My parents came into town in April for a week long visit. We had a great
time, and really enjoyed the great things Cincinnati has to offer.
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| Watching the boys play Baseball! |
We had a great time at the Kentucky Horse Park with my parents. We watched the horse jumping competition, which was amazing! I
would love to participate myself, however, I don't have a spare million
for a horse... :(
Also at the Horse Park, we saw some great horse breeds that we were able to pet after their show. I love horses.
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| We had fun at the Cincinnati Zoo |
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| The boys playing Baseball. |
Mother's Day was great. I am so blessed to have my 3 beautiful
children in my life. They inspire me to be a better person daily.
This is the Purple People Bridge connecting Cincinnati, OH to Newport,
KY. it was a great walk from a beautiful park in Ohio over to the
Aquarium and shopping center in Kentucky.
In June we took a weekend and headed to Appleton to visit our great
friends, who we miss so much. I wish I had used my camera more, but it
was a great weekend, you'll just have to trust me. We met friends at the
park, then more friends at the Farmer's Market, then more friends at a
house party, then more at church, and dinner at a friend's house after
church. Sometimes I wonder why we left such a great place, and such
great people.
Following our Appleton weekend, Steve had meetings in Chicago for 3
days. The kids and I hit the town on our own. This is one of the many
exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry, which I love!
They even have a Tornado in the museum!!
The next day we walked from our hotel room to the Navy Pier. I didn't realize how hot it was going to be. The walk was nice, but we were wilting by the time we got there.
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| The Children's Museum |
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| The Ferris Wheel at Navy Peir |
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| The Children's Museum at the Navy Pier had a great chess game. By the time the boys were done with their game, Brooke was sleeping in her stroller. |
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| The next day we walked to the Lego store and played with toys! |
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| Welcome to Utah!! We spent 2 glorious weeks with family in Salt Lake City over the 4th of July. |
We spent time in Salt Lake with cousins at my grandparent's pool, where all the kids reconnected and played together.
At Grandma Patty's house we had the slip-n-slide, a wading pool....
... and ice cream! What else is there in life?
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| We were able to spend quality time with Papa John and Linda. |
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| Uncle Dave and Aunt Amie graciously granted us the use of their beautiful cabin at Lake Tahoe for a week. |
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| Emerald Bay with Ben and Brooke |
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| The Falls at Fallen Leaf |
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| Hiking up the Falls at Fallen Leaf Lake |
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| Angora Lake was gorgeous! We rented a row boat and a paddle board to enjoy it. |
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| The rock climbing was Awesome!! |
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| I love the life vests! It's a good look! |
Brooke and Linda and I only stayed in Tahoe for a weekend, but we left
all the boys to continue their Tahoe adventures for 4 additional days.
Net time I hope to stay longer!
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| The top of Heavenly |
Not to be outdone by the boys and their additional hiking, Brooke and I went up Milcreek canyon with my parents for an evening. Brooke ran the entire 5 mile hike, until she face-planted on the way down. But she was quite a trooper!
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| The 4th of July at Sugarhouse Park |
The boys came back on the 5th of July to finish off our vacation
together. We walked through City Creek and Memory Grove one day, it was
beautiful.
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| BFFs |
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| Memory Grove |
We had a great lunch up Milcreek Canyon complete with S'mores and a water fight.
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| Go Real!! |
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| Football fun at Grandma Patty's |
Park City was great on our last day in Utah. The boys got to jump on some major trampolines...

...and we all got to race down the mountain on the Alpine Slide!
My uncle Scott got a new kitten just a month prior to our visit, so she was a big hit.
Ryan has always loved babies, and this year hasn't changed that. Here he is holding his baby cousin Reese.
Back to Cincinnati, OH!
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| Back home we have been enjoying our beautiful parks! |
Our street is amazing. With all the kids on the street they put together
an annual Block Party. This year there was a Pirate scavenger hunt...
...and a street wide water fight!