Weekend Getaways....Cincinnati, OH

 DAY 1

Well, we'd planned a big camping trip for the weekend, our first of the year, but the weather was supposed to be awful here...cold, thunderstorms, etc.  So we woke up Thursday and decided to just get away.  Justin suggested Cincinnati, so off we went.  We didn't plan anything, just spur of the moment, do what we want when we want, fun.  First stop, The ZOO. It was sunny and in the 80's while back home they had severe thunderstorms that caused flooding...yep, glad we escaped :)  

At the Zoo Playground

 Next stop, our hotel Downtown Cincinnati

Ethan enjoying our room

Our view was great.  We could see the Ball Park, Bengals Stadium, the Ohio River, and Kentucky.

Claire enjoying the view

Day 2

 We headed to the Great American Ball Park to take a tour of the Reds stadium and check out their Hall of Fame and museum.  Yep, Ethan wore his Cubs hat the entire time, but no one bothered him since he's 3 :)

Meeting the Reds Mascot

Out on the field

Behind homeplate

 Lunch at Johnny Rockets

Ethan showing off his new baseball.  While on the ball park tour, we went through the area where the Umpires dress and mud up the game balls.  A man came out fo the room, saw Ethan and told him to hold on.  Then he came out with this official game ball that's already been mudded up by their "special" mud.  He was THRILLED!

Typical Claire face

 After Lunch, Back to the Museum and Hall of Fame

Practicing his pitch

Yep mom and dad had fun too.  I think we spend hours in this pitching area that tells you the speed of your pitch and whether you pitched a strike or ball

Playing in the kiddie area

Yep, that's our little princess

mom and dad still having fun

Justin and Ethan as Play Announcers

Ethan loved the "blue bridge" so we headed over the bridge to Kentucky.  Ethan is learning his states now, so this thrilled him to death that he got to go to Ohio AND Kentucky in one trip.

 Last stop...The Hamlins

Of course we couldn't visit Cincinnati and not see our friends the Hamlins.  They moved there over a year ago and it was so great to stop and catch up, let the kids run loose and play, and eat some La Rosa Pizza (a cincinnati must).  We hadn't seen their little one since he was 9 months.  It was just crazy to me to see him now at 2 with his own little personality and opinions.  So fun!  We're so grateful for their last minute hospitality...We'll definitely be making another visit! :)

Silly Faces

Playtime with Liam and Ali

And the train building begins