Love for Orphans: Stories from July (Seven Months Home)

PART 2: Good Times in Ohio

So, following a week at PCB Beach with the lovely O'Shields family, Justin, Vika and I all hopped a plane to Ohio to spend some time with my family. Fun is always sure to be had when we are with my fun-lovin' family! And that's just what we had...tons of fun!

Our week started with a fun day of boating out on Apple Valley Lake. And what a day! First off, Vika had never been out on a boat before, and she loved it. She kept asking for us to go faster. Then we threw her out on a tube and my fearless lil' girl did great...until...she...well, let's just say Auntie Jenny always keeps her promises. So, when she told Vika that she wouldn't let go of her, that's exactly what she meant...even if that meant flying into the air and landing right on top of Vika! Poor lil' girl didn't know what hit her!!

Then...Justin...yes my Justin, found out what happens when he shares a tube with me! Someone has to fly off...and that will not be me!! Yes, between Kathy's terrific boat driving skills and my element of surprise, Justin found himself in the water shortly after the ride began. :) He left me hanging on...nearly dying over the fact! It was too easy! Note: He's an amateur tuber :)

Then my beloved Justin sent not only himself but Vika and I both into the lake...yes, me AND VIKA! He lucked out and we ran outta gas, because Auntie Jenny was out to get him after that one! In hind sight it wasn't ALL his fault, but we blamed him! You see, Kathy (yes the same "expert driver" from above) came to nearly a dead stop, and Justin leaned too far forward, causing the entire tube to sink making the THREE of us tumble off the front of the tube!

But back to the humor of the afternoon (which wasn't funny, in the moment), but mom kept asking Kathy if we needed to refuel the boat as we had been out ALL day! And of course Kathy would reply with something along the lines of "no, we have half a tank"...well that half a tank wasn't half full but half empty. And at 7:00 pm we found ourselves sitting on the lake with no gas! Needless to say, we looked like a boat full of idiots! Thanks Kathy for keeping the afternoon eventful! We love you!

Justin, Vika and Mama

Babushka and Vika

Vika also went to her first county fair...and none other than the Knox County Fair. She pet some farm animals, ate her very first cheese on a stick, (which she enjoyed being the cheese lover she is), and rode every ride in the kiddie area, multiple times, and was bummed when they told her that she was too small.

We also went with the Mullins clan to Zoombezi Bay. It wasn't the hottest day, by any means, but it kept the crowd away which was great. The big bummer was that Vika was once again "too small" for many of the water slides and being fearless, she was bummed. :( But she still had a great time at Barracuda Bay with the girls.

Also, during our two and a half week visit to Ohio, Vika also watched her very first movie in the theater with Avery, Addy, and Alex. I took all the girls to see Ice Age: Continental Drift, which was a cute movie.

She also watched the Kansas classic: The Wizard of Oz with the flying monkeys and all!

We also celebrated my birthday as well as Babushka's. My poor baby wants to turn five so bad, so she can have a "Dora and Boots" cake. Until November, she has had to settle to helping Auntie Jenny, Mama, and Babushka make birthday cakes, blow out candles, wrap presents, and rip them open :) Not nearly as much of fun when it isn't your birthday, but she's content with being the PRO-HELPER!!!

Auntie Jenny being a "unicorn"

V at Mama's birthday "party" :)

Dedushka trying to blow his party Blowout
key word: TRYING

Vika's getting it!

Mama and Vika

Time to blow out the candle

Yes, the card Vika chose for me was DORA!!!

BamBam wanted to wear a hat too!

Vika making Babushka's cake

SOOooooo EXCITED!!

time for a lil' taste testing...

yes...it's all over, but I couldn't resist that sMiLe!!!

Time to add the sprinkles

Babushka and Vika

Time to blow out the candle

helping Babushka with her gift

Vika also experienced her first bonfire, complete with roasting her first hotdog and making a HUGE smore (which she wasn't a fan of).

Babushka helping Vika roast some weenies

Trying the smore

Vika also had the opportunity to meet her second cousin, Baby Kohen just three days after he was born. Just two days after we left OH for KS, Baby Kaylee was born. Can't wait to see them both at Christmas!