Georgianna's last day of preschool in the "red" room

Luau Birthday Party

Georgianna trying to win the game ladder ball.
G and her Daddy Raelyn and Juliette

Erin had a Luau birthday party on Memorial Day afternoon. Georgianna spent most of the time playing ladder ball which had to do with throwing balls. All the other girls (including Ellie) participated in the limbo and danced to "Grease" music. It was a very fun party for all who attended!

Lake Day #2

Erin, Georgianna and Ellie

Lake Season has begun!

The lake water is very high this year from all the rain we have had this spring. Many islands, swimming areas, boat ramps, camp sites, etc... are under water. The water is also murky, or dirty looking from all the extra debris and it is still very cold. We had a good time on the boat today and the weather ended up being gorgeous after this mornings rain storm. Ellie and Georgianna both jumped in the water, but they did not stay very long in the lake. We all enjoyed our relaxing day on the water and are very happy to be at the lake this weekend.

Friday Celebration

Ellie's school has an assembly to award the classes and kids each week on Friday morning. A different class gets to lead it each week. Today was Ellie's classes turn to lead the program. Ellie spoke a couple of times and did a wonderful job. I think she has inherited David's ability to speak in front of crowds.

A Very Busy Saturday

The day included the Farnet's Crawfish boil, a tennis match and a cookout/wedding shower.

Happy Birthday Anna!

No words are needed!

Happy Mother's Day

David cooked a wonderful lunch for Mother's Day and the girls helped him. My mother, Jill, and David's mother, Norma were able to join us for the afternoon. Aunt Anna was even in town.

Dogs and Kids

Ellie, Georgianna, and Calvin at a dog show at Ellie's school on Saturday

The students were allowed to bring their dogs to compete in many obstacles for fun. Calvin surprised us all and got 2nd place in jumping. He would not eat any treats and did not like chasing the ball, or the digging competition. But, he was a very friendly, happy dog. We still think he is the best little white dog!Lucy and Ellie playing in the backyard right before bedtime.

Train Trip

Last week, Georgianna's school went on a train trip for a special outing. I did not get a good picture of G by the train outside since it rained the whole morning.

Winning Tickets

The back of Ellie and Reagan's hats.

Ellie is studying the names of the horses to decide who she wants to win from the Derby program. In race 7 there was a horse named "Dreaming of Anna" which we placed a bet for it to show and it did!
Ellie is in line to cash her tickets. (I actually cashed them, so don't worry David.)
Here is a picture of "Big Brown" right before the Derby race. Ellie wanted three horses to win - so we placed bets for "Eight Belles", "Z Fortune", and "Big Brown" to place. We got two out of our three! It was very sad what happened to "Eight Belles", and we did not see her go down. On our way out of Churchill Downs, we saw one of the owners of "Big Brown" and they knew Uncle Mark. They were very nice and gave Ellie a rose off of the garland that was placed on the horse in the winners circle. Ellie brought the rose home on the plane.

Kentucky Derby Pics

Ellie and I were able to attend the 134th Kentucky Derby with Uncle Mark, Aunt Malory and Reagan. Ellie and Reagan were so cute in their hats and had so much fun together. It was also Reagan's first Derby. We had the best seats - our box was outside at the finish line. We were three rows back from the track so we could see and almost touch the horses. Thanks Uncle Mark! Reagan and Ellie were some of the youngest to attend the Derby and they received compliments for the hats from everyone we came in contact. They had their picture taken by MSNBC, Bloomberg News and people sitting near us.Ellie and Reagan before we left the house.
Mark, Malory, Luke and Reagan

Pictures of the girls taken from a reporter. He was really taken by Ellie since she had placed a bet on the 4th horse ("Gameface") during the 6th race and the horse ended up winning! Her fingers, arms and legs are all crossed for good luck.

Horse Farms and more horses ....

Our trip to Kentucky was amazing. We were able to visit famous horse farms where previous Derby horses and future Derby horses live. The barns and pastures are so beautiful and so well kept. Ellie was in heaven with all the horses. My brother-in-law, Mark, did an excellent job of being our tour guide. He made a point for Ellie to be able to see many horses and barns and other exciting sights.

Spendthrift Farm

The picture above is the office of the farm and the picture below is a picture of a barn built in 1937 with the original wood stalls. The barn housed Stallions. Everything at Spendthrift was beautiful.

Here is one of Uncle Mark's new baby horses. Who knows - it might be a Derby contender. Ellie loved getting to see her and pat her.
Reagan, Hunter and Ellie eating dinner outside after a big day of playing and touring horse farms.

Off to the Derby

Off to the Kentucky Derby early tomorrow morning. Here is Ellie's hat for the big day. In case you can not tell, the green is the bow that will hang down her back. I will be back soon to post our adventure.

Spring Intersession

This week has been Ellie's Spring Intersession from school. She decided she wanted to take some of the classes offered instead of staying home with me for a few days. Ellie was able to take a tennis class in the morning, and then in the afternoon, she participated in an environmental art class. (I need to take a picture of her great artwork made from recycled materials.) The school did an awesome job in the classes they offered this week.