I figured out this computer, so off to Ohio we go!

While in Ohio we got to do a lot of visiting, eating, sharing memories, eating, making new memories, and more eating - despite the sickness that Layne and Kyler shared! (That was so sad!)

We arrived Friday night, July 3rd, and got settled in at my Grandma Phillips' house.

Saturday, the Fourth of July, we headed to my dad's cousin's house, Jerry, for a fun picnic to celebrate Jerry's 70th birthday and of course the Fourth of July.

(Jerry cookin' away!)

(Nettie and her sister.)

(Hillbilly Golf or Ladder Ball, anyone?)



It was good fun, yummy food and the best black raspberry pie ever (THANKS Jerry and Nettie)!

Then we were off to my Aunt Patty's mom's farm for another picnic, with more yummy food and some dune buggy riding!

(Enjoying the food!)



(Waiting for a ride! - Did I mention it was a little chilly in Ohio in July!)


(Here we go!)



(I wish you could better see my cousin John's face in this picture - he has the same smirk as my brother - it makes me laugh!)

(I had grass and leaves and dirt in my teeth, down my shirt, and between my toes! - I laughed so hard the whole ride - it was great!)

(My mom couldn't wait to get in that buggy! She was so funny and she just loves that "Little John!")


It was so much fun and brought happy memories of my brother Mike! (Thanks "Little John" and Fran!)

That night, due to rain and sickness we watched New York City's fireworks on TV.

Sunday was church and homemade ice cream at Aunt Patty and Uncle John's (more yummy eating! - And Patty, where are those pictures of you and McKenzie licking the big ole' beaters?!?).

On Monday, Layne and Kyler were still feeling yucky, so my dad took McKenzie, Karlee, Kavan, and me to visit my Grandma Burgy in Columbus. It was a really nice visit. My grandma is now a woman of very few words and lives in an Alzheimer's care facility. I think this visit really touched my kids.



Kavan played peek-a-boo with my grandma and she thought he looked like my dad. Karlee, who loves to hold little babies and tote around new puppies and kittens, would have held my grandma if she could have. And McKenzie had tears in her eyes as we left with hugs. My dad then took us to eat at Bob Evans and to a yummy ice cream place called "Greater's." (I had black raspberry chocolate chip! And I think all of our eyes were bigger than our stomachs! THANKS, DAD!) I really enjoyed being with my dad and hearing his funny stories of growing up! Good Times!

That night after dinner, Patty and John came over with 6 loaves of homemade bread, 4 or 5 jars of homemade jam, and cream to make butter. So we churned butter and ate bread and jam until we just couldn't eat anymore! (I think my favorite was the black raspberry jam and the apple nutmeg jam.)







So yummy! THANKS John and Patty, that was awesome! (By the way, calories don't count on vacation,right?!)

While we were gone on Monday, Layne helped my grandma Phillips get her basement cleaned up and organized while my mom did the same upstairs. So, Tuesday as they were finishing up the cleaning we were able to go down memory lane as my Grandma found clothes in some of her old suitcases. In one suitcase she found an evening dress and "war era" shirts that my Great grandma had worn. In another suitcase she found all of her old dance costumes and shoes since she was maybe 5 or 6. In another suitcase was some of her special occasion dresses - the dress she wore at her first and only piano recital when she was about 16 (it was this gorgeous delicate lace dress with a peach slip and turquoise bow around the waist - my favorite), the dress she graduated in (a floor length, beautiful yellow dress), the dress she met my Grandpa in (a red ball gown with gold bows that cost $14.95), and the dress she was wearing when they got married. And in another suitcase were some old baby clothes my mom wore and even 2 beautiful white gowns that she thinks belonged to my Grandpa. It was really neat to listen to her memories and hear some of the excitement and emotion in her stories.

(Karlee wearing a hat that belonged to my Great Grandma.)


What a wonderful time we spent with family in Ohio. THANKS Grandma!

Next stop - "The Sweetest Place on Earth!"