July 2016 Vacation Photos

Cedar Point

We love love love amusement parks.  And Cedar Point delivered above and beyond our imagination.  Such a delightful time.  Could easily have spent another few days here.

Day 2 of 6 people Away

Had a great day. 

Vacation for 6

This vacation is like none other.  We are 6 total traveling. 

Melancholy

Yes our time is coming to an end here in Ohio. We are enjoying ourselves very much. Lots of activity mixed with the right amount of relaxation.

Coming back is sooooo bittersweet. It reminds me over and over again how much we really do like it here and our desires for staying here heighten 10 fold. I keep reminding the kids, and myself, that once we get a home in NJ we will be able to grow our roots and all will feel like "home" in that part of the world.

Great weather today allowed us to go to the park and meet with our friends. The kids really enjoyed playing together that when asked how long they thought we had been there, they were off by about an hour!! The families blend pretty well together. There are some "wholes" in the ages and sexes so sometimes there are some disagreements but all-in-all a good day. Of course, it makes it all that much harder to depart Tuesday.

Weekend in Ohio

The weekend in Ohio went by soooo fast. Saturday was a nice morning for me and Natalie going out to two Bazaar's held at local school and church. It was great seeing all the fall and christmas stuff. I even purchased a few items for stocking stuffers.

I packed up the car and out the door to Hoggy's for lunch. Joshua just loves their buffalo wings. We enjoyed some good eatin. Then we drove to the Best home. Lot's of playing for the kids. Then the adults got to play too. We had our happy hour. Heather, Suzanne, and I sat around the table eating, drinking, and talking. Just like old times. It was great and familiar!

Sunday brought beautiful weather so we decided to head out to Lynd Fruit farm. About a 40 minute ride, to go and pick some apples. It was the perfect fall day. Lots of people out and about picking apples, buying local produce, and eating the kettle corn. We chose to eat some funnel cake. It was the biggest funnel cake I have ever seen. Yummy goodness. We were not very hungry for the rest of the day with all the apples and other snacking we did! It really was a great day. Oh, I also got to go on a walk with Heather. We walked the two neighborhoods!

Good Times!

Oh, what a wonderful time we had today. It was great being back with our old peeps! We started at COSI with the Ball's. We have not been to the science center for a long time and it was great to do all the hands-on activities as well as see a movie.

Then off to the Stamper family for some bonding time. Before we knew it we were all sitting around their kitchen table playing taboo. A good game that made us late in leaving their home. We were suppose to depart by 6 pm but did not leave until 6:40 pm. The teams were stacked as the adults against the kids. I don't think they know we let me win. There were some rules that were broken plus lots and lots of help given by us! It was a great time and really felt like old times and that we never left.

Arrived!

Yes, we arrived in Ohio!!! Yesterday we were able to leave by 1 pm. After the van got fixed and then stopped for lunch at Wendy's. So we were able to arrive here by 9 pm. The ride was great and went very smoothly. We arrived at the Loeffler's and the kids got some time in with their friends then it was to bed by 9:30 pm.

Thursday brought beautiful weather so we headed over to the zoo! We love the Columbus Zoo. They are always doing some expanding. Next will be the polar bear exhibit. We were able to see some animals with the weather being nice the zoo was pretty crowded. We got to see Beco the new baby elephant. This is the zoo's second baby elephant in the last 5 years! This zoo is amazing with what they have to offer and what they do. We miss it tremendously. As we miss the rest of Ohio!

The kids really enjoyed being outside today. Abigail really enjoyed playing in the backyard!! She was out there for hours. She is my nature girl and let me just say that she would have stayed out later it was getting dark but it was time for dinner.

Ohhhh!

Van trouble. Boy everything just breaks down all at the same time. Body and van parts. The van is only 7 years old and it has been very good to us. Taking us back and forth from Ohio and PA, NJ, and NY. Plus our trips to Florida and Georgia.

Since we are making the journey back to Ohio, I like to make sure the oil is current and fresh. So as I went to NTB to have said stuff done, I also asked them to check into a noise coming from the rear. I figured it was the shocks and yes, I was correct! But that was not the only problem they found. A bigger problem is with the brakes. The brakes themselves A-OK, the disc that has the brake fluid flowing through to the brake pads is shot! And the one they had on hand was defective! They ordered the part and say it will be in in the morning. Here's hoping that it doesn't delay our departure too late otherwise we leave a day later!!!

We are eager and excited to go back and see our friends! But need to trust the Lord knows what is best for us!

