Kentucky Road Trip - Horse Lover's Heaven!

Dad was here the day Jessica & Jaycie got out of school to take them on their first official road trip! Dad & Ann (a.k.a. Papa & Memommy) took the girls on tours of horse farms in Kentucky, to see the Kentucky Derby Race Track, to visit the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, and to tour Mammoth Cave! They packed a lot of fun into this trip... and the girls had the greatest time! I think it is safe to assume Jessica & Jaycie would like to move to Kentucky... rolling hills and horses everywhere the eye can see is definitely Jessica's idea of heaven!! Thank you, Dad & Ann, for taking the girls on such a wonderful and memorable trip! Here are a few of their favorite pictures:

Below is "EscapedFromNewYork" - he was saved from the slaughter house. I was surprised & saddened to learn that some thoroughbreds are sold to slaughter houses in Canada and Japan after their racing days are over. There is a group called "Old Friends" that raises funds to rescue these horses and provide a safe haven for them - http://www.oldfriendsequine.org/ Needless to say, Jessica was very touched by their stories and wants to go back to visit!

Visiting some of the young thoroughbreds was a highlight for the girls. These horses have attitude... they want to win, and they want to be "top dog" or I guess I should say "top horse"... so you have to approach them carefully. The girls were taught by guides about how to approach the horses and what signals to look for to determine if they should! The thoroughbreds were VERY interested in the girls... peeking out of their stables for a closer look.

They were able to meet a few famous race horses, too... including Funny Cide, the 2003 Kentucky Derby & Preakness winner; and Cigar whose winnings were almost $10 million. They met the horse that played Sea Biscuit in the movie, visited Man o' War's tomb, and took their picture with the statue of Secretariat.

Cigar

In the owner's box at the Kentucky Derby race track!

They also loved visiting the miniature horses... they played with Silver Charm (who plays soccer!) and were in love instantly with the miniature horse foals... I think Jessica would have snuck one home in her luggage if she could have figured out how!

Papa & Memommy also took the girls horseback riding. This was Jaycie's first time being allowed to ride alone. They had the greatest time. Jaycie rode Chief and Jessica rode Midnight.

School's Out For Summer!

Better late than never... here are a few pics from end of school celebrations for the kids. Jamie & Jacob finished their first year of preschool at the end of May. We had a school picnic on the last day and the kids enjoyed jumping on the inflatables with their friends. Here they are saying good-bye to Mrs. Floyd... she was such a wonderful, loving teacher and we are thankful they had her as their first teacher!!Jessica finished 3rd grade with honors! We are so proud of her... here she is receiving awards at the 3rd grade awards ceremony. Jessica received awards for having the highest reading average, highest math average, earning straight "A's" all year, and was given the Student Council award for her class (chosen by her classmates!). She is a little shy to receive attention and wouldn't look at my camera during the ceremony. She also participated in the AG program this year and LOVED it! Jessica makes us very proud!!!! She has worked hard this year and is definitely ready for summer!

And... Jaycie graduated from Kindergarten!!! All of the kindergartners sang songs at their celebration... they were so adorable! Jaycie absolutely loved kindergarten and had the best teacher, Mrs. Greenwood. We are also very proud of Jaycie... she received the Citizenship Award for her class and was given an award by her teacher for being the best reader! She LOVES to read... and has done so well in kindergarten!

Jaycie with Mrs. Jensen and Mrs. Greenwood at her end of year graduation and party!So now... school is officially out for summer!!!! YIPPEE!!!