Zoo Trip

Leah loves the zoo. We go to the zoo a lot in the spring and fall. We even go in the winter if it is a mild day. But the summer can be very hot and I don't like to take Max out in the heat with him being so young. But we did luck out one day during the last week of July. It was a cooler morning - well, not necessarily cooler - but there was no humidity and it was mostly cloudy. Pat was working a band camp, so I packed the kids up and we headed to the zoo.
We were not the only ones who thought it was a perfect zoo day. I love the zoo - but they need to come up with a better parking plan. After about 45 minutes of waiting in traffic, we made it. We had an awesome morning. The animals were all very active, and I think it was the first time the lions were actually not sleeping!

New Refrigerator!

After our third trip to Cleveland, we came home to a very stinky house. I quickly blamed Pat for not taking out the trash - but the trash was not the cause. It was the refrigerator. Pat opened it and discovered that the inside of the fridge was hotter than our house - and it smelled - so bad - I can't even describe it. But perhaps this little story will help describe the stench.

I called our neighbor Christine to see if she knew where we could legally dump our trash - there was no way I was keeping a full garbage can of spoiled and rotten food near my house. She graciously offered to take it to her dumpster where she works. She is the director of the American Red Cross for our county. She took it and emailed her staff that she had a trash can there and it was hers and she would be back to get it the next day after the dumpster would be emptied. She received a message from one of her staffers - they had received Christine's message too late - police had already been called, in addition to homicide and haz-mat in fear that there was a dead body in the trash can! It was later discovered that the awful smell was not a dead body - just the contents of a broken refrigerator!

Now that we had a broken fridge Pat finally had to give in and purchase a new one - I hated that old thing and had been wanting a new one for quite awhile. It was delivered that week and we are now enjoying tons of space and crushed ice (it was broken on the old one)!

Cleveland Trip: 3 of 3

Our final trip north was a special one - it was to have Max baptized! But there was a lot that I wanted to do before the big day, so we headed up on Thursday. Mom and Dad greeted us with our first corn on the cob of the season - and Leah's first ever!

That evening we went to Memphis Kiddie Park - a tradition from my own childhood. We had gone to the Kiddie Park during our first trip, but Leah had so much fun that I wanted to take her again - and get pictures. Leah's favorite rides were the Merry Go Round, Silly Jeeps and driving the race car. Even Max took a spin on the Merry Go Round.

The next day we took Leah to Rocky River Park - a chance for Leah to play in the sand and get her feet wet.

Saturday was Max's baptism. We were so greatful that Father Craig was able to perform the service, as he is the priest who married us and also baptized Leah. It was a quiet day with just our immediate family and Max's Godparents, Natalie and Sean.

photo by Donna Lindsey
photo by Connie Naylor
photo by Connie Naylorphoto by Connie Naylor
photo by Donna Lindsey
photo by Connie Naylor
photo by Connie Naylor

Godfather Sean is already trying to influence Max...

photo by Donna Lindseyphoto by Connie Naylor

Cleveland Trip: 2 of 3

Our second trip north actually started in Bowling Green for a wedding, our cousin Matt and Toshia. It also marked the first time that we did not have Max for a night. We enjoyed the wedding - and a full night of sleep! Connie sent me some pictures, but they are not transferring well.

After a night in Bowling Green we went to Cleveland. We were first treated to dinner by Nana- it was a celebration of anniversaries. Pat and I were celebrating our 4th anniversary, Uncle Darryl and Aunt Pam their 20th and Connie and Rick their 40th. Dinner was delicious. I think we were having too good a time that we did not get a chance for a picture. After dinner, Dayna and Paul invited everyone back to their new home for dessert.

Sunday was the 4th of July and Max had been to his second parade in as many months.


The 4th of July was also the start of a parent's worst nightmare. Max was running a bit of a fever, became lethargic and was not taking his bottles. I called our pediatrician in Cincinnati and I was instructed to get him to a pediatrician in Cleveland right away. Fortunately my parents live about 10 minutes away from Fairview Hospital, which is a part of the Clinic, which has a pediatric ER. We were seen pretty quickly. His fever and a urine test indicated that he may have had a possible bacterial infection - which meant we were spending a few days in the hospital. We were lucky to be so close to my parents - they were able to care for Leah during the day while Pat and I were at the hospital. Max had a spinal tap and after a few days all cultures showed no growth - which was great news. He was diagnosed with viral meningitis and we were able to go home on the third day. Unfortunately I had to bring Max back to Cincinnati the following day for a follow-up with our own pediatrician, and then back north for Dayna and Paul's wedding - what a week!
While my mom and I were back in Cincinnati for the night with Max, Pat and Leah headed east to Conneaut to spend some time with his parents. The day was spent playing in the lake and blowing bubbles!

photo by Connie Naylor

photo by Connie Naylor

When Max, mom and I returned from Cincinnati, my mom took the kiddos and Pat and I went out to Conneaut for the wedding festivities. Friday night was the rehearsal dinner at Ferrante's Winery. Pat needs to learn that wine is not like beer and should not be chugged.

photo by Connie Naylor

Saturday morning I went to get my hair done with Dayna

photo by Connie Naylor

The ceremony was held outdoors in Conneaut- it was a beautiful day and service.

The reception was held in Mentor. We all had a great time - especially Leah who was in the center of the dance floor doing the Hokey Pokey - unfortunately no pictures of moment - but it is a moment I will never forget.

photo by Connie Naylor

After the wedding we were very happy to head home - it was a busy week!

Cleveland Trip: 1 of 3

Right after Leah's birthday weekend, Leah, Max and I headed north for our first of three trips to Cleveland. Pat followed later in the week (he simply cannot miss a round of Monday night golf). This was Max's first big car ride. We almost made it without stopping, but Max got hungry with only 20 minutes left of the drive. I had to stop. Thank goodness we have a DVD player!

Our first Cleveland trip was great! We spent the week in Rocky River hanging out with Memaw, Hippa, Uncle Bub, Aunt Jamie and Addie. We were able to see our great friends Natalie and Sean, Leah and Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Chojnacki. Leah and Mrs. J were babysitters for an evening so we could all go out for an 'adult only' dinner to celebrate dad's 60th birthday at Pier W.

photo by Donna Lindsey

Sean and Natalie came over for an evening. It was a fun night of good food, drinks and dessert, and even better conversation! We wish we all lived closer - but our quarterly visits will do for now :)

Natalie took some great pictures of Leah and Max:

Jamie also took some fantastic pictures of Leah and Max:

Leah Turns Two

Our first big event of the summer was Leah's birthday. I can't believe she is two! It is hard to remember when she went from being a baby to a little girl - complete with a fun personality and a stubborn temper! We celebrated Leah's birthday all weekend. When Leah turned one, Pat and I purchased a brick in Leah's name to be placed in the entrance at the zoo - so we first headed to the zoo to see her brick (it took almost a year for it to be installed)


Memaws, Hippas (grandmas and grandpas) and Nana made it into town and we went to Oxford to Mac n Joe's for dinner.

The next day was Leah's birthday and her party day. Her special gift was a Radio Flyer tricycle. She is still learning how to pedal on her own, but for now she is satisfied with the streamers and bell. Her favorite little friends all came to celebrate and fun was had by all. We completed the weekend with a brunch before everyone left town. Unfortunately I was too busy socializing that I did not get pictures. I'll post what I have - hopefully the Memaws have some to share!