Hello 26

I turned 26 last Friday. It isn't my favorite age (24 or 25 sounds a tad better to me), but my 26th year has started out so well that I guess I have high hopes. I seriously have had the best two weekends in the history of ever!

My bday celebration started off in Hot Springs, AR the weekend before my actual birthday. My mom, Wesley, Catherine, Alan, Alan's parents (who live in Hot Springs), and my in-laws all met up with us at the horse races. It has been a tradition ever since I turned 18 to spend my birthday at the horse track - it happens to be opening weekend as well which makes it even more fun. 

This year my momma found a beautiful house on Lake Hamilton to rent that could hold us all. We had a great time!! 

Here is our entire group...

I was so excited that Jeff's parents could make the trip - Hot Springs isn't too far of a trip for them so I thought it would be a perfect meeting spot. 

My mom planned the entire thing. I thought it was funny how she was still planning my birthday party at 26. We started on Saturday at the races - no big winners for this group unfortunately. After dinner we continued the party at the house. Jeff and Mike grilled filets and boiled some cajun shrimp, potatoes, and corn. Dinner was amazing to say the least.  

Poor Alan had to work the night before.... so he slept through the party, ha!!

Cindy brought me an authentic King Cake all the way from Louisiana. It was so good - pralines and cream cheese. Loved it! We finished the night with a lot of wine and a failed dance party (Cindy and I were the only participants). 

Only a few of us stuck around for the Sunday races. We had a more relaxed day at the track with a smaller crowd. Jeff and I were the big winners that day with a combine win of over $200. 

We really had the best time at the races this year!! I kind of thought of this party as the chance to celebrate my last week of 25, ha!

I will continue with the rest of the celebration tomorrow...