... we went to a land far, far away...
Okay, maybe it`s not that bad, but this Ohio update sure has been due for awhile now!
As most of you know, each summer we try to make it down south for a visit with family and friends. This year we could only stay for about 3 weeks, which may sound like a long time to some... but trust me, it goes by lightening fast!!
After our horrible train experience (that story will be coming yet!) it felt even more wonderful to pull into my parents driveway! We quickly settled in, took a MUCH needed nap, and then got ready to leave for a 3 day conference with my parents that night! The girls were spoiled good and proper by their aunties, uncles, and some close family friends... so thankfully they hardly even noticed we were gone! It was delightful to get away, be wined and dined, catch up with my folks, for Jon and I to have some time together, to be pampered for a day and to simply shop by MYSELF for the first time in way too long. :)
Once we got home from the conference it was "go time" as we prepared for my Papa's surprise 50th birthday party! If any questions arose, we simply told him WE (Jon and I) were having a bunch of friends over... so he never thought anything of it! :)
Until he walked in to see that these were indeed HIS friends... and that Mom had surprised him once again!
We planned a simple menu of a taco & salad bar, watermelon and ice cream cake for dessert.
Though let's be real... would it be a party without pulling out a HUGE "machete" to cut the cake and a blow torch to light the candles? Not in our family, it wouldn't! :)
Celebrating 50 years of life... there was A. LOT. of smoke! :)
All in all it was a great party, and we were just as excited as Dad was to see all of "his" friends... they have been equally as impacting and special in our lives too!
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The girls... as I mentioned... got lots of time with their aunties and uncles!! Any chance they could, my brothers and their lovelies were out visiting! You parents know that when someone invests in and loves your kids like their OWN... that speaks VOLUMES more than any words could! To say we are super duper blessed doesn't quite cover it!
Alia and Larren also got some time in with their older three 2nd cousins! I tell ya... we have quite the number of girls going on in our family, now that I think about it!!!
And the girls quickly figured out that they wanted GRAMPA to dish out breakfast in the mornings! He had (still has!) a small habit of pouring mighty big bowls of sugar cereal at even the slightest bat of the eyes... they've got him wrapped around their little fingers for sure and for certain! And sunglasses at the breakfast table? It's all the rage!
There was plenty of play time... but a little work managed to get accomplished too! Dad and Jon fixed the windmill...
... but not without a foreman, of course!
While the tractor was out, Larren took the opportunity to learn a thing or two... I'm certain this girl will know how to drive anything and everything by the ripe ole' age of five! :)
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There were:
... canoe rides on the pond...
... toys galore ...
... driving lessons on the mini kids four wheeler ...
... fishing adventures at the pond (in PJ's no less!) ...
... go-carting ...
... play dates with BFF's ...
... Jon's first introduction to funnel cake's followed by an afternoon funnel cake making event ...
... lots of relaxation on the hammock ...
... a few belated b-day gifts to open ...
... and plenty of cuddles!
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Grampa and Alia started an annual summer tradition of camping out by the pond!
The evening included a bonfire ...
... tiki torches ...
... discoveries that Grampa is indeed going bald! :) ...
... a canoe ride ...
... and fishing until the fish would bite no longer!
Alia learned how to find night crawlers...
... wait patiently ...
... watch for the bobber to go down ...
... then reel it in like crazy!
She caught a couple blue gill, small mouth and large mouth bass...
... and got a thorough demonstration on hook removal!
Wait, reel, and repeat!
This was by far the silliest, sweetest, and giggliest fish caught all evening!
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Our immediate family always tries to take a little vacation while we're together and this year Ohio Amish Country took the vote!
Our first stop was an Amish bakery, store, and animal market/petting zoo!
They had these fun little cones filled with animal food that you could feed the critters with.
Alia wasn't super sure about the whole idea...
... and typically preferred just saying "hi" instead!
But this big ole' boy caught her attention pretty quick!
Big Ben was absolutely the biggest horse I have EVER seen! My dad is 6'5"... so that gives you an idea of just how massive this gentle horse was! Big Ben made such an impact on Alia that he stills pops up in weekly conversation!
Our little Larren fell asleep on the way there, but after a nap, she wasted no time "waking up slowly"...
... there were ANIMALS to see, kiss, feed, hug and have lengthy chats with!
And while Alia's animal feed lasted for several rounds (she's more of an equal opportunity kinda girl!)... Larren was definitely more generous in her portions!
But after the feed was gone, there was still more fun waiting around the corner!
The cones were used to feed the goats that were on TOP of the barn!
You put the cone in this conveyor belt...
... reeled it up to the top, nice and slow...
... then watched as the goats gobbled it up!
It was a good thing we had several cones... both the kids and the boys were positively thrilled by the whole thing! :)
The next day we went to a place called The Farm. We weren't quite sure what to expect, but it was BY FAR the highlight of our time in Amish country!
We were pulled by a team of horses in an open wagon to see, what seemed like, every type of animal! (And to give them a snack as "bait!")
Our Amish driver was super informative and had a great sense of humor, none the less!
Once Larren realized that the animals would come close at the sight of food, her hands were ALWAYS loaded & ready!
We saved a whole bucket specifically for the "grand finale" at the end. GIRAFFES!
It has been my dream for YEARS to pet a giraffe. So while Jon lured them in with food...
... one of my dreams came true!!
I literally had tears streaming down my cheeks... it was just so amazing!
My brother donned the camera to document the experience, forfeiting
his chance to feed them, so I could pet them... THANKS so much Josh!!!
The best family photo we could muster... and yes, Larren is eating animal food! We soon whipped out the Cheez-its at this point! :)
The country lodging where we stayed was great! The house was big enough for ALL of us to stay in...
... they had a nice play area for the girls, a bonfire pit...
... and a pond to cool off in! (Though this picture doesn't do the depth justice... it was a tad on the shallow side!)
The guys could play basketball, the girls could play on all the fun riding toys...
... and us older girls could simply sit and relax out front! This has been added to our "must go back again someday" list!
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The guys bought 3 four-wheelers and 1 dirt bike while we were home... so needless to say the grass around the pond was starting to get a tad thin by the time we left!
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The guys bought 3 four-wheelers and 1 dirt bike while we were home... so needless to say the grass around the pond was starting to get a tad thin by the time we left!
They even let a big round preggo lady take a go at it!
So there ya have it. A small glimpse into our summer!
And because ya'll say there aren't many pics of me...
... here ya go! :)
