Ohio Jan/Feb 2012

After our six days in the sun we headed north to Ohio. The kids and I spent 8 full days there  (7 in G-town and 1 in Columbus) and Chris stayed 3. It was really wonderful getting "home". I finally got to meet my nephew and see my mom and step-dad's new house. It is beautiful!!! Just. Beautiful.

Plus, we spent quality time with lots of family and old friends, ate way too much (I think I see a pattern here), and I helped out with farm chores and I absolutely. loved. every. second of it.

The kicker of the trip was that I didn't stress out A. BIT. about being ANYWHERE. That is a new thing for me because I typically worry about who we need to see, who we haven't seen, who wants to see us and where I need to run every day of our trip. Don't get me wrong, I still missed seeing people and I truly missed (as in my heart misses them) seeing them but I can't do it all... And that is okay! Life is busy for everyone. I don't expect people to stop living just because I am in town and I hope that they understand we do our best and that traveling all over the country with young children and living on the other side of the country has some down sides...

 I know... HELMET! Please. 

 Kendra and her adorable little Wesley. 

 Not exactly the best picture of me but those babies sure are cute!! 

 My SIL (to be) and Nora

 My nephew Logan Wyatt and his very proud big cousin

 Mom's crew. 

 Mom and Michael

Those eyes... 

**p.s. I have more pictures to include here (specifically of Great Aunt Irene) but they're on a different computer so I will upload them later. Also, Babe- could you send me your pictures. I would like some of you guys. Thanks! 

Ohio 2010

Life has its fair share of challenges and I am reminded no matter how much I think I have it figured out... I don't (I will explain later).

Three weeks in Ohio was wonderful! We spent 22 days with our family and each day I was reminded just how WONDERFUL they ALL are. I was also reminded how much I miss them and wish that we were just a  short drive away.

WEEK ONE:
We spent time with my family and Chris' family. We were able to see my Uncle Russel and my cousins Karen Sue, and Jeff and Jayne. We also were able to spend alot of quality time with my sister-in-law (Kelli) and her family (with seven day old Emma in tow) and my step-family, the Stidhams.

It was a busy week. We had professional pictures taken with Kelli's kids, ate at Bob Evan's (Which is not as good as I once remembered and must say, with a sad heart, that after eating it three times... it didn't get better.) and we swam our little hearts out at any pool we could find.

The kids (Kelli's and mine) had a good time getting to know one another again. They did what many children do at their ages. They laughed, smiled, hit each other, cried, and laughed again...
One evening after the kids (really the boys- Wilson and Adam) had gotten into there 25th hitting match I told them to work it out with their words and "do NOT come and get me or Kelli unless there was blood."

Needless to say, not such a good choice of words because less than twenty minutes later Wilson is crying and there IS BLOOD. Let me be clear, Wilson's bleeding had nothing to do with fighting with his cousin. It was just a incident caused by curiosity that ironically happened after I made the "blood" comment.

Wilson's mishap took some time to piece together. One story involved the tractor and another involved the horse. Needless to say, we figured it out. Wilson lifted a jack (estimated to be about 12 pounds) off of a horse feed bin and dropped it on his big toe. I am sure it was very painful. He may have broken it... It was bleeding, blue, and swollen.

WEEK TWO:
The kids and I hit the road. We drove to Columbus to visit with some of my family, my old college roommates (Krista, Jules, Kate, and Mary Kate) and my childhood best friend (Jill).  We had the pleasure of staying at my Uncle Bill and Aunt Fuzzy's where Wilson was "in charge" and watched bull riding with Uncle Bill until 10 pm (all while Nora teethed on a Bud Light can). We spent the next morning with my great-great Aunt Irene and then lunch with Jill followed by pool-side with the OSU girls. It had been at least four, maybe five, years since I had seen the OSU girls. And it was three years since I had seen Jill. After a jammed packed day in Columbus we left for Zanesville and we able to spend two nights with Melissa and her crew. I had a blast with the Goss family! Serious! A. Blast.You should have seen me on the trampoline! ;)

Back to Gallipolis we go... Where I  finally got to enjoy my favorite pizza with my mom! (Will someone tell my why everything tastes worse than I remember?) We wrapped up the week with some quality pool time and visiting with more friends.

WEEK THREE:
Chris arrives in Ohio!!
By the last week I was not the parent I wanted to be with my children, not the daughter I wanted to be to me mother, not the sister I wanted to be to my brother, and not the friend I should be to my friends. Now, by saying that I am not saying that I was a hell raising terror to be around [although my brother might disagree:)].  Just that schedules and naps and being here and there took a toll on me. Please understand that by saying this I am not trying to complain. I am just being honest. I am an honest person.

It is funny to me how "home" doesn't seem like home anymore and a place that always seemed to relax me made me crazy. My children did fantastic (with the exception of some disruptive crying from Wilson periodically throughout the last week). They handled taking direction and getting attention from people they haven't seen in a year (For Nora people she has never seen). We were all welcomed beyond measures and loved beyond words. Our family is fantastic and I wish that we didn't have to back up ship for three weeks a year to enjoy them. I hope that some day we can drive for the weekend. They slept in random places and rooms... All of that made me a better person and I hope them better people too.

