O-HI-O

As you can see, not much blogging occurred in the month of April. I will attempt to do better in May. First, I've got to try to play catch up. Because even though my blogging stopped, our adventures didn't!

One weekend in April, we flew to the great state of Ohio to go an auction at Ted's great-aunt's farm. It was a bittersweet experience for the family - tough to say goodbye to the family homestead and some wonderful memories, but a blessing to get all of the family together for the first time in a very long time.
The auction itself was quite an experience. Madi was enthralled with the speed with which the auctioneer talked! She hung out with Ted a lot and took it all in.
I got the fun job of keeping up with the other kiddo...
Paxton found some unbelievable treasures on the farm. ROCKS!!!
And flowers! But even as he was getting into something at every turn, who could get mad at this face?!
The family that bought the farm was an Amish family. So there were quite a few horses and buggies there.
Madi asked a lot of questions about the Amish and seemed intrigued by their way of life.

Paxton just liked the horses.
The auction was a success and everyone got a keepsake or two (or more) from the farm. Here's a picture of Gramps at his finest. Doesn't this look like something a man who had knee surgery 2 weeks earlier should be doing?!
Paxton and Madi liked trying out all of the goodies from the auction. Old rusty tools? Coolest things ever!!!
Other highlights from the trip - Paxton found some birds and a squirrel to play with. He seriously LOVED these guys and would walk in the room and start saying "Tweet, tweet?!"
He was not so fond of me giving his pacifier to the squirrel. Ha!
Ted also took the kids on a 4 wheeler ride around the farms. After a little trepidation, Madi climbed on and had a good time. I think she looks WAY too old in this picture.
And Paxton loved it from the first second, of course. "Go faster, slowpoke!"
Before leaving on Sunday, we went back to the farm to get some family pictures. I offered to take the pictures with Kate's fancy camera and zoomed way in on them. This is what I got...
Turns out, Madi made this face in ALL of the 12 pictures I took of them. I couldn't see her because I was too far back and the others couldn't see her because she was in front. Way to go, Madi.

Thankfully, we did get a few other pictures at the farm. Aunt Kate and Madi in front of the barn.

Me and the kiddos

Family Shot

It was a very special trip filled with great family time and memories.