Cumberland Falls

Memorial Day Weekend was absolutely gorgeous here in Kentucky. We were so glad because we had scheduled a camping trip with our good friends, the Klienmans. We decided at the last minute to go to Cumberland Falls. We had been their once before when Hannah was two. The more I thought about it the more I wanted to go back and take the girls to see the "Niagra of the South" before we move. We were not disappointed. We were very lucky to get a great campsite at the last minute. Robert's mom and grandparents just happened to be down that way doing some genealogy and were able to go Friday morning and find us a "primitive" campsite. I am so glad we got that one because we had some space to ourselves.

Their are a couple things you should know about our family and camping:

1. We bring tons of stuff! It is a good thing we have a very large truck because I honestly don't know how we would get everything in a car. We have tons of equipment and like to be comfortable.

2. More importantly we like to eat well while we are camping. Robert is a master camp cook (he learned it from his mother) and I am a master cook in training. We love to Dutch oven. We cook everything from cornish game hens to lasagna to cherry cobbler in that thing! During this trip we ate steak (thanks Klienman family), cornish game hens, chili, cobbler, pancakes, eggs, bacon and more mmmmm. The only reason Robert lets us roast hot dogs is that the girls love to do it!

and 3. Our children love to go potty in nature. Every time I turn around one of them is squatting!


There is always a rainbow at the base of the falls. I was able to capture it on film in what turned out to be a very pretty picture. Near the visitor's center there were several outlooks were you could stop and take pictures and take in the glorious falls. They were amazing.


On Saturday after a scrumptious breakfast of pancakes and sausage, we headed out to look at the falls. We packed a lunch and headed on a hike to another set of falls called Eagle Falls. Winnie was so excited to see the waterfalls and would tell everybody that she was going to "take a shower" in the waterfall. I was afraid she was going to be disappointed.


We really enjoyed the short hike and even scaled some rocks to get behind the waterfall.
The funnest part of that day was the hours we spent playing in our own private frog infested lagoon! Winnie and Emma decided to go skinny dipping enjoyed capturing and torturing frogs.
Robert, Jarl and Hannah only went topless. Sophie, Kari and I opted to remain fully clothed! I was just really grateful Winnie got to take a shower in the waterfall.



We just had a really relaxing time camping, enjoying our friends and nature. It reminded me of what is really important and was a good way to spend one of our last weekends here in the bluegrass state.

Obama Vs. Archuletta

Kids are so funny. I spend all day completely amused by the things they come up with. Yesterday I nearly drove of the side of the rode laughing. We car pool to and from school with our neighbor, Mallory who is 8-years-old. Mallory's mom take the girls to school and I pick them up every day. I just love listening in on their conversations. Yesterday they were discussing why there is no school today. Mallory informed Hannah it was because of the elections. Mallory looked thoughtful and said,"I think I will vote for Obama who are you voting for?" Hannah pondered this a moment and replied, "David Archuletta"!

That's my daughter.

DeKay Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

DeKay Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Soccer is a KICK!

Saturday was our final games of soccer here in Louisville. This is Hannah's 4th season of soccer and she just loves it. She enjoys making friends, running around and the post-game snack. This was Winnie's first time ever playing soccer and boy did she ever hate it! She cried all during every game except the last one! I would have given up, but we didn't want to let the team down by not being there. I will say that she acted no differently than all the other three-year-olds on the team. Bow whoever thought up soccer for three's is crazy!

During this last game Winnie scored three goals! She decided she wanted to play and was the only player from our team actually playing and not crying! I was glad one of my children scored a goal because I sure was hungry for ice cream and we have a standing rule that if your score a goal we go get ice cream after the game (this was our first and only trip this season:)

This year Hannah and best bud, Daniel Call, were on the same team.

I really enjoy being a soccer mom. I think it is a blast to go sit and watch practices and games. I especially love seeing Hannah getting good exercise and enjoying herself---maybe it will grow on Winnie!

My Little Yogi

I started practicing yoga about two years ago through the YMCA. I fell completely in love with it. It makes me feel soooo good and relaxed. I have seriously fallen asleep in class before! I quickly realized that another member of my family loves it too--Winnifred. When she was only two years old I found that she would imitate almost every pose that I would do---not always an easy task. She can just look at my body and put hers in the same position. We love doing yoga together at home and I am grateful for a little yoga buddy.

Mountain

Bow & Arrow

Down Dog (Winnie's Favorite)

Up Dog

Lion

Derby Day

Yesterday was Derby Day. I will never forget the first Derby we spent in Louisville. It was 2002 and I was walking around Kroger on a Saturday when I realized I was all by myself---the place was eerily desserted. I drove home and I was alone on the streets. When I pulled into the driveway I told Robert who was mowing the lawn at the time---I think we need to go turn on the T.V.! Louisville completely shuts down for Derby and hey why not?-- it is an exciting event.

One thing I have always wanted to do during Derby, but haven't is go to the Kroger near our house and watch them making the rose garland for the winning horse. So when Robert suggested we go yesterday morning I was all for it. It is truly a magnificent work of art. Upon winning the Kentucky Derby the winning horse is adorned with "The Garland of the Roses," the most coveted possession in the world of racing. It is 2 1/2 yards long and weighs about 40 ponds! When we got there they had it enclosed in a glass case and had several guards around it! They gave the girls some rose petals as a keepsake.

We celebrated our last Derby in Louisville at a Derby party at our neighbor's (Dean and Nancy Kotheimer) house. We had a great time. The girls and I wore our hats and we ate tons of food. We made two Derby pies and 20 horse head cookies! Robert and I even tried to win "the pot" but our horses didn't win! (I guess this was sign that we shouldn't start gambling:) I have decided that I am going to have to hold a Derby party every year when we move back to Alaska--we just gotta hold on to our Kentucky roots right?

The Little Mermaid

On Thursday Winnie finished up 3 months of swimming lessons. She really progressed nicely and loves water! She still needs her float belt on by herself, but has built up a lot of confidence during her lessons. She can jump in the pool, float on her back, and swim like a fish with that belt on. When she takes it off she is more cautious, but is doing great!

Chillin' with the Young Women

April 30th was 31 cent scoop day at Baskin Robbins. It just happened to fall on a Wednesday night which serendipitously is YW activity night. It was awesome. I happen to love ice cream and what could be better than 31 cent scoops----sharing it with a bunch of teenagers that's what! P.S I only got two of my allowed 10 scoops---almond coconut and Rocky Road!