The only real thing that stands out since my last entry must be the Derby party. But before that first Saturday in May, Tay and I hung out with her new boyfriend, Ethan. He lives across the street and comes over everyday ringing the doorbell like 10 times in a row. Ding ding ding ding ding. T has verbally thought about putting some wattage on the doorbell button so that little Ethan will get a zap if he rings the bell more than one time.
But he is a cute kid. A bit less "developed" than Tay - his speech isn't as clear. Or maybe Tay is just more advanced for her age. Regardless, they have become fast friends. I was pretty excited to have Ethan over on Friday to play with Tay. This keeps her occupied and I thought that would be my chance to get some work done around the house before my Derby party. Well, I think it was when the ol' doctor kit came out that I decided that my attention needed to be in the living room making sure "playing doctor" was a legit, innocent game. After doctor came an even stranger game of "getting married." Tay brought her dress up box downstairs and started to undress in order to put on her "wedding gown". Well, I just felt uncomfortable with this scenario but didn't want to make it a huge taboo so I told her it would be better for her to surprise Ethan with her dress so she changed in the bathroom.
As they were playing outside, the distant melodies of the ice cream truck was lingering in the air. The kids were really excited so we made our way out front so that they could get some frozen sugar concoction. I think this was one of the highlights of the day for them. While they were out back, I became nostalgic thinking about being a kid and playing outside for hours until it was time for dinner. I am sure there must be pics somewhere of me and my childhood friends. And, with that thought in mind, I grabbed the camera to take some pics of the new friends.
Gotta love the rockin' horns Tay is sportin' and her Bundi beer (it is a ginger beer from Australia)
Having fun
And now, on to the Derby party. I will be honest, while I was getting everything ready that day, I was really not wanting to go through with it. I wasn't going to be drinking and sometimes that helps calm my nerves and prepare me for a house full of guests. But through the anxiety and the occasional tears, I made it until the last couple (my SIL and BIL) left at 2:30 AM. Here are some pics of the evening along with commentary:
I opened the door to the most festive, best costumed group of the day! The jockey is my StepMIL Linda, the head of the horse was my not-so-happy FIL, the butt of the horse was one of Linda's daughters Erin and the old school Southern lady in blue is Linda's other daughter Kasey. Kasey says her outfit is circa 1920's. She won the Best Dressed trophy based on votes from other guests.
More photos of this team!
I couldn't get enough of them...
Kacy and my BFF Amy
BIL Ryan with "uncle" Mario workin' it old school Derby style
SIL Lauren with her BFF Liz
Jim and Steph (were they dippin' in the mint juleps?)
Jim rocked his cowboy hat Derby-style, real men are not afraid to wear roses!
MIL Steph with her old friend Barb - Barb won the Best Hat trophy with a huge majority of votes from the guests
Her hat was beautiful and the lady at the consignment shop insisted it was an authentic Derby hat that was actually worn for the race!
Hanging out waiting for the big race!
The big winner of the "pot of gold" - Amy, with her partner Kay, won the $56 pot with Mine That Bird. She didn't realize that was her horse and, until no one else cheered, she didn't think of looking at her ticket. She was pleasantly surprised to find out she was the winner!
Candids - Steph, Jim, Barb and Barb's husband Mark
Todd's friend Demian and his new wife Katie - their first Derby as a married couple!
My other BFF Amber and her date (who we all loved) Ryan hanging out with T
Us - me sober...and me living vicariously through T and the yummy beers he was drinking! Oh..and a mint julep...and Bailey's coffee...well, you get the idea.
Into the night - after the exciting 2 minutes in sports, after hour party commenced. Sitting around the chiminea, smoking cigars and drinking spiked coffee. Not to mention occasional face smacks (don't ask) and marshmallow roasting.
Ahh, the chidlish behavior that excretes from the system when the juleps take hold!
Amy, with eyes open, and Kacy, the marshmallow mama and the one falling into the smoker every other second...get it girls! =P
Dawna is getting bored with the conversation of cartoon faves...picture time
The day after shot - everything was placed on this chair and it looked like a photo...so I took it!
The party seemed to have gone well and I suppose everyone had a good time since it was such a late night before everyone was gone. I made it through and quite honestly glad it is over. Now I can move on! I am soooo looking forward to going home in July!! I love going back for the July 4th excitement and seeing everyone while I am there!!! Maybe I will even get to connect with those I have reconnected with on FaceBook! That will definitely be the next thing I am definitely looking forward to!! I need to get out of Tucson for a while. I need a taste of home...
4 comments:
Am I the smoker Kacy was falling into?! Or does this have another meaning? Very nice of you to "hide" my smoking though ;) Even though I just busted myself! Ha! What a fun night :) Thank you so much for a great party!!
Tay and her little "boyfriend" are too cute for words. Avery plays with the little boy next door and she has made the comment that she loves him and he loves her. His name is Julio and he is bilingual...he is teaching Avery Spanish. She is now more fluent than Danielle who has been taking AP Spanish classes for the past three years. Also, I am loving your mother-in-law! I would so love to dress my husband as an Ass! Hope to see you in July!
Amy, you are a hoot! The smoker I was talking about was the smoker that was sitting behind Kacy. Next to the grill! She kept forgetting that the stool she was sitting on didn't have a back so she kept leaning back and falling into it! Not you the smoker! Hahahaha! But that was pretty funny!!
Looked like a great Derby gathering..i think you were probably the prettiest of the belles..no, you were for sure. Kentucky is well represented in the wild west! The little boy is a cute kid..they will probably be great friends for a long time but Tay will be a knock-out and as the old story goes, a heart breaker. Some little chump will come along sooner or later and get her attention..maybe he'll knock. Todd's in for a nerve wracking future..dads need a lot of Bailey's and big blunt burners to deal with daughters while they grow. Sometimes daughters turn out really good and allow dads to get their nerves back under control in their later years..i'm lucky like that..Nervauna, or ever how ya spell it, didn't rot your mind out and you went on to be very successful and very happy now with a good guy. All that said..now, what am i gett'n for Christmas?!! Just KIDding! aaats..LOVE, DAD ..i already know what i'm gett'n!
Post a Comment