matching in our fur and aaaall ready for our annual christmas drive up to lexington to see my grandmother, bettye-mom!! [see also: 2012 for valentine’s, 2013 & 2014 christmas trips!] but… brother is napping. so. we’ll wait. and then we’ll leave two hours behind schedule. haha. oh, let’s not talk about getting two babes ready and out the door for a road trip all by yourself…
passing the caaaastle!! best part of the drive. when you see the castle you know you’re almost there!
we joined our bettye-mom for her nursing home’s christmas party! she looked aaadorable in her red sweater and pearls. once upon a time that woman was better at christmas time than anyone else on the planet, from gift wrapping to decor… so it’s fun to see her still get to be festive. and truthfully, when her alzheimer’s first started up, she basically hoarded a bunch of gorgeous christmas things! racked up quite a stash! haha. so her!
also, this was her first time meeting rocco, and she smooched him a million times, melt my heart. she LOVES my babies, and has such a connection with maddalena. if only those two knew they are absolutely two feisty, adorable, sweet, giggly, button-nosed peas in a pod. gosh, how i wish they knew!
both little bunners took an after-dinner nap on a nearby sofa as everyone dined! i mean, if ooonly they could’ve done that during the 4 hours in the car. yeah right, mom. 😉 but i ate a delish cookie AND brownie while they slept. no complaints, there.
then! we continued our tradition of visiting the southern lights show at the kentucky horse park!
the horse park is such a special place. my grandfather was a huge part of building it back in the day, and i’ve been able to go there to ride, to watch the three day events, to sight see in the sunshine, and of course the lights at christmas are extra-special. <3 and! the animals!
baby girl is a petting zoo pro at this point, let me tell ya!! fortunately, she seems to have forgotten about the kangaroo that stole the glove right off her hand last year, ha. this year she was quiiite the llama bestie, and really, i think we should get one! meanwhile, rocco man learned the ropes of wild animal fun followed by hotel snuggles. naturally, he remained delicious throughout.
the next day, after a visit to the cuuutest ever christmas heaven [fav shots to follow, duh!], we went back over for more time with our little bettye-mom before heading home. she doesn’t say much at all, but she smiles and loves on us. and she could not get enough of rocco! honestly, who can? 😉 but i just love that of all the things she’s let go of, she sure hasn’t lost her instinct to grab a baby and smooch him! she was so so happy!
and oh, my favorite moments of all! she still loves to love on her own baby, and my mom is definitely who she remembers the most. it really makes me sad to think that by looking at these photos, you wouldn’t know that she doesn’t remember her own family or much of anything, really. i just cannot imagine. you go your whole life being beautiful and successful and raising babies and keeping a perfect home and traveling and caring for your own mother… and then… there you are, all that life just completely stripped away. it’s heartbreaking, but at least we still have her! her giggle remains the same and i love it a lot.
and since holidays in lexington have been part of my life for my whole life, i love love love getting to take my own babies now! and though it’s impossible to keep out of my mind how wonderful it would be if we were taking them to her house, smelling the smells and eating her cooking… that’s just not life now, is it? but, i’ll sure take what i can get! merry merry christmas, bettye-mom! we love you!!
goodness so many tears reading this post. she is just precious and those pictures are beyond priceless. xoxox
Oh, sweet girl, you made me cry over here. Such a sweet post and so many amazing memories to look back on! And I love all of the photos of her smooches!! <3
xo
What a precious post!! Looks like such a special time. I am so glad yall got to go spend time with your grandmother!!
what a great testament to your grandmother- she looks like such a sweetheart.
What a beautiful post to your grandmother. I was crying reading this. I love the photos of her loving on your babies but the two of her with your mom/her daughter just made me bawl like a baby. I'm so glad you were able to spend quality time with her.
Amy @ http://befilledwithj0y.blogspot.com/
Oh every year when I read these I get so emotional. It's heart breaking in about a hundred different ways. I am so glad that she gets to live on your babes and that you get to see that in whatever form it comes in. Those photos of your mom and her? Cherish those, as I al sure you will.