Oh! Ohio!

Well, we're in Chicago. I can't believe our visit to Ohio is over, but it was really great. On Thursday, we went to the Ohio State Fair. It was excellent as always, but verrrrry hot. Sheesh! We drank about 45 gallons of Crystal Light. Kiera enjoyed her first taste of fried cheese on a stick and she got to see the butter cow for the first time. We saw the lumberjack show, baby lambs, baby ducks, baby chicks, ate some ice cream, the kids rode some rides. We stopped by Donato's on the way home so Bobby could get his yearly fix. We saw Jeff Green, Bobby and Shannon's Tae Kwon Do teacher while we were over at Tamarack Circle. He didn't even recognize them at first - they've grown up a lot since he saw them last.

The next day, we went to the North Market and browsed in some short north stores. I sure miss those places. When we got back to the Wallin's, we got to visit with all of our Ohio friends who came over for a cook-out and a birthday party for Shannon! Carol Strick introduced the new birthday custom of spraying whipped cream into the birthday person's mouth while the crowd counts out loud, the number of years old the person is. This is a tradition to keep and cherish!! Of course, everyone wanted whipped cream sprayed in their mouth after the birthday girl, and Carol was all too happy to serve it up. It was great to see everyone, but I hated to see them leave.

On Saturday, we visited our old neighborhood and our neighbors. It was great to see them! The kids have all grown up so much. They got to play a little kick-the-can in the cul-de-sac just like the old days. But it was very hard to be there. It makes my heart hurt. I wish so much we could stay for good.

After the long ride to Chicago and the emotional drain of the annual Ohio trip, it's time for some sleep - I'm fried. Enjoy the pictures of our first leg of the journey. Good Night!