Happy Hour Ladies

Suzanne, Heather, and I would faithfully have happy hour on Fridays at 4 ish. We would rotate who was hosting and we would have some beverages (of the alcoholic kind) and appetizers.

All the kids would get together too and play all different sorts of games. We put out some appetizers for them as well. There were 8 kids.

Truly happy times. I will have such wonderful memories.

Heather, Suzanne, and me

So today we went out to lunch at the Northstar Cafe. Love love love this place. I know I have blogged before about their veggie burger. But it is sooooooo very delicious. I actually crave this burger. And if you remember about me - I love meat. I really do! Anyway, we had a great time.

Then it was off to my house to clean it out and prepare it for the walk-through. I had stuff still in bedrooms, closets, and cabinets. Now it was not as bad as it sounds. The bedrooms were sleeping bags. The closets had clothing. And the cabinets were already to go with boxes inside them.

We cleaned and stuffed everything into the laundry room so the rest of the place looked amazing. Let me just say I would not have gotten it all done. Boy was I way off on estimating time and stuff. We had all of Suzanne's family, me and my kids, and Heather and her girls. We were all moving and cleaning.

We also had to take a king bed and a sofa over to Suzanne's as she is now the happy owner of those two items. I think that is what made the time so crazy. It was like moving day all over. I shiver just rethinking it.

All was clear. I head over to Carla's for one last bit of time together. This is when they were suppose to walk through but they changed it to 6:30 PM and did not show up until 8:00 PM. I was not happy as we were going to load the van so Friday morning would not be sooo crazy. Suzanne was and is amazing she kept calming me down and assuring me that all would be fine. You know what? She was right.

Suzanne and I packed up the van. Then laughed at all that was left behind. Oh well! Looks like we need to go back for another load.

We actually slept at Suzanne's as we no longer had our sleeping stuff. It all went very well.

They are Here! (finally)

The entire time we have been here in Ohio our really close friends and neighbors have been out of town. Yes, they had the wonderful opportunity to travel together for a month. You read that correctly. ONE MONTH! They arrived at 7:30 pm. Meghan came over as fast as she could get out of the van. She was already to see her friends. But to her surprise I was the only one home. She was sooooo excited she was shaking. Just beside herself all day with anticipation of seeing Abby and Joshie!!

Together we walked down to the NBC talking about their vacation. She had a great time and really did not feel like they were gone that long as they were in so many different places.

The kids came running over to her as she arrived at the house. Abby made the decision to leave the club early to have some alone time with Meghan. They were too cute and sweet together.

I waited about an hour and felt it was time for me to go and hug my friend. I didn't want to just run right over as I know how crazy life is upon arriving home from a vacation. But just as I was about to leave she walked in through the door!!! YAY!! I got to see, hug, and drink with my good buddy Suzanne. She is a great wonderful person that I will miss dearly.

We sat around for several hours just catching up and laughing. Our usual MO. And Heather was even able to stop by for some bonding time as well. It really felt like old times. Of which I do not want them to stop. There is all kinds of sleeping over going on in this neighborhood tonight. Suffice it to say I am the lucky one. I have zero children in my home. I was half waiting for a call from Suzanne telling me Josh needed to come back home. But nothing as of this writing. I do hope by now they are in slumberland! The most exciting part is that it is Joshua's 1st sleepover that is not at a relatives house. Go Josh!!

Sisters!.. in Christ!

The morning was me on the phone canceling and disconnecting all the accounts and services that apply here in Ohio. Went pretty easy considering some things are in Bill's name. Just have 3 more to handle but I forgot account numbers and such! Oh well!

The afternoon on the other hand was spent with my wonderful ladies!!! Jaye and Carla met last week for the first time and wanted to have a little gathering of some of my women folk to say goodbye! Jaye was the wonderful hostess. Boy can she entertain!!! I was able to see Jaye, Carla, Natalie, Mindi, Leslie, Shafi, and Kristi. And a bonus was that I met two new sisters Michele and Tina! They latter two started attending the bible study this year so I did not get to meet them before today. Oh wait, All but Carla attend the Wednesday bible study that I used to belong to! But it was truly a fabulous time. Sitting around Jaye's table just gabbing about a whole lot of nothin. There were lots of words spoken as we ladies need to get sooooooo many words out in our day. I bet the hubbies are very happy today as their woman should be mostly used up!! I love each of these women for who they are in the Lord and where they are desiring to be.

