Mohican State Park and Clear Fork Gorge

Most of Brian's extended family lives in the Loudonville, Ohio area. It is right next to Mohican State Park and the Clear Fork Gorge and is such a beautiful place. This trip we really tried to get the kids out to see some of the area and do a little exploring. It really made me want to take the kids back in the summer when it would be a great time to canoe and do some more hiking, etc. The kids love being out in nature

The Clear Fork Gorge


Below: View of the covered bridge in the state park.


Trying to get the kids to cooperate for a family picture on the overlook.

Whenever, Claire sees rocks she wants to pick them up and start throwing them. I guess there is a little tom boy in there somewhere.

Claire Amelia with her daddy.

Mommy helping the girls down some steps to see out over the gorge. It was a little nerve-racking making sure they could see but not climb up on the wall where they could fall.

A beautiful view of the park with all those amazing trees.

Below: Brant and daddy.

Jim and Brian with the girls.

Brant finding a special rock.

Below: View of the overlook.

Park area.

View of the river from the bridge.


Poppa and Cate walking over the bridge.

Brant looking out over the bridge.
Claire in front of the Mohican Lodge.

More Fun in Ohio-Amish Country

We had a lot of fun while we were in Ohio. We always like to take a visit to Amish country and do a little shopping. This year Tracey and Kaylan wanted to go take a look at the puppies and we thought it would be good to take Brant and the girls and see how they would react to them. We've been thinking about getting Brant a dog, but he is pretty scared of them and says he doesn't want one, but I thought maybe seeing those cute little puppies would change his mind. Not quite. We did a little shopping and sight-seeing and then headed back to Monga's house to relax and hang out.

My handsome boy waiting to get in the car.

The girls checking out an Amish carriage that was for sale.

Brant cautiously checking out the puppies.

Cate and Claire riding some stick horses.

Brant shopping with poppa.

Claire and Cate were enchanted by these little balls of fur but still a little skittish when they jumped up.

Taking a juice break on one of the Amish porch swings.

Claire-Bear.

Playing with Poppa outside while the ladies shop inside.

Brant and Cate with Aunt Tracey

Mommy holding her sweet girl, Claire. After losing a contact in Nashville, I was stuck wearing my glasses all week in Ohio.

Playtime with Monga.

Cate and Claire getting ready to eat dinner by their great-grandmother, Millie. Doesn't she look great for being 92?

The Circus in Ohio

It was so great seeing everyone in Ohio and we were so happy to finally get there. On our first day we took a little scenic tour of the area and decided to take some time to go back and look at it more later in our trip. There was a small circus going on close by, so we decided to take the kids and check it out. They ended up having some pretty good performers and actually even had elephants and tigers. The kids loved getting some circus food and having their faces painted. It turned out to be a great outing.

Popcorn and cotton candy . . . we're ready for the show. The kids enjoyed seeing Tracey and Kaylan.

Monga, Poppa and Aunt Tracey

Cate sharing her popcorn with Monga.

The kids got to pick out how they wanted their faces painted. No surprise Brant went with the superhero. Claire is my girly-girl and wanted the purple swirls with glitter and Cate wanted to be a tiger. It's sweet how excited they get to have their faces painted.

Mommy with her little tiger, Cate.

One of the acrobats from the show. Some of the things they can do are really amazing.

ROAD TRIP!!! First Stop . . . Nashville.

Brian convinced me to take our first "real" family road trip to Ohio for Thanksgiving to see family. I say first "real" road trip because the farthest we have driven is San Antonio (5 hours) and the Ohio trip was going to take 17 hours without stops. We drove the first day to Nashville, but it tooke us a long 12 hours to get there. After getting in around midnight and falling into bed we woke up the next morning and had breakfast in the hotel. There isn't too much going on in Nashville on Sunday morning, so we just went down to Fort Nashborough and let the kids do some exploring down by the river and run around the amphi-theater area. Coyote Ugly happened to be having a yard sale, so we took the kids in and they were mesmerized by the inside of a bar. I guess there is a lot to look at. We really didn't stay too long before we were back on the road to Ohio.

Brian at the wheel . . he drove the whole way to Ohio.

Brant loaded up with all the luggage.

The girls loaded up in the packed up car.

I think we all felt this way by the time we arrived in Nashville.

Chillin' and having breakfast in the hotel room.

Claire at Fort Nashborough.

Fort Nashborough.

Brant with his daddy. Best buddies.

Street by the river in Nashville.

Cate running along the amphitheater.

all the kids (including Brian) getting a little exercise running and climbing along the river.

The girls with Brian in Coyote Ugly--not quite dancing on the bar.

Finally crashed out in the car.

The Thankful Feast at Sonshine School

Sonshine School always has the kids bring different items to be shared in a Thanksgiving feast. The parents don't stay for this, but I wanted to take a few pictures of the girls beforehand in their Thanksgiving outfits. I am thankful for such loving and adorable girls.




Playing in the classroom.

Fall Trip to the Zoo

The weather stayed warm for so long this year that we had beautiful days even into November. Our family loves to get out to the zoo because it is an easy outing with the kids where they can explore a little bit independently and they love to play in the children's area. This was a great trip because the weather was so enjoyable and lots of the animals were out and about. Even the tiger who is always sleeping was up and prowling around.

Claire and daddy.

The gang walking through the park with leaves on the ground. It's so nice that the girls are able to walk on their own without the stroller a little bit now.

The kids love the animal sculptures throughout the zoo. Here Cate and Claire are "riding " a turtle.

Nobody wants to stop and take a group shot. Trying to force them rarely ends with a good result.

Cate and Claire climbing on the net spider web in the children's area.

Brant sliding.

Cate and daddy.

Who doesn't like to finish their trip to the zoo with a carousel ride? Even Brant an ddad got in on the fun.

Cate and Claire love the carousel right now!