4th of July in Kentucky

 One of my favorite memories growing up was that of being in Campbellsville for the 4th of July.  I looked forward to that particular day every year.  There was always something about seeing my town filled with lots of people, enjoying the festivities and having a great time.  The balloons were always my favorite and I didn't mind getting up EXTREMELY early to be able to see them lift off.

Since moving to Maryland we haven't had the chance to go back and enjoy the 4th in Campbellsville.  This year -- since it was on a Friday, we took a few extra days and made the trip.  The weather was absolutely perfect, the balloons got to fly and there was a lot of people in town!  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect 4th of July!

We didn't get up to go to the balloon race on Friday morning, but the balloons decided to come to us!  They flew over my parents house that morning and we got to enjoy them anyway!  We also didn't go to the city lake that night to watch them pass over (the girls were having too much fun in the back yard) but 1 of the balloons decided to land in the parking lot right behind my parents!  

This trip truly did bring back so many memories for me when I was a child -- and still loved every minute of being able to enjoy a hometown 4th of July.

Happy 4th Birthday Layla

I can't believe that we are already celebrating 4 years.  How did that happen?  I feel like she should just be walking by now.  

On her birthday, she wanted us to take her to dinner.  Okay...we can do that.  So where would our 4 year old want to go?  "I want to go to the Firehouse place that has rice and noodles..." Where in the world is that?  Brent and I kept naming places that it might be -- nope, none of them.  So I asked Layla if she could tell me where it was.  Yeah..It wasn't far from here, and there was a parking lot close by...After realizing it was in a close shopping center, we figured out that she wanted to go to the Hibachi place. Remember, she is 4!!!!

Once we got there, it was a bit loud at another table and she decided that's not where she wanted to be...Sorry, child. This is where we are eating!   She soon decided it was okay and she ate her rice, noodles, chicken and shrimp!

And of course you have to have dessert...So Yolavie it is! 

For months, Layla has talked about having an "Elsa Water Party".  What is that you ask?  It's the character from Frozen -- and she wanted to have her party at the pool.  We hesitated about having it at our pool, but decided that we would try it since most of the people we would invite would be in the neighborhood anyway.  We also decided to have it later on in the day -- when the pool was the least busy!

My Daddy Is....

We have been talking a lot about Father's Day over the last few weeks because Layla's birthday is the day after.  She was very excited for Father's Day this year and was talking about the many things she wanted to do/get for her daddy this year.  First, she wanted to buy her daddy and suit and cute pair of shoes.  Since he already has a few suits, she decided a Baysox game would be just what he wanted for Father's Day!

One night, she looked at him and said:  "Daddy, you are unique, kind, smart, and cheerful."   What great ways to describe her daddy.  She loves spending time with him and is starting to share several common interests with him -- one being baseball!!!  I think we had a great Father's Day weekend!

Layla and daddy enjoying the Baysox game.

Practicing our writing skills with daddy.

Visiting Ocean City for the First Time

Before Layla was born, Brent and I would get in the car and just drive on the weekends.  Often times we would head to the Eastern Shore just to enjoy the open land and change of the hustle and bustle that we deal with day to day.  It's always so relaxing to do that -- and we get a chance to spend time together and talk too.   

On Easter weekend,  Brent  began that same drive - unsure of where we might end up.  We have never really gone to Ocean City before, so we weren't sure how Layla would do with a 2 hour drive but she decided that she wanted to see the ocean -- so we headed in that direction.  The closer that we got, the more excited she became.  This would be her first "glimpse" of the ocean and sand.  

Needless to say, she absolutely loved it!   She kept singing "I Love Ocean City" and couldn't wait to tell everyone when we got back that she got to see the ocean.  She has already asked if we can go back again soon.  It was a really good day trip for us and I'm sure we'll be making that same journey again soon!

Daddy and Layla heading to the water

Layla's first glimpse at the ocean.  She was so excited!

"I need to put my feet in the water, daddy"

Playing in the sand

Daddy and Layla

How appropriate was this on the ocean for Easter!

Pics with the Easter Bunny

Layla and I went to a vendor fair in Severna Park and the Easter Bunny was there!  She was a little hesitant but we did get a few cute pictures.  Thanks to CA Photography for the pictures.

to take the pictures, but we got a few good ones anyway.  Thanks to

Pictures with Santa

Layla went to visit Santa twice this year -- once at the mall and then we saw him again at Homestead Gardens.  We didn't purchase the pictures from the mall since they were like $20, but did get a chance to take one at Homestead Gardens that turned out great!  We also got to see the awesome train that was set up there.

Before we went to visit Santa, Layla was telling her neighbor Mrs. Jessica, about getting ready to visit Santa. She promised Mrs. Jessica that she would tell Santa to bring her a pink bear for Christmas.  Well, Layla forgot to tell Santa the first time -- and was a bit upset that she forgot.  So when we saw Santa the second time, she made sure that she told him to bring Mrs. Jessica that pink bear!!

Christmas 2013 -- Just a little late!

 I have been so behind in posting pictures -- that I'm just now posting from Christmas!  Better late than never though!  This year we traveled to New York for Christmas.  The anticipation of what Santa was going to bring was endless -- Layla couldn't wait!  She also had to make sure that he knew where she was this year since she wouldn't be at home (we had to see Santa twice and let him know where we would be!)  Layla got a scooter for Christmas - she was soo excited!

                         
                                

Visiting Maker's Mark



I've promised Brent a trip to Maker's Mark for some time now.  We are usually only in KY for a few days -- and most of the time it is the holiday season and never have time to get there.  This year, my cousin Beth is working at Maker's and wanted us to come take a tour while we were home.  I'm so glad we did!!  Brent is a Maker's Mark Ambassador (which means he gets some really cute Christmas gifts from Maker's and has his name on a barrel).  We had the unique opportunity to have a tour by Rob Samuels, the grandson of the founder of Maker's.  He gave a lot of interesting information -- and the tour had a real personal touch because he was giving family history along with the tour.  Here are some of the photos that we took while we were there.  When we arrived, it was snowing quite hard and made for an even beautiful place!  

 

More Thanksgiving Pictures

I"m way late on finishing posting pictures from Thanksgiving, but here is some more from our trip to KY.

Elf on the Shelf

This year we had an Elf on the Shelf.  Layla had a lot of fun checking to see where "Maniac" was (that's what she named her).   Check the images below to see her different adventures throughout the house!  Until next year, Maniac!