Summertime Exploring Cincinnati

Some of our favorite places to go in the summer in Cincinnati - 

Kings Island, of course! Dani has taken the kids a few times during the day, and the whole family has gone a few times as well. We love the big roller coasters!

We love going to the zoo - Dani has taken the kids there a few times this summer.

One of our favorite exhibits - watching the chimpanzees

Reds Game - everyone has Reds gear from winter when we announced we were moving to Cincinnati, and everyone was excited to go to a game and get pictures with the mascots.

More Kings Island - including riding the Beast!

Summit Park - there are lots of activities at Summit Park. This used to be Blue Ash airport, and they've built out a cool park and some trails around. They host various events throughout the summer. It is a bike ride away for us.

Loveland Bike Trail - we've done quite a few rides on the bike trail. Torin is a trooper on his little bike!

Walker Bros in Montgomery - we sometimes ride to get some ice cream. Truth... the ice cream at Walker Bros is pretty meh.

 

Date night downtown on a beautiful evening

Dani and I had a dinner date downtown and spent a while walking along the river and on the Roebling. The sunset was GORGEOUS!!!

 

Our big 5-year-old Torin

For Torin's 5th birthday, he decided he wanted to go to Kings Island

Torin is Jared's little buddy. Where Jared goes, Torin wants to go too. And Jared loves it!!!

Torin decided that his seat is right "next of" dad - and that has become his permanent meal-time position.

Torin is sweet and kind and loves being with this siblings.

Torin is still obsessed with Aragog - and we found this gem at Home Goods and thought it was a necessity for Torin.

A June birthday means that we get to celebrate at the pool

 

Tornado cleanup in Dayton

We had a big storm earlier this week. We were watching to our north, and there was an incredible amount of lightning. We heard reports of numerous tornados. The ward set up a time to go up to help clean up.

Jared took the kids up to Dayton and put them to work pulling branches and limbs. It was pretty humbling to work alongside homeowners whose lives were turned upside down, and we were glad to be a part of the beginning of the cleanup effort. Prayers to each of the people impacted.

 

Friends coming to visit

We've had some visitors come to Cincinnati in our first year living here! Ben Young came through Cincinnati for some work, and he paid a visit. We put on as much Precoa gear as we could. It was fun to catch up.

Jeremy McDonald was in town for a Phillies game, and Jared and Jeremy went to the game together. It had been a long time!!!

Jimmy came to visit too - Jared apparently came directly from soccer practice. One of our favorite comments was Jim's observation that he was flattered that we had a super simple dinner - that we didn't make a fuss over Jim because we are such good friends. We got a good laugh and were strangely flattered too.

And Brady Hirst came by, and we visited at my mom's house.

Who knew we'd have so many visitors in the first year!

 

Last day of school

Jacob and Claire - Riding bikes to their last day of 7th grade!

A couple days after school ended, we celebrated with a schoolwork burning party at the Wahlquists

Crop Division managers meeting

Jared went to his first Crop Managers meeting at a golf resort in Florida called "Streamsong." One of the highlights - the gorgeous sunsets!!!

Another highlight - the alligators!

It's been a long time since Jared has played that much golf - 3 times in 3 days! But that's what the managers like to do, so Jared joined in.

Yes, there were meetings in the morning and dinners at night - but those pictures weren't as beautiful as the picturesque golf course!

 

New Trampoline

We left our old trampoline in Oregon, so we decided to spring for a nice, giant, spring free trampoline!

It was a major wrestling match to put it together!!! It is really, really big too.

and the kids love playing on it. They are out there constantly playing gaga ball and other games.

 

Activities around home

Sunday walks to Pioneer Park

Family bike ride to Walker Bros for ice cream

Bike rides

bike rides

and more bike rides! Basically all on the Loveland Bike Trail.