Ohio History Center

Back in September, we visited the Ohio History Museum in Columbus. We've driven by this place so many times, but had never been there. If you've driven through Columbus on I-71, you've probably noticed the interesting architecture of this building.

There was a ton of history to learn about at this center. There were a variety of things on display.

One of the really neat things was a Lustron Home. These were manufactured in Columbus in the 40's 50's. They were made out of porcelain enameled steel. Parker noted that, since the walls could hold magnets, we wouldn't have to use nails on the walls to hang things. Read more about the history of Lustron Homes here: Lustron Homes Brief History

Using a rotary phone

The bathroom in the Lustron home

Medicine cabinet in the Lustron home

Lustron home living room

Root beer at the Lustron home backyard

 Seth had fun playing around with Grandpa Steve:

After our visit, we enjoyed dinner together at Noodles and Company in Grandview.

Chapman Christmas Party

December 27th we traveled to Englewood for the Chapman family Christmas party. Christy and Stephen were both home from out of state.

Parker, Shane, Seth & Isabelle

Lori, Connor and Jon

Parker covered Grandpa in bows

This year we tried a couple of new "events". First, four people formed a square using chairs for support (below) and balanced on another person's legs. Then, all the chairs were pulled out so that they were all balancing on each other! This was the first group. The second group was Barb, Carrie, Sarah and Christy.

Getting setup with the chairs

The men took part in a cookie contest - they had to start with the cookie on their forehead and move it to their mouth without any hands.

Also, on Sunday, December 28th was Barb's 71st birthday!! We celebrated with red velvet cake truffles. Somehow I missed getting a photo.

Brumbaugh Fruit Farm

Over the weekend, Parker and I spent Saturday and Sunday with Grandpa Steve and Grandma Barb. We went to Brumbaugh Family Farm for their fall fun event. It was a neat place. They had all kinds of things for kids to do. We went on a hayride through the apple trees, slid down a 40-foot slide and other slides, took a ride in a "windmill swing", went on a "train", rode tricycles, saw bunnies and goats, and sat down for a hot dog and chips. When we left, Parker picked a little pumpkin and we took home some Macintosh apples grown on the farm - yum!

The "windmill swing" had 4 swings that went around in a circle

Grandpa and Parker in the corn maze

The end of the 40-foot slide

Shane took Seth and Isabelle camping for the weekend. Photos of that to come soon!

Michigan 2014

This July 4th weekend, we made a trip to "Uncle Louie's" (Steve's) in Michigan. Fortunately, we had perfect weather! The temperature was in the low 80's during the day and cooler in the evenings. We left our house Friday at 10:30 am and stopped in Toledo to eat lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings.

Then we got back on the road and had a really uneventful drive up. Seth was busy with his iPad, Isabelle with her iPod and Parker watched a movie. The kids could not have behaved better! We arrived at Steve's around 5:30 pm, got settled in, and ordered pizza for dinner. Mom and Dad (Grandma Barb & Grandpa Steve), Lori, Dave, Jon and Mary arrived there the previous night. Steve's house had plenty of room for all of us.

During the weekend, we spent a lot of time outside enjoying the pond, the four-wheelers and the trampoline. We also had our own private fireworks show put on by Uncle Louie.

The Relaxation Station (Steve, Isabelle, Parker, Shane)

Shane, Carrie, Isabelle, Seth, Lori

Parker Pie

Our family

Parker's first canoe ride (it has a motor on the back)

Izzy on the dock

We brought some toys with us

Sether

Isabelle

Mary and Jon

Dave and Lori

Lori, Millie and Jon

Shane and Isabelle

Dave

Seth and Isabelle and all the ducks named Harry

Feeding the ducks

All three kids in one photo!

We visited Breckenridge, the nearest Village, for ice cream. We also found some railroad tracks.

Ice cream in Breckenridge

The neighbor's dog, Bailey, spent the day at Steve's house. Seth and Isabelle had fun playing with her.

One of many fish Isabelle caught. She even put the worm on the hook herself!

The favorite thing of Parker's had to be the trampoline. He spent a lot of time jumping on it and just playing on it with toys.

Mom, Steve & Carrie

Photo bombed my Mom! And Lori!

A thank you present from the kids and Mom

Thank you Uncle Louie!!

Thank you, Uncle Louie!!!

On our way home Monday, we stopped at our first house in Toledo, then for ice cream in Perrysburg.

Then we were held up by a few traffic jams, a train, and very heavy rain. It took us 7 1/2 hours, but we made it and hope to go again next summer!