Keeneland 2013

Dear Kate,

Last weekend, we made our way to Lexington, KY to the Keeneland Thoroughbred horse races.  If you recall, you've made a visit to said races last year, but slept the majority of the time.  This year, different scenario all together.  We knew things were going to be a bit different when you decided not to nap at all on the way up there.  The ride was fine, though, because you had a big milestone - headphones!!!  You can't wear the ones that go with the car because they stay open by your head (hard to explain) but you can use these, which we just happened to have in the car.  It was perfect considering you didn't nap. Now, Mommy and Daddy can listen to something up front while you and Sista listen to movies/music in the back!  Hooray!

Once we got to Miss Jenny's house (that's who we stayed with), we got things situated and you made yourself at home playing with all of Tripp's toys, especially the 3 balloons that you found in his room and somehow got caught on 2 different fans... The adults got a sitter for you little ones that night and had a nice dinner out.  The sitter had strict instructions to put you to bed as soon as dinner was over and she followed those perfectly.  Now, the ones for your sister are a different story, but you can read her blog to find that out.
Sleeping arrangements were a bit different than normal since we weren't at our house.  You slept in the pak n play in the guest room with Daddy, while Mommy slept in Tripp's bed with Sista.  Daddy said Saturday morning you woke up and snuggled with him for a good 30 minutes.  He was happy, other than the waking up earlier than normal bit.  But we had a big day ahead of us - off to the races we must go!  Mr. Roy and Miss Jenny bought an RV just a couple weeks before we came, so we were happy to break it in for them.  We packed it up with everything - and i mean everything - and headed that way.  You were thrilled with the idea of sitting in Mommy's lap rather than a car seat, although I am still unsure what the right thing to do was.  It wasn't very far, so I wasn't too too worried, but you did like to wiggle a lot and if we were going any further, I'd have to strap you in somehow!  You also really enjoyed the bunk beds, including a little fall off the top.  You survived and didn't let it bother you from climbing right back up!

We arrived that morning to tailgate and the races didn't start until 1ish.  I tried, tried being the key word, to put you down for a quick morning nap, but you would have none of it.  So, we partied on and eventually made it to the races, which, if I do say so myself, you LOVED.  You loved cheering for the horses and every time you'd see one you'd say real loud "MOOOOOO".  Even after we corrected you every single time, you still moooo'ed away.

And, why yes, a cheetah did attack you.  Or at least that's what we are going with.  Mommy has no clue really.  You were in Tripp's room by yourself while we were getting ready that morning and you started crying, screaming really.  When I went in there, you had a mark already on your face and by 1:00 it looked as if a cheetah did indeed attack you.  We still can't figure out what it was, but you are all healed at this point, beautiful as ever.
We watched several races and made our way down to the races so you could pet some of these "mooo's".  Sadly none of those walked by to pet...

Eventually it was clear that sleep depravation was upon all three of you kiddos, so the mommies took you all back to the RV.  On our way, we decided to just see if we could pet some horses in the horse barn. Well, sure enough, we could!! It was the best part of the race!  

You loved seeing the horses, and insisted on getting close, but you just could not mustard up enough strength to actually pet the horse.
We finally made our way to the RV and I put you down again for a nap (yes, I brought the pak n play on the RV!!) and you did actually snooze for about 30 minutes.  Or at least it was quiet in there for about 30 minutes.  It's hard to imagine though because a bus was right beside us having a Fraternity/Sorority reunion, and, well, it wasn't the quietest thing you ever heard.  Eventually you were awake so you joined the party next door and won them all over with your blonde curls, dance moves and monogrammed outfit, or at least, so I was told :)
The Daddy's made there way back to the tailgate and we enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon people watching, dancing to our own beat and eating some delicious chocolate bundt cake!

It was another late night, or so it seemed, so as soon as we got home we all headed straight to bed.  On Sunday, we got to drive through the beautiful horse farm and enjoy one of the best breakfasts I have ever had, and you got to see one more horse!

It was such a fun time at the races.  We love going there and can't wait to make the trip next year, RV included!!  

Once we got home, we realized we've missed our cousins and friends way too much due to our busy busy weekends, so we had everyone over to grill out on the pretty day.  Jake and Kipper and you are all getting so darn big (and cute!).  We couldn't believe that you 3 are all now sitting at this little table we bought for the big kids!  So sad, but still puts a smile on my face :) 

Love you sweet Kate!