Ohio Trip

We had lots and lots of fun in Ohio this summer! I feel so blessed that both Jim and I have schedules that allow us to get back "home" and spend time with our families. I only wish we were afforded just a few more days so we could see some good friends we didn't get to meet up with this time. It is also so amazing to me how fast our time goes once we are there. Next year, I am going to make a day by day plan before we leave Texas so I don't leave anything or anyone out! 


I have already blogged about a lot of the things we were able to do. Apple Valley, Youngstown, Great Wolf Lodge but we did other stuff too.


We went to the Columbus Zoo and Zumbuizi Bay. The Columbus Zoo is awesome and I hope to get to spend some more time there next summer. We had lots of fun seeing some animals and my favorite part was watching the wonder on Jimmy's face and a huge stingray swam right up to the glass in front of him in the manatee tank. Jimmy took a step back from the glass and said, "ohhhh, big one!" He is so silly and sweet. Another favorite was watching the baby gorilla "hitch a ride" on his mommy's leg from the top of the tree to the ground where lunch was being served. 

After we toured the zoo we went over to Zumbizi bay which is the attached water park. We were lucky enough to find a day where everyone except Grandpa Carl could hang out. We played with the kids in the children's area which was very nice. They had a really fun yellow slide everyone could go down together and another larger slide you had to get to by climbing ropes. After a little though, Jimmy's lips turned purple and he couldn't stop shivering. It was not cold outside but I guess the combo of getting in and out of the water with the breeze was making him cold. Both kids needed a nap too so Gogo was kind enough to take the little kids home and let us bog kids stay and play! I wanted to go home with her because I am afraid of water slides but she wouldn't let me. Jim talked me into going on the slides and I did have fun but some of them were ridiculously scary. I am pretty sure I will never go on the one again where I saw the girl loose her float and get stuck. I would have DIED if that had happened to me. 

While in Ohio we also went out to eat at a few different restaurants, did a little shopping, Jim got to golf with his dad, We hung out with our siblings and my niece, the kids got to ride bikes, go to a carnival and nice playgrounds. We also got to spend some time with Jason whom we haven't seen in several years. Spending part of the day with him and his cute kids was lots of fun!! We did our annual game night with Mitch and while not everyone could make it, we still managed to have lots of fun. Jim even found a way to squeeze in beer pong a few times while visiting. 

                                                                               Last, but not least, we decided it would be a good idea to tear apart my moms kitchen. We tore down all the old wallpaper and paneling, patched, sanded, repainted and hung beadboard. Grandpa Paul is going to have to finish the job though and hang a chair railing and baseboards. I wish we knew how to redo the backsplash or lay new flooring but it looks much better now and we were happy we were able to help them do some updates! 

I am going to put in a request now for cooler temps next summer though. It wasn't much cooler in Ohio than it is here in Texas and that is not okay! I love being up there in the summer to beat the heat and sitting outsides in the evening breeze is one of my favorite things to do... So, Ohio, you'd better be ready for us next summer!