The Yoh Family Gathers

We have missed out on being with Jeremy’s family for quite some time now.  We missed the annual Christmas gathering with his immediate family due to COVID-19, as well as other times, they would normally come.  So, it was so nice to hear that everyone was feeling comfortable enough to travel and hang out here in this area for a whole week.  We had a great time – and we were busy with all the fun. 

Jen and Arturo arrived from New York late Friday night.  We had lunch with them on Sunday.  Then, the Minnesota Yohs (Jeremy’s brother, his wife, and 3 kids) rolled in around 4pm.  So, we stayed for supper, too! 

    

Monday, we had a scavenger hunt in the park for a treasure!  The kids were hot, but had fun walking to find landmarks and ultimately a little fairy house with a $2 bill for each of them. 

    

That evening, we rented the Camp Luz pool for an hour of swimming.  It was a lot of fun.  Everyone returned to our place for sloppy joes and running around. 

    

Tuesday, we headed to Cinnamon Lake to do a little boating and swimming.  We have been twice, thanks to the generosity of Jeremy’s cousin who owns a place and a pontoon boat there.  Each time, I find it really relaxing and a good retreat.  We used the beach this time, and they had fun swimming.  There was a former co-worker of mine from Mapleton that was there with this grandkids, watching them from the beach.  It was good to reconnect with him.  Arturo usually hands the wheel over to the girls to drive the boat home.  This time was no exception; they love it. 

    

Jason and Niki headed out for a date night on Tuesday.  The girls were excited because that meant we got to help Grandma take care of the other kids.  We played some make-up games that Arturo came up with that were active, but quiet.  It was good.  Then, we ate pizza with root beer floats.  We left to go to a 4-H meeting after that.

Wednesday, we had a day of catching up at home til the evening.  We went over in the evening to watch a movie with everyone.

Thursday, Ellie had a doctor’s appointment.  Then, we met people at Guerne Heights drive in for lunch.  Ken and Lois came to from Fort Wayne to join the fun!  From there we headed to Moreland to see a historical church that Jeremy’s uncle has been helping restore.  The girls had fun taking pictures at this 3-D painting at the front of the church and ringing the steeple bell.

         

That evening, everyone came over to our place for Chipotle Chicken Bowls and hanging out.  It had been raining, but it cleared off so the kids could run outside and the adults could sit and talk.  It was relaxing.  I really enjoy being able to just sit and talk with everyone, and I think we have a good indoor and outdoor space to do that now. 

    

Friday, we met everyone about 4pm at the condos to have a larger family gathering.  Gloria had it catered which made it easy for everyone.  It was good to see Jeremy’s aunts, uncles, and cousins, one of which brought their 3 month old baby we hadn’t seen yet! 

Saturday, we drove over to say our final good-bye to the Minnesota Yohs before they took off. 

Sunday, we had lunch together with a little dress up time. Ellie is wearing Aunt Diane’s bridesmaid dress from Gloria and Maynard’s wedding.  Madison is wearing Jen’s flower girl dress from Aunt Lisa’s wedding.

         

Monday evening, Jen and Arturo stopped to say good-bye.  And then it was over… until we don’t know when… maybe Christmas??  It was good.

Summer Fun

We went to the Orrville July 4th parade for the first time ever.  I don’t even remember going as a kid.  Gloria had friends that moved into a house on the parade path, and they invited her to come watch from their house.  So, we had good seats without having to put our stuff out for days – at least that is what it appears people do.  It was a pretty lengthy affair with LOTS (read: too much; read: almost half of a cloth grocery bag full) of candy.  That made it fun for Ellie to chase those things down.  (Madison didn’t come because she was at her first friend sleepover!!!)  What else was fun was being surprised to see people we knew – Ben driving Ventrac equipment, Ellie’s friend in an Orrville Electric truck, Ryan and Colleen in the East Wayne Fire Truck, Chris, Cait, and Tessa with the Orrville Library, Steph and Cale with Hummel Group, Gabe with Jim’s Transmission a slew of unicyclers with P. Graham Dunn.  It was pretty cool.

    

Lilli came over to work with Ellie one day.  Ellie and Madison want to have a Craft, Cookies, and Cupcake sale this summer.  So, Ellie wanted to get baking on that.  Lilli was the perfect companion because she is a little older, and she likes to bake.  They worked all afternoon making multi-colored cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, and peanut butter cookies.  And they cleaned up (mostly)!  They still need to frost the cupcakes.  I think they are going to have the sale August 12-14 during the Lincolnway Byway Sales.  Madison still needs to build up the crafts she wants to sell.  The plan is to keep some profits and donate some to the Wayne County Humane Society which was chosen because of Ellie’s 4-H project, All about Dogs. 

    

Madison and Jeremy were invited to join Nate and Jen’s family for a Cleveland Indians game one Saturday night.  It was the perfect night for a game –70s and no rain.  They had a great game to watch – a comeback in the 4th inning by the Indians followed by lots of scoring, plus an Indians win 13-6!  It sounded like they had a lot of fun.

        

Ellie invited her friend, Kennah, to join her the night of the baseball game.  I took them to the Ninja Hub Gym in Canton, which was fun for an hour.  Then, we ate at Blaze Pizza.  Of course (?), we hit the mall – Macy’s escalator, Claire’s, and Bath and Body for a very scented experience!  Finally, we had a little trampoline and ice cream time at home before taking Kennah back.  Ellie was pretty bummed I didn’t let her stay up until Madison got home that night (at 11!), but that’s life.

            

Swimming.  We haven’t been as much as normal this summer, but we have made it a time or two to Gerber’s pool, a swim party, and Camp Luz pool.  The girls always enjoy when we go anywhere.

Madison headed to Camp Luz for a week away.  I am guessing she had a blast, but we will find out tonight when we pick her up.  She was excited when we dropped her off because she had two of her best friends she requested in her cabin, plus a few others she knew. 

While she was a camp, Ellie has been busy with friends.  Sunday night after a church social, she had Maggie for night.  Then, Monday afternoon her friend Vivi from school came over for the first time.  Tuesday, Kennah came over all day.  Wednesday, Avery came for the night.  She is still here and will be Ellie’s last hurrah.  I think she has had fun, but her downtown without Madison has felt long and boring.  It is good for them to be apart, but I am glad they have so much fun together. 

Pepper has been trying to stay out of trouble, but temptation is always so close…