3

As of late, our lives have consisted of four things: Work, Eat, Sleep, Play.  But our little Shadow recently turned three so we enjoyed the break of the monotony to sit back and reflect.  Which made me think of this.

One of our first dates out on Kentucky Lake. 

And then this,  Shadow's first day!

 Our first family picture.

 And then I thought of his first birthday.

 And his 2nd birthday.

 Here he is, three years old!! He is such a blessing and I am so proud to be his Mommy.  Every day is something new.  It might be a new word, a new laugh, a new obsession....every day is new.  And it is a true joy because these things get to be new to me all over again.  Time has truly gone by very fast.

 Which made me think he will be wanting a car like this very soon.







But we will probably get him something safer like this.

Orlando

I'm clearly due for an update considering my last post on here was in September.  Being a teacher, mom, wife, and dancing with the stars addict has cut into my time to write and I apologize.  The Smith's recently had a nice trip to visit my dad and his wife and Orlando couldn't have been a better spot for a family reunion. My sister met us there and Shadow got to visit a new state (This makes 7 for him and he is only 2 1/2 so he has a great start.)  We enjoyed the time with family tremendously and had some really fun days at Disney World and Universal.

Jordan and I love Disney.  Actually we are obsessed so it's only natural that we feel we should pass on our affection for Disney to Shadow.  We are doing a really good job too.  He loves Mickey and all of his friends, cuddles with his stuffed Dumbo and Tramp, and watches Toy Story at least once a day.  We only went to Disney for one day because Shadow is not going to remember much of the trip, but his reaction to the rides and characters was priceless.  I'm blessed that I get to relive my childhood though his eyes.

We got our picture taken with the lovable Pluto first thing, so Shadow looks disappointed because he couldn't stay and play with him.  Can I just say how much I love the entrance to Magic Kingdom.  The instant you see Main Street and that Castle you are a kid again.

I wanted to get a picture with my real Prince Charming :)

The Castle at night takes on different colors and the fireworks are a perfect ending to day of magic.

Having read all the Harry Potter books, Samantha and I wanted to see the Harry Potter world at Universal.  We went to Universal on Election Day.  The weather was perfect and the lines were small.  It was a great day until we got home and watched TV.....but that's another story.  At Islands of Adventure you can meet your favorite Super Heroes, see the Cat in the Hat, and grab a butter beer before you venture through the halls and chambers of Hogwarts Castle. 

We met Captain America!!!  I think I was more excited than Shadow.  How can you not love a Super Hero that protects the American Way???

 

Samantha, Jordan and I went on the Forbidden Journey ride that is in Hogwarts.  Sam and I just marveled at all the paintings and staircases that brought us back to the books we so enjoyed.  The ride was a lot of fun too, but it did shut down mid ride while we were in a room full of spiders.  Not cool.

 

The four of us escaped The Hulk.  I think Jordan was a bit worried he wouldn't.

 

 

This trip was special because we don't get to see Dad and Lorna very often.  The time we spent together was very rewarding and we hope to see them again soon!

Horses and Superheros

One of the best things about getting married, or being married (besides finding your true love if you are Disney fans) is the joint possession of each others "things."  For example, when Jordan and I got married, he gained a Wii and I gained several bonsai plants.  Jordan gained seasons of FRIENDS on dvd and I gained seasons of Desperate Housewives on dvd. Jordan gained a taste for coffee and I gained a new found interested in Sunday news shows.  The list could go on but one of my favorite "things" that I got when I married Jordan was his sister's family.  She has two boys and a girl and they are the youngest, hippest, funniest fraternity you will find.  Once you throw Shadow into the mix you have a real force of nature.


We had the pleasure of their company during Labor weekend and Jordan and I took it upon ourselves to show them a good time.  The kids wanted to see horses so we thought the Kentucky Horse Park would be the perfect place for that.  The day was grey and overcast, but the smiles were bright as we walked around the park, looked at the horses and learned more about the importance of the horse in the course of history. 

Grant, Grace, and their uncle Jordy enjoyed a trail ride around the park.

