Motherland (part 1)

We just got back from our whirlwind trip to Ohio! We had an AWESOME time and loved being able to introduce Griffin to all of our family, friends, and favorite places. We were SO BUSY and did so much, that I am actually going to divide it into two posts (I just don't have several hours to write tonight!)

We flew in on a Friday and both Drew and Griffin were awesome on the flight. Griff slept most of the way! Steve was a rockstar and picked us up in Dayton at midnight. THANKS, STEVE!! Unfortunately the late flight meant we didn't get much sleep, but it was all worth it.

The next day we went to First Watch, one of our old haunts, for breakfast (oh, Caps Etc., how I missed you!) Then Betsy took us all downtown to see the new park they built on the river. There were cool water fountains  for the kids to play in and although Griffin wasn't so sure at first, he ended up LOVING IT.

Griff & his cousin, William, looking like twinsies!

Griffin clearly being tortured 

Wm showing us all how it is done

Grammy & G 

finally getting into it

LOVE

water baby

After the fountains, we went for a walk along the river. We never made it the mile to the Santa Maria, but we still had a good time!

the siblings & cousins! 

Griff & Uncle Steve playing hide & seek. (G LOOOOOVED Uncle Steve)

Later that night Betsy & Guy very generously watched the kids so that we could all go out and see our friends. We started the evening at the Grandview Cafe, although we were a bit disappointed in their service, plus it felt a bit too confined. Drew and I DID get some pretty awesome gravy fries though! (but I sadly missed out on deep fried twinkies...)

Cory & Steve looking cute

Drew & his BFF, Andy, looking not nearly as cute

After that, we went to Mickey's, and that is where the party really started.

Cory & her BFF, Suzanne 

reunited! 

chugging goblets of redheaded slut... 

the group! unfortunately, I forgot to capture Jon & his fiancee before they left. 

aaaaand yes, Drew & I sang karaoke

It was a BLAST and Betsy & Guy promised that the kids were angels while we were gone. It DID mean that we got very little sleep yet again though... but we are RAGERS!! We can HANDLE IT!! ...right?

Sunday we went to the Book Loft! I think it is my favorite place in Columbus.

Grammy bought Griff a beautiful book and we found him a couple of things too! I was very impressed with my overall control though- I actually avoided buying books for myself! (first time ever, I think). After that, we did lots of low key hanging out, which is PERFECT. Aaaand since we're old, we also took a nap. That evening, I was able to meet up with my old college friend, Jami, and we had a great time chatting at a dive bar. Then Betsy made us all an awesome family style dinner, and after Griffin went to sleep, Drew and I headed over to Cory & Steve's where we stayed up laughing WAY too late (but we had so much fun).

This post is already novel length and I only covered the first two days! I'll post all about the rest soon!

funny convo with the aerophobic

me: Did Cory tell you that your mom awesomely agreed to watch William so they can go out with us on Saturday night?
Drew: Yeah. Well, I mean, you did. Only it wasn't William, it was Griffin.
me: yeahhhh... she's doing that too.
Drew: oh.
me: *blank stare*
Drew: ok, just wait. Next time someone tells you that you only have 3 days left to live, we'll see how clear your brain is.

Before the Sick

I thought Griffin looked especially cute on the way to school yesterday so I took a few pictures. He finally fits into the adorable shirt cousin Laurel send him too so I wanted to capture it (the dog reminds me so much of his best buddy, Scarlett!) I couldn't believe how well they turned out- capturing the exact essence of Griffin in the Summer.

Unfortunately, things took a turn today. I noticed he was super crabby before school, but other than that he was ok so I took him in. They called around 9:30 to tell me he had fallen asleep in the corner and that his fever was 102. Apparently they have foot, hand & mouth disease going around (sounds a LOT worse than it is though, trust me) and they think it might be that. I'm so glad I work so close by so that I could just swoop in and get him. He's been a sleepy cuddlebug ever since. Luckily Drew was able to get home early so that I could go back to work and not waste an entire day of sick time. Here are the boys as I left them:

Griff is CLEARLY not himself. Hopefully he's much better tomorrow- and at least he's getting it out of his system before our Big Trip next week!

summer is here

Today we went hiking first thing in the morning, right after breakfast. We were trying to get out before the heat really set in and also beat the crowds! This time we went to Windy Saddle Park and hiked to the summit of Lookout Mountain. Although it was only about 3 miles round trip, we had an elevation gain of almost 700 feet, so we REALLY felt it. 

Perfect view of Golden- nestled between the buttes

Luckily there is a nature center at the top so we could rest & fill up our water. The views were GORGEOUS, but it still wasn't enough to keep poor Griffin awake!

He woke up in time to enjoy the nature center though. And of course the trip back down!

Boettcher Mansion- at the summit of Lookout. built in 1917! 

on the mansion grounds 

Griffin LOVED the kids room at the visitor's center

Later this afternoon, we pulled Griffin's pool out so he could cool off a bit. He had a BLAST and kept us laughing! I think he had a good weekend too.

he was splashing me here. learning early.

handsome boy. 

So... yeah. It was an awesome weekend & one that will be hard to top. But, I am also BEAT. So it will be nice to go back to work and relax!!

Awesome Day of Awesomeness

Today has been pretty much my favorite day ever. Ok, maybe "ever" is pushing it, but I'm still basking in its glow regardless. It was a gorgeous morning, so we walked downtown, picked up breakfast along the way, and ate down by the river. It was sunny and gorgeous and the beauty made everything taste better. We had a half hour to kill before the farmers market started so we took Griffin back to Parfet to go down the slide and play in the grass. He had a BLAST and ran around like a madman. After that, it was off to the first market of the season!

I got fresh local asparagus, strawberries, whole wheat pasta, and even an heirloom tomato plant from Star Acre Farms. Griffin loved watching all the different people and dogs that were there. Then on the way home, we stopped for a free horse drawn carriage ride!

I planted my tomato plant in the front garden bed as soon as we got back. I cant wait for it to grow and grow! After Griffin's nap, we decided to go for a hike at Mt. Galbraith. It was pouring rain when we first got there and we almost turned around, but we decided to wait it out. I'm SO GLAD we did because it was an amazing hike and the rain cooled things down to the perfect temperature. Plus, I think the gray skies made the scenery even better.

And all of that happened before 2:00!! We are currently relaxing while I decide what to make for dinner and what movie we should rent. But we're all insanely happy (even Griffin who has been an angel all day!) we needed this!