My life has been touched immensely by them and they will be forever in my heart. I told Jaye that distance will not separate us as I expect her to be in my circle of peeps in heaven!! And since she did invite me and mine to come and stay with her whenever...

They were lots of kids present about 22, I think, and surprisingly no catastrophes occurred and there were only some minor disagreements which were handled quickly.

Abs loving all things nature. She had these things

stuck to her and loved it. I think she walked through the

bush on purpose.

The group of kids.

Buddies!

The line of people waiting for the yummy delicious

food. Jaye is amazing!

The ladies!

I really cannot say enough how these women have impacted my life and I know that there will still be influences as well, thanks to the technology age that we live in. It is so easy and wonderful to be able to keep in contact with each other via email, blogging, and texting. (Just to name a few)! I am still on email lists so I can know what is going on. I like to be able to stay in touch!

Paths do cross and some intertwine but both take effort and I know that lives are busy and crazy but the beauty is that we are all sisters in Christ and I know that I will see them again! Praise the Lord! for blessing me abundantly. I never imagined this life in Ohio and it is (was) a good one. I now need to look to life in NJ as I know full well it too will be filled with many a blessing!!

Time with my Eldest

Monday was very quiet and somewhat boring around here for the kids. At least during the day. They spent a lot of it at our neighbors home. I was waiting on the Rainbow Play systems people to come and place our set into our last POD. Plus waiting on Erin (Dee Dee's sister) to come by and pick up some of the items we were getting rid of.

She and I were very funny loading up her car. Good thing one of us knew what we were doing (not Me) or I think we would still be standing there. There is but one piece left and we will make arrangements later in the week about that.

Then off to the Stampers for more time together. Trying to get in all the time possible as we know it will be a while before we are able to come back for a visit. Boo Hoo!!!

Just after dinner Abs and Josh attended the NBC (neighborhood bible club) at Heather's house. ((For those of you not familiar with an NBC - basically they take the place of a VBS (vacation bible school) the church likes to have different neighborhoods from the congregants be reached through the kids. It allows for more people to be invited and hopefully accept Jesus. Our kids have participated in the past but really prefer a VBS. Last year we were able to do either do to our timing between NJ and OH. So imagine their surprise and joy when they could attend something this year.)) Since they were to be gone for about 2 hours I thought I would use the time to "hang" with Stephen. It is a rare moment lately that he and I are alone. So off to Chipotle for dinner (We love love love that place and there is NOT one near us in NJ - about an hour away) as the young ones do not like to eat their food.

He even came into the Kroger with me and helped me pick up some odds and ends. The NBC is also taking donations for a local food pantry. He called me scatterbrain as I was forgetting the few items we needed to buy. He kept me in check. We walked the entire store several times as I am not familiar with the new layout.

Afterwards we decided to go on a walk together. It truly was some great time for just the two of us. Talking and listening to each other was awesome. (No you can't know!)

Abs and Josh had a great time at the bible club and are eager to be going back for the rest of the time we are here. They are crafting, singing, and playing all in the name of our Lord. So very very cool! : )

Much needed respite

Friday was a day filled with different things. We began the day having to go to the title company to sign the documents as we will not be here for closing. Then back home to do some more loading. (yes most of the days have spent doing much the same thing! Can someone say autopilot).

Thankfully DeeDee came and took the kids for the day. They went on a field trip and got to play some disc golf. They enjoyed themselves and arrived back home just before dinner time.

While they were having fun we were moving and shaking. Four adults can do A LOT. We had to run a few trips to Lowe's as we misjudged some items of necessity and ran out of other items. In the last few days we have visited that store about 4 times.

Took a much needed break for some lunch from Culver's. We really needed the energy. The other days we were "picking" for lunch but I was not having that today. I was starving for a burger!! (There are better out there but time was against us. So we had to settle!)

More loading of furniture. We do have some BIG HEAVY pieces. I think our arms will be falling off some time this week. Our backs are strapped up for support and I don't think we want to take off the support as we might just fall over!

The children arrived home just as we were getting ready for our evening dinner plans with our good friends Natalie and John. Bill and John used to work together and Natalie and I have done all sorts of things together. We met up in Easton at Abuelo's! Love Mexican food. As they were late we headed over to the bar for some much needed cocktails. I a sangria, Bill a margarita!! I was very happy with my choice and had a chance to taste Bill's platinum margarita. Let me just say that too was very good! We were concerned that we would need to call my Dad and brother to come drive us home!

