Let's Go Visiting

The W. family headed north today to visit Aunt Carol, cousin Al and another aunt and some cousins visiting from California. I almost feel sorry for them - you run a pretty big weather risk by visiting Ohio in April. As any Ohioan can tell you, April means it might be 80 degrees one day and snowing the next. That is exactly what happened this past week. My cousin Debbie said she packed her long underwear and her bathing suit because she wasn't sure what she'd need. Smart woman!!! On the bright side of things, she hadn't seen snow before, so that was kind of cool. She even managed a shovelful for a photo op (trust me it took all the snow in the drive to even look like a partial shovelful.)

Visiting with my aunts is always a treat. Aunt Carol has pretty much decided that Wesley is not only her great-nephew, he's also her honorary grandson. It's the only explanation I can come up with for how much she loves the little guy. She is always willing to chase him around, read a book to him, or shower him with gifts. She was prepared for Wesley's visit with a football, a light up toy, and some new books. Wesley was quite alright with that!

The women on the M. side of my family are talented in many things. They all played various instruments growing up, they danced, they all taught (or were certified to teach). These are some pretty impressive women. But let me tell you, NO ONE can shop like these women and we really really enjoy eating. If you can combine the two activities, well, you have some happy ladies on hand. So that's what we did!

Our first stop was Malabar Farm. They weren't running tours, so we spent a fair amount of time in the visitor's center and gift shop. Wesley was especially impressed with the large cow statue and bestowed many a kiss upon it. Aunt Carol bought Wesley a little stuffed bunny and the gift shop. He loved so much, that he dropped OSB for a few minutes to play with it! When we left, he put it on his lap and talked to it the entire drive to our next destination.

Kiss A Cow

Is some bunny following me?

As I said, shopping and eating makes us pretty darn happy, so we headed to the Dutch Heritage restaurant (excellent Amish style food and a kick butt gift shop upstairs). Unfortunately, Wesley was not as enthralled with the place as the rest of us. He ate a few peas, and then refused anything except bread and butter. Then he pretty much wandered the restaurant with one of the grownups in tow.

Chowing down with the family.

After dinner the ladies shopped while the guys went home and Wesley had a meltdown. Oh well, we can't all be perfect.