One of our favorite things to do in Kentucky when we visit is to go the Newport Aquarium. Last time they had a mermaid in the tank and this time we saw Santa scuba diving. It was a lot of fun but unfortunately Eva started coming down with a cold/fever (which my dad and sister had earlier in the week and then it just spread through the house) that day so she spent most of the time in my arms, trying to get excited but not feeling great. She spent the last couple of days on our trip with the same little bug and was not herself, which was kind of a bummer. And then she gave me the bug which annoyed me even more! Ha! But we’re doing better now, so that’s what’s important. Oh… anyway… back to the Aquarium! We all still had a good time and T.J. hadn’t been for a couple of years, so it felt a little newer to him.
https://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.png00Katiehttps://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.pngKatie2015-01-14 18:18:222015-01-06 18:32:42A Trip to the Aquarium
My mom grew up in a small town in Central Kentucky called Berry. Small as in there were only 300-400 people total. My Grandmother and her husband lived in the old family house on a tobacco and cattle farm. Since it was just about an hour and a half away, we used to visit often and always would go on Christmas Day. Well, my Grandmother passed away ten years ago, so the tradition obviously stopped. Shortly after her death, because no one in the family wanted/could move into the family home they auctioned it off which was pretty sad because it was built by my great-great-grandpa (or something like that). We still have the farm in the family between my mom, her brother, and my great Aunt, but it’s managed by a family friend.
Anyway, that’s the backstory. I hadn’t visited for probably seven years but we met my sister and Uncle about a half an hour away from the farm, so I decided to take T.J. and Eva on a slight detour on our way home so they could see it all. When the farm and house first came into sight, I have to admit, I teared up a bit. I hadn’t been for long and that place holds so many memories, but they’re all in the past now. Well, we pulled over and got out for a minute or so. It was too cold to get out for too long, but I took them into the barn where they hang the tobacco and showed them around a little bit. There was even a little pony which pranced around for us, like he was showing off.
https://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.png00Katiehttps://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.pngKatie2015-01-13 11:04:272015-01-06 18:16:25Berry, KY
With so many people in the house over Christmas, we had to take the kids out everyday. On the day after Christmas, it was about 50 or 60 degrees outside (WHAT? Awesome!) and so my mom and Mark took the kids down to the riverside park in Cincinnati. We also took them to Otterville, the Cincinnati Children’s Museum, and the conservatory throughout the break.
I just love seeing Eva play with her cousins. I don’t have cousins my age (I only have two total and they’re much older than me and never lived close) so I never got to play with cousins although I always wanted to! I’m so happy Eva gets to enjoy them (on both sides). Even though we don’t see them often, she still loves all of her cousins and talks about them regularly. She said to me, “Mom, I have soooo many cousin friends. I love my cousin friends.” Adorable.
Before last week, I hadn’t bowled in years. I think the last time I was a sophomore in college and went with T.J. on a date. We both agreed it’s never as fun as you think it’s going to be because of how terrible we are. But over the break, we decided to take the kids bowling because there wasn’t much to do with it being so cold outside. I still played terribly, but it was actually tons of fun! The girls were all so cute and got excited each time it was their turn. They’d also give hugs to each of us after we bowled. Adorable. We went to a newer bowling alley, so it was really fancy-much nicer than most of the smoky bowling alleys I grew up going to-and they had really good food, surprisingly! We had such a good time that Eva and I already have started talking about going again here in NYC if we can find a good place.
https://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.png00Katiehttps://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.pngKatie2015-01-11 11:39:552015-01-06 17:46:21Bowling with the Family
https://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.png00Katiehttps://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.pngKatie2014-12-19 11:04:452014-12-18 18:05:38Disneyland Video Compilation
We are back from Kentucky and had a fabulous time. My only gripe is that it rained a lot. And when it wasn’t raining, it was very muddy outside. But do not worry, my parents still made it a great time! Eva loved spending time with Nana and Papa. And since it was my mom’s Fall Break, she had a lot of time off. We went to the Newport Aquarium, walked along the Ohio River, visited the Cincinnati Zoo, went to a pumpkin patch, and hung out with my sister and her kids once they came into town. My dad took a lot of photos on his camera, so the only ones I have right now are my instagram photos. Nicer ones will come later.
Pumpkin patch fun! Those girls ran through the hay maze about four times and giggled the entire time. It was adorable. A pony bit my mom though, so I don’t know if she will ever want to go back.
After the pumpkin patch, the girls painted their pumpkins. So much paint. Everywhere. The bath tub was blue afterwards.
I pulled out mine and my brother’s old pogs and tried to show the game to Eva. Fun memories.
