Southbend Part 2: College Football Hall of Fame

While we were in South Bend, we took the opportunity to pay an overpriced ticket to see the College Football Hall of Fame. I thought it was actually pretty cool, but Marcus apparently was a little disappointed. I don't know...you can't expect too much for that kind of thing. I'm glad we went, but Marcus says he'd never recommend going. So, take it or leave it. Whatever.

BYU nicely represented as you enter.

I'm assuming that Y is for BYU not Yale -- it makes me happier.

Listening to a pep talk from a coach during half time.

Ty Detmer Hall of Famer locker.

Yes, we did find it necessary to take pictures next to anything BYU we found.

Like, Steve Young's face...

and Jim McMahon (who apparently wasn't too kind about BYU in the past -- thus the face from Marcus).

Goodbye South Bend, Indiana. It was fun visiting your rundown, old town. Notre Dame is great, down town is cute...and we had a great date (and a 3 hour drive back).

Southbend Part 1: Notre Dame

While we're in Michigan, we're trying to take advantage of being close to certain places...like Notre Dame I suppose. Yes, my sister watched the girls for us while we had a date driving 3 hours to visit the Notre Dame stadium (and campus). We adore our girls, but the ride was much more pleasant with just us two! Thanks Leese!

We couldn't get in the stadium, so we had to do with taking pictures outside of it. Here's the box office. Yes, enthralling I know.


Outside of the stadium again. I have to say, it was kind of cool that the stadium is right there on campus...in fact, right across from the library. It gave it a cool feel.

Come on. Who doesn't love Lou Holtz? Am I right, or am I right?

This is my best Knute. Oh Rockne, what a man (though I had no idea who he was before we went there. Marcus had to fill me on some college football history while we were there.).

The famous "touchdown Jesus." This is actually the face of the library. There is something about university campuses that I love. I'm not sure what it is. Well, I'm pretty sure it's because I'm a nerd, but I love the energy of a campus -- of higher learning. I don't know. We walked around the library a little and it reminded me a lot of BYU's library -- though ours is much much much bigger. I mean, BYU is superiour, right?

The stained glass inside the basilica was gorgeous. It really was. So, what is the difference between a cathedral and a basilica? I know you are dying to know. Well, we learned while we were there. A cathedral is the home church building of a cardinal. A basilica is just an honor appointed by the Vatican. Interesting.

Aside from campuses, libraries, and old furniture, I love old doors. The main building there -- which they call the Main Building -- was filled with gorgeous old wooden doors. I loved them. I know, silly, but they really were so beautiful. Too bad I'm actually covering it up.

Outside the Main Building. It really was quite idyllic. And though I look the part, I am NOT prego my friends!

This was a wooden chapel that we found on the outskirts of the campus. Apparently they still hold small weddings in there. I wanted to go in, but it was locked. This was the first chapel, I believe, that was built on the campus. You know me, anything old...I love.

It was a fun little trip. I was impressed with the campus. I thought it was really gorgeous and peaceful...but even still...that would never justify the cost for me. $38,500. Yikes. BYU, I'll stick with you.

Fort Wayne, IN

Shortly after we arrived in Michigan, the four of us took a mini road trip to go visit some good friends of ours -- the Allens. They are great for many reasons.

They let us show up on a few days notice.

They've always been naturally comfortable for us to be around (if that makes sense).

We can talk for hours and hours and hours -- and too often do/did.

We were neighbors for a couple years, Samantha's beginning years, and they were a huge support to us during that time.

They're cute people with cute kids.

They are generous and kind.

Jeff did our family pictures while we were in Utah -- hello GREAT -- and captured one of my all time favorite pictures of me holding Samantha. Very candid. Very beautiful.

MaryIrene was always just a few steps away and would frequently dropped everything to help me out.

We laugh a lot.

They are strong, faithful, fun, extremely talented, and plain wonderful people.

It was fun to reconnect after a couple years, and it really didn't feel like it had been that long. I have decided that I believe that is the test of true friendship...when you can be any distance away, not talk for awhile, but when you reconnect, it's as if you were where you were the last time you were together. (Woa, say that last clause 10 times as fast as you can! It's a doozey.)

Playing on the Allen's "playground" as Callie calls any swingset.

Elliot, Sam, MaryIrene, Sammy, Callie


Love this picture (other than me really needing to redo Callie's hair)!

The Allen's moved shortly after I came back to Utah with Callie. Had they been in Utah that last year, they would have been best buds, I can tell.

Waiting for our food at O'something. It was a great restaurant, but seeing that I don't remember the name, I guess I won't be frequenting it again any time soon. Kids eat free!

At a real park this time. This was a pretty fun swing. The way it was cut out from a tire made it easy for Sammy to sit in. I think this was her first swing ride not in an infant swing. It was pretty cute.

Some handicap-friendly parks have these kinds of swings. They really are nice for Sammy. It really makes a huge difference using these swings and the infant ones. It gets really hard the longer she gets to get her in those infant swings. So, these help with that a lot...plus, it's just age appropriate and that's always appreciated.

Awww. Elliot and Callie would have been best buds too -- or at least Callie would have thought so.

Isn't she cute?

Elliot took this picture for us. Elliot, the six year old.

Thanks guys! It was a fun trip. Hope to see you again in another 2 years!