Kirtland, Ohio - a Side Trip

7 June 2012

The weather was good and we had the time so Julie, Steve, Kristen, Ainsley and I drove to Kirtland, Ohio to see some of the early Mormon history sites.

A lot of history centered around this place.  It was more than the local General Store.

It also served als the very first Bishop's storehouse...

and the School of the Prophets was upstairs.  Just imagine 25 men crammed in here for hours at a time learning from the Prophet of the Lord.

Original manuscript of the Word of Wisdom.

Sawmill

 

Julie wants to serve a mission here and live in this house.

 

Joseph Smith lived here.



Ainsley really enjoyed the drive.

Steve Graduates - Go Buckeyes!!

9 June 2012

We finally got to see where Steve has spent the last 2 years of his life.



 A beautiful campus and facility.



Steve's biggest cheerleader!

What is a Buckeye?

The Ohio State University buckeye mascot gives us no clue!

The buckeye candy is indigenous to the state of Ohio and is a confection made from a peanut butter mixture which is partially dipped in chocolate, named for the resemblance of the nut from the Ohio State tree, the Buckeye.

2012 graduates of the John Glenn School of Public Affairs

Ainsley meeting the the first astronaut to orbit the earth; Senator John Glenn and his wife Ann.

Unbeknownst to Steve, he was chosen by his peers to receive...

the Mary E Katchmar Outstanding Service Award, recognizing his "selfless giving to others without expectations of compensation or acknowledgment".

 

After Senator Glenn spoke, Steve received his Master's of Public Administration.  It was fun that he was the first one across the stage, but Ainsley was the one to steal the show.  Even the kilt could not out-do her cuteness.

 

Senator Glenn was gracious enough, to not only shake everyone's hand, but take a few minutes with everyone to talk and take pictures.  He seemed much younger than 92.

Steve, Kristen and Ainsley...a family of Buckeyes.

Steve with his proud parents.

 

Kristen, Steve, Mr. Buckeye Julie, Derrall and his sister Cheryl.  We are glad that we were able to be with Steve and his family on this special ocassion.

 

 

Goodbye Ohio State University.

Ohio - Part II

8 June 2012

Who would think that a sister from Arizona and a brother from Peru

would be in the same city in Ohio on the same weekend.

We had a great couple of days together...

centered around Ainsley...

of course.

We went to North Market

which is a kind of open market food court.

All kinds of foods were available

I had no idea there were this many kinds of salsa.

On the way home we stopped for a little stroll in the park.

Julie started reading to Ainsley.  She was totally focused for about 45 minutes.
Too Cute!

Our New Granddaughter in Ohio

 June 2, 2012 - Columbus, Ohio

Julie and I ventured away from Peru to see Kristen and Steve.

After an all-night flight and then a hop from Atlanta to Columbus,

we could hardly wait to meet our new little granddaughter.

Grandma was the first to hold her.

How could you not fall in love with this little bug.

Perhaps we try to do too much.  Fly for 12 hours, play with Ainsley, and

then go see the play "Robin Hood" in the park before calling it a day.

Sunday, our day of rest, was Ainsley's baby blessing.

Steve and Kristen's friends from school and neighbors were the "extended" family.

The afternoon was spent with Ainsley.  Grandpa could get her to sleep...

but Grandma was the entertainer.

Monday was spent at the Conservatory.

A pleasant mix of blown glass by Dale Chihuly...

and tropical plants.

I wish this was MY patio.

This grandparent thing is great!

Steve and Kristen took us to a topiary park.  The figures seemed strangely familiar.

Then we figured it out.

A Sunday afternoon on the Ile de la Grande Jatte

The city library.

Water playground along the river.

What other kind of restaurant would you expect in German town?

Ol' time Candy Store and Chocolate Factory

Slo-Pokes, Turkish Taffy and Black Cows.  WOW!

Necco wafers!  They used to be 5 cents and the pack would last

through the Saturday Matinee double feature.

BUT THE TRIP ISN'T OVER!   STILL MORE TO COME.