Here Fishy, Fishy!

We took the kids to the Newport Aquarium today. It is nice to go in February because the kids get in for free with a paying adult. We met our friends, Todd and Janine, there, along with their kiddos, Sophia and Wesley. The kids had a blast exploring and the adults had some good conversation as well. Our visits to Newport are always topped off with pizza from Dewey's. My sister, Katie, met us, since she works just across the river in Cincinnati. My brother, Andy, is stationed at a base in Blue Ash, so he drove down to meet us as well. We had to send Nathan out to the parking lot to meet him because Andy rarely has cash on him and didn't have money to pay for parking. It was a most memorable day!
Jacob touching a shark Nathan feeding the birds Jacob and Wesley swimming with the jellyfish Nathan and Todd show the kids how to play "Frogger" Ellie Jacob Alligator Touching horseshoe crabs and other sea creatures

Watching them make our pizza at Dewey's

Air Force Museum

There's no better way to spend a dreary winter day than at the National Museum of the USAF. We had a great time there looking at the different planes and the best part...it's FREE!

Jacob

Ellie

EmmalinePilot and Co-pilot

This is what I get when I ask them to smile!

Fun in the Fall

This fall weather has been crazy. It has either been raining or too cold to do anything. Today was perfect, so we headed to Cox Arboretum for a walk and a picnic dinner. The trees that haven't been hit with frost are turning gorgeous colors, so there was lots to look at. Other people must have had the same idea because there were lots of families and photographers there taking pictures.

Family Photo Time

The Kiddos
My Parents with the kids
Running through the maze
Dad pushed Emmaline in the stroller and she loved chasing everybody!

Back-to-School Picnic

Today was a back-to-school picnic for Jacob's online school. It was held at a local park and we saw a couple of friends from church and the library there. Jacob had a lot of fun meeting some other kids in the same grade as him.

Overall, we are really liking this school (k12.com). One drawback though is that he isn't in class with anyone from our area. Even his teacher lives in Youngstown. It would be nice if they put kids and teachers from the same local area together so they could occasionally meet for outings, etc.

Playing "Charades" with some friends

Ellie on the swings

Mommy and Emmaline eating lunch
(Don't you just love the faces they make when they learn to smile at the camera?!)

Daddy and Ellie at lunch

To the Zoo and Back...

It was a nice day today, so we took the kids to the zoo for the afternoon. We love having our pass because we can go for a few hours and not feel like we wasted money on the trip. As soon as we walked in, we saw a 5 ft. ball python being held by one of the keepers (very cool since we have a 3 ft. one in our basement). Then another keeper had a baby crocodile, but the kids didn't want to touch it. We ate lunch in the new picnic area. It was hard to enjoy it because the peacocks kept circling our table waiting for some scraps. There were lots of baby animals at the zoo today too, including the Grevy's zebra, cheetah, and bearcat (appropriate since it's UC's mascot). We also got the see the mexican wolves that always seem to be sleeping/hiding when we visit. It was a quick trip (we had to be back to drop the kids off at Nathan's parents so we could have date night), but it was a really fun time.

Another Day, Another Park...eventually!

Today, everyone was getting haircuts and then we were going to have a picnic at a park. However, while Nathan and the kids waited for me to finish getting my hair cut, the battery in the van died. Thankfully, we have a AAA membership! While we waited for them to come put a new battery in the van, we ate lunch in the parking lot. In a little less than an hour from the time we called, the new battery was in and we were on our way to the park. The kids were good sports about the whole thing and had a good time running and playing at the park.

Ellie on the slide

Emmaline in the swing

Jacob found some pine cones

Taking a walk

Hills and Dales Park

We tried out a new park today. The park itself isn't new, but we had never taken the kids there. In the past, it was really run down, but it was recently taken over by our area metro parks system. They have done a lot of work and we had a fun time exploring. The shelter above is huge and has a large stone fireplace in the center of the back wall, along with lots of charcoal grills on one side. We ate a picnic dinner there and then hiked along the trail that took us to another part of the park. There is no playground equipment, but there is a nice trail, some ponds, and real restrooms. We'll definitely be going back soon!

Swinging with my kiddos

On the bridge with Daddy

I love this pic. of my 3 favorite kids in the world!

Carriage Hill Farm

We met our friends from home group at Carriage Hill Farm today. The kids played and then we enjoyed a picnic lunch on one of the patios. The weather was absolutely perfect today and I'm glad we were able to be outside to enjoy it.

Jacob and Owen made a church out of blocks in the schoolroom.
Note the attached pig pen...silly boys!

Emmaline and Madilyn watching sheep

Ellie liked this old sewing machine.
She said it was used to spin cloth.

Pizza Time!

After the zoo, we got pizza from Dewey's and then went back to Katie's to eat it. The pizza was yummy, as always, and the girls had fun playing with all of Aunt Katie's things.

Aunt Katie and Ellie

Sisters

Emmaline thought it was funny to hide in Aunt Katie's closet

Peek-a-boo!

Cincinnati Zoo

Since the boys were at camp, I took the girls to the zoo with my sister, Katie. It was hot, but we had a good time looking at the animals, taking train rides, and riding the carousel.

Stylin' in Aunt Katies shades

Ellie riding on Okapi

Mommy and Ellie on the train

Emmaline and Aunt Katie
If you tell Emmy to smile, this is the look you get!