Ohio State Fair

{Late post - written in August, but better late than never!}

State fairs make me happy. There's something about them that just screams summer time. Last week, Lucas and I took a trip to the Ohio State Fair. We watched pig races, road camels (yes, camels... in Ohio?), and road a bazillion rides. We finished off our afternoon at the barn, watching the cow and pig competitions.

Ohio, we are home!

What a whirlwind these past few months have been! A little less than a month ago, Steve & I packed up our little family and moved back home to Columbus. It's hard to explain the feeling of when something just feels "right"... but that's the best way I can describe being back in Ohio. There is such a sense of peace to be back surrounded by our family. It feels as though we are finally home.

But what a rollercoaster of emotions it has been. I think back to 3 and half years ago when Lucas and I moved out to Northern Virginia to be close to Steve. I had no friends, no job of my own, and was trying to figure out this whole "mom thing." Terrifying would be putting that experience lightly. It gives me chills to think about how I started and ended my journey in Northern Virginia. By the time I left Virginia, I had 3 years of nursing experience in an extremely fast paced labor and delivery unit and I had made better friends than I could have ever dreamed. My heart aches leaving our friends behind, but as they remind me, "Good friends never say goodbye, they simply say 'See you soon'."

I think back to all the prayers I prayed over & over & over again when I moved to Virginia and all I can think now is, God is SO GOOD, but man-oh-man does he challange you sometimes ;)

The best surprise going away party, thanks to the best friends ever. <3

Have I mentioned that I have the best friends ever? ;) a sense of humor only L&D nurses could appreciate...

Love my coworkers!!

<3

Ohio, here we come!

A visit to Columbus!

A couple weeks ago, Lucas and I took a roadtrip to my parents' place in Columbus. It was so nice to catch up with our family and do a little exploring around the city. Our favorite part was getting to go to the COSI science center with Grandma! We got to check out the planetarium, which kept Lucas interested for all of 5 minutes... but it was an amusing five minutes! :) And then we headed to Lucas' favorite part, the kids play area. The kids playroom is divided in to different areas all designed to inspire their little imaginations. There is a pretend doctor's office, ambulance, kitchen, construction area, farm with veggies to be picked... and more! I so badly wish we had one of these in northern VA!

Here are some pictures from our trip!

Roadtrip!

Can you tell they make him happy?

Checking out COSI's planetarium!

We love COSI's kids area!

Lucas building his new bear "Charlie" thanks to Grandma!

Valentine's Day with our little loves!

This year we celebrated Valentine's Day with our little loves and some of our coworkers' newest babies!

Here are some pics from our day!

Bathtime for all!

A simple picture to brighten your day <3

To jump or not to jump. #tojump

Jack turns 4 months!

I am that puppy mom... The one who documents every moment of his life. Sorry, I'm not sorry :)

"Jacky boy" is now 4 months old. He is full of energy and LOVES to play! The past week Jack has come a very long ways as far as potty training goes! He has doubled his weight since we first brought him home, now weighing 10 pounds :)

Here are a few pictures from the past month with our Jacky!

Flash Back Friday- Thanksgiving in VA 2014

Oops! I just realized I never posted about our Virginia Thanksgiving. So today I'm taking advantage of flash back Friday :)

For Thanksgiving, Lucas celebrated at preschool with a Thanksgiving feast. The kids wore ridiculously cute turkey hats and made placemats that I plan on taking out every Thanksgiving for the next 50 years! All the Greentree families contributed in bringing food and the children enjoyed a feast full of turkey sandwiches, cornbread, carrot sticks, and more!

This year, the Lawler family joined us in Virginia for an early Thanksgiving feast. I was so thankful everyone was able to join us for a rare weekend spent together. KJ and my dad spent Saturday at the National Air and Space Museum in DC while the rest of us headed to Pentagon City to attempt some ice skating. "Attempt" being the key word...

After we had semi-successfully skated around the rink a few times, we headed home to start cooking. My mom and sister helped me in the kitchen while Steve went to pick up Vince from the train station. Everyone arrived home just in time to sit down for dinner!

I am so incredibly thankful for everyone at this table. <3 #theymakemyhearthappy