Every Eleventh with Little Buddy: Fall Ohio Visit

One of the nice perks of Daddy's job is that sometimes he has to go back to Ohio for work. When this