At the Horse Park with Gramma

On Tuesday, July 24th, we spent the day together with Gramma at the Kentucky Horse Park.  Elliott and Isaac had been to the Horse Park the previous year with their cousins, the Snedens.  On that trip, they enjoyed watching Nicholas and Joshua, but this year they were much more interactive and actually enjoyed seeing the horses!

Isaac was excited to see the first horse, while Elliott was somewhat apprehensive.  Elliott warmed up quickly and was all smiles.

The boys loved The Big Barn!  There were many horses to see and lots of space to run.

The Big Barn had a beuatiful view, as well!

I loved how fearless they were, going right up to the stall doors.  Only once were there tears, when the light-colored horse surprised them by coming more quickly than they expected towards the gate.

We had a photo shoot in the giant chairs.  So cute!

I think Isaac and Elliott actually look alike in this photo...it's the rosy, round cheeks!

Such big boys compared to our family picture from last year!

After the photo shoot, we took a trolley ride around the park.  They both enjoyed the ride...Elliott was all smiles, while Isaac took everything in very seriously.

After the trolley ride, we were able to see the horses more closely.

Nice smiles from Gramma and Daddy! 
I believe the next trolley had the boys' attention.

After the trolley adventure, we went to the Hall of Champions.  We timed it just right, so that we enjoyed watching and learning about some amazing champions while the afternoon rain showered the park.  The boys enjoyed all of the horses and even saw two Derby winners!  They would stare while the horses were being presented and then clap like crazy at the end!  A few times, they could not hold their applause and clapped during the presentations.  I don't think the horses minded the extra enthusiasm!

Go for Gin
1994 Kentucky Derby winner

After the Champions presentation, we were all hungry.  A couple of us (Isaac and Elliott) were even a bit slap-happy!

We decided to take a quick stroll through the International Museum of the Horse after lunch.  Our plans of a quick stroll were extended a bit when we discovered our little guys were fast asleep.

After their nap through the museum, they were recharged and ready to run!  We released them from their stroller and they loved running as fast as they could!

Isaac was very interested in throwing the leaves on the ground into the trash can.  I love this shot of him running after a trash can stop.  He was very proud of himself! 

Isaac gazed into the water while Elliott growled at it...I have no idea why he thought growling at a fountain was an appropriate response.  Silly boy!

Another trash can stop...I hope his love of throwing items away continues into his potential messy teenage years! 

Checking out the stride markings of various thoroughbreds.

Elliott and Man O'War...I love his curiosity and willingness to explore!

Isaac pretended to read each and every possible marker around the statue.

They both climbed onto nearly every bench we passed...such big boys!

They sure did love the water and fountains!

They look like little men!  Where did my babies go?

The goofy boys would pretend to lick the stone in order for someone to say "No, no, no".  Then they would run away laughing!

The "running away laughing"

After the day at the Horse Park, we expected Elliott and Isaac to be exhausted.  Boy, were we wrong!  They showed Gramma their idea of horsing around in the kitchen after supper.  They loved when she would trap them between her feet and tickle them!

What a beautiful day in The Bluegrass!