John and Nat came separately as John lost track of time at work. We ate a delicious meal and sat around and chatted. Afterwards we went over to the Apple store. We are Apple addicts! But I wanted to be a force for Natalie as we were persuading John to buy her an iPhone. I think he was going to do it without our push but I wanted to be supportive for a friend!

Bill could not leave Easton without some ice cream from Graeter's. We all enjoyed some!! Yummy!!!

We did not get back home until 10:30 pm. Joshua was fast asleep and Abigail was just getting to bed. Stephen stayed awake for about another 45 minutes. (Boy is it a good thing we homeschool as these hours are very typical for us!!)

My bed has never felt soooooo good!

Enjoying ourselves with Natalie and John.

Farewell to my Sandals

I have been packing a little each day since we arrived back here. Doing any where from 3-8 boxes as well as weeding out unwanted items. Let me just say how tired I am at the end of the day. This body cannot handle all that physical labor.

Here in Ohio we live less than 2 miles from the Columbus Zoo and Waterpark. Yes you read that correctly. A few years ago they bought the lease back from Six Flags because the city needed to change the roads. The new road chopped off some of the park. So the city decided to buy back the lease and shuffle the zoo and waterpark area. We have been season passers for 4 years. (minus the year they were renovating). I figured that we too would join as we will be here until the end of the month and it would be great incentive to get the children motivated to work.

On Tuesday we met some friends there to hang out all day. And hang out all day we did. (Except for Stephen and his friend whose Mom came and picked them up at 2 pm.) It was very very crowded as it was Kroger appreciation day!! Joshua got hurt twice, Julia got run over in the lazy river, we couldn't find Abigail and Julia for 30 minutes, the lines were very long for the rides, and the grand finale... my sandals were TAKEN!!!!! These sandals have been with me for 5 years and they are extremely comfortable. I use them a lot! And Land's End no longer makes them!! WWWWAAAAAAHHHHHH!! I walked the entire park looking for those babies. Even stopped by lost and found, twice! I plan on stopping again on our next visit, as they keep items for a week. I had to walk to the yucky parking lot barefoot. I was none too happy. The very puzzling side is why my sandals?! Why not the others?! Why not a beach bag that has money and such?! Crazy!!!! In my hopes and dreams I find them. That somehow they got kicked or someone was playing a prank and a staffer found them and they are waiting for me. Hey, don't judge me. Let's see your reaction when something you love, and can no longer find, gets taken!

As of late I have been rethinking some of my decisions.

Home home!

Yes, we have arrived in Ohio.  We are eagerly looking forward to our time here.  The ride was very very good and easy.  Just a few spots of hard rain but we still were able to keep moving.   

Now the fun begins!   

There will be blood tonight

It was a bloody day today!!   I had an appointment at Quest Diagnostics to have some blood drawn for the doctor.  I believe I mentioned before how thorough this doctor likes to be and for that I am grateful.  But today I had to have 7 vials of blood.  The phlebotomist was excellent.  She put the needle into the arm without any problems or pain on my part.   

For lunch and dinner I consumed red meat again.  For the past three weeks I have been off red meat for medical reasons but due to our pending vacation I have jumped back on the red meat wagon.   (I will revisit no red meat when I return home.   Again all for medical reasons.)  I truly love red meat and yes I did miss it!!  BTW it was bison not beef.  I do try to limit the beef intake due to the fat.

For the afternoon we ventured over to my Mom's to visit with her and my Aunt Dee.   They are quite a pair together and make the time enjoyable.  We wanted to see them before heading out knowing that we will only have a little time after vacation before we head back to Ohio.  

On the Ohio front we are in the sale pending stage.  YEA!!!!   They will be conducting the inspection this coming weekend and we are scheduled for closing on the 31st of July!!!   I still feel like the other shoe will drop, as we have been on market for over 13 months and this is the first offer.   We are all elated here and can't wait to be moving.   I am not looking forward to packing up a house and will be ecstatic when it is done!   

O-H-I-O

We have arrived in Ohio.  The drive was easy and uneventful which makes it very  pleasant.  There was some movie watching, ds playing, and even some reading got done.   We departed NJ at 11 am and arrived at the Ohio homestead by 7:30 pm.  Not too bad.

We are glad to be here and are looking forward to the remainder of the week.  We hope to relax, spread our wings, and have some fun!

A house is a beautiful thing!

