The plan worked, because it was pushing 100 degrees the entire trip! But it felt good!
We took our time. Made stops along the way for ice cream in Chicago, lunch, and lots of pool time for the kids. We got a lot of comments, and even more disbelieving stares as we maneuvered our way around with eight kids under the age of nine. They were all SO good on the trip! I can't think of even one major meltdown or serious incident. Just a bunch of pleasant little people fore the most part.
We spent the first couple of days in Louisville.
We went old school and ate at the Hardrock the first night. Leslie and I laughed at how we were THAT mother, who takes her kids out to a street party in downtown Louisville late at night. But, we got in late, and we had to eat!
These pictures are a mix from my camera, my iphone, instagram, and the Tyson's camera.
These two are rockin' the same style vibe. Wavy blondes in vintage tees.
Lots of car time.
Line em up, and feed em! Picture is minus nine month old Annie.
Might as well take in a little live music while we are out on the town. The guy singing had a videographer with him. They were so happy to have us sitting there listening that he came over and recorded me and Leslie. We pretended he was not there.
The next day, after a little swim time for the kids, we hit two of Louisville's most defining spots. The first, was the Louisville Slugger factory and museum.
We took the tour, and watched a nice little video they have.
Do you really have to choose between your flower headband and your baseball cap? According to Georgia.... no ma'am!
At the end of the tour they hand out these mini sluggers. The kids were thrilled! The parents, were honestly concerned about how long it was going to be before someone got a mini slugger to the head.
And yes, it did happen. Will took a hit to the lip in the backseat of the car a few hours later.
You can purchase a customized Slugger to take home. We had ours personalized with our name, and our hometown team. Made me want to come home and take the kids to a Cubs game!
The factory was really so much fun! You can get a glimpse of your favorite hitters bat before he does! A must for the list of all you baseball fans out there!
Lunch Al Fresco.
Me and Leslie. She is so beautiful.
Oh how we will miss our SLC/Milwaukee friends when they move to Denver for Jared's fellowship next year! What a blessing that they ended up so close for so many years for medical school and residency! Tender mercies.
Nest stop... Churchill Downs!
We missed the Kentucky Derby by a few weeks, but that did not stop us from having a good time. Leslie and I made a friend on the way in, and she gave a tickets for box seats. Although it seemed you pretty much just sit wherever you end up when it is a normal race day.
This place is huge!
People were dressed casual, like us, or really fancy, jacket, tie, and hats with flowers. It depends a lot on where you sit. It would be fun to go back without kids and go all out on the hat!
Running the horse back down the track after the race.
Ella
Annnnnd... they're off!
The kids thought the races were awesome! In fact, Will and little Jack disappeared when we stopped to take a drink break on the way out. We found them sitting side by side, back inside the track, front row, ready for another race!
Isn't Annie the sweetest?!
Del and Jared have known each other since elementary school. Del would want me to point out the he is standing a step down. Ha!
The group.
The Tyson Family at the races.
Us.
Louisville was settled in 1780! I had no idea it had such a long settlement history. There is an entire section of downtown that has the MOST amazing historic homes. One after the next lined up along the streets. Unfortunately, it is now a rough part of town, and most of the homes are sectioned off into apartments. But I would love to get a glimpse at those streets in their glory days! I am a sucker for that kind of thing.
Although I was the only one in our group who is, so my musings were probably pretty annoying.
Us on a Sunday afternoon in Horse Cave, Kentucky. Think of every country song you have ever heard with mention of a Sunday in a tiny Southern town, and you have it about right. Something neat about that, actually.
Believe it or not, we ate here on a recommendation! Pretty good. Nice salad bar. Lots of old people! Ha!
We headed South to Mammoth Caves National Park.
Mammoth Cave is the longest cave in the world. Almost 400 hundred miles have been discovered with more added each year. We took a two hour, two mile, historical tour of the caves.
All the kids, even the tiny boys walked the whole way. Well, not Annie, but she gets a pass.
The little cave explorers.
(photo from Tyson fam)
(photo from Tyson fam)
(photo from Tyson fam)
(photo from Tyson fam)
Walking through "Fat Man's Misery."
No Georgie or Ella. Asleep in the car. (photo from Tyson fam)
We made it as far as Indianapolis that night. We let the kids swim for a long time in the morning. Their favorite. We stopped in dowtown Chicago for more ice cream, and headed home. Now I wish we had just gone on to Nashville, which is only an hour and a half from the cave. But that will have to wait for another trip.
(Photo from Tyson fam)
5 comments:
What a fun trip! You have some fun places to visit out there. You look great Jess. You're always perfectly dressed. You should start a style blog and just post what you wear....seriously. :)
I can't wait for the next trip. I just wish we were neighbors. We'll take the new house next to you!!)
Looks so fun! How great for both of you guys that you are both out there together. Say hello to Leslie for me.
I agree with Kat...you've got great style Jess!
Looks like lots of fun!
I'm not sure you remember me - we used to live in Wisconsin with the Tysons and enjoyed a couple camping trips with you. Leslie mentioned your blog as a great recap from their most recent trip with you. So much fun so see how much both families have changed. Looks like a great trip!
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