500 Festival Parade

Cheryl got 4 tickets to the parade through work. They were awesome seats - right up close to the action and in the shade. Rylie loved the big balloons and the horses. Some of the celebrities this year included Mario Lopez (Dancing with the Stars & host of TV show Extra), Thomas Kinkade (artist), and Dick Vitale (college basketball commentator) and of course the drivers which included Danica Patrick, Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti (and his famous wife Ashely Judd - who always wears this big floppy hat during the race activities that hides her face) and Helio Castroneves. After the parade, we all went to the Weber Grill for lunch. Rylie decided she wanted to be like her Mom and drink root beer right out of the bottle.

Balloon Festival

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is celebrating 100 years this year and they decided to have a balloon festival since the very first ever race at the speedway was a balloon race back in 1909. We took Rylie over thinking she would love to look at the colors in the balloons. It was very interesting. They allowed you to go on the field and talk with the balloon drivers. Believe it or not, they are actually certified pilots just like airline pilots except they are not allowed to fly in the dark since the balloons have no transponder lights.

Mutt Strut

Every year the Humaine Society of Indianapolis raises money by hosting the Mutt Strut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This was our second time participating. While it benefitted a great cause, it was complete chaos for the Dunchaks. Rylie was great once she was in the wagon. While we were still at home getting ready to go, that was a different story. Macy wasn't too bad, but she'd been subjected to it before. Dakota was scared out of her mind, not to mention she hasn't had a lot leash time. Next year will be done a little differently. Most likely Rylie will be spending the day with Grandma & Grandpa while Mom & Dad take the dogs to the track.

Playing with my castle & slide...

Mom and Dad exchanged one of the wagons that I got for my birthday for a cool little castle that has a rock climbing wall and a blue slide. I love to stand up in the castle tower and pretend that I am a princess. I am not sure about the slide just yet. I have slid down it a couple of times and it scared me a bit, but I am slowly figuring it out...Thanks mom and dad!

Rylie's on the move

Rylie's on the move. She's has become so mobile these days. When we're in the kitchen, she loves to try and get into Dakota's cage and splash around in her water dish. Rylie also loves to crawl into her rocking chair and turn herself around to sit in it like a big girl. On Sunday morning, she decided that she wanted to get every toy out her toy box and when she couldn't reach all of them and started to throw a fit, we put her inside her toy box and she went to town throwing them over the side.

Helping Dad

Rylie was so excited about her new wagon that she even helped Dad put it together.