Derby Festivities

Derby is one of our favorite times of the year. For two weeks, our city is filled with all sorts of different parties and events and we get to have lots of fun as we prepare for the big race.

We started off our Derby fun with Thunder Over Louisville. We enjoyed the air show, as well as time at the Chow Wagon. We also enjoyed the fireworks, although we did not see them all, due to lots of smoke.

Riding the bus was lots of fun!

We had to wake Preston up from his nap to catch the bus. He was SO sleepy!

Evan got cotton candy and he was so sweet and shared it with everyone.

The air show view from the office was great!

Alex liked exploring the office, just as much as the the air show or the fireworks!

D.J. Preston liked cranking up the music and dancing.

Fun at the Chow Wagon!

The fireworks were awesome!

Preston's school had Derby party and the kids got to ride real horses! Preston loved riding Nick, as well as getting his face painted, playing games and having a special ice cream treat.

We were able to enjoy The Great Steamboat Race and the rides at Fest-a-Ville. The weather had been terrible the day of the race and I didn't think we would be able to attend because of the storms. Thankfully, the weather cleared up right before the race and we were able to go. Sadly, The Belle of Louisville did not win, but we still had a great time!

Carl and I attended Oaks this year, which is becoming an annual tradition. We did not win ANY races, but we had lots of fun watching the races and hanging out with our friends.

The Congletons joined us for a Derby party on Derby Day. We had lots of fun with the kids, as they enjoyed the water slide, big bubble wands, sidewalk chalk and a pinata! We also had lots of fun watching the races and betting on the ponies. Carl even picked the trifecta for the big race! Grammy, Granddaddy and Ron joined us too and it was a really fun party.

My handsome boys on Derby Day!

Luke made an Oreo sandwich!

Sweet Picture

Silly Picture

The pinata was lots of fun!

"Go! Go! Go! Get the pinata!"

Derby Boys

Happy 4th Birthday, Preston!

Preston just celebrated his 4th birthday! He tells us all the time that he is not a baby anymore and that he is a big boy. He also likes to compare himself to Daddy and Evan, which is adorable. He is super sweet and tells us he loves us all day long. He is very compassionate and always sticks up for his brother. He even tries to sit in time out with Evan, so that Evan does not feel bad. Preston loves watching his shows, but he also enjoys being outside and playing. He is a super kid and we adore our "Thunder Boy."

Preston was sad when he couldn't "see" his birthday when he woke up last year, so we were prepared with balloons and decorations the morning of his birthday this year. He was SO excited when he woke up and saw the house decorated for his "Mario Birthday." He enjoyed opening his presents and he liked choosing Mexican food for dinner. Though he was so happy to choose dinner, he told us that he was not hungry when it was time to eat.

Preston's birthday party was lots of fun and we celebrated with Grammy, Granddaddy, Aunt Rachel, Uncle Teddy, Caroline and Alex. We had a great time and the kids enjoyed playing together, though we really missed Bonnie Mom, Grandpa and all of the Nickel Family.

Preston LOVED his birthday crown from preschool. I enjoyed taking ice cream and Oreo cookies to his preschool celebration. It was so cute to see him enjoy his birthday with his friends.

Preston really likes Mario games and he wanted a "spooky house" and a "fat ghost" like he sees in the games. We found the "fat ghost" easily, because it is an official Mario toy. We had to modify a Scooby Doo toy for the "spooky house" though. He was THRILLED to find these toys waiting for him on the morning of his birthday.

"I am 4 years old!"

Preston was really excited to open his gifts.

Preston loved it when we sang to him and he got to blow out the candle.

Preston had a Mario cake for his birthday party.

Party Boys!

Caroline and Alex had fun at the party!

We are all looking forward to the upcoming year, which will be filled with all sorts of new adventures. I am especially looking forward to Preston's next birthday, which actually falls on Thunder Over Louisville day. We have even booked a hotel downtown, so we can enjoy lots of festivities!

Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful time celebrating Easter! We were able to dye Easter eggs, attend church, see Preston's Easter performance at preschool, go Easter egg hunting, make Easter crafts, etc. The weather was gorgeous on Easter Day and we were able to spend lots of time outside, which included a trip to the zoo!

Grammy and Granddaddy came over before Easter, so that we could have dinner and dye Easter eggs. We had a great time and the eggs were so beautiful!

After Preston's Easter program at school, they had an Easter egg hunt. Preston really like the Easter Bunny.

Preston did such a great job at his program. He was really into it and did a great job singing and dancing!

Evan and I went to church to celebrate Easter. (Preston had Easter chapel at preschool.) The cross outside was beautiful!

After church, Evan got to go on an Easter egg hunt! He got LOTS of candy!

My silly boys on Easter Eve!

The boys had great Easter baskets and they loved their candy and toys!

Happy Easter!

We had fun making Easter crafts this year.

The zoo was lots of fun and the boys liked feeding the birds.

I have not updated the blog very much, because even though we have had some fun events, we have had lots of sickness, work on the house, yucky weekend days, etc. Even my birthday was pretty laid back, as the boys were sick. I just didn't have time to write and I didn't feel like I had a lot to share. So, here are a few pictures that I want to include, even though they did not get their own posts!

Evan and I had fun at Muffins with Mom.

My Little Leprechauns

Evan lost his 5th tooth! He was excited and so was Preston!