Ohio Favorites

There are so many things I want to see and do here in Ohio... but there are a few that I already knew I loved and have never experienced anywhere else. So, this week included a couple quick "Ohio loves" that I've developed over the years.

First... pepperoni cheese. Yes, please! I mean, have you ever seen such a thing?! God bless Amish people for putting pepperoni INSIDE of cheese. I pretty much just ate a ton of this on crackers.

Next up... covered bridges. Maybe it's because I come from the land of overpasses and multi-lane freeways and highways everywhere you go, or maybe it's because they are just totally gorgeous to everyone, I don't know... but I love covered bridges. Justin's mom took me around to 6 beautiful bridges in our immediate area yesterday, and then I forced the kids to go with me to one today on our errands. Tim Horton's Tim Bits work great as a bribe! They thought the bridge was "boring" until they realized they could throw rocks in the creek underneath of it.

Some of the bridges are large enough for combines to drive through!! Some have been turned into walking bridges only, but I've seen multiple about this size. Aren't they awesome? And they all have historical markers by them for you to read.

I'm looking forward to reading up on the stories of these bridges and all that boring stuff, because those things are so much cooler when you're an adult. The original bridge here was built in 1872-1873, and it cost $1,375 to build.

I've spent the most time driving without Justin this week... which has been liberating! I've also seen deer crossing the road nearly every day, so I'm being super careful to watch for them! Deer here are no joke - they are HUGE! Justin's mom said it's because they are "corn fed" deer; which is probably accurate. It's really fun watching them hop through the fields.

Thanks for keeping up with us!

New Post Needed

Hey all! So, I swore I wasn't going to let this blog go, but I have been slacking. Our former routine no longer exists and we're still in this weird transition standstill, so I haven't sat down to blog. My computer is in our room now, instead of in our office. Our days are pretty impulsive, instead of routine. And, most of the time, I'm not even sure what day of the week it is, because... well, summer and unemployed life!

So, here are a few things coming up:

1.  Skyler is almost 6 months! He obviously needs milestone pictures, so I've been planning those and made an appointment with a local photographer, since my favorite girl Ashley just couldn't follow me to Ohio! (Shout-out to the best photographer I could have ever asked for!)
2. Harry Potter fest!! We're currently deciding if we are going to Kent, OH this weekend or if we are waiting for an event a little closer in Lancaster, OH. 
3. Birthday party time! We actually get to celebrate our niece's birthday with her this year and be here for our nephew's first birthday! Yay for getting to be present for these awesome little ones!
4. Back to school shopping - Thank you Ohio for having tax free shopping on all school supplies and clothes under $75 the first weekend in August!
5. Stop! Soccer time! Joey starts soccer mid-August, and we are very much looking forward to watching our boy back on the field!

And - no blog is complete without a picture - so here is a recycled Facebook one of our littlest starting to sit up on his own! Mommy really needs him to be a good sitter before pictures! ;) LOL! 

We Built a Life We Loved

August 4th, 2007 changed the trajectory of mine and Justin's lives forever. It was the night we met. He liked my Doc Martins and my SUV... and I really didn't want anything to do with him. However, since my dog didn't want to leave his side, I was kind of stuck talking to him! (Thank you Rusty!)

The night we met!

I was there because of canceled plans. He was there because of a random invite from a stranger. God was there, because He knew something we didn't. The stars had to align for Justin and I to meet, and they did!

We married, had 3 children, owned 2 houses, and made countless friends and memories in Washington. This will forever be the place that we fell in love and started our family.

We have been blessed to spend so much time with our family here.

We are saying good-by to amazing friends.

 

And we've had some pretty awesome adventures!

I will always love the salty sea air of the Pacific Ocean and crisp, fresh air of the mountains. I will forever be a PNW girl.

Mukilteo, WA

Port Angeles, WA

Chinook Pass, WA

Bremerton ferry to Seattle, WA

  

This is a very small... I mean very, very small collection of pictures and people and memories and gratefulness.

We'll see you again soon, Washington. Much love.

Ruff Life on the Water

Justin has always wanted a water dog. For anyone that has ever had a boxer, it shouldn't be a surprise that our pair was not too keen on getting in the mostly frigid Washington water. They were more suburb pups, content to lounge around most of the time.

When we got Lincoln, our mini Aussie, there was once again hope for a pup that would like the water. Despite Lincoln and Justin's differences, this is one area where they have definitely lined up!

Lincoln is 100% a water lover! He will jump in rivers fresh off of the Cascades if you throw a stick. He will stay in Lake Wenatchee until he's shaking, as long as you keep throwing his stick of the day.

This dog has no fear of water - which can be quite scary in rivers. Those currents completely freak me out with this dog, because he's usually exhausted from swim-fetching and I know he wouldn't be able to fight getting caught up in a current. He just never wants to stop swimming, even when he's cold and exhausted; so every time we have to be the meanies and call it quits for him.

So, finally; a water dog!! Anyone else have a water dog? What breed?