Keeneland

Since knowing that Sally & Roger (aka Nanny & Poppy) 

had never been to Keeneland, I couldn't wait to take them out to the races. 

I have such fond memories of Keeneland. 

Such a classic, traditional, and absolutely gorgeous track.

I used to go as a little girl on Sunday afternoons, just me & Dad. 

Then it because tradition to go with friends every spring and fall meet. 

Matt and I would go every meet while dating, and early years of marriage.

Since babies, we have definitely missed out on the tradition the last few years. 

Matt took Case man last year, with one of his buddies. 

Rhett was still a teeny thing, so we stayed home. 

Case had a blast though, and literally picked winning horses over and over...

by choosing his favorite color or number! 

Seeing as Rhett is still little, and a non stop, wild little boy...

he got to spend the day with his Aunt Mimi. :)

 So after dropping him off, he didn't even look back by the way...

we headed out to beautiful Keeneland!

 

Nanny bet on the first race. 

She picked number 10 to win, we had watched him out on the paddock. 

She said he had a look in his eye, like he couldn't wait to get out there. 

Watching them lead him to the gate, he raced off away from his leading horse...

we all cracked up as she was definitely right about the horse having a mind of his own! 

Turns out Nanny's horse came in last. I mean, dead last.

He was just out there having fun, la de da de da.  

Cracked us all up! Love it! 

They bet on a few other ones. Just for fun. 

After that, Nanny & Poppy just picked the ones they liked and cheered them on...& kept their dollars. :)

Matt kept on with his "system" he's worked out. 

He usually breaks even...you'll have to ask him what that system is. 

It's all enginerd-y. ;)

Case had so much fun picking the horse's colors and numbers again. 

He would be so disappointed when his horse didn't win though. 

"But why? Why didn't nummer 3 win?"

:)

 Later, a sweet usher brought Case a Keeneland coloring book and crayons. 

Kept him very entertained the last couple of races. 

He was very interested in the racing though. 

After each one ended, he would ask: 

"There gonna be another race, right??"

...

Another highlight of the day for Case, was the golf cart ride from the truck and back. 

Matty and I had fun on the back of the truck too! Hee! 

After Keeneland, we came home for left over chilli. 

I made brownies, and luckily we had some vanilla ice cream on hand! 

We had a fun, and relaxing day at the races & lounging on the couch together.

Thanks for coming up for the races Nanny & Poppy! 

We had so much fun with you guys! 

Love y'all.

Lunch & a Trip to The Game Farm

Mom & Dad suggested another outing for all the Grand-kids. 

This time, lunch and a trip to the Game Farm in Frankfort was brought up, and Amy and I both agreed that it sounded very fun! 

All the kids and I have been with Mom & Dad before, but the last time Amy was working longer hours and wasn't able to go. Now that she has an amazing schedule at work,

 she was able to join us on a weekday adventure!

After Happy meals, and Diet cokes we headed toward the Game Farm. 

We split up between my truck (with the third row, yay!) and Mom & Dad's car. 

On the way down, I had my boys and Cy in the way back. 

The whole way there, Amy and I were CRACKING up at Cy & Case. 

Case has this new rendition of "Row, row, row your boat"

(Row row row your boat gently as a dream, mary, mary, mary life is in the trees) 

and Cy and Case were making up even funnier, crazier versions, that had Amy and I laughing so hard! 

It went something like this, alternating between Cy and Case...

Row row row your tugboat

gently on the trees

merry merry merry Christmas

life is but a dream

I can't even remember all the things, they came up with. 

Crazies! 

Well, we arrived, and all piled out of our cars. 

Excited about seeing some of our Kentucky Wildlife! 

 

 (Daddy hates the pictures with the snake ;)

So Cy and I had this bet, that if I could get this hat on his head without him knowing - that he'd wear it the rest of the trip. 

Guess who did just that? ;)

Griffin taught Case how to catch some fish! 

Actual size of an Eagles nest, is that not insane?

Go Wildcats! ;)

Crazy Kid. 

(& yes, I realize, that every picture of Rhetter was in his stroller - but believe me I couldn't unstrap that boy or he would have tried to cuddle with the bear or pet the wildcat. Like, seriously.) 

