Winna Winna!

This morning, the guys all headed to the track to watch the horses warm up.  The gals – we stayed back at the condo and lounged.  Babe of course had treats for the kids.  A DS game for Crawford because he’s gotten so good with his yes mam’s and no mam’s!  Conlee got a Hello Kitty swimsuit just because.  She insisted on wearing it and wanted to wear it to the track.

Thank goodness she settled for the new dress Babe brought her (with the Hello Kitty purse of course).  Crawford insisted he wear boots and jeans like the guys in the barn!

Blake was so nice to have arranged for a row of boxes for all of us to be able to sit together.

When it was time to bet, Conlee cracked me up because she got her purse and her shades so that she looked “just like me!”  We got quite the chuckle as we walked around.

We let the kids pick their horses and hold their tickets.

I of course headed for my favorite part of the track – the oyster bar.  The shot below is basically heaven to me

Uncle Matt and Crawford watched to see if we were winna’s.

Guess what – we all won (Bo hit a trifecta).  What a great start to the day!

Crawford loved the man we bet with.  He really loved getting money to put in his wallet.

But, that money didn’t stay there long.  When you are 5 & 3 and just won $8 – what do you spend it on?  Ice cream of course!

Guess what?  While we ate our ice cream – we won again.  Bo & I deemed the kids our good luck charms.

By 2:30 – it was time for them to go take a nap.  A HUGE thanks to Babe & Uncle Matt for taking them back to the condo, while Bo and I got to enjoy the rest of the afternoon with our friends.  The thing about the track – you always run into a ton of folks you know.  We’d pre-arranged to of course be with the Lazenby’s but the Rice’s came too!  Such fun to catch up with some of our oldest and dearest friends.

Now for the BIG thank you…Babe even came back to the track around 5:30 to pick us up.  We owe her big time.

It was that perfect time of day when we got back to the condo – sunset over the lake.

We had a great time collecting and then throwing rocks off of the deck.

The kids loved seeing the Belle.  The also loved hearing the story that Bo & I had our first “official” date in the US on the Belle (Sigma Nu formal in March of ‘95!).  Hot Springs is definitely where I fell head over heels in love with Bo!

It was quite the trek down the stairs – so Pops watched from the balcony.

Bo and I made the comment that we were so relaxed…

…so, the kids had to try it out for themselves.

I wish I could find all of the pics of Matt & I in front of Lake Hamilton!

Bo took the opportunity to do a little t-ball throwing practice.  This is them on their “skateboard” then doing nose and throw!

The loved quacking at the duck as it went by.

If you know me – I’m a planner.  We’d brought Richard’s burgers with us to grill for an easy dinner at the condo.  So fun and so yummy.  Bo had one request – a repeat of the bananas foster from the weekend before.

It did not disappoint!

What a great day with family & friends.  So, excited that our kids are finally at the age where their schedules are totally flexible and they can roll with whatever we throw their way.  Love that they are fun enough to hang out with!  Again, thanks to Babe for her help.  Couldn’t have done it without her!

Go Horsey!

Today, we met my folks in Hot Springs for a pre-birthday bash to celebrate my brother’s upcoming birthday.

A few months ago, we decided we ARE those people.  Those people that take their kids to the races.  In our defense – a big shout out goes to the fact that smoking is now isolated to certain areas.

Today was GORGEOUS.  I’ve been to the track in APRIL and it’s been freezing.  We are still in March and in the upper 80’s.  The kids were so excited to see the Horsey’s!

We got so lucky that we were in an “off” weekend (between big races) – and on a Friday.  There was no crowd!  The kids quickly realized that there were people outside – and they wanted to go there!

Love that with NO ONE out there – my kids choose to sit right next to the guy with the 2 kids!

Apparently, the guy is a jockey and thought I wanted him to scoot closer for a picture! 

My kids love being with “the people!”

He looks like he’s playing his DS – right? Um, no.  He’s taking pics of his “friends & family & horses.”

Here’s what he was trying to get!

The kids with Uncle Matt!

The kids with Babe & Pops!  So, so thankful to have Pops feeling good and able to enjoy this day with us!

I feel safe in saying that my kids had the best seat in the house.

Blake was so nice to let us sit with him in the box!  Then he even let us watch him in the paddock.  He had a horse that he was trying to get “settled” to the set-up at Oaklawn.

Then Mr. Blake made our day.  He took us to the barn where his horses are stabled.  The kids (and I’ll admit me too) were so overwhelmed by the beauty of the horses!  What a fun experience.

When it was time to go get ready for our dinner reservations – Bo went to get the car…and we lounged and enjoyed the day!

We did a quick change of clothes – and were ready for din at J&S!  But, not without the requisite “lake” pics!

We were so shocked that our “little bit” Con ate like a horse!  She even ate the escargot!

And shrimp villa!

The men had Osso Bucco – delish!

The ladies had sole, wrapped with spinach around a scallop.

Con even ate our side of pasta!

My wonderful “McCain” family!  How blessed, lucky,thankful I am for all of us to have such an amazing day & night together.  Rest assured I don’t ever take it for granted!  Happy early birthday Uncle Matt!