Yes, Ohio has topography and forests

When we talk to family and friends who live in the west about Ohio we try to explain that the state isn't entirely corn. We have windmills! Driving through NE Ohio:

Actually, pre-1700s, 98% of Ohio was covered with forests. Today we are at about 35% forest land owned mostly by small private owners but there are plenty of forested state parks and one national forest. The other common misconception is that Ohio is flat. About half of the state was once covered by glaciers and that part is, well, flat, but as the glaciers left the melt-waters carved through the sandstone and formed amazing gorges, cliffs, and caves. In addition much of the southeast part (appalachia) of the state is very hilly. 

So far this summer we have made three trips to forests near us. The first was a day-trip with lots of kid friends for a fun hike at Old Man's Cave.  Little man wanted to go it alone:

Some of the 19 kids involved in our hike (how many kids can you fit in a mini-cave?).

We had a ton of rain over Independence Day weekend but when there was a gap in the weather we made a break for Conkle's Hollow - a hike along a small stream in a gorge to a waterfall.

Last weekend the weather finally cooperated and we headed south again to Hope Lake for a camping trip, our first with Asher. We had friends join us and overall it was a grand success. Although there are no pictures we also tried out the swimming beach - really crowded and not my ideal "beach" but the location made up for it. 

Story time.

The crew hiking. Sweet Molly up front.

So friends, come visit!

Online Journaling

OSU made the switch from quarters to semesters this past academic year and with the change our teaching schedules were re-arranged. Now with semesters, Eric teaches all but his study aboard course in the Fall term and I teach both my classes in the Spring term. This leave one of us available for sick-kid, no-day-care days throughout the year. But it also makes for crazy teaching terms. Spring was pure chaos for me and my blogging, which serves as our family journal, has suffered. As has the standard of cleanliness in our home. But we made it through! And then just as final grades were being submitted we took off for a month adventure. I'm going to photo document the last 2 months and hopefully get some stories in later. For now, grandparents, this photo blast is for you.

Gymnastics class

Big girl bike!

 Vet day. She wants to be a muskrat doctor.

 Easter duds.

 Missing something.

 She scored! Twice! While Eric was in Australia.

 Kids stay in Salt Lake City. Fun and fancy ice cream with (second) cousins.

 Finding treasures and saying goodbye to Bestemor's house.

 Water parks.

 Family barber shop.

Bangs are so funny!

 

Family resemblance?

And while the kids had fun with Oma and Opa, I met up with Eric in Queensland.

Diving at Great Barrier Reef

 Wildlife!

 Beach relaxing, sans kids.

 Everyone reunited, next stop, Estes Park CO. 

Kids were worn out before we even got there.

 YMCA, Rockies.

Elk in our backyard.

 A natural history lesson.

 Hiking.

 Hay ride.

 Roasting marshmallows. 

 Cowboy poet.

 Horse rides.

 Junior ranger oath. Rocky Mountain National Park.

 This is summer right?

 Cousins in Denver.

 Back to Columbus for pre-K (and day care) graduation. Cadie was given the kite award for flying high.

 Big machines at COSI.

Plenty of summer left to enjoy. More fun to come!

The Wilds

One perk of my job is getting to work outside occasionally. On Thursday, I had the family join me on a part-work, mostly-fun excursion to check out a potential research location: The Wilds. This is a nearly 10,000 acre wildlife conservation center managed by the Columbus Zoo that focuses on species that are endangered or extirpated (go ahead - look it up, this could be your word of the day). I am hoping to do water quality research there but that is besides the point - there were big animals! Really close! The Sichuan takin:

 Even though The Wilds does not open until May, we had a hands-on tour from a friend/colleague who also happens to be the Chief Science Officer for the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds. WE GOT TO RUB BABY RHINOS ON THE CHIN AND TUMMY! Highlight for me. Asher wasn't fond of the rhinos, he started crying when he saw my hand (and much of my forearm) disappear inside a mama rhino's mouth. Even though it came out unharmed, just minus an apple and really slobbery, Asher starting screaming and didn't calm down until we were out of the rhino barn. Cadie feeding a baby greater one-horned Asian rhino:

 The giraffes were fun as well. They like romaine lettuce.

Below is the animal that made me nervous. It got really excited when Asher started walking away from the adults. 

As a research location it is probably not going to pan out but the family is looking forward to heading back again in the summer when there are more animals out in the pastures. 

Family = Love

We made a quick trip to Salt Lake City for my dear grandmother's funeral. Here is one of my favorite pictures of Bestemor about 8 years ago on my brother's bike:

One from last summer when Asher got to meet her:

She turned 100 years old last November and lived a very full life but it was still hard to say goodbye. All of her living posterity, 3 kids, 13 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren were in town for the first time in over ten years. Family = joy = love. 

I am so grateful that families are forever.

Cousins Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas in Denver with Grandma T and the cousins. While the best part was spending time with family we did get to do some fun things, including many firsts for the little Toes.

Asher's first snow shovel - helping clear the driveway to make room for some hoops. 

Trying out some wheels:

Cadie rides a bike! She has only ever ridden a balance bike and so we were amazed when she hopped right on her cousins bike and was able to pedal away. I guess it is time for her own big girl bike.

First ice skating! Also first harnessed rock climbing (no pictures). The little girl enjoyed both while the parents took turns trying to keep the little boy entertained.

 We spent time with the dinosaurs at Denver's science museum.

 Where there were plenty of activities for even the smallest.

 New snow for Christmas day sledding.

 It was fabulous to be with family for Christmas. And there were gifts.

 And silly faces with cousins.

And although I don't have the photos to document it, my favorite memory was the cousin dogpile on Eric. We all had a great time.