Ohio Vacation

Let me just start off by saying the title is a bit deceiving. It should read Utah, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York vacation because we spent time in each state in a very short amount of time. Our family had been gearing up for this little trip for some time and it finally happened!

On Friday, March 21st we started our journey. We first drove three hours south to Salt Lake City to catch our flight out. We had no checked baggage so i thought for sure we would have trouble getting through security with all our carry on luggage but we didn't. Security was a breeze and we arrived at our gate almost two hours early. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 1:10 a.m. and many of you think we might have been a bit crazy flying so late with three kids. I have to say that flight was quiet and the kids slept the whole way. The following pictures were taken after boarding at 12:45 a.m. but shortly after take off they were out. 

After landing we rented our transportation. It had every bell and whistle we could dream of. 

It was like riding in luxury.

We all helped Grandpa work on Saturday to get ready for the delivery of the bees.

My cousin, Rebecca and her husband Eric, was also in town over the first weekend we were there so they came out to see us before she headed back to Cleveland.

On Sunday after church we had a little get together/brunch at my Grandma Kay's with the family. From left to right below is Uncle Eric, Uncle Aaron, Aunt Mandy, my cousin Noah, and my cousin Meggan.

 My Aunt Ellie brought puzzles and games for the kids to play.

 A lot of my cousins who came. Uncle Aaron's four girls, my three kids, my Uncle Eric's son, and my cousin Alicia's two kids.

Brenda & Alicia

 These two girls looked so much alike that they could be related... oh wait they are!

 Grandpa Neil and Grandma Kay 

We went to work with my dad one morning to tour the honey plant. They also had a barn yard of animals next door that the kids had fun with. They had rabbits, chickens, peacocks, cows, sheep, goats, and turkeys mostly running around wild. 

 Dad caught a baby bunny for the kids to pet.

No trip to Ohio would be complete without seeing my childhood home and my sister's and parents graves. 

We helped clean up all the pine cones in my parents yard and played outside.

 We didn't play in the pond... it was just way to cold to be out for very long.

 My parents home and barns.

We went and visited my Grandpa Ned who is living in a care facility. I don't think he remembered us but it was nice to see him.

We visited another cemetery to see some of my ancestors graves.

 Can't go to Findlay, Ohio without visiting Dietsch's to get one of their yummy treats. They have a map inside that those traveling through can put a pin in their location of origin so we pegged Idaho Falls!

 Alayna chilling out in the car with her new sunglasses and her car Grandpa Neil gave her.

The kids were eager to help Grandpa so they brought in wood for their wood burner stove. Then after work is...

 Play Time

 Alayna's favorite part of the whole trip was riding Grandpa's "TV" and she was begging to take another ride before everyone had a turn. It was so cute.

We loaded everyone up for a long car ride and to sight see on Tuesday evening. We started out in Kirtland, Ohio.

Then we went up to Palmyra, New York and spent the day there on Thursday.

 Started the visit off with a walk around the Temple.

 We visited the Sacred Grove.

Then we went to the Book of Mormon publication site.

 The Martin Harris Farm.

 We visited Alvin Smith's grave (Joseph Smith's brother). Josh was floored at the amount of cemeteries we seemed to drive by. He said Utah has church's on each corner and Ohio has cemeteries on each corner.

Then to Hill Cumorah

 View from the top of the hill.

Instead of taking the path back down the hill we went directly down the middle... several of the "kids" rolling down.

We then went out to the Whitmer Farm.

When we boarded our flight out of Salt Lake City for Michigan Josh knew someone. So the joke the whole time we were gone was who Josh was going to know at each place. In Palmyra we met up with President and Sister Crandall who was the Stake President for Josh when he was younger and was also our Dentist in Idaho Falls serving their mission in Palmyra. It was neat to get a tour of the Publication site from them.

On our drive back to my parents house we were right on Lake Erie.

 We also passed the Cleveland Indians Stadium.

 Kaytlin and Alayna had tons of fun with all the toys they found at Grandma and Grandpa's house. 

 Grandma even played dress up with them.

 Met up with Grandma Siferd for Sundae's! It was so nice to catch up with her!

Stopped in to visit Grandpa Siferd. He is still as funny as I remember!

Saturday March 29th we went down to Columbus for a quick visit. Our first stop was the Temple then we were able to drive through a few of Josh's mission area's.

While we were there we met up with my Uncle Sam and his family for dinner. From left to right: Josh, Alayna, my mom, Brayden, my dad, Kaytlin, me, Christian, Aunt Cynthia, Uncle Sam, Madeline. It was so good to see them and catch up because I haven't seen their family for a very long time and Josh had never met them.

All good things have to come to an end though. On our way out of Findlay, we stopped at the North West Ohio Railroad Preservation Museum.

 We took a train ride.

Don't worry we took a real ride too!

 We dropped off the rental van and got back to the Detroit airport. We played the waiting game for a bit and this time our flight was during the day. I had the opportunity to sit by a gentleman named Charlie who after visiting with him about our travels asked us lots of questions about our religion and the church sites we visited. Our flight left Detroit at 5:25 p.m. and landed in Salt Lake City at 7:30 and then we drove back to Idaho Falls. We got home shortly after midnight and just carried everyone in and went to bed!

So in 10 days we traveled in 6 states.

     

 

 We met with lots of family and had tons of fun and laughs! Thanks Dad and Mom for allowing us to come visit and for going with us on our travels while in the east. Love you!