day In August...

One month to the wedding!  Can you believe it?!  In honor of our countdown, I thought I'd share some photos from a very happy August day.

This was the start of the birthday bucket list adventure Patrick planned.  I was very unsuspecting at this point.

Inside the Mount Timpanogos Caves. What exactly is in Patrick's man purse? A little bling-bling, perhaps?

A view from the hike up to the caves.  Can you see the fire in the background?

The famous bucket list!

Showing off my gorgeous new ring!  Seriously, the happiest day of my life!

Backstage at the D-Star

Closing night for "The Addam's Family Home Evening" was exactly one month ago.  I've never had a month go by so quickly.  When does life slow down? Never?!  That's what I thought you'd say.  

It has been fun (and a little stressful) getting ready for the wedding.  I had so much fun performing this past summer at the Desert Star but I'll admit it has been nice to have my evenings free to spend more time with Patrick and also to just get stuff done.

I meant to post these pictures ages ago, but obviously that didn't happen.  Better late than never.  Here's your backstage peek at life at the D-Star...

This picture sums up my experience this summer.  I loved this cast!  What great people!  I was always so excited to get to the theater each night to see everyone.

Here is the view from the wings.   

Mr. and Mrs.Measley.  One thing I don't miss in the least is that wig.  (Sorry to break it to you , Mom.  I know how much you liked it).

The one memory from this show that I will never forget is the night I accidentally punched Corey in the face and  gave him a bloody nose.  Oh man, I still feel bad whenever I think about it.  Who knew I had such a strong right hook?

I had to leave myself notes everywhere so I wouldn't forget to put on my character's engagement ring.  One day another actor saw one of my notes and asked if that was a reminder for Patrick to buy me a ring. Ha. It was so fun to share the news of our engagement with the cast.  "We're ENGAGED!" (nasally voice).

 As wonderful as my summer was I am excited to take a little time off from the theater world and prepare my newest role... being a wife. (Cheesy, but true).