As usual we headed to Kentucky for Thanksgiving. I just love that each year I can count on everyone being home for the holiday and mom and dad's house turns into craziness. We spent Thanskgiving eating and playing games, but the highlight was playing freeze dance where six year old Bennett was the judge. Nothing like a bunch of adults dancing to "Call me maybe" while a six year old tells you that you are out of the game for moving when the music stops playing!
We made a trip to Churchill Downs to see the museum and do track backside tour to see all the horses. Nick's dad and stepmom came down from Ohio for a day and we went to the Frazier Historical Arms Museum. It was very interesting to see the special exhibit on Napoleon, but the rooms full of guns it's fair to say I didn't have an appreciation for :)
On the last night my mom gave us Christmas presents early and each of us kids got a book that she wrote in the first person about our pioneer ancestors on my dad's side. It is so special to have this! On the title page is a quote by Dallin H. Oaks that says,
"It is not enough to study or reenact the accomplishments of our pioneers. We need to identify the great, eternal principles they applied to achieve all they achieved for our benefit and then apply those principles to the challenges of our day. In that way we honor their pioneering efforts."
Such a great trip. Now for all the pictures.
Tess is growing up! She will be two this December. Those big blue eyes are just perfect!
We were sure to get use of the hot tub each night, especially since the temperatures were in the 20's at night!
I was in charge of making rolls. After I made the dough Bennett (six years old) had fun helping me to shape them. Such a great helper.
Henrik and Tess are only two months apart--here we are playing patty cake!
Mom has an inversion table...so great! I used this thing every day while I was there.
A cold and sunny day at Churchill Downs
Henrik and Becky on one of the horses that simulated them being in a race
The historic twin spires behind us.
One of the perks of the backside tour is getting to see the horses going out to the track for a race
Back in the museum I rode a "horse" of my own
Dressing up like a jockey
Nick as one of the crazy infielders on Derby day
Gotta have the hat!
Our tour guide suggested eating lunch at Wagner's Pharmacy across the street from the racetrack. It is in the original condition and scenes from Seabiscut where filmed here. This is where back in the day everyone would come to talk horses!
Truly this deserves it's own post! We went to a Louisville Cardinal basketball game. Ahhh, I loved it. My whole family went and we were able to go early to see the National Championship Trophy that we won in April 2013.
Here IT is!
The Yum! Center where the Cards play is only a few years old. It is beautiful! There is a "hall of fame" with all the Louisville memorabilia on display.
Lots of this was happening. The boys love having Uncle Nick to play with and push them on the swing.
My dad's latest hobby is his brick oven outside. My parents have become quite the party hosts and find themselves having dozens of friends, co-workers, students, or church members over on any given weekend. So of course we needed to have a family pizza night.
Kevin and I are rolling out the dough from scratch
The assembly of ingredients
Mom helping Nick make one of many that he ate
Into the 800+ degree oven
Two minutes later it is down and looks ready to cut and eat
Katherine and I went by our old stomping ground of Eastern High School! haha! We took a few silly pictures too.
Can't go home without a trip to Graeter's. I have eaten a lot of icecream in my 30 years, but nothing can compare to this place!
These four! Just love being an auntie to these kiddos.
Tess (almost 2), Liam (4), Bennett (6), Henrik (almost 2)
Too cute. Henrik saw this picture from their wedding announcement of Kyle and Becky, grabbed it and was walking around saying, "mama, dadda"
"My Pioneer Heritage" from my Mom for Christmas. So special.
My mom also gave me this silhouette picture from me as a kid. Yes, it is me!
Uncle Nick and these two crack me up.
Cousins with their aunties!
Somebody tell these little kids to stop growing up so fast! So much to be thankful for :)
