Kenneland Horse Racing

Lexington, Kentucky Keeneland Horse Park...so beautiful!

Ashlea, Me and Michelle

Ashlea, Jim, Me, Ryan, Michelle and Fred after our BIG win!!

Ashlea and Jim's first big win.

Michelle and Fred before the races.

Trying to pose with the horses, but they moved as we took the picture.

Just arriving at Keeneland.

Today Ryan and I went with some of our neighbors to Lexington, Kentucky to watch the Keeneland horse races. It was so much fun, plus we got a day away from the children! We did win one big race. All six of us went in together and won $533.00. We were VERY excited.

Easter Cookie Time

The masterpieces!

Hunter making Emily a purple Easter egg.

Emily very carefully decorating.

One down...many more to go.

Great job Em!

Reagan concentrating.

Well, it is Spring Break here and Emily came over for the day to play with Hunter and Reagan. We decided it was a good rainy (possible snowy) day for cookie decorating. Since Easter is just around the corner we found lots of bunny, egg and chick stamps. The kids did such a great job and had fun doing it.

Rea Rea's nails

Reagan is always watching Mommy paint her fingernails and toenails. After many times of telling Reagan no, I decided to give in and paint her toenails. She picked out a pretty pink color and sat very still for me. She even waiting until they were fully dry. So cute!

Karate Class and Belt Testing

Perfect middle stance...making sure Mommy is recording!

Orange Belt Testing

Hunter with his karate buddies in class.

Well, Hunter was scheduled to have his Orange Belt Testing for Karate on Friday, March 27th. We are in class on the Monday before and Hunter is called to the front of the room to accept his new orange belt. Hunter looks at me and I am looking at Sensei Mike very dumbfounded. After he presents Hunter with his belt, Sensei Mike looks at me and says, "Wait...he hasn't tested yet has he?" I smiled and said no. He refused to take the belt away from Hunter since it was his error. I believe Hunter would have understood, but I can see why he did that. So...we go to Hunter's belt testing that Friday, wearing his new belt, and he did AWESOME!!! He looks like a little pro out there. I have a short video of it. Enjoy!

Cayce and Basketball

Ready for the rebound.

Run Cayce Run

Today was Cayce's first time to play competitive basketball. He is on a new team so the players have not ever played together. Cayce of course is the tallest on the team...no surprise! He made 6 points and 2 of them I was actually able to catch on a short video. The other two baskets I didn't get because I was too busy watching. We are very proud of him and can't wait to see him again next week!

Reagan's Many Toys...

Not much room for Rea Rea!

Somehow Reagan, just like Hunter, has to have as many things in her bed when she sleeps as possible. So much so there is not much room for her. I guess it is time to invest in the full size bed so that all of Reagan's goodies can still sleep with her. I try to clean them out once she is asleep, but the next night she is asking for them again. Hey...at least she is sleeping right!?!

Dinner with the Neighbors

Maddi, Jack, Charlie, Hunter (aka Batman), Reagan and Sam

Since we all have spring fever a few of our neighbors decided to combine what we had in our house and cook a big meal together. The kids never seem to mind!!! We had steak, pork chops, shrimp, potatoes, fried okra, corn and salad. How's that for a throw together meal!?! We had a great day playing outside in the warm weather...minus the crazy wind and just wanted the fun to continue. Thanks guys for all the great food!!! How about next weekend?

Party Pals

Reagan partied out!

And Hunter too!

Crista, Michelle, Me and Amy

Reagan, Hunter, Alex, Abby, Lilly, Drew and Alex.

Rea Rea ready to party with her friends!

We had a play date with some friends of ours at a new place called Party Pals. As long as you have 5 children you can have the place to yourself, with or without a birthday party. The kids had so much fun. There are dress up clothes for boys and girls as well as things to climb on and a house to play in. We had pizza and cupcakes for a dessert. We will find a way to go back and do it again sometime I'm sure!!! Thanks girls for getting the kiddos together!

The Extended Stay in Kansas

Silly Rea Rea and Hunter

Making cookies with Dede

Again...no naps in the bedroom, but hey at least she took a nap right!?!

Hunter and Reagan trying to play the organ with Dede.

Dede playing pretty organ music for us.

Well, Hunter, Reagan and I were going to leave Kansas on Tuesday and life took a different turn. I ended up getting sick Sunday night. I got Vertigo. For those of you who have never heard of it or had it...just drink three bottles of wine, spin around for a minute and then try to walk in a straight line. That's what my world looked like. So my sweet Father in Law took me to small town ER and we were in and out with medication, blood tests and I was walking straight within 2 hrs. Gotta love the small town!!! The vertigo would come and go, so I decided it was not worth me getting in the car and driving 13hrs with precious cargo. So we stayed with Dede until the next Friday. I know she hated that I was still feeling yucky, but LOVED having more time with Hunter and Reagan. They stayed busy in the kitchen making goodies and I stayed as still as possible.

I did make the drive home on Friday. It was a VERY long trip, but the kids were WONDERFUL!!! Thank heavens for DVD players! Unfortunately the vertigo came back strong Saturday night and on top of that I got the stomach bug that has been going around so I was severely dehydrated. So off to the ER we go. After 4 hours, 2 bags of fluids and a CT scan were out of there with prescriptions and lots of required rest. Ryan took great care of me. Couldn't ask for a better person to watch over me. I don't get sick often, but when I do...I go full force! I should be good now until Hunter is 10 years old!

Off to Kansas We Go

Uncle Carter and Hunter

Melissa, Papa C, Uncle Carter, Reagan, Hunter, Griffin, Dede and Sko

Aunt Leslie, Papa C, Uncle Carter, Reagan, Hunter, Griffin, Dede and Sko

Hunter snuggling with Dede. (Griffin and Reagan said NO MORE PICTURES!)

Reagan, Griffin and Hunter before church.

Uncle Carter/Daddy with Reagan, Griffin, and Hunter just before bedtime.

Hunter helping Dede make fresh Rolls

Reagan napping with Mommy...she was so afraid she would miss something if she went to bed in her room. Wonder where she gets that?

The Three Helwig Cousins!

After many emails and many phone calls The Helwig Family was able to make a 13hr trip to Kansas to see Hunter and Reagan's Great Grandma Dede. Sko and Papa C were heading up from Austin, TX and Uncle Carter, Aunt Leslie and Cousin Griffin were heading up from Keller, TX. We were having a small reunion minus Uncle Tyler and Daddy.

Ryan was working on Kansas City that week so the kids and I were able to spend a night with him to help break up the trip. We were sad to leave him there and go on, but that is how work goes. We are all thankful that he has a job!!!

The cousins had a great time hanging out. Hunter and Reagan were so sweet with Griffin. Reagan thought that she should have some of Griffin's toys and even tried to hide a few of them, but luckily Aunt Leslie and Mommy were able to retrieve them before their departure back home. Reagan was loving her Uncle Carter. She wouldn't leave his side. If anyone asked her to do something the answer was no. If Uncle Carter asked...the answer was OK! Reagan even threw a HUGE fit when Uncle Carter was leaving. I was willing to let them take her, however they didn't have room with all their goodies for the trip. Maybe next time! We were so happy to see everyone and Dede loved showing us all off at church on Sunday.