Derby and Dedication

After the dedication

The first Saturday in May is always exciting in Louisville, KY because of the Kentucky Derby.  The first Sunday in May this year was extra special in the Brown household because it was the date of Colton’s Parent/Child Dedication at church.  We had been looking forward to this day for a long time when Derek and I would stand before our church to publicly commit to raising Colton in a Christ-centered home where living to glorify God is of utmost importance.  We were blessed to have all four of Colton’s grandparents in town for the event.

Our grandparent visiting spanned over ten days and we had a lot of fun doing many things.  Playing outside, playing at several parks, visiting two zoos, going out to eat and for ice cream, catching a few KY Derby events, watching the KY Derby on TV, and trying the “best donuts in Louisville” at Nord’s bakery.  I created a web album of pictures from some of our activities.

Kiki Time!

Recently, my mom came to visit for a week.  It was a joy to have her here and also a big help!  We did some decorating around the house and a lot of spring cleaning. An added blessing was my mom taking care of Colton so I could attend our church’s women’s conference while Derek continued his regular studying routine.  Here are a few pics from her visit…

Playing in the yard

Colton loves playing with Kiki's iPhone

And he loves playing with Kiki!

He fell asleep on the way home from Costco while looking at his new book.

Derek’s Birthday!

We had a low-key celebration for Derek’s birthday this year…but the big news was his mom and dad came to visit for his birthday weekend.  It was a quick visit but we managed to go out to eat, shopping, and visit the Frazier History Museum downtown.  Here are some pics from their visit…

Birthday Breakfast!

Derek still had to get some studying in on his special day, but we brought him lunch from Jimmy John’s and then later went out to dinner at one of his favorites, BJ’s, for pizza and pizookie.

Colton got a lot of playing time in with his grandma and grandpa…

On Saturday at the Frazier History Museum downtown

After the museum walking downtown to Mrs. Potter's Cafe for lunch.

Sunday lunch at The Cheesecake Factory! Derek's parents love this restaurant and we do, too.

Great Grampa and GG Visit

This past weekend my grandma and grandpa flew out to Louisville from Phoenix, AZ to meet Colton.  We loved having them here, so we could give them a tour of our life in Louisville and so they could spend some time with their 3rd great grandchild.

Taking a tour of the Southern Seminary campus

Taking a ride on Great Grampa's lap. Colton actually did fine, this was just too good of a picture of my grandpa to pass up.

Walking along the Ohio Riverfront in downtown Louisville with GG

GG helping Colton practice his soccer skills

I love playing cards with my grandma and so we couldn't let a visit pass without getting in a game.

We had about 24 hours to spend with my grandparents and we are so thankful they came.  I loved driving them around Louisville to show them the sights and it was a treat to go out to dinner with them.  We are looking forward to when we can see them again!

Colton is One!

Colton’s first birthday was Monday, October 10th!

The Birthday Boy!

We were blessed to have both sets of grandparents in town for the occasion!  We celebrated with a small party at our house on Saturday night.  I loved planning and preparing for the event!  Here are some pictures from the weekend you can see by clicking here.

Meeting Grandma and Grandpa!

This past weekend Derek’s parents came to visit so they could meet their grandson!  Throughout their 4 1/2 days here we went out to eat, did some work on our house, visited the St. James Art Show in downtown Louisville and they got to spend time playing with our new little blessing.  Here are some highlights in pictures…

First time in Grandma's arms

Grandpa got to hold him, too

They loved him before they even met him!

Playing at home

Happy Grandma...Happy Colton

At the St. James Art Show in Old Louisville

Bottle time means nap time

Eating lunch with Grandpa

Playtime Pic #1

Playtime Pic #2

Playtime Pic #3

Yum! Lunch!

We had a great extended weekend visit with Derek’s parents!  They then traveled on to Washington DC to spend the week with Derek’s aunt.  They returned to Louisville yesterday for a second weekend with us to celebrate Colton’s first birthday.

 

1/2 Birthday Celebration

Me and my Dad

Ever since I can remember my dad has been taking me out on a dinner date for my half birthday (February 17th).  When we moved to Louisville, he said he would keep his promise that no matter where I lived in the world he would come take me out to celebrate.  We have been in Louisville now for 4 of my 1/2 birthdays and he has kept his promise.  He comes when he can attach it to an east coast business trip and this time he was able to stay for a full day!  We loved having him here!

Monday dinner at Ramsi’s Cafe on the World.

Tuesday breakfast at our place with Derek, too.

Tuesday we went to shoot baskets at the seminary and went for a walk in Brown Park.

Tuesday before his flight we went out to eat at Chuy’s with Derek, too.

It is always great to see my dad and this time was no different!  Thank you, Daddy, for the sacrifices you make to spend time with us and for your commitment to our 1/2 birthday tradition for all these years!

Baby Shower Road Trip

With my friend Jessica

This past weekend my lifelong friend Jessica had a baby shower for her first baby due March 27th.  I was thankful Derek and I were able to make the road trip up to Columbus, OH for the occasion.  We drove up Friday morning and I spent the afternoon in Jessica’s 3rd grade classroom. It was fun to see who she is as a teacher!   Derek spent the afternoon studying at the local Starbucks.

The baby shower was on Saturday afternoon and we headed back south to Louisville after the shower.  We were blessed with unusually warm and sunny weather throughout our trip!  On the drive home we made a stop at IKEA outside of Cincinnati, which was a fun little date for the two of us.

Eating ice cream at Graeter's!

Joel's mom, Jessica, me, and Jessica's friend Carolyn ready to leave for the shower. We (excluding Jessica) each drove about 3 hours for the shower.

At the shower after opening her gift from me.

A Road Trip to the Deep South

Derek’s sister, Kathy, got married this weekend in Vicksburg, Mississippi!  We took a long weekend to drive down for the wedding.  We extended our anniversary celebration with a stay in Memphis, TN on the way to MS.  We drove 1,300 miles and touched 6 different states in 4 days.  We enjoyed seeing Derek’s family and venturing into a part of the US neither of us had ever visited.  Of course it was also a blessing to be able to share with Justin and Kathy in the celebration of their marriage to each other!

You can check out pics from our trip in our web album.

Derek’s Graduation Week

Friday, May 14th Derek graduated with his MDiv from Southern Seminary!

His parents came a week before graduation to spend time with us in Louisville before Derek’s big day.  My parents flew in the night before graduation and all six of us spent the weekend together.  A few highlights of activities we did during the week of Derek’s graduation:

- Spent a Saturday exploring Bardstown, KY with Derek’s parents

- Surprised Derek’s mom with tickets to Wicked for Mother’s Day

- Derek did three days of window cleaning with his Dad

- Lots of meals out!

- Derek and his parents got to come watch me play in one of my volleyball games.  His parents had yet to see me play volleyball.

- Derek’s graduation ceremony and dessert at the President’s house

- An afternoon on Millionaire’s Row at Churchill Downs to watch the horse races

- A tour of Mammoth Caves in Cave City, KY.  The longest underground cave system in the world.

- Organizing a BBQ for 60 people  (including children) from our Bible Fellowship Group at church

You can check out our week in pictures by looking at our web album…

P.S.  Look for another blog update later this week with pictures from our post-graduation trip to Costa Rica!