November Highlights

November was pretty quiet.

We took a quick trip to Boston and met online friends Shelley and Juniper.  (Right after this picture was taken, Andrew closed our rental minivan door on Clara's thumb.)

We had a staycation down in Colorado Springs with Miss Maggie and Mr. Trey, and we went to visit the US Olympic Training Center.  There also happened to be a fare mistake that weekend so we spent a large amount of effort booking travel for 2014...

We had a quiet Thanksgiving all to ourselves, and I discovered that it's the same amount of effort to cook fro four people as it is to cook for 15.  It sure was yummy, though!

We prepared for advent by making a calendar of little presents to open each day.  A large portion of these were the pieces of the Little People nativity scene.

And we celebrated Travis's birthday... along with an Ohio State win in THE GAME.

July in Ohio

We spent the week of July the Fourth in Ohio with Grandma and Grandpa.  Orrville throws a huge celebration with a fair and a softball tournament, a parade and fireworks.  We also got to see lots of dear friends and family.  And tractors.  Lots of tractors.

We flew into Columbus on a deal, so we spent the first night at the Hyatt Regency Downtown and scored a sweet (suite) upgrade.

From there we made our way to Grandpa and Grandma's house.

We went over to visit "Uncle" Raymond, and his impressive array of equipment.

We went to the parade in downtown Orrville.

We went to the beach at Charles Mill Lake.

The kids got lots of tractor rides on and behind Grandpa's lawn tractor.

Uncle Sid and Aunt Karen came over.

We had a cheese tasting at Heini's of Berlin.  And ice cream.

Nana even came to visit while Papa and Uncle Devin went to the races at Norwalk.  She brought bubbles.  And we got to visit with our friends the B family.

Then we went to the carnival and fireworks in Orrville.  Andrew rode all by himself on a ride.