Thursday, April 25, 2013

Quick trip to Ohio!

 Last weekend, Emily, Lindsey, Kate and I few to Ohio to spend a few days with the Rasmussen's to and visit one last time before they move out west this summer.   Our family has wanted to go back there ever since we moved 4 years ago, but flights have been so expensive.

A couple of months ago, the flights finally dropped a little bit and Jon was willing to watch Jack, Hannah & Hailey so that I could take the other kids and go.   Emily & Lindsey have vivid memories of Ohio and Kate was so easy to take and she still talks about Hailey Rasmussen every day.

We flew there on a Wednesday afternoon.  Of course, as luck would have it, I woke up that day with a stuffy head and a "frog in my throat."   I took plenty of Sudafed and Ibuprofen with me and tried to keep up on those, especially on the flights.  I actually got motion sick on the first flight and threw up (thank goodness for those little bags) during landing.    We had a layover in Dallas and after eating a little bit, I felt much better. 

We landed, picked up a rental car and headed out into the familiar streets & highways of Columbus!  It was great to be back!  It was really, really late, so we arrived at the Rasmussen's about 11:45 p.m.    It was great to see Ammon & Kirsten and the girls and I had a fun time sleeping in the basement.   The girls were really great travelers and so fun to be with!

On Thursday, we woke up (probably only 15 minutes after the kids left for school - which really disappointed Kate), got ready and then we went to Red Rooster Quilts and to Karli's dance class.  It was the same dance studio that Kate danced at for a year and it was so cute to see Karli in her costume and see her dance. 

Then, after driving Karli home to get picked up by the bus, we drove to Ruby Tuesday to have lunch with Jodi & Carly.



We had a great time visiting and laughing and enjoying each other's company - again!  I miss our lunch dates with Jodi and I miss my kids being in her fun classes and summer camps!   She is a great friend and we miss her terribly!



 Kirsten, Jodi, me & Carly
 

After lunch, Kate wanted to stay at home with Kirsten to wait for Hailey, Brynlee & Karli, and the other girls and I headed over to their Elementary School - Greensview - to visit their teachers.   It was soooo good to see them again and be back in Greensview.   What a great school! 

We loved all these teachers so much!  They are incredible teachers, friends & examples!

 Mrs. MacGregor-Martin - she was Emily & Lindsey's 1st grade teacher
Lindsey still e-mails her quite often.
 
 Emily & Mrs. Kuhman. 
Mrs. Kuhman is Emily's all-time favorite teacher and had her for 2nd grade.  Mrs. Kuhman came to Emily's baptism.   She is retiring in just a few weeks!
 
Mrs. Miller & Emily
Emily had Mrs. Miller for Kindergarten & 3rd grade.  She is the sweetest person!

 Lindsey & Mrs. Holland
We absolutely love Mrs. Holland!  I would have loved all my kids to have her as their Kindergarten teacher!
The quilt behind them is one that I made for her, so it was fun to see that again. 
 
 This is Emily's art work that the school framed and hung in the school.  It's hanging right past the front office.  The little plaque underneath says "Emily Bowen 2009"
 


We came home to Kate in heaven!  They played & played & played!


Kirsten made a yummy dinner and then we drove back to dance to watch Hailey & Brynlee.  It was observation week, so I went with Brynlee and got all the instructions for their show.   So, so cute!
We stopped at Rita's on the way home and enjoyed one of our favorite treats!

On Friday, we woke up (again, right after the kids had already left for school).  We went back to Greensview to see Mrs. Holland (she teaches 1/2 day) and then Kirsten had a wonderful luncheon for us and Sarah & Christy.

It was so fun to laugh, visit, & see them again!  They are such great women!!


Once the kids got home - it was play time again!


The kids didn't want to stop playing - so we actually skipped going out to dinner.   Kirsten let Emily & go to the mall while she fed them and then we met at Al's Popcorn (which I had never been to).   We picked out some fun popcorn to take home and then went to Graeter's to meet some of our friends.

It was incredibly wonderful to see them again!   Since we weren't there for a Sunday to go to Church, it was so kind of everyone to drive there to see us.   I didn't get pictures of everyone, but Heather Parks came by and the Mills family.  The Rieser's came, Susan Welling, Vilo Westwood & Anne Bean.

The icecream was delicious and the company was even sweeter!  Thank you all those that came!

 The Rieser's
 
 Anne (and baby Daniel)
 
Vilo & Susan
 
 
We came home and the kids begged for a sleepover.  I am the mean one and said 'no' since our flight was really, really early.  But, I did let them have a "late night."  Our flight left at 7:15, so we got up early and headed to the airport.   We had a wonderful time!
 
Kirsten is due to have her 6th baby and despite a lot of painful contractions, was the best hostess!  Thank you, thank you!  

We love you Ohio!

3 comments:

megadog said...

I bet that felt like Home Sweet Home. You guys really did have a great time there and it's fun to see all the cool memories. Glad you got to go!

john + becky said...

I'm jealous and wish I could have joined you on your trip! That is so fun that you got to go and spend time with Kirsten.

Kelsi said...

So fun and nice you were able to do it.