Would you believe another tractor story?

Prologue

While in Findlay the girls rode the garden tractor around A LOT. Eva would go grab PaPa and ask to go again, and again, and again. Eventually PaPa asked me if she could ride with El. I said, "No, no, no that would not be very safe". So he took several more laps around the house.

Chapter 3

Later while at Gramma Pat and Pa's, Eva and Pa were out side. The rest of us were inside just visiting and such. After quite a long time someone told me I should really go check on Eva. She is with Pa, Mr. Overprotective, why would there be a need for me to check on her? I was urged to do so anyway... and this is what I found.

Yeah, it's moving!

Then it was Pa's turn for a surprise. Eva decided she was bored with riding in circles in just the front yard. So without a word she takes off around the house. Well, this is a bit of an obstacle course. Not a lot of space between house, trees, garage, porch. As you can see Pa decided to get a little closer to the four year old he set loose on a motorized vehicle.

Big sis takes a drive.

This is the garden tractor Pa rebuilt just for the girls. It has no mower and is not real speedy. He was upset that he ran out of time to get it repainted before we arrived.

Just checkin' out her new wheels!

Visitors from Orlando

We had a quick visit with Darla, Johnny, Amanda, Drew, and Faith. Our crazy Ohio schedules sometimes do not let us get together. We managed to find a bit of time one afternoon. Hopefully more next year!

Later that evening Eva and Pa hung out watching Disney Channel and having a snack.

The Price's invade Bula

Heather, Lilly, and Graham came out to Ashtabula. Our plan was for another day at the beach with all the kiddos. The weather had other plans. Instead we went out to Mexico for lunch and then some play time in the log cabin. As I look at this picture all I can think is, we are a long way from KSU.

The girls found our Funky Hats!

And shared with the big girls.

Why are Eva and Lilly covering their faces with embarrassment?

Amish Day / Shopping Day

We drove to Pennsylvania to meet an Amish family. My parents met them a couple months ago when my dad sold them a tractor. Yes, a tractor. They can only use it for their wood business. They were a lovely family. The picture above is El riding one of their ponies. It was a bit difficult as the saddle was only tied on with a leather strap, no girth and no saddle blanket.
This picture is of their home. We were given a tour and it was the cleanest home I have ever been in. No dust, all surfaces shined, not an item out of place. It has most modern conveniences. The baths looked no different than ours. They have running hot water, it is powered by a wood fire. There was no electric. The home was so well insulated that air conditioning was not missed. I came away realizing that we have so much more in common than we have differences.

Eva and their daughter Clara were the same age. Clara does not speak very much English yet. However, those two got along extremely well. They were so cute as they walked off holding hands looking like two little girls from a century apart.

El hung out with the older girls. They loved her iTouch! We discovered that they vacation each year in Wyoming so their dad can hunt big game. While at the hotel they swim, watch TV, use electricity, etc...

After the visit we went to Ohio Amish country to eat at Mary Yoder's Amish Restaurant. This is one of El's favorite places to eat.
One rainy Friday, we went to the mall. Gramma Pat and Eva stayed behind by the mall entrance while El and I shopped. When we came back Eva showed us what she made a Gymboree. A class was starting so Gramma Pat asked Eva if she would like to join in. She did.

GOTL

Good old Eddie's Grill at Geneva on the Lake! We met Amy, Ally, and Sarah for dinner and some GOTL fun.

After dinner we went down to the beach and practiced our stone skipping skills.

Eva was great at it... just ask her:)

And a ride on the ferris wheel. Eva was thrilled. I thought she might be frightened, but much to the contrary, she LOVED it.

To finish the evening off we had to stop at Dairy Queen and have some cones. I was by far the sloppiest. Somehow I managed to drip my cone down both hands, on my legs, and a puddle on the concrete. But... it was gooood!

The North Coast

We spent the next day at the beach. This is Walnut Beach in Ashtabula. The girls, Lolo, and I had fun in the water, playing in the sand, and collecting rocks and sea glass. In my younger years I spent ALOT of time at this beach. Luckily, the sand can not tell stories.

Lolo, Eva, and El.

"Bear"ing gifts from Gramma Brown

We went to visit Gramma Brown. The girls were told to go pick out whatever they liked. They started with teddy bears and then Eva picked a porcelain doll and El picked a decorative owl. I hope I have Gramma's genes... 96 and still going strong!

What is it about Ohio and tractors?

Wasn't long before the girls were out driving tractors. This time with a front end loader!

Pa gave El about a thirty second lesson and then let her loose!

She drove and drove...

and drove!

Eva decided to stop watering the flower bed and water Pa instead!

Bears and Log Cabins

El has always loved going to Gramma Pat and Pa's log cabin. She loved going to the woods and looking for unicorns. The woods behind the log cabin are enchanted, of course. She doesn't look for unicorns anymore... but she still loves the log cabin.
Eva is a fan now as well. She also liked to make the bear a bit prettier. She named her "Black Scratchy". This flower stayed on the entire visit although it was often relocated by passersby.

The Truth in the Matter

OK... truth be told Graham was truly after El, or "The Big One" as he called her! He tried to get beside her whenever possible.
We all got a bit hot after our outside play so we moved it into the air conditioning. El, Lilly, and Graham mad some masterpieces.

And the big girls got to relax.

Now that is cute!

Young Love

Here Graham is chasing Eva.

Um, chasing Eva again.

Not sure what is being discussed here. Do I want to know?

Eva just looked at these pictures and said, "Graham is not nice to me. He stomps on my foot and he pulls me around". Looks like boys keep the same mating rituals from 4 to 44. If you doubt me, see my post for Todd's birthday (May).

Red, White, and Blue on the Fifth of July

Kathryn had us, my parents, Heather and kids, and Mark over for a 5th of July picnic. The fun began with an active game of tag.

Which quickly wore some of the participants out!
So we slowed down and had a yummy meal. Enough food for army!

Fourth of July!

Papa put El to work mowing the lawn as soon as we arrived! Well, actually just driving lessons. She will work up to mowing next year.
She enjoyed practicing driving and then parking to get refreshments and then taking off again.
Clearly Eva and Papa had a more difficult time... watch out tree!
I think she likes driving. What do you think?

To be fair... the tree was never in danger. I just caught the shot at an odd angle.

Red, White, and Blue on the Fourth of July

This is the fairy garden DeDe and the girls worked on during the day and evening. If you notice the pile of flowers to the left that is Eva's major contribution. She liked to gather sticks, stones, leaves, flowers and throw them on a pile. DeDe and PaPa have been working many hours in the garden after our departure. Wonder if they are still claiming this is, "just for the kids"?
The title of this blog is the song Eva sang relentlessly throughout the day. "Red, White, and Blue, on the Fourth of July!" I thought she must have picked it up from a Disney or PBS show. When I asked she said, "Lolo taught it to me." ~Thanks Lolo!

Sparklers!

Off to Findlay

We left Cleveland and headed to western Ohio. We are on our way to visit DeDe and PaPa for the Fourth of July. As we passed through lovely little Ohio towns, I was compelled to photograph this Ben Franklin 5 &10. I have not seen one in ages and ole Ben is my favorite historical figure. The photo below is one of the many corn fields we drove through during our three plus hour trek.