My Old Kentucky Home

I know this is the first real post in ages - but we had some technology issues while in KY and I wasn't able to upload all of the photos - below is a brief update on our time in KY:

The past two weeks have been nothing short of incredible.  We arrived in KY at 1 a.m. on Christmas Eve and didn't stop until we drove back to Miami on the 2nd by pulling an all-nighter. 

As usual, we underestimated how much time the drive to KY would take and learned a quick lesson when, 17 hours later, we were just pulling in to my sister's driveway.  She was so sweet; she had prepared a fabulous vegetarian chili for us and she even tried it herself! Apparently she was impressed, but still decided to brown a little beef for herself on the side ;)  We did the family gift exchange (in our p.j's) on Christmas Eve:

After Ross and Susan arrived on Christmas day, it was full-steam ahead.  My family is head-over-heels in love with Ben's parents!  They came into town for our engagement party, which was a huge success:

Me and my dear friend, Lauren Schott.

L-R:  Lindsay Zoller, April Harris, me, Elizabeth Price (cousin) and her husband, Kevin

L-R:  Ross, Susan, me and the Bean

L-R:  Me, Kim Hayden, Angela (Bland) Wethington, Kylee Smith, Abbey Buckman, Emily Doyle and April Harris

Me and Lori Ethington

Me, Amy (Head) Jones and her husband, Michael

Me, Mando and Bruddo

Me, Rachel and Emily (two of my bridesmaids)

Ben and Bruddo

L-R:  Brittany, Susan, Ross, J.J and Tami (my cousin and bridesmaid)

Dad, me and Darlene

Me and Susan after the party in our matching pajamas

We had such a great time - Mom and Doot (Dave) were so sweet to have planned the party for us.  We finished the night at my Mom's house playing a fun game of Catchphrase - Ross and Susan were finally able to see where I get my obsession with board-games! 

After Ross and Susan left, we ventured over to Rachel's house where we were able to meet Baby Walker for the first time - he is absolute perfection.  I was lucky enough to also catch him donning the, "My Heart Belongs to Aunt La La" shirt that I got for him.  Oh, and if there were ever any question about Walker's DNA, all doubt went out the window when Rach showed me his fave toy:  a little rapper-bear that sings, "This is why I'm hot."  He definitely has his mother's taste in music ;) 

Me and my nephew!

Ben looks good with a baby in his arms, huh?

















We ended our trip by ringing in the new year at Lori's house. 

Here we are in the midst of our New-Year's kiss!  It's so exciting that this is the year we will be getting married - it will be here before we know it.  As we braved the 17-hour drive home on our 2-year anniversary, Ben reminded me that, starting 7/11, we will have to re-set the counter :)  He was also pumped that our anniversary won't be so close to the holidays anymore so that he has time to cook up some really good gift ideas ;) 

To my family:  Thank you SO much for such an incredible trip home - I always cry when I leave, and each of you are the reason why...it's too hard to say goodbye.  We love you so much and can't wait to do it again next year (and Ross and Susan are permanently on the guest list!)

Happy New Year to each of you reading this - where were you when you rang in the big '09?

Comments

[stephanie green]

OMG! Happy anniversary I had noo idea!! xo

[tami]

I loved spending New Years with you guys this year! Next year I guess we'll let John come too ;)