Indian Summer

Driving in the car this afternoon, my mom and I began reminiscing this summer.  While we both agreed that the thought of summer ending literally made us nauseas, I could honestly say that this summer has probably been the best I've ever had.  I had so many awesome opportunities, made a multitude of unforgettable memories (and new friends), and really went out with a bang before my long awaited journey across the pond.  So this post goes out to all the fun-loving friends who made this season one for the books, cheers!

The first couple weeks of my summer were spent in good ol' Monticello, before I headed back to sublease with some of my sorority sisters back at BU.  My dear friend Brooke and I got to have a few days of fun before we parted ways... she took an opportunity to work at Universal Studios in Orlando... (and I thought I had a sick summer).  Anyways, we spent the last few lazy days of May going for walks, playing Just Dance 3, and taking a trip up to the Indiana Dunes on a perfect sunny day.

During June I kind of let my YOLO outlook take over my financial responsibilities by going out to some great concerts at a pretty sweet outdoor venue in Noblesville.  With many wonderful people in tow, we jammed with Brad Paisley, The Band Perry, Toby Keith, and Zac Brown Band to name a few.  The INSANE heat didn't keep us from tailgating or enjoying ourselves one bit, I mean come on... you do only live once, right?

 Reppin' the DG at Brad Paisley!

Sweating up a storm at Toby Keith!

Just missing Lindsey and Drew at ZBB!

My sublease in Indy this summer was spent with some fabulous ladies, especially my darling roommate, Lindsey!  Before she jet setted off to London for most of July we made some memories of our own rocking the football team in a case race, holding down the fort on our own only to end up with a house full of 20 people and some speakers we never managed to get rid of, and thanks to her I made some hilarious, genuine, free-spirited new friends.  

Lindsey, me, and the infamous pigtails I will never live down.

Bunch of yahoos enjoying the sun at our friend Ethan's lake house.

At the end of June, instead of hanging around BU for the infamous weekend of Midsummer, I took a Megabus up to the Windy City to visit my favorite Chi O girl, Maddie.  We stayed in a little place downtown, shopped the Magnificent Mile, had some INCREDIBLE Chicago-style pizza, and enjoyed a million hearty laughs and secrets.  

Maddie and I enjoying some laughs at a popular destination in Chi-town, Dick's Last Resort.

This summer also brought 2 weddings between 4 of the kindest, most genuine people I have met.  All, I might add because of Butler.  In June, my best friend Emily's brother married a wonderful gal, and Emily and I relished in the pre-wedded bliss at the rehearsal dinner.

Then a few weeks later, another amazing couple tied the knot while I had the pleasure of sharing scripture at the ceremony.  I danced the night away at their Pinterest-esque reception with some fabulous people, once again forced to beat the heat, but looking back, I don't think we would have had it any other way.

Post wedding Pre reception photo op with Brady and Lauren

Wildo and I making use of the photo booth

This fantastic summer also held some incredible milestones in the family unit, as my not-so-baby cousin graduated high school, my brother John showed his first pig in the county fair, and I ended my "reign" as the 2nd Runner Up to Miss White County in July.  Let me tell ya, nothing makes you feel old like sitting through someone's high school graduation ceremony when you realize yours was 2 years ago.

I knew since my last day of summer '11 that I just couldn't last another stuck in Monticello, and I wouldn't take back one moment of work, class, naptime, lake day, trip to the drive in, or midnight snack binge.  I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had this summer, so incredibly ecstatic about the semester ahead.  God Bless everyone I got to spend time with this summer, I can't wait to come back and do it again :)