Greyson got to go on a pony ride and they let Shadow sit on the pony for a little bit.  Maybe he can ride next time ;)

You can truly spend the whole day at the park.Their are several barns and museums you can walk through, trolley rides, restaurants, and show events to watch.  We enjoyed petting some of the horses and marveling at their size and beauty.   The museums on the grounds have some great displays about horses around the world and also artifacts from the Kentucky Derby, World Equestrian Games, and several trophies and awards that have been collected from various horses over the years.

Being the history nerd that I am, I was impressed with the museum.  It was so interesting to see how important the horse was to early Americans, Europeans, Asians, Arabians; and also how they are valued and used as a vital resource by each culture.

One of the museums has the trophies won by Secretariat on display.  The one on the left is from the Derby, the right is from the Preakness and the middle is the triple crown trophy that was awarded after winning the Belmont stakes.


The rest of their visit was spent at the Newport Aquarium in Cincinnati, searching for the perfect cupcake, eating Five Guys, realizing that teenagers that work at the GAP have no idea what they are doing, ordering take out Chinese food, and very insightful and intellectual discussions about whether Christian Bale or Micheal Keaton plays the better Batman. 

So I go back to my favorite reasons for being married.  You get twice the family, twice the memories, and also you maybe figure out that your family is just a bit nerdy like yourself.  I do enjoy my Wilkins much, much more than those bonsai plants.

A visit from Auntie SJ

Since our move to Woodbrook Place we have invited family to come and check out our new pad, my sister included.  I think the last time I invited her to come was back in May?? Last weekend, she finally made the 3 hour journey from Nashville (better late than never!) and Shadow got to spend some time with his "Auntie SJ."

I looked forward to her visit all week and just like we always do when family comes to visit, I started planning what was sure to be the best Kentucky weekend ever.

Jordan and I thought it might be fun to take her to Frankfort.  I'm sure several of you are mumbling under your breath, "Frankfort? Are your for serious?"  Yes.  Serious.  Jordan and I love Frankfort.  Maybe it is because we didn't grow up in his area so the novelty hasn't worn off, or maybe it's because it really is a cute little town with some very "Kentucky" things to do.

Our first stop was the state capitol to see the giant Abraham Lincoln statue that proudly stands in the center of the rotunda.  The grounds surrounding the capitol are very pretty with several flowers and plants. The governor's mansion and a flower clock are within walking distance.  The day was a bit muggy but we got some nice pictures.  You can see in the picture above how Shadow is devising another one of his "let's run from mommy and daddy because I think it's funny" shenanigans.

Just across from the capitol is the governors mansion.

And a rather neat flower clock.  Shadow liked the water fountains, of course.

Frankfort is also home to a Frank Lloyd Wright house. This was the hook to get Samantha to go, ha!  Apparently, she LOVES Frank Lloyd Wright houses.  When she met her boyfriend, one of the first things they realized they had in common was their joint interest in these very unique works of art.  I had no idea.  So we took pictures and she got to send one to her boyfriend (who was in Mexico by the way, missing all of this Frankfort Fun.)  Unfortunately, it is a private residence and you can't look at the inside :(

 

 After we had some lunch, we went to the cemetery to see Daniel Boone's grave.  It is placed at one of the highest points in the cemetery so you get a  picturesque view of downtown Frankfort, the Kentucky river, and the state capitol building.   Although he died in Missouri and was buried there first, his body was moved here to Kentucky because he had spent so much time here and was very involved in its settlement.  I've been told Missourians are a little bitter about that.  Oh well.  They have Jesse James and Harry Truman.   

Both Daniel Boone and his wife, Rebecca, are buried here at this marker. Each side of the marker depicts a scene from his life spent in Kentucky, but doesn't tell you specifics.

After a couple of bourbon balls from Rebecca Ruth's, our Frankfort excursion came to an end.  We made our way back to Lexington for a much needed nap so we could end the day perfectly with a showing of The Hunger Games at the dollar theater.  Samantha still had not seen it yet and I wasn't going to protest seeing it for the 2nd time.  But first we would have dinner at Saul Good.  Parisian Pizza and Chocolate Fondue for dessert.  Can we say, "yum?!?!"  I don't think they ever had anything like this in District 12.