Trip to Ohio

First things first....

CONGRATULATIONS TO CODY & ELIZABEH!!!
They got engaged the first day we were in town. We are so happy for both of you!

Our first day in Ohio, we arrived very early. So we headed back to Mom & Dad's place to rest up and settle in!

Playing with Aunt Carli

Grammy & Papa bought her a car for her Birthday. Papa even made her a specialized license plate with her nick name on it!!!

Going for a walk with Papa

She also got a new club house/swing

Playing with Papa

Loves going down the slide

The next day we headed over to the hotel where Kendal's parents were staying for the weekend
Swimming in the pool w/ Grandma
Having a snack with Grandpa

Then we took Kendal's family over to the bridge where we were married, since they weren't able to be there with us on our special day. We took a path under the bridge and found our selves in a beautiful area in the Cleveland Metroparks!! What a perfect afternoon!
Looking over into the valley
Posing by the water

We had a picnic at one of the local parks where we also got a chance to play in the wading pool!!

Gaige looking like water is spouting out of his ears~ lol

Then we swung by and picked up my Mom from work and headed over to Lake Erie Nature & Science Center!! We also went to Lake Erie Huntington Beach, but for some reason I don't have any pictures from our trip there so the Nature Center will have to do! It was such a beautiful afternoon! I think we all really enjoyed ourselves!

~Smooches for Smoochie~

Some Cousin Time

Covering Daddy's bald spot :-)

Super fun...Climbing through an old tree

Peeking through a hole in the middle

After a little rest our group then went downtown to catch an Indians game! (You can say I kept everyone pretty busy...they all needed a good nights rest by this time)
Getting ready for the ball game to begin
Gosh, those lights are bright Mommy

The Indians won 9-2 GO TRIBE
After the game the stadium put on a spectacular fireworks show!! I was very impressed as I think everyone was! What a jam packed day~ but we sure had fun!

Kennedy watching the fireworks
The next morning we met at mom & dad's for a delicious breakfast & then off to the zoo!

Our group minus a few
My loves


The Mom & Father-in-law got roped into playing in an Australian band


Jared got in on the action too

Gaige with Kangaroo ears
Checking out the Kangaroo's
The Grandpa's

Looking at the Baboon's with Papa
After the zoo we went out to dinner as a family to one of my favorite Italian Restaurants, Buca di Beppo! I neglected to take any pictures during dinner probably because I was too busy stuffing my face with all of that yummy food! Afterwards we headed over to One of the BEST PLACES ever, MALLEY'S ICE CREAM PARLOR! I insisted on taking everyone there~
My beautful little sister, Carli and her boyfriend Ryan
"GIVE ME MY ICE CREAM"

Even Jared was excited about his ice cream

Afterwards we came back home and spent the evening preping for the big b-day party in the morning and drinking wine! mmm!
The morning of the the big party...
Kendal & Mom cutting veggies and fruit

Jared and Gaige
Greeting our guests

The uncles


The Grandpa's
Kennedy's playing with her buddy, Brayden

Opening her presents, which by the way, that bench/toybox she is sitting on, Kendal's parents made for her!! It is exactly what I had been invisioning!! I am in love with it!

More cake smashing (by this time, she's a pro)

Here Daddy have some cake!

Messist time by far


Together again after a very long year with out each other! Eliana & Kylie are the daughters of our dear friends, Shannon and Keith. They are the couple I first lived with when I moved to South Carolina and have since been stationed in Portugaul! Shanon is due next week with her third baby and was able to come home to Ohio to have him with her family & friends close by:-) And yes I said HIM!!! Third times a charm!
Being silly!
My two very best friends ever!!! And they are both having babies in the next two weeks!!! OOOOOOHHHHHHH I CAN NOT WAIT!

And I couldn't leave out those delicious cupcakes! OH MY!!!

MMM, chocolate and peanut butter

After the party Grandma, Grandpa Tripp, Jared, and Gaige had to load up and head back to Iowa, while we stayed around for two more days~ My camera battery died right after her party and I didn't bring the battery charger so I couldn't snap anymore shots! It turned on for a split second on the plane to catch Kennedy having a snack and singing Itsy Bitsy Spider with Daddy! Hope you enjoyed our photos!! We are now in overload mode getting ready for dooms day! We have just 18 days to pack up our entire house and get back on the road to Ohio....wish us luck!! Love you all!



Thankyou so much to both of our families for helping us have a memorable time! We really enjoyed having you all in one place together!! We are so blessed to have such amazing people in our lives, We love you so much:-)