Buckeye Lake

Uncle Ben & Aunt Muireann surprised us all by renting a boat for an afternoon on Buckeye Lake!

Uncle Ben was the first to jump overboard & the children followed suit.

Kristian at the helm.

Ben & Muireann

Rhonda & Kristian

Ben & Oscar at the helm. "Go Fast! Go Fast!"

Backyard BBQ

We had a relaxing backyard bbq complete with hot dogs, marshmallows & sparklers.

Kristian tending the fire & channeling his inner pyro.

Oscar had fun filling his crocs with rocks.

Poppa Brian & Nana

Sparklers!

Goin' Fishin'

Kristian took the children fishing at Antrim early one morning. I ran around the lake two times in an effort to get in shape!

Oscar's Haircut

It has become tradition for Oscar to have his haircut at Poppa's BarberShop in Old Town Worthington when we are in town. This is where he had his very first haircut!

Catching Up

Bethany and I were thankful to catch up & have our youngest children meet one another.

We have been friends since High School in Alaska and now enjoy spending time together in Ohio! It had been so long that Oscar, Willa & Rheys were all newcomers to the scene since our last visit.
Our boys being silly after delicious Katzinger deli sandwiches.

Fun times at the Cosi Children's Science Museum.

Willa, Simon, Rheys & Neko

Our sweet girls Eleanor & Willa.

Willa broke my heart by crying when it was time to head home, wish we lived closer so we could get together more often!

Bethany & I

(Eleanor gets photo credit!)

Piano

Nana gave Eleanor impromptu piano lessons.

Eleanor is anxiously awaiting the arrival of a learners book Nana ordered her. We have a keyboard at home for her to practice on...for now.I love how she has her toes tucked up under her bum!

Jasmine in Ohio

Jasmine had a great vacation to Nana & Poppa's as well.

She got along well with her canine "cousin" Sophie, sharing attention and rawhide bones.

We also took her swimming at Antrim Lake with her canine friend Scioto. The girls had a blast swimming together and were so cute when they first saw each other again, touching noses.

Crazy Hair Day

Eleanor attended her Aunt's Irish Dance Camp in Columbus.

She had a fabulous time and enjoyed learning new steps, especially her first attempt at hardshoe. Every day had a theme, crazy hair day being one of them!

Friendly Swim

Eleanor & her friend Hadley swimming.

(The girls were destined to be friends as her Mom & I were running partners and then were both pregnant at about the same time.)

Oscar Enjoying a Summertime Swing

Father's Day Luncheon

We had lunch at Schmidt's in German Village;

nothing beats a good brat and bahama mama with kraut!

Happy Father's Day!

We toured the Santa Maria (replica) in downtown Columbus, Ohio on Father's Day.

The tour was great, the guide was very child-oriented and included them in every way.

The children had an opportunity to move the tiller and see the rudder move.

They learned how to fire a cannon and how is was also used to signal a meeting with the other ships travelling in the group.

Climbing up to the Captain's Cabin.

The boys pumping the bilge.

Gone Fishin'

Kristian giving Oscar casting lessons at Antrim Lake in Ohio.

(The point Jasmine used to swim from is in the background behind the Canada Geese.)
Eleanor & Poppa Brian fishing off the dock.

Eleanor is not squeamy in the least!

Flowergirls Nana & Eleanor

Haircut

I made a quick bold decision at the hair salon and went short for summer!