I am OBSESSED!

Is he just not the cutest thing ever!  We were at the park and I had my camera so I did a little photoshoot with Benson. I just can not get enough of this kid (when he is happy).  I just have to keep squeezin those cheeks, kissin that face, and tickling his belly.  He is eight months old and on the move!  He is acting more and more like his daddy everyday if you do not believe, check out very top left picture again. haha

Petting Zoo

The Mid-South fair is going on so we went to check it out with the Chatwins.  On free day of course (except for parking).  They had a cute little petting zoo that we enjoyed.  Benson liked sticking his fingers in and touching the animals at first but he must of gotten to much nibbling on his little fingers because after awhile he just held on tight to me.  It's fun to see him start to explore and be more aware of what is going on around him.  Other than the petting zoo and my free walgreens bag there were only rides and a few food stands.  It was nice to get out and enjoy the good weather while we have it.  Thanks Chatwins for driving and taking pictures! 

Nashville

This was our first stop in Nashville.  We toured the Plantation and learned that horse racing started out big in Tennessee not Kentucky.  We toured the house and walked around.  It was really cool to see. 

After this we went to Lane Motor Museum where the guys walked around forever looking at all the little and unique cars.  It was fun to see the cars but I could walk through and read everything in less than half the time it took the guys to.  It worked out well though because there was a little kid place that Benson could roll around and play with cars, so he was in heaven to not be strapped in to some kind of seat. I did not get any pictures of this place though sorry.  You can look it up and see all the cars if you are interested. 

We checked into our hotel ordered some pizza and then Bret and his parents went to the Grand Ole Opry.  They saw the Riders in the Sky and a few other performers.  They said that it was fun and cool to see.  Earl did not want to go but I think he thought it was okay in the end.  




GREENVILLE 
We woke up early and drove out to Greenville for church.  It was such an awesome ward and it was really fun to see where Bret served his mission and the people he got to meet while he was there.  We went to dinner at some of Bret's friends and had a really enjoyable time getting to know them.  We drove from there to Lexington. 

Keeneland

We stopped by the Keeneland racetrack in Lexington.  It was pretty much empty except for the 5th Grade field trips. Horse racing is part of there financial learning in Kentucky.  It worked out perfect because it was free to walk around and we stopped and talked to the tour guides in between the groups of kids.  The horse in the upper picture was trained and had all the surgeries to be a racing horse but did not make the cut so there was almost a million dollars spent on him and then the owner just gave him away to the guy to show off to the tours and round up other horses.  I was surprised at all the money that was spent on horses and all the surgeries they do so they can supposedly breathe better.  It was a pretty track and they also had a lot of stables.  

Shaker Village

The last thing we did in Lexington was the shaker village.  We were not going to go but we had some extra time so we did.  I am really glad we went, this was one of my favorite things we did on the trip.  The drive out there was really pretty as well.  There were a lot of different buildings filled with historical stuff as well as people dressed in that time period clothing who told about the history as well as answered all of our questions. 

Mammoth Caves

           Our first stop once we reached Bowling Green was Mammoth Caves.  I am glad that we made it there safely. I was driving and I almost got us in a major accident.  I went to turn the car around in a little gravel looped-Te-loop when the diesel behind me wanted to go in the same place.  I hurried to get out of his way and Bret said I was going to get the car stuck, so in the panic of getting out of the diesels way and trying not to get the car stuck I did not see the pickup coming up behind us that swerved into the other lane to not hit us than swerved back to not hit the other car in oncoming traffic.  Thank goodness for the observant pickup driver!  I would also like to add that I only saw one other car besides those over the 15min I had been driving through the park.  It was odd that on the bare highway we were all there in that instance.
            Bret and I had been to the Caves before and Bret wanted to take a little break so we sent Earl and Roxanne on the tour and we took a little hike and then a little nap at the lodge.  Earl and Roxanne really liked the tour and got lucky to be in a small group. 

Corvette Factory and Museum

In Bowling Green we visited the Corvette Factory and Museum.  Benson and I were not able to see the Factory because you have to be seven or older and someone had to watch Benson.  So we found some shade while the rest did the tour.  They came out with smiles on there faces.  They said it was pretty cool to see how it all works.  We then went over to the museum.  I thought it was pretty cool to see all the different models and years of the cars but I went through it a lot faster than Earl and Bret. I don't know or care to know too much about cars.  Bret said he always thought that the basic Corvette was pretty sweet but now that he knows all the upgrades and stuff about the high end ones he doesn't find the cheaper ones that cool anymore. 

Nashville Again

On our way back home we stopped again in Nashville to tour the Grand Ole Opry Hotel.  It was pretty amazing with huge indoor gardens. The hotel was huge as well filled with large buildings inside along with a river and so much more.  It was pretty cool to walk around and even gardener Earl was pretty impressed.