When I first got to Kentucky, the trees hadn’t really started changing yet but by the end the fall colored leaves were everywhere. Beautiful.
Eva was a great helper when her Nana was planting flowers. At first she asked where her gloves were since she had heard her Nana ask the same thing, but she finally dug into the dirt with her bare hands.
Eva and I went to the Hofbrauhaus with my sister Ashley and my dad for lunch. Oh, how I love my german food. It’s heavy, but perfect for a rainy day once or twice a year.
We have been to the aquarium bunches, especially now that there are grandkids in the family. But this time had a couple new things which really made it enjoyable! We got to see them feed the sharks and shark rays. It was so nuts to see them eat big fish in one bite.
As usual, Eva loved the penguins. She kept giving the penguin statues kisses. Kind of gross but also adorable.
Lots of wagon rides with her Nana. They would walk down the street, gather up hedge-apples and then throw them into the pond.
Also at the aquarium was a mermaid swimming in the tanks. It was really cool. And Eva about died she was so happy.
Another favorite of Eva’s when visiting Nana’s house is trying on all of my old dance costumes.
Lelia, an old friend, came over one night to visit and we watched our old 6th grade farewell video. It was hilarious and also so embarrassing. To all of my friends from elementary school, thank you for being nice to me and not making fun of me because, dang…. those pictures (many more not included above) are very embarrassing!)
More dress up photos! That robe was a baby gift from our Australian cousins when my oldest sister was born. Sheep’s wool… still looks pretty great.
Another fun costume photo. She never wore real clothes when we were at home.
The Walking Dead started and I think I might have gotten my dad hooked. No way of knowing.
Two days before we left, Mary Beth and her three darling kids came. That baby Spencer is about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen and is such a HAPPY baby!
Eva finally let her Nana and Papa read books to her at night. Usually she only likes her Mama to help with the nighttime routine but she’s easing up a bit! Hooray!
Later on Friday, Josh, Lacey, T.J., and I went boating up at Deer Creak. Provo Canyon is probably my most favorite place in the entire world, so to go boating up there really was the best. Gorgeous views, fabulous company, and a break from Eva. Couldn’t have been better!
Friday, we took the kids to the new Curiosity museum over at Thanksgiving Point. It is brand new and SO cool… but it was packed to the brim. I couldn’t really enjoy it too much because the crowd stressed me out and Eva had a whiny day from cutting two new molars. But if we ever live here again, I’ll definitely get a pass to that place.
https://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.png00Katiehttps://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.pngKatie2014-07-30 14:11:402014-07-27 14:39:56The Utah Series: The Museum of Natural Curiosity
(FYI: If images appear rotated, try viewing the blog posts on a computer, rather than your phone.)
We’ve been in Utah for about a week now and have had a great vacation. We are leaving tomorrow and I’m going to be so sad to leave family and the mountains. Oh, and the dry air. No humidity is amazing. Eva has lots of little cousins so we stayed busy by playing outside and running around with the little ones.
Saturday, our first day in Utah, we played outside, went to the outlets, and ate at JCWs.
We spent the morning at church on Sunday and then caught up on our sleep. After dinner, we went over to Lacey’s (T.J.’s sister). The kids had a dance party with their Grandma and then we took the scooters around the block.
On Monday, T.J.’s parents and I went to the University Mall in the afternoon, had some delicious Cafe Rio, and then ended the night with more cousin time.
Tuesday, T.J. finally arrived and so we just hung out together and got some Rita’s in the evening with everyone.
Friday was our last full day with my mom. In the afternoon, we pushed Eva on the bike all the way over to Hoboken which was about a mile and a half. Ate lunch, looked through Anthropologie, and got free 7/11 slurpees!
Eva was a champ with the bike that day! I was certain she’d get sick of the bike and I’d end up having to carry her the whole way home. But she pedaled the whole time! And when we got home, she wanted to keep riding around the apartment.
We met T.J. in the city for dinner at Bare Burger and then walked around Washington Square Park. Eva wanted to throw in all the coins we could possibly find. Good thing I didn’t have my laundry quarters with me or I’d be in trouble! How can you say no more coins to a girl who’s that cute?!
Well, that wraps up the Nana Series! Clearly, we had a great time and Eva keeps asking me where Nana went. I so wish my dad could have made it this trip but hopefully we will be seeing him later this summer or fall! Now the other Grandma and Grandpa need to visit too 😉 !
https://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.png00Katiehttps://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.pngKatie2014-07-21 11:59:372014-07-15 12:13:33The Nana Series: Hoboken & Washington Square Park
