Part 2

So we left Louisville on Friday morning, heading to Lexington where we would spend the night and visit a couple of Brian's friends from high school. The drive to Lexington is gorgeous! Beautiful farms on both sides of the road, rolling green hills, horse pastures and barns. Ivy was a delightful traveller- sleeping the majority of the way! On the way to Lexington, we visited Brian's cousin Kenny and his wife Kim. They have a gorgeous log home that they built on top of a hill-- the view is incredible! I thoroughly enjoyed the drive to their home, and on the way back to Lexington, we took a different route that involved crossing a small ferry. The ferry could carry 3-4 cars at a time across the river-- so cute! I guess it is one of the longest continually opperating businesses in the country- I'm so glad we got a chance to go that way!

The picture of Ivy sleeping is when we were out to dinner with friends-- Ivy was so tired! I think this picture makes her look like a pirate with her hair clip slipping over her eye!

On Saturday morning, we had a delicious breakfast at the Cracker Barrel, where we purchased for Ivy a UK cheerleading dress-- for next year maybe. I don't care about basketball... but a lot of other people do apparently! We headed for the hills (litterally!), making our first stop at Brian's uncle Clinton's house. We visited with him and with his cousin Debbie and her boys before hopping in the truck and driving up to "Lick Fork", the family land where Brian and his relatives hunt for turkey and deer. I'd never been up there, and it was a beautiful drive through the leafless trees. Brian's cousin Debbie watched Ivy for us, since it is a dirt road and can be pretty bumpy...

I got a chance to see the family cemetary and the place where the family farm used to be.

We were out in the woods for a couple of hours-- so pretty! But I couldn't wait to get back to Ivy! We picked her up and headed to Brian's parents house. We made some dinner and visited for a while before heading to Hazard where our hotel was. Ivy was plumb worn out with it all, but as usual, a good sport.

Sunday morning we went to the church Brian attended in his youth, and Ivy was doted on by all kinds of admirers! Afterwards, we headed to Aunt Elderee's house for a delicious country lunch! Everyone pitched in and made food- Brian especially requested chicken and dumplings- which we really enjoyed. I especially liked the green beans canned from the garden this summer! I got a chance to meet some family I hadn't met before- and Ivy got passed around from lap to lap as usual!

It was a long trip- we covered a lot of ground and visited tons of people- but we were glad that most everyone got a chance to meet our precious girl!

Ivy distinguished herself as a great traveller- rolling with each new situation as it presented itself! She got really good at sitting up that week- playing with her toys and moving around a lot more! It's fun to got on trips- but it's always nice to get home!