Spring Break 

So for spring break we took a trip to Ohio. The week leading up to our trip was busy. We didn't want to check any bags so each traveler (five of us) had a duffle bag to pack. They had to get everything to fit they wanted to take or what didn't fit wouldn't go.

Day 1: Friday, March 15, 2019

We had a normal day with work and school and then right after Brayden got off the bus we hit the road for Utah. The drive was a few hours down with a quick pit stop at the rest area. 

We pulled into Josh's cousins (Tracy & Eric) house at about 6:30 pm. They were kind enough to serve us dinner before taking us to the airport. We got to the airport at about 8:30, got through security quick and then waited several hours. We got the kids in pajamas and waited some more.

We boarded the plane at about 11:30 pm in Salt Lake City. We landed in Detroit, Michigan at about 5:00 am on Saturday. The traveling across two time zones was cruel.

Day 2: Saturday March 16, 2019

We landed and took a bus to the rental car lot. We got to the lot as they opened at 5:30. We got the car figured out and got on our way to drive to dad and moms house in Ohio with a pit stop for breakfast. We got to their house shortly after 9 and rested for a bit as we didn't get much sleep through the night on the plane.

We had signed up to help volunteer at the Marathon Performing Arts Center so we could get in for free to see some of the shows they offered. On Saturday night we volunteered for a short time seating guests, welcoming them to the center, and telling many to enjoy the show. We got to see Popovich Pet Comedy which was funny and entertaining. 

Day 3: Sunday March 17, 2019

We got up Sunday and drove into Findlay, Ohio for church. It was fun to see how the ward has changed since I had attended years previously and in my youth.

After church we went over to the care center to visit my Grandma Kay. We surprised Grandma and my Aunt Ellie who was also there visiting. They have a pool at Grandma's facility so we took a swim while we were there! After visiting Grandma Kay we went and visited my Grandma Siferd.

Grandma Siferd is a professional clown so while we visited she made the kids fun balloon shapes and then she let the kids try to make their own.

Kaytlin got creative and made a huge hat out of balloons.

The girls asked Grandma Siferd to make them a monkey so she made them monkeys with tails. It was super funny and got a laugh out of all of us.

Day 4: Monday March 18, 2019

Monday morning we spent the morning playing at Grandpa and Grandma Vermillion's house where we were staying until we headed into town. We picked up Grandpa Neil and took him to lunch.

After our lunch date we had to kill a little bit of time before heading to meet my dad at the dental office he is working on to help unload flooring. We visited the cemetery my sister is buried in and the old house we used to live in over by Van Buren.

My parents headstone.

My sister Sarah's grave.

Our old house in Van Buren.

We stopped at another cemetery where many of my relatives are buried next to a playground and spent a bit of time playing.

My Great Grandpa & Grandma Vermillion

At the dental office some of us were scraping glue off the floor from the carpet they are replacing, some were pulling the carpet up and Kaytlin helped build door frames with Grandpa.

Day 5: Tuesday March 19, 2019

On Tuesday we got up early and headed to Nauvoo, Illinois to see the historical sites of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The drive was approximately 8 hours.

Most everyone slept!

We stopped and got dinner and then stopped at the Smith Family Cemetery before we ran out of light on Tuesday night.

It was neat to see the Nauvoo Temple all lit up too.

Our hotel was just over the border into Iowa.

Day 6: Wednesday March 20, 2019

We got up and had breakfast at the hotel in Fort Madison, Iowa. We headed into Nauvoo to see all the sites. We got there before the sites were open at 10:00 a.m. so we walked the Trail of Hope reading about the pioneers who once walked through to cross the river.

We then started our tours of the sites. We stopped at the blacksmith, wainwright, wheelwright, and gunsmith shops.

We took a Wagon Tour early on in the day.

We had a bit of fun at the Cultural Hall. 

We visited the Bakery, Print shop, Post Office, Tin shop, Many homes of the early pioneers, the brickyard, the School and the family living center.

We took a carriage ride to see many other sites.

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I think we were all a bit tired from all the activities and sites.

The temple was only open from 3-8 p.m. so we ate dinner and we all wanted to go to the temple so we split up. Josh and I were able to do sealings. Brayden was able to do baptisms. My parents kept the girls and did some shopping in town. It was neat because we were sealed in the Nauvoo temple 15 years ago. We then swapped with my parents so they could enjoy going to the temple. While my parents were in the temple we checked out the Women's Garden statues.

