A Cincinnati Fourth

Hello again! This has been my longest break from blogging since I started almost 5 years ago! So much has happened but I've had so little time to blog about it! Since Alaska, Joey and I have both had birthdays and our five year anniversary, we took a trip to Cincinnati over the fourth, we MOVED!, I got a new job, my brother and mom came to visit - separately, not to mention all the friend gatherings, block parties and other general San Diego happenings. It is unlikely that I will catch up on all that stuff but I'll hit some of the highlights. I'll skip over June this year (who cares about my 31st birthday anyways?? boring!) and go straight to our Cinci trip over the fourth. 

Joey's grandmother and extended family live in Cincinnati and we have been wanting to go visit for a while now. We decided there was no time like the present and booked a long weekend trip over the fourth of July. 

THE ARRIVAL

It was a one stop connecting flight to Cinci but luckily (or maybe unluckily) there was a playground at the layover. Jack had a ball playing on all the equipment but may have picked up a little bug on the way over. He was healthy when we left and sniffly and coughing by the first night. Oy. More on that later.

My sweet little munchkin sleeping on my chest. This so rarely happens anymore.

When we arrived, Joey's cousin Mike picked us up and took us straight to Joey's Aunt Kathy's house for a big Heithaus family welcoming. I was too busy catching up to take many pictures but it was a houseful! The guest list included...Joe, Jenny and family (from Indiana), Mike, Casey, and family, Beth, Heath, and all 6 kiddos (from Georgia), Joey's mom and dad (from South Carolina), Laura, Dan and family, and our gracious (and slightly overwhelmed) hosts, Kathy and Dennis. It was quite the reception!

Here's grandpa happy to be with two of his youngest grandkids.

Sweet Ruth and Sarah with Jack and new baby Jack. 

And here's one I stole from Casey's facebook of all the cousins. 

VISITING GRANDMA HEITHAUS

The first day, we had a lazy morning just lounging around the house and chatting with our hosts Kathy and Dennis. It was so nice to stay in our PJs until lunch!

In the afternoon, we went to visit Joey's sweet grandmother. One of the main reasons we came to Cincinnati was to see her. It was our first time introducing her to Jack. He was a little shy but warmed up by the end. 

We had a nice time just sharing stories about our lives in California and going through pictures. 

Jack especially loved her little bench. He has a thing with little seats. 

FOURTH OF JULY WITH THE REIDMILLERS
The next day was the fourth of July and we spent it with Joey's mom's side of the family who also lives in Cincinnati. It's so convenient that we can see so many people in one visit!

The kids had a great time playing in the yard - especially with big kid grandpa.

And we had a nice time catching up with all the family.

However, this is where things got a little rough. Jack's cold took a turn for the worse and he was wheezing and breathing quite heavy. We didn't bring his nebulizer since he was healthy when we left and it was just a weekend trip....SO we had to leave the party early to seek out an urgent care facility. Luckily we found one relatively easily and with a little searching, were able to get another nebulizer. It was stressful and scary at the time but it all worked out.

MAGGIE'S BIRTHDAY!

Thanks to several treatments from the nebulizer, Jack was pretty much back to normal and ready to play the next day. We met the cousins at the playground in the morning and then went to Joey's cousin Mike's house for his daughter Maggie's Sesame Street birthday blowout that afternoon!

Grandpa was a hit as always. 

Little Lukie getting so big!

The big boys and little boys swinging together. 

Maggie's grandmother did an amazing (pintrest-worthy) job decorating for the party. She pulled out all the Sesame Street stops!

Jack especially enjoyed the cake pops. SUGAR!!!!

Luckily they had a great backyard for the kids to burn off all that sugar. It was a madhouse!

The kids were pretty occupied playing which left the grown ups a little time to chat. Here I am with Joey's cousin Laura and Mike and Casey's new baby Jack. 

And Joey with new baby Jack. New babies get all the attention!

The birthday girl needed a little break from all the excitement.

Family photo on the stoop! Mike, Casey, Maggie, and Jack. 

See, awesome decor! A customized street sign AND a giant Big Bird!

I think this was Maggie's hundredth cake pop. I don't envy Mike and Casey that night!

VISITING GRANDPARENTS

With our last day, we wanted to spend a little more time with the grandparents. First, back to see Joey's grandmother Heithaus. 

Jack was better rested this time and was a lot more friendly. 

Four generations. :)

Then we hopped over to Joey's mom's parent's house to spend a little more one-on-one time with them. And to enjoy a little skyline chili dinner! 

On the way home, we took a final stop over at Grater's just to round out the trip. 

GOODBYES

And like that, our trip was pretty much over. We spent the last morning enjoying Kathy and Dennis' company and then Joey's parents took us to the airport. Oh, we also had a quick lunch with my college friend Katie Banks who lives in Cincinnati now, but she wasn't feeling too well so I didn't get a good picture. 

Thank you Kathy and Dennis for your hospitality and all the family for making time to see us while we were in town! I hope it's not another 3 or more years before we see everyone again!!

Alright, one down. Now there is some momentum. Next I'll try to blog about our move and my brother's visit to CA!