The Show Must Go On!

Dear Friends and Family,
This weekend was my twin sister's baby shower in Northern Kentucky. I had originally planned to drive to Kentucky, but when the weather turned cold and a blizzard threatened most of the mid to northeast of the country, Chris decided it would be better if I flew instead. It turned out to be a great decision. I arrived in Cincinnati just before the storm hit, the shower was on the morning after the storm (you'll see how amazing our guests were for braving the streets to get there) and things were mostly clearing up by the time I left.

Before I jump into pictures and stories of my visit, I have to give a big THANK YOU to my husband for making it all possible by helping me plan my trip and having an amazing Daddy weekend with the kids while I was gone. He took them to the Aquarium in Baltimore and to Chuck E. Cheese. They also went to the kids' favorite restaurant - Fuji Hibachi Steak House!  When I got home I could tell the kids missed me, by their sweet cards and big hugs, but I could also tell they had a wonderful time with their dad!

I arrived in Cincinnati on Friday evening and went straight to my friend Tara's house. It was almost 7pm, but she managed to sneak out with me for a late dinner at a local Mexcian restaurant. We had a wonderful time talking over margaritas without any interruption from children! It was quite a treat. When I got to her house, I was greeted by her sweet kids. (My kids said, "Mom, why are you staying with Tara if we aren't going?" I said, "Well, I was friends with Tara first!" My kids think that they are the only reason we go there.) Tara's kids made me some sweet welcome back cards and then quickly went to work making things for me to bring back to my children.

On Saturday, before I headed to Northern Kentucky for a family visit, Tara took me to Skyline Chili for lunch!  Even the shuttle bus driver at the car rental said, "Make sure you eat some Skyline while you are in town!"

Tara's sweet kids: Olivia, Katie, Mary, Andy, Evelyn, and Jeremy!

After lunch I headed over to pick up my sister and go to my Grandmother's house for a visit! I love my grandma so much! She is so amazing and loving. We had a wonderful time catching up.

While visiting, Grandma showed us the Passenger list from when our Great-Great-Great Grandfather came over from Germany to America. His ship came through the port of Baltimore in 1880! She also showed us an impressive family tree binder and a few of Grandpa's old drawings and paintings. It was so nice to see some of our family history. 

Sara and I left to meet our family for dinner. Mom, Kyle, Ryan, and Graham were meeting us for dinner at the hotel. We had a nice dinner visit. I love my mom, siblings and my sweet nephew so much. It was also nice to all be together. I hadn't seen Mom since Sara's wedding, so it was good to get some quality visit time together. 

Mom and Graham

What a cutie!

Ryan, Graham, and Kyle! Ryan is also expecting another baby boy in May! We are all so excited!

Me, Mom, Graham, Kyle, and Sara!

After dinner, I headed back to Tara's house and just as I sat down to play cards, I heard ice hitting the window! An hour later, the blizzard started and you could barely see through the snow! The next morning I headed over to Northern Kentucky early. Tara's street wasn't plowed, but I expected that. Then the next streets weren't plowed...then the main roads weren't plowed! It was a very slow drive to Northern Kentucky. Luckily, there was little traffic on the roads and I could go 15-25mph the whole way! I was concerned about the shower that day, but luckily I got a call from the restaurant saying, "We are open!" Whew... 

Delhi Pike - a main road in Cincinnati

The interstate getting ready to cross the bridge to Kentucky!

The shower was lots of fun!  I really enjoyed seeing friends from school days as well as family! So many people helped make the shower great for Sara and I appreciate that so much.

Dad, Sara, and Dixie

Uncle Greg, Graham, and Aunt Jo

Sara and Aunt Gina 

Grandma gifted Sara with a pair of Grandma's baby shoes. Sara is excited to use them in her nursery decor.

Cousin Lindsey, Grandma, Sara, and I love to get our picture together!

My amazing High School crew! Sara, Stephanie, Me, Stephanie, and Tara!

Dixie, Aunt Gina, and Uncle Giles

Mom and Aunt Jo (Sisters!)

As you can see, it was not only a great party, but it was a fun reunion as well!

Sara and I returned to the hotel with Mom and we all shared the hotel room for my last night in town. It was so fun to spend time together and then to wake up together the next morning. Mom even ordered us room service for breakfast. And it's a good thing she did because I didn't eat again until I got home that night!

I'll close by saying that coming home from this terrible weather was a surprising success. Upon learning that my flight through Newark was delayed, I managed to find a ticketing agent who was almost finished boarding a flight to Chicago and told her my problem. She said, "Oh yeah, there are terrible wind delays in Newark. Your flight is going to be really late." Then she typed on her computer, printed out two tickets and said, "Now you can go home! Get on this flight and connect through Chicago! You will be home by 4pm."  I was SO excited. My previous ticket through Newark was going to get me home around 6pm (I later found out that the flight was canceled!) and she just got me a new flight that would get me home earlier! What a blessing!

Thanks be to God, and to everyone who took care of me while I was traveling, and thanks to all my family and friends who were able to conquer the weather to make Sara's shower a success! 

Love,

Bethie