While Shawn was sleeping.

This is another set of pictures taken through the eyes of Evie. One day while Shawn was "watching" Evie she found the digital camera and took a tour of the house.

Happy Birthday Shawn (September 3rd)

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Daddy, Happy Birthday to you.

There was nothing sweeter than hearing our little 3-year-old sing so proudly to her Daddy on his Birthday.

Incidentally the melody of "Happy Birthday to You" was written by American sisters Patty and Mildred Hill in 1893 when they were school teachers in Louisville, Kentucky.

Evelyn helped me pick out the candles and carefully place them in the "Derby Pie" or as they are legally bound to call it a "Bluegrass Pie" because of a copy right. We spent most of Shawn's birthday hunting and calling around town for a pumpkin pie. This birthday tradition of Shawn's had met it's match here in Kentucky. We got most of the same responses as when we were asking around for a giant moose picture to place over our fireplace.

We finished the evening off with a trip to Corky's for what they claimed to be "The Best BBQ in the South". It wasn't. But, we had a great time anyway. Evie generated laughs from other customers. Each time we made a trip to the bathroom she would sing loudly with great enthusiasm "Naked, Naked, Naked!!!

Magee's Bakery

I thought you might like to take a tour of the Bakery from Evelyn's point of view. The hand that you see making Danish is Shawn's. He loves this picture. You can also see the carrot cupcakes and the other picture of is rows of white cupcakes with Magee's awesome buttercream frosting on them. We are very blessed with Shawn's employment there and Shawn has some very positive experiences. He said that his favorite thing about working at this bakery is that he gets to see people in the store enjoying the product that he helps put out. This is something that he has not been able to experience at quite a scale at his previous bakery jobs. The people that purchase food at Magee's are able to sit down right at the bakery and enjoy.

Highbridge Homecoming Festival

We were able to go to the 2nd annual Highbridge Homecoming Festival. This festival is found only a few minutes out of town in an even smaller town than ours. I think all it has is a church and a very picturesque view of the Highbridge railroad trussel and the Kentucky River below. It is very beautiful

We went to the festival two nights in a row. The first night they were having a dessert auction. It was pretty funny listening to this old man auction off the blackberry cobbler. He was talking it up pretty good. I'm sure whoever made it was very proud of her creation. It was all I could do to stop Shawn from trying to bid. You may know how much he loves to try new things.

The second day we were going to go earlier and see some of the lineup of acts they had instore. It was raining pretty well here and we didn't want to chance if there was a place out of the rain for us to go. So, we went up after the rain cleared and was able to see the Cloggers and a Bluegrass band. Both were very good. After awhile Evie couldn't stand it anymore and got up right in front of the cloggers and started imitating them. Being the proud mama I am, I was very impressed that she was imitating them so well. (we later signed her up for a ballet/tap class) I am contemplating taking clogging lessons. They are only $45 for 10 weeks. I don't think that is bad. How cool would it be if I came back to Minnesota with an accent and the ability to clog. I'm also interested in joining a gun club or shooting range while down here. Just to finish off my stereotyping. Although we don't own a gun or really don't have a desire to, but it would be fun to have that skill. I wonder if they borrow/rent guns?






Evie dancing with the cloggers.















The Bluegrass band Pickin' Time was a delight to watch. They sounded great! They are our 1st official Bluegrass band we watched here in Kentucky.







The night finished off with a dance. Evie was big into finding dance partners. Anyone but Mom and Dad that is. She found this boy to dance with. Oh, dear we're in trouble. We ended the night when this dance was done. We didn't want it to get too serious.

The Circus

Shawn, Evie, and I went to the Barnum and Bailey Circus when it came to Lexington this past August. We arrived early and were able to go down to the main floor and be up close and personal with the performers.

Here is Evelyn with a clown friend she had made.

Evie tried on a Ring Master's jacket.

Our cheap seats put us at the "end" of the arena. We did get to see the front of the Animals from time to time.

Mom and Evie pose with the Elephants.

Daddy and Evie pose with the Tigers.

We had a great time. Shawn and Evelyn even got to see a Cebu.

In the September issue of Parenting Magazine is an article that beautifully describes the circus trip (it could almost be our circus trip). It is on page 197 and is entitled A Trip to the circus by Pete Nelson. I tried to link it, but the article is not online at this time.