Had so much fun. 

Thank you Mom & Dad!

UK Football Fan Day

This year, for the first time, Matt and I bought Season Football Tickets!

Although I admit, I am not the hugest fan of football - I do LOVE a football atmosphere. 

I recently watched the TV series Friday Night Lights, and yes, I know that it was not like watching football, as the actual games were on a fraction of the actual episodes but it honestly helped me "get" all the hype. 

I've only been to a couple of our football games, but there is just something about driving down around campus, and seeing nothing but blue.
 Feeling the true love for our University. 

Tailgates, kids throwing footballs, everyone dressed in UK gear, grills fired up, people smiling & laughing. 

Then to feel the excitement of the pending game as you find your seats. 

Then watching the games-lucky for me the last game I went to was UK vs TN and we WON! 

First time since 1984! 

Good times. 

So every year they have a fan day, where you can go 

watch a practice, and can meet the players etc. 

We asked our nephews & niece if they'd like to go, so we all piled in the truck and headed that way! 

We had fun, it was very laid back. 

Saw a few people we knew, got some posters, snacks, cotton candy. 

Found out the meeting the team, and fireworks weren't starting until a while after the practice.

After taking one look at the line to head onto the field,
and judging the time before boys had meltdowns...

Matt and I made the executive decision to go on home, so we had to miss out on the after practice fun.
Maybe next year!

Had a lot of fun though, and are looking forward to the home games! 

(We're sad the big UK vs Louisville is away this year!)

So much fun! 

Gearing up for Football Season! 

I think I need to brush up on my Football For Dummies book Matt bought me one Christmas...

:)

Down By The River

Mom and Dad asked Amy and I if we wanted to get together for lunch down at Halls on the River, and we quickly agreed! 

(Wish Matt & Tim could have come this trip, we'll have to go back on a weekend sometime!)

Halls on the River is one of my favorites. 

Not only because, hello, it's Halls Beer Cheese...

(Which by the way is no longer sold at Kroger...talk about breaking a girls heart.)

...but also because it takes a beautiful country road to get there. 

I'm a huge fan of beautiful country drives. 

So Monday morning, we all met at my house. 

We piled into my car, and Mommom & Grand-dad's car and were off. 

We met around 12:30, and were on the road by 1. 

1 o'clock is Rhett's nap time. 

I was very curious to see how this turned out. 

Thankfully, we sat on the patio, looking right over the river. 

Being outside, and having so much to look at out there, helped SO very much to keep little man entertained. 

At least for a little while...

I ordered a salad and after about two bites, Rhett was d.o.n.e. 

So Mama, got creative, and just slid his high chair closer to the water so he could watch the lone duck and fish coming up every now and then. He was attempting to feed them his cheerios, but they didn't quite make it all the way down. 

I love that every time I say, "Case stand by your brother, so I can take a picture."

Case puts his hand on Rhett's back. 

Well, the high chair trick lasted about 7 minutes, then I had to throw in the reinforcements. 

The cousins. 

:)

(Love this picture of Bug!)

Besides the fact that I had about 10 total bites of my salad and banana pepper rings, 

I had a wonderful time. 

Love that place. 

When we were wrapping up lunch, Cy, Griffin and Avery walked down around the side of the restaurant to the river, and took my little ones with them. 

It felt really good to sit down, after standing up through 80% of my lunch. ;)

After the bill came and went, (Thanks, Mom & Dad!) Dad mentioned that Boonesboro State Park had a play ground, and a walk way down to the river. 

I was definitely hesitant with Rhett, already way past his nap time. 

I knew though, that if he saw a playground, and water he would surely get his second wind. 

Second wind happened. 

Walking down to the river...

Beautiful girl. 

Mimi getting Rhett's toes wet! 

Case had so much fun!

The big boys had fun skipping rocks, Avery and Case tried a few too. 

After trying to literally swim across the river, and trying to take my hand away from his while walking down the river, Rhett decided it was time to go. 

He kept walking up the beach and waving "Bye!"

We all had such a fun day, a wonderful little trip. 

Far enough to feel like we did something special, and close enough for a relaxing drive back. 

Soaking up these memories.