Right before I left for some grocery shopping my sweet Abs gave me a huge hug and said, "I love you Mommy, I don't know where I would be with out you!"   (Can you tell she is very happy to be in her "own" digs.)

Joshua is looking forward to seeing is buddy, Thomas.

And Stephen already has an invite for a sleep over.  

My child shine here!

Good Friday

The children did not know that I was going to give them this day off, so yesterday they decided to do some double work in order to get this day off.  Hahahaha!   The only stipulation was that we were to sit down together and read through all the gospels on the account of Jesus' crucifixion.   I think they really enjoyed this.  While reading, I began questioning the kids.  I want them to understand and know about what Jesus did for all!!   

Bill was busy starting our taxes.  I say starting because he needs to make some phone calls about some option that JP Morgan exercised and we did not recall happened.  Ohhhh the joys of taxes.  I am so thankful he does them.  When he could no longer continue he was busy getting the songs ready for this evening for our home fellowship meeting.   As he is a really good guitar player, he was asked to lead worship for one of the gatherings.  It was not our usual place to gather so it was nice to meet new families and others from our new home church.   The children were having fun downstairs in the basement while we were singing and reading.  

Before we went out to the home fellowship we had an appointment at the Apple store in Mount Laurel - about an hour away from us.   Our iMac has been having some issues.  This issue was supposed to have been resolved awhile ago.  I am not a happy camper.  Let me back up to say that I love all things Apple.   Have been a fan since 2001. However, I don't like when they don't fix my stuff!!!!!   So we book the reservation and on our way down we pit stop at Trader Joe's  - my most favorite place to go.   I was a tad bit disappointed with this visit as they were all out of the chocolate chip granola bars that my kids just love, love, love.   This stop put us behind schedule for our appointment and of course they had to cancel it and take someone else.  I get that what I don't understand is why they say you are "booking" a time "period" and not let you know that if you are more than 15 minutes late, you will have to rebook.   (Don't tell me I have a time slot and then not keep my appointment open the entire time!!!  Are you with me?!)  What urks me most, is that we did this months ago to get this problem fixed and now I have to go all over again.  This is where I miss Ohio.  The Easton store is sooooo nice and fun and it is a great place to hang out while your waiting for you time slot.  I digress... Needless to say, our computer was not fixed!   Urgh!  

We arrived back home in time for our dinner that was awaiting us in the crockpot.  Love the crockpot meals!!!  Just meatball sandwiches tonight.  On my favorite roll by Italian People's Bakery.  YUM! YUM! YUM!   Then it was off to home fellowship - which you read about already.   

The Dreaded Drive

Driving, driving, and more driving. Our drive home felt longer than usual thanks to all the rain. We drove the entire time in rain. All different types. Thankfully it wasn't the hard type for very much of the journey.  As usual kids watch movies.  Yes, they usually take turns but someone always says they are not going to watch and end up with headphones on laughing and enjoying themselves.   

This shot happened later in the drive.  I just couldn't resist this photo.  She was very cold and thought this was a good way to keep herself warm.  (Can someone say turn on the heat!)

This is what my view was entire way! Yucky!

  Departed  a little later than expected, 10:30 am - instead of 10 am.   Arrived at 7:30 pm.   There was much to do around the house as we need to leave it in such pristine shape.  I still have that nagging feeling that I forgot something?!  Oh well!  Can't sweat the small stuff.  More importantly - aint nothing I can do about it now! ;)   

One of the things I am not crazy about when we travel is the type of food available to us.  I like the stops to be very quick and painless, so that leaves fast food.  Fast food is not my thing.   We stopped at Wendy's and I ordered a cheeseburger.  I knew it would affect me and sure enough a little while later in the car Momma felt the repercussions.   Ordered way too much food.  Josh and Ab could've shared and I will make a mental note of that for the future.
 

Don't know if it had anything to due with the leaving part but the kids were a little bit off.  Perhaps it was the late night before.  Quite possibly a combination of all the above.  What all this boils down to is that Momma was not too thrilled with the little darlings for a stint.  

 

Bill, my sweetheart, called to check and see if he needed to have dinner for us or if we were going to stop.  I told him that I did not want to stop and that we would be coming home for dinner.  Off to the store he goes and upon our arrival he had not made it back yet.   Which is good as it did allow me to get the kids focused on unloading van.    When Stephen got into his bedroom he found a surprise!   Bongos!!!!   He has been asking for drums, so Bill and I decided that this would be a quick fix until we are no longer in apartment.   I think he was pleased!