Another event checked off my dads "Bucket List" - as he calls it. My dad grew up with a love of horses. His father had race horses and my dad helped train and be apart of the whole horse racing experience. He always loves to tell stories of his horses and especially Smoke Shadow. When I was younger we had a little shelton pony and her name was Horsey Prince. We loved that little pony!
This past Christmas my mom and kids gave my dad the best Christmas present ever. We got him tickets to the Kentucky Derby. He was SO excited.
Here is a picture with most of the grandkids with Grandpa after he opened his present
Before my dad went to Kentucky we had a birthday party for him and the Theme of course was "THE DERBY". My mom made up racing games, the girls helped decorate and my mom even had a cake with a picture of my grandpa Rulons horse, Pagan Queen. Everyone that came to the party dressed up like we were going to the DERBY. We drank virgin mint jules for the winning lap. It was such a fun night and I was so excited for my dad. Troy and Ryan also went with my dad to the Derby.
Here are a couple pictures of the fun birthday party. My mom is the queen of planning parties.
Aren't my parents ADORABLE?
We played a horse racing game. Each team had a jockey, trainer and owner. The jockey had to answer questions about the Kentucky Derby and then moved around the track to the finish line. It was pretty entertaining. In the end Ryan came from behind to win. The trainer was Ryan's cute girlfriend Sam and the owner was Uncle Daryl. Too Fun! The were awarded with Red Roses.
Here are a couple pictures of the actual Kentucky Derby
ANIMAL KINGDOM won the Kentucky Derby 2011
All the fun outfits and hats
They look like they fit right in
Ryan and Troy surprised my Dad with a Book Signing with Ron Turcotte..(Jockey that rode "Secretariat") and his exercise rider Charlie Davis. Pretty Sweet!
This was a pony that they saw in a stable - reminded everyone of our pony Horse Prince.
