A Kentucky Christmas

For years Chrystal has talked about how great a Kentucky Christmas is.  This year Spencer and I got to experience it.  We got into Louisville on the 23rd and were greeted by the channel 11 news team.  They interviewed me and caught the moment when Alex and Mimi came running up to meet us (Alex had White Castle in hand for me!).  Our Christmas and Food Tour had begun!

That night we ate at O'Charley's, a must for any Kentucky trip as the baked potato soup is amazing.  It was a very low key evening spent watching movies and relaxing after the long day of traveling.

Christmas eve day rolled around and we started it off with a White Castle brunch!  We then headed from Corydon, IN down to Louisville to spend the afternoon with Poppa.  We were treated to a ham dinner and of course presents.  

Poppa and Spencer.  Spencer loved the dog naturally and also the trains.  We may be investing in one to go around the Christmas tree for future Christmases.

We headed back to Corydon and spent the night at Mimi's while watching multiple loops of A Christmas Story.

Christmas morning started around 8:00am (having a little one not adjusted to the eastern time zone was a blessing!).  We opened presents and got cleaned up (well some of us did) to head down to London, KY for the Crawford Family Christmas Party.

The Santa pjs still fit!  

We zipped down to London in a speedy 3 hours to arrive on-time.  I know I know.  I was able to get 3 women and a baby to a family function on time.  Please hold the applause until the end.

Family picture with the Coca-Cola Santa.

The Crawford Clan from left top to right bottom: Wilma, Judy, Ethel, Geri, Bobby, Jay, and Johnny.

The Crawford Kids from top left to bottom right: David, Nicholas, Carla, Alex, Katie, and Chrystal.

The Crawford Grandkids from left to right: Damon, Carlin, Cortland, and Spencer.

After the amazing food spread (there were left overs for weeks) and the family pictures, the presents began.  The wrapping paper flew as 29 family members opened presents.

There was no doubt who this present was for.

We stayed the night in London at the Hotel d' Johnny and Paula who have hosted us every trip down there.  We spent the evening eating more food, including the traditional Papa John's Christmas Pizza thanks to a craving from Alex and playing games.   

Spencer cruised around in Johnny's classic Chevy.

On the 26th, we cleaned up and headed up to Lexington, KY to see Robbie, Dana, and Hayden.  On the way we stopped by the mall to load up on UK gear and of course Gold Star Chili.  Hayden is about 5 months older than Spencer and the two of them got a long great while Robbie and I told Chrystal stories, including one from earlier that day involving the Great American Cookie Factory.

I promise this wasn't set up.  It just happened and we got it on camera.

After spending the afternoon with Robbie, Dana, and Hayden we packed up and headed back up to Corydon.  We made a call and met Mimi and Alex at our final Food Tour stop, Frisch's Big Boy.  Chrystal believes their ranch is the best in the world and no trip to Kentucky is complete with out it.

Mimi, you have to watch his sneakiness.  He is never out of reach of the Christmas tree.

After another low key evening we got up, packed and headed to Louisville to catch our flight.  Chrystal had hyped the Kentucky Christmas up a lot before the trip and it lived up to every bit of it.  A huge thank you to everyone for the hospitality, great food, and presents.  We all had a blast and look forward to making it out for another one.