Ohio 4th of July!

**Warning....photo overload! 

Sunday Sister Pic 

Mommy and the girls! 

Monday was a swim meet…this is how Maggie rolls! 

The girls had the opportunity for Papa to come up for two days to play before we headed to Ohio for the 4th of July weekend.   Papa goes back to work for a few years before he retires “officially”!  We have loved the flexibility and the moments we have had  but are also excited for him to have something to fill his days until Grammy retires too!  The made lots of memories in the days playing hard inside and out, picnic lunches, slushie runs, and a full day at the pool.   Thanks Papa for being willing to help and make these girls smile!  

Papa and his girls! 

Lunch at the pool! 

Wednesday we headed to Ohio for a full long weekend.  I have been looking forward to this trip for a long time.   Its been just under a year since we were home last and there was so much to do and so many people to see.   We enjoyed a full day with Gjysh and KK celebrating all our birthdays.   We went to a fun pizza place downtown next to the minor league baseball stadium. Not only was it yummy, but the girls got to make their own pizza!  

Maggie does not sleep in the car, so she finds all kinds of ways to entertain herself and us! 

When Gjysh got home we got a tour of the yard!  I love it!   I want to do pictures in the yard  again one summer.  We did them when Maggie was 9 months old and need to do it again!  

Gjysh does some hybridizing of hosts.  The girls each have one named after them!  This is Maggie with hers. 

Gracie with her hosta! 

The girls loved walking through the yard and seeing all that my Dad had done.  It is so stunning! 

Sweet girls! 

My parents with the girls. 

An attempt at a family pic. 

Gracie making her pizza 

Maggi was working hard on her pizza too! 

Love my girls and their Daddy! 

Gjysh snuggles.  (yes it was cold.  We had to go buy jackets for the girls before fireworks) 

Daddy's girl all the way! 

Silly! 

My parents are awesome! 

Maggie sat still for a little bit with me before the fireworks.  

My family!  I love being home and love the 4th of July festivities that we get to participate in.   We are a blessed nation.  

Gracie was in awe of the fireworks.  Each one was better than the last.  

Maggie loved them, but was so tired after a full day about half way through she fell sound asleep.   

We had a full day with extended family visiting my Grandpa and Grandma Sutton (and my grandma’s side of the family at the Krohn family reunion they do annually) and my Grandma Whitmer and Aunt Kay (my Dad’s side of the family) at the lake.   At the lake I also had a chance to see a few of my aunts and their families and my friend Mindy and her family.   Mindy lives in Charlotte NC but we were in high school youth group together.   Its always fun to catch up.  She has two girls so the girls enjoyed playing at the park together while we caught up on the past few years (outside of the Christmas card updates of course).  

My grandparents were farmers and the farm land they use to harvest is behind their house.   As long as I can remember has always been a corn crop.   I took the girls out to see it.  Its not even full grown yet. 

Sure brings back memories of me picking corn and playing in the field.  

Maggie would just go snuggle up to my grandpa.   It was so sweet!  I know it made his day.  I am blessed to have grandparents that are still living and can see my girls.   I don't take that for granted and wish we got to see them more often.  They will leave quite a legacy.  

Maggie with my grandmother who she is named after.  

Swinging at the park during the family reunion.   Gracie kept asking me "who are these people?"

Mom and Maggie on the dock checking it all out.  

The girls were brave and wanted to get into the water.  My parents were good sports and volunteered to participate!  That is what grandparents are for right? 

We enjoyed watching the girls make memories at the lake like I did.  We spent every summer up there and I loved every minute of them on the dock, in the water, in the cottage, at the park, etc.  

Gracie showing off her swim dive and strokes. 

Maggie preferred to just snuggle KK.  

Snacks and visiting on the dock.   

Priceless! 

Sisters at the lake! 

Priceless! 

Messy….roasted marshmallows! 

Enjoying every bit of it! 

KK and her girls 

Enjoying sitting by the fire (yes, it was cold!) 

My Aunt Kay's friend has a new puppy at the lake.  The girls would have taken Molly home if they would have let them! 

Saturday was our no travel chill at home day before we had to drive back to Tennessee.   I met up with one of my dearest friends, Leah, for breakfast.  It was wonderful to talk, share, laugh and encourage each other without our little ones begging for our attention.      Friendships are such a blessing and after all the years a weekend home to see several was heartwarming.   There were several I did not get to see and miss terribly, but hope to beg them to visit Tennessee!  (you know who you are.... ha) 

Expending some energy outside!   What a crew!  Just missing Ellie!  

Classic Maggie look! 

Maggie getting to know her newest cousin. 

We headed to the park and ice cream.  

This girl cracks me up.  She has such a sense of adventure.  

Gracie is my mini me.  

Gracie and Caleb 

Gracie waited patiently to hold Benjamin 

We wanted to do sparklers, but not wait until it was late.  So we did it early with the kids.  Maggie had never done them before.   (excuse the red lips/ face.  She was drinking my Mom's ICE drink)

Gracie was so funny trying to do as many as she could.  

Pile on Gjysh! 

We at least got to FaceTime with Ellie and Uncle Gabe! 

This little man, Levi, was a tired one and snuggled right up.  

Auntie Rachael got some Benjamin time too!  

My Sister and her family surprised us all and came in town Saturday at lunch for the rest of the day.   It was wonderful to visit, listen to the kids enjoy special cousin time and to meet our newest nephew (#6) Benjamin who is just a few months old.     

Girls, while we pray you grow up and live close (Gracie, you said you were going to live next door so we are going to hold you to that!) that is always something about living away and coming home to such wonderful memories!  There is no place like home even when you have your own family and are firmly planted where you know God has called you to be.   The home you grew up in and visiting your parents we pray is always special to you as it is to me!