Girl's Weekend: Chicago

I just got back from a weekend in Chicago with my mom and sisters. I had really low expectations for the city (don't know why) but I loved it. It was beautiful and clean and artsy. I barely got my camera out so excuse the lack of pictures. The only one I have is at the Cloud Gate by Kapoor. I call it the Giant Bean. It was pretty cool though, especially underneath it.
The whole trip was pretty fun, too. We went to my mom's violin shop and listened to her play some beautiful violins. That was really fun. It kind of made my fingers itch to play again but I don't sound like she does.
The Art Institute of Chicago was our next destination. I really enjoyed the little museum and the art community around it. Food and spa pampering was also a highlight Friday.
Saturday was shopping day. I held up pretty well for the first part of the day. My sisters all have a higher endurance and passion for shopping than I. I am excited about my new shoes and sweaters, though.
We went to a local ward for Sacrament meeting and I was surprised to recognize one of the missionaries names in the program - the ones that the ward sent out and encourages writing to - he served in Baytown when we were there last Fall and was the only Thank You note I ever got after having the missionaries over for dinner.
Sunday brunch...2.5 hours...what more needs to be said.
Anyway, it was a good trip. It was fun to see my sisters and mom and get caught up a little on what each one of them is doing. And it is good to be back home and back with my husband.

Walked and Walked and Walked AND Walked

Among the old stuff we have been going through were some disposable cameras. I got them developed and found pictures from a pioneer trek quite a few years ago. This is the only dress/piece of clothing that I have ever made (I made the apron and the bonnet, too). I have fond memories of making that dress and I was very proud of it. I am kind of sad that I ruined it by wearing it on the trek.

Wade Bowling

Phil, Jen and Wade joined us Friday night for dinner and bowling. Dinner was good. I altered my falafel recipe and I am very happy about it. On the other hand, we are not very good at bowling. Jen was the only one to break 100 the first round. But, we still had a good time.

Afterward, Mark found a new game that he was better at...Wade Bowling...

Don't worry, no one was hurt in the filming of this video.

Let's Take a Vote

Anyone think Mark and Paul are excited to move to Texas this summer?

A Walk in the Park

Today was a beautiful, warm, sunny day despite threatening rain this morning. I also recently discovered that we are about a block away from the trail Provo River. So this afternoon we put the two together and had a stroll.
I look forward to the rest of Spring.

Flashback

My mom had a box of old cameras and random other tech stuff which Mark and I are trying to sell for her. Last night, we had a real good time going through it all.This was a really old video camera. Sweet!

The older digital cameras still had pictures on them. Here is a sampling...

Goggle Tans and Angry Men

While Steve and Kalina were in town, we went skiing/snowboarding with Steve, Phil, and Jen. It was really fun, and we all came away with goggle tans, though I was actually more of a Rudolph.After the day in Park City, we went with Steve and Kalina to PMT's Twelve Angry Men. I have always really like the movie - with Henry Fonda - and the play lived up to expectations. They did a great job. It was really fun afterward discussing the preconceived notions of each of the characters and how they overcame them (or not). If you haven't seen the play or the movie, I highly recommend renting it!

Pool Woes

Last week, after an Engineering dinner Mark and I stayed at the Wilk and played some pool.Pretty much, we were horrible.
Mark won each time, either coming from behind or I would knock the 8 ball in. Like I said, we are pretty bad, especially me...and apparently, I look creepy when I play.