My Mom has been in Ohio almost two years now, so I decided it was time to visit her. I have never been to Ohio, so I was not only looking forward to seeing her and where and how she lives, but also to see Ohio itself. The girls and I flew there, and the boys stayed behind with Ben to do fun things like golf, go to the beach, and Magic Mountain. So I didn't feel bad at all for leaving the boys behind. There was hardly enough room for the girls and I in my Moms apartment, so there was no way I could bring all of them. It was fun to have just a girls trip, for sure!
Before we got there, the temps were in the 70's and it rained for several weeks. My Mom prayed it would stop, and it did. Of course, the hot weather always follows me. The temps were in the 90's and with humidity that is no fun!
The first day we didn't get in until 5. They picked us up from the airport and took us to dinner. After dinner we took a drive through one of the cute towns close by. The towns are so pretty. They have old houses and buildings, and they have beautiful flowers everywhere; in planters on the ground, in planters hanging off the street lights, etc.
We spent a week there, and my Mom found things to keep us busy. We went to beautiful parks, the zoo (which was incredibly hot), the Easton mall (where we bought a ton of American Girl doll clothes), and an Art Festivial. We also ate A LOT of ice cream. Graeters was our favorite. Their chocolate chips are basically chocolate chunks. Their Black Raspberry and Banana nut were my favorite. So Yummy! My favorite day was when her brother Fred drove us to Amish country. It was a long drive, but it was worth it. It was so beautiful! We stopped at this one market, where they had a petting zoo. Aubrie was in Heaven. (Sophia too). They got to see all kinds of chickens, pigs, bunny's goats, and horses. Sophia had a pony ride and Aubrie got to ride a Draft horse. We also got to enjoy the some baked goods. I bought some rhubarb fry pies, and yummy homemade bread. I could gain a lot of weight living next to Amish country because their stores full of baked goods! All such yummy stuff.
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| Amish Country (Who Mows this??) |
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| Big Ben |
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| Chicken Mariachi from Donatos...YUM! |
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| Three Generations of Feet! |
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| This is what 90 degree humidity all day at the zoo will do to you! |
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| Baby Gorilla..2 months old |
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| We were so intrigued by these....Hummingbird Moth |
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| Catching Firelies...an evening highlight! |
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| Graeters ice cream chocolate chips! |
Because of the three hour difference, we were up late for most of the trip. The girls had fun catching fireflies, and watching TV shows they never watch, including Lets Make a Deal, in the mornings. Since we always got a late start.
We also had an opportunity to meet Fred's daughter and her daughter. They are great people. It's crazy how there are so many people on my Mom's side of the family I still haven't met. That's what happens when your Mom comes from a family of 16 kids. I only met Fred when I was a baby, so basically I have never met him. He is so great! Funny, nice, outgoing, and thoughtful. I enjoyed getting to know him, and its great knowing my Mom is in such good hands. She has nice friends there!
It was a great trip!