We then met back up with my parents and headed back to the hotel. 

We were all bushed and quickly got to sleep.

Day 7: Thursday March 21, 2019

We got up and had breakfast at the hotel and then headed to Carthage on the way back to Ohio.

After our tour of Carthage Jail we headed back to Ohio. Another 8 hour drive. Many more naps were taken.

Brayden got bored and started taking lots of pictures. I thought you would get a kick out of them. I am really quite impressed with his angles and those eye lashes!

Bless the people who put playgrounds at rest stops. The kids really enjoyed getting out of the car even for a few minutes.

Day 8: Friday March 22, 2019
On Friday we were back in Ohio and was one of our last days in Ohio this trip so we crammed a lot in. Alayna at Grandpa & Grandma Vermillion's house.

We stopped at my old high school in Arcadia and visited with Mr. B my band and choir teacher. This year he is retiring and wanted to wish him well. The pictures we have are all blurry though. I think the most ironic thing for me about Mr.B is that Brayden also had a Mr. B for his middle school band teacher.

Since we were already in Arcadia we stopped at the cemetery in town where another side of my family is buried.

Grandpa Ned & Marilyn Wiler's grave.

Grandpa Ned's brother Dallas Wiler's grave.

My cousin Tabetha's grave.

My great grandparents Raymond & Lillie Wiler's grave.

We drove by my old workplace, Putt N Pond, which hasn't been in business in years but I was feeling nostalgic. It is sad to see it mostly torn down. I loved go-carting and being a lifeguard there for all of my high school days.

That afternoon we had made arrangements to go see a friend of mine. I hadn't seen him in approximately 19 years. We got to meet his wife who ended up being just great. We spent several hours just chatting and playing outside. Hopefully it won't be nearly as long next time.

We met up with my Grandma Siferd again for lunch.

We then stopped in and visited with my Grandma Kay again. We were hoping to visit with her while the kids swam but they had changed the hours of the pool so we just took a walk around her facility and did a puzzle with her. It is sad to think it may have been the last time I will see her on earth because her health is declining so quickly.

We also stopped and visited with my Grandpa Siferd. I think by that point Kaytlin was done with pictures for the trip.

We then drove by a really cool remodeled covered bridge and then put in a few more hours at the dental office laying flooring.

Day 9: Saturday March 23, 2019
On Saturday we put in many more hours of work at the dental office. My dad always seems to teach me new things every time I work alongside him. We also volunteered for another show at the Marathon Center Performing Arts Center. The show we helped with was The very Hungry Caterpillar & other Eric Carle Favorites. The puppeteers took some time after the show to interact with the audience and share how they put on the show. This picture is from the balcony where I was helping to the main floor where the others were cleaning up.

After the show the girls were invited to a birthday party for my cousins. 

Day 10: Sunday March 24, 2019

On Sunday we got up, packed all our stuff again, and went to church. We took lunch to the church so we could leave from town right afterward so we could make our flight on time. Kaytlin isn't a huge fan of vegetables so it was funny to watch her try to feed Brayden her peas.

Right after we said our see ya laters to my parents and pulled out of the church parking lot Alayna was in tears. She already missed everyone we visited, cuddles from grandpa, and just that our trip was coming to an end.

The drive back to Michigan was approximately 2 hours.

We returned the rental van and then loaded onto a bus for the airport. As we were pulling into the rental place we were alerted that our flight was a bit delayed.

Then our airport waiting commenced again.

See that plane rolling in. That is our delayed flight just coming in. Then the crew had to do cleaning, gassing etc before we could board. We were only about 20 minutes delayed and we made it up in the air.

Very thankful the plane had movies and games to keep the kids occupied.

We landed at approximately 7:30 and our ride was waiting to pick us up. We returned Eric to his family and thanked him profusely for being willing to transport us to and from the airport. Our drive back to home was 3 hours. It always feels so nice to be home. We pulled into home pretty late so we didn't even unpack...we just went to bed so we could get some sleep for school and work the next day.

We had an amazing time visiting family and friends! Ohio was amazing and we had pretty decent weather over Spring Break. We fit in a lot and the kids were troopers with everything. I hope we are able to make it back a little bit more frequently. Until next time, we love Ohio!

-We took lots of  pictures and wanted to give credit to Brayden & Kaytlin for a handful of the pictures shared with you.