Space Date

June's date was Space themed!!!! I got off work a little early that day, so naturally I decked out the apartment in space themed home-made crafts and surprised Dima when he walked in: 

It had all the essentials: a model of the solar system (complete with fun facts on the back of each planet:

"The big yellow one is the sun!!" - The sun makes up 99.86% of the solar system's mass. It's light takes 8 mins to reach Earth.

Mercury: Smallest planet in our solar system

Venus: is the hottest planet (over 400 C)

Earth: Only planet in our solar system known to have life

Mars: Its surface has vast volcanoes

Jupiter: is two and a half times the mass of all other planets combined!

Saturn: The rings are made up of small ice and rock particles

Uranus: Named after the ancient Greek deity of the sky; also the 1st planet discovered by telescope

Neptune: 1st planet discovered by mathematical prediction

 

 The control station

 the portal

 General space-like decore

After some delicious home-made pizza we headed to the planetarium!!! It was awesome (even if it is a little outdated.... they still had pluto as a planet. Poor Pluto, he was always my favorite one growing up too)! Even as adults we had a blast and learned a thing or two. Then we came home and watched a space movie (The Fifth Element). We planned on doing some star gazing and constellation finding, but it was still light after the planetarium, and too late after the movie. Oh well, for another time I guess!

By the Planetarium they had the annual Chalk Art Festival again where they raise money for an adoption or foster agency or something. So we went back the next day to see the finished product. These were our favorites: (seriously blows my mind!!!!)

TRON Date

For Valentines I gave my dear husband a date each month. For May we did a "movie night". but I had a little more up my sleeve than your average movie and popcorn. We decided on Tron, so to start it out we headed to the arcade

Then we came home and I surprised Dima with our own homemade tron suits!!! And so naturally this was the next logical thing to do:

Here's a better picture of the outfit. We had blue power up juice like in the movie as a snack while we watched :) 

Cotton Anniversary

Our anniversary this year was in the midst of all sorts of things: Dima going out of town for training and Stake Conference the weekend before; and moving out/in to our new apartment the weekend after; and a slew of things going on during the actual day/week. But, Dima was still able to plan an amazing celebration even with the busy schedules.

When we got engaged, Dima told me our good friends had extra tickets to a symphony in Salt Lake and asked if I wanted to go. I immediately said yes, and was sooooooo excited!!!! I'd never really been to a symphony before, and I just LOVE string instruments! So we went to Salt Lake to meet our friends but they were "running late" so we went to memory grove park to walk around while we waited. That is where he proposed to me, and then we took a carriage ride around downtown and went to dinner. Needless to say there was no symphony that night. Which, if I had to choose between the two, I'd definitely choose getting engaged! However, that means I still have never been to a symphony. So this year, that's where Dima took me! We went to a wonderful dinner and then saw the Utah Symphony at Abravanel Hall, and had amazing seats!!  (And, the conductor was awesome - I've never seen anyone get that into conducting! I'm pretty sure he lost a few pounds during that concert...)

Pretty much, I was in heaven, an evening listening to angelic music with my cute hubby by my side and a delicious chocolate oreo shake in my belly! I'd say the husband did pretty well! Thanks again Dima!

So apparently we didn't get any pictures of each other or the artists, we were enjoying it too much. But we did get a picture of the cool statue in the building made of glass:

happy 2 years

Are You My Mother?

I want to wish a happy Mother's Day to the wonderful women in my life. Thank you for your selfless service that often goes unnoticed. Thank you for your love, patience, kindness, and teachings that go on to bless the world. 

First to my sister Nicole. The mother of 3 of the cutest kids I could ever hope to call my nieces and nephews! I've learned so much just from watching as you went through life, knowing I would soon be following; dating, dancing, marriage, and now motherhood. I only wish we lived closer so we could spend more time together and I could see those little cuties of yours more - life just goes too fast. You have a fierce dedication to your family and I know there is nothing more important to you. I love you!

Next to my sister Alicia. While not a mother yet herself, she was like a second mom to me growing up, mixed in with a best friend and sister. She has always been so supportive of me in school, sports, and life choices. I can tell her anything even when I can't find words, and she knows what I'm trying to say. She is protective, loyal, supportive, and has unconditional love. And I don't think there is a better aunt in the world, you can see love gushing out of her when she's with or talks about our niece or nephews. I know she will be a great mother someday because she already is.

Next I want to wish a happy mothers day to all my grandmothers. You are such wonderful mothers and women, that to adequately describe you they had to add "grand" in front of your titles! Thank you for the legacy and name you have given me. Thank you for your faith and the way you have raised your children - your influence continues to bless many as they continue to teach me and their other children. I love you and am so grateful for your wisdom, love, and example.

 

And a very Happy Mother's Day to my дорогой Mama. Thank you for raising such an great man to be my husband. I couldn't have asked for a better mama to inherit. Thank you for taking me in as your own daughter, for the love and kindness you have shown me. You are such an amazing woman, I still marvel at all you have accomplished in your life; at your flexibility and faith. Thank you for being in my life, я тебя очень люблю!

 

Of course no Mother's Day tribute would be complete without mentioning my Mazha. Thank you Mom for all that you have sacrificed to raise Nicole, Lici, and I. Thank you for all the opportunities and experiences; the support, quite service, patience, forgiveness, love, and teaching. You are so much a part of who I am today. There's no way to adequately describe what you mean to me and what you have done for me, but thank you for everything. I love you!

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane (but not for a while...)

So, this summer Dimitriy and I are going to visit Dima's motherland: Ukraine!! I am so excited to see where he grew up, meet the rest of his family, and experience all things Ukrainian! And, while we are all the way over there we just had to plan on visiting a few other countries. It was so hard to pick where to go, there are just so many amazing places in the world! While we were trying to decide, I would get on google maps and just type in "Europe" (Dima still laughs about that) and I would just look at all the countries and cities and see where I gravitated. This is what we finally settled on:

First stop: Odessa!! Then we will spend a day in Kiev before flying out to Prague. From there its a train to Venice, then on to Rome, and we'll finish it up in Switzerland (Interlaken and Gimmelwald)!

We already have our plane and train tickets, and most of our hotels! Once we book the rest of them it is on to planning the activities! So if you have any suggestions on what to see/eat/do feel free to leave them in the comments!!!

Songs I Can't Get Enough Of

What are favorites lately?