Monticello 24th of July

My dad grew up in Monticello, UT. A tiny little town in the lower eastern corner of the state. I hadn't been there in a few years so Ella and I tagged along with my parents and grandparents to celebrate the 24th of July there and also so my dad could go to his 40th high school reunion!!

Eating at a restaurant on our way to Monticello. Ella is pulling a silly face. Pictured: Grandma and Grandad Carter, Mom, Ella, Dad.

It was so good to visit with family that I hadn't seen in too long. Pictured: Mom, Ella, Aunt Ann (dad's sister), Dad.

Ella rode a horse all by herself! To be honest she just SAT on the horse all by herself. She kept using the excuse that she needed her dad to take her for a ride (he was back in KY). Really she was just a little nervous and didn't want to admit it.

Ella and Uncle Gary (dad's brother). Ella loved Uncle Gary's house because he had a puppy and a kitty.

Ella and cousin Ryan. Ella loves the boys!

Ella and Ryan again at the parade.

Showing me all her candy. I couldn't believe how much she got. I think she got more at this one parade then she did trick-or-treating last year!

Me and my cute girl at the parade.

They had a tractor pull after the parade. This was one of the old tractors that they had for show. I thought it was pretty cool.

The Green Show

Every night during the Shakespearian Festival in Cedar City, UT they put on a little show before the plays for the night. They sing and dance and act silly. It's something that we always try and go to at least once when we are in town.

Everyone just finds a spot on the grass to enjoy the show. (pictured: Lyndsie, Dad, Ella, Mom)

Ladies walk around and sell treats and programs. We got a sucker from this lady.

The Old Stomping Grounds

Brad and I met and SUU and Brad graduated from there, so one day Ella and I took a walk around campus. SUU has a gorgeous campus full of trees and grass.

I really wanted to get a picture of this clock tower. It's the Carter Carillon. My Grandad Carter and Uncles have done a lot of building on this campus and this clock tower is named after them.

I also wanted to get a picture of this handsome fella. That's Brad back in the day. He was on SUU's track team and was an awesome athlete. They have this picture of him in the old P.E. building at the school. One day I am going to get a copy of it. Ella asked how he got down from there.

Lunch With The Girls

I am so lucky to have some of the best friends ever. And I've had them since elementary school. We try to get together when we can. We met up at the usual place, The Pizza Factory, for lunch. Three out of four of us worked there through high school and college! Good times.

Pictured: Ella and Me, Dayton and Tiffany, Hayley, Angela, and baby Jack in front (Hayley's baby)

Ella and Dayton loved baby Jack! They couldn't get enough of him.

5K Run

Earlier this summer I had a laps in judgment and talked myself into doing a 5k run downtown. My good friend Chelsea ran with me. It was actually a really fun run through downtown and halfway over the bridge to Indiana over the Ohio River. It was worth it just for the views! I just might do it again next year. Maybe I'll even train for it more than two days in advance like I did this year ;) But probably not....

Crossing the finish line.

Never go running with braided damp hair in a humid climate. This will be the result if you do. A giant clump of hair that is impossible to brush out!

Me and Chels after the race. She creamed me, but it was still fun. Hey Chels, remember how that mascot came into the crowd before the race started and I screamed really loud and started to cry because he came to close to me (I have a serious phobia of people dressed up in costumes) and everyone was staring at us? I do....

I just had to throw this photo in. This big man in the black tank top and red shorts was Chelsea's running buddy. haha

Brad's Birthday

Brad had his birthday at the end of July. His Mom was in town and was able to celebrate with us!

Yummy ice-cream cake! And the candles are 24 + 4 single candles= 28. I had to scramble to find ANY candles in the house. This happened to me last year. I'm never prepared with candles for birthday cakes.

Grandma Sharon lighting the candles.

The birthday boy!

Birthday kisses! Love you honey :0)

It's Raining It's pouring

How cute is this....

Sorry it's so dark, no light on the camera

Graduation. Yay!

Earlier this month Brad graduated with his Masters in Public Health from UofL.  It was so fun to see him all dressed up in his little cap and gown and watch him get his fake diploma (they send you the real one later).  He worked so hard in school and I am so proud of him.  

It's a fairly new and small program so the ceremony was short and sweet.  Here are just a few pictures.

Brad and a couple of buddies in his class getting ready for the ceremony

Getting seated

They had a tiny little band to play the music for them.  They were pretty good.

Ella was great during the whole thing.  Probably because I let her eat a bag of peanut M&M's to keep her busy!

My handsome husband, me, my mom, Ella and my dad

Brad wouldn't put his cap on for any pictures, but he looked really cute in it.  You will just have to use your imagination :)  Congratulations sweetheart.  I know how hard you worked in school and I couldn't be more proud of you!

Parents Come to Visit

My parents flew out for a little visit for the first time!  It was so good to see them and I was so excited to show them the place we have called home for the past two years (I can't believe we've lived here for two years already)!!  We did a whole lot of stuff that we have never done before so it felt like we were on a mini vacation in our own city!  It was a blast and they spoiled us rotten.  Ella loved having her grandma and grandpa here and was sad when she woke up from her nap and realized they were gone!  Here are some pics of some of the things we did.

THE ZOO

Ella and Grandma on the baby elephant

The lions were out and about which is totally unusual.  They usually just lay there and stare at the giraffes next door.

Grandma and Grandpa on the train ride.

Ella being her cute and silly self

The four of us in front of the zoo sign after a fun day seeing all the animals

CHURCHILL DOWNS

This was one of the things we did with my parents that Brad and I have never done before.  Because Brad was graduating his class had a day at the downs.  I have to say it was pretty fun to watch the horses race.  Even though we didn't bet anything it was pretty exciting watching the horses race to the finish line!

Barbaro's statue in front of Churchill Downs

Grandpa and Grandma in front of the race track and infield

The guy in the red came out and blew his little horn before every race

Brad had tickets to the Presidents Box and was able to get some extra ones so we could enjoy the view from the top.  I must say, I could get used to that kind of lifestyle.  It was so nice up there and it was catered too so there was food and delicious cake and all the diet Pepsi I could ever want.  Let me tell you, it was fabulous!

View of the horses rounding the corner from the top

Ella and Grandma cuddling in between races.  Silly Ella, she was being camera shy. 

The racing horses exercise in this little area before their races and you can go and watch them.  Ella loved it and she made herself comfortable in between these two random men.  

LOUISVILLE SLUGGER BAT MUSEUM

 

Me, Ella and my parents in front of the Slugger Museum

My dad and Brad trying to see what the Babe is looking at

Checking out the game used bats.  They let you hold them but you have to wear gloves before you can touch them.  

  

Ella holding Mickey Mantles game used bat

My dad holding Mickey Mantles game used bat

My parents, Ella and I sitting on the stone mitt in the museum.  The artist who made this mitt is one of the mom's that I used to nanny for.  She is really talented.

 Ella playing t-ball in the kids play area.  I see baseball in her future!