Gallipolis has made the news...

I couldn't believe it when I read it. Gallipolis has made it on the map. On the Huffingtonpost.com that is...

This was my favorite part of the article: "For one thing, they pronounce the name of their town "Ga-lip-Police." (The locals, of course, are allowed to mispronounce it "gallipolie" or "gallipol-es"... you would be well-advised to say "gallop-police.")
The next town is called Rio Grande, and it's pronounced "R-eye-oh Grand." As the Mayor of Rio Grande told me "We have our own language in these parts.""

I found this hilarious. In dese parts we suuur do hav'r own langig. Oh lordy.


Click on the link (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fred-graver/knocking-on-ohios-door_b_125229.html.) to read the rest

August 19, 2008

Our last day...

We went up to Kell and Mike's in Pataskala with Nana Babe and Pops. The kids and I swam while Wilson napped. Then, Kell fixed an amazing pizza. After dinner Wilson and I went to the hotel. Our flight was very early the next day so staying at a hotel was easier.

Here are some funny pictures of teh cousins at Kelli and Mike's.




I love the last one! It makes me laugh!

August 18, 2008

My last days in Ohio went by way too fast. On Monday, the 18th, we planted ourselves at the farm only leaving once to see Uncle Russ and Aunt Linda; which are just down the road. Wilson spent most of the day outside going back and forth from the house to the barn. He found out fast where the tractors were.

Going for a ride with Gramma.
(Yes. That horse is just in our yard. It's Louie. He is 29 and rules the farm. )







Here are my absolute favorite pictures with great Unlce Russ.









and Uncle Eric...

August 15-17, 2008

My family came in from out of town on Friday. We Enjoyed each other at the "funny farm"and then headed to the river for dinner.

Uncle Barb and her grandkids (Micheal, Lillie, Kaylie, and Zachary)

Wilson with his great great aunt and great great uncle (Burger siblings Irene and Bucky).

My cousin Heath was taking pictures of the kids and Wilson walked over and sat right beside him. It was really cute. (Heath wears those damn Michigan hats just to piss me off. Go Bucks!!)

Who needs water?
Wilson's first smore.

He took it right out of my hand and proceeded to eat THE WHOLE THING.

Saturday I went to Gramma D's (Chris' grandma) and we were able to see some cousins who made a trip in to see the little man. Holly drove up from Charlotte and Tim, Amber and Gabby came up from Roanoke. We didn't get as many pictures as planned... Wilson liked his cousin Gabby and went up to her as soon as she came into the house. He then sat down like he wanted to hold her... He changed his mind.

The next day was my family reunion. It was hot and fun. 62 people attended which seemed small compared to usual. My family is crazy and wonderful. It was great to see everyone.
Most everyone minus my immediate family. Mom, Eric, Wilson and I.

August 13-14, 2008

My best friend from college, Melissa, came down to Gallipolis, from Zanesville, to visit us from the 13th-14th. Her daughter, Clara Sue, is 4 months older than Wilson. I had SO much fun with them and am SO thankful they came down to see us.
We caught up on everyone and everything when the kids napped. We took the kids swimming, and on 4-wheeler and horse rides. We ate at my favorite resuraunt and drove around Gallia Co. to see what has changed. The kids played with puppies, and Lissa and I shopped our little hearts out at the Purple Turtle. It really was wonderful. Here are some of my favorite pictures.

August 10-12, 2008

So, Chris left for Portland on Sunday and I spent the day with his family (sister, her husband, their adorable kids, and his mom and dad). The kids had a good time outside drawing with sidewalk chalk, blowing bubbles, playing in the fountain, & chasing Molly (Nana Babe's puppy).

Wilson and Adam were really cute. They wouldn't really play with each other, but they were completely aware of each other at the same time. W would walk up the side walk and A would follow. I tell you, these boys are going have fun together. I can already see the trouble they are going to get each other into...

Again, I didn't take any pictures. Sorry, I will have to get them from our family photographer AKA Nana Babe.



On the 11th we went in town to check out The Purple Turtle, Nana Babe's children's store. After that we headed to Gramma's work to show off the little man.

On the 12th we did alot! We hung out with Babe in the morning. Helping fed the horses and barn cats. Then, we went to see Uncle Eric (my brother) for lunch. After lunch, we saw Aunt Merm (Chris' Cousin) who drove over from Cincy to see us. [Thanks for coming to see us, Meredith. It really means a lot!] Then Wilson took at nap and as soon as he woke up we went to Papaw and Mamaw Stidhams for dinner (green beans, roast, sweet corn, and mashed potatoes--Delish!).



Here are a few pictures from Papaw and Mamaw Stidhams-
Helping feed the horses.

Going for a ride...
Fussy Baby