TRIP TO COLUMBUS, OHIO 2018

Another year, another wedding in Columbus, OH! This trip to Columbus in the last week of November, seems like ages ago, instead of just last month.  It was the beginning of the dry cough, that started innocently enough, but persisted, ultimately for the next month, and prevented my sleep and anyone else's within hearing distance. I'm almost cured of that cough now, after two doctors visits, two round of antibiotics, and bruised ribs, but that is the first thing I remember when I think of this trip. I also remember that I was worried about the cold, it was winter in the midwest after all, and I packed as if we were going on an expedition to the North Pole - for me and the girls.

It turned out not be as cold as I had feared, our hosts (Ken's aunt and uncle) were gracious and  sweet, (and even offered me Chinese black syrup in attempts to help the cough), it was great to celebrate with Ken's family, and it was very nice to be around the girls and Ken throughout the trip.

Some pictures!




First order of business was getting tacos at Los Guachos - our favorite taco place.  And by first order, we drove straight there as soon as we entered Columbus.

I mean...

In the mornings and quiet in-between moments, the girls passionately worked with play dough and magic clay that we had picked up on our trip.

I was so impressed with what Sloane came up with! 

Another order of business was a stop at Jeni's ice cream. The rainbow buttermilk frozen yogurt is my favorite. 

The girls got to spend a lot of time with Uncle Nelson on this trip, and he was a hit!

I also did a little thrifting at Eclectiques Antique Mall.  There were so many treasures! And I came away with a few. 

The wedding was a morning one, with the ceremony starting at 10AM at the church. Afterward, they had an informal reception with pizza, snacks, and the OSU game broadcasting on a huge screen!

The formal reception was at evening for dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant. 

The wonderful couple - Sophie and Norman!

with Amy and Daniel! 

We snuck away during the reception and took some pictures together. 

With the girls' beloved nai nai.

The next morning, we stopped by the Fox in the Snow cafe for their amazing egg sandwhiches and pastries before hitting the road back to Richmond. 

You're swell, Columbus! 

THANKSGIVING 2018

This December, I feel particularly grownup. It's me being even more zoned in on what matters, and much less concerned with things that will drain me unnecessarily. Before I commit or plan to do something, I spend a lot of time thinking about it and really making sure it is doable and enjoyable.  It also helped that many friends had the same idea and all the events for December were carefully decided and invitations sent out ahead of time.  I was also sick for the majority of this month, which was terrible and exhausting, but it meant a slower pace to things, which probably help with this sense of peace. 

Before December was November, and in the latter part of November, was our trip to Ohio for a wedding, and before that, my sisters came down so that we could have a meal all together to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Ken spatchcocked a turkey again, we made a bunch of sides, and it was wonderful to have everyone - Sharon, Paul, Eunice, Val, Joe, Lois, Mignon, Ken, Sloane and Logan - around the table.  As brief as our times together are these days due to work schedules and travel, they are always worth it. 

These shirts were gifts from my sister and brother-in-law from their recent trip to Mexico and the girls were so into them and begged to wear them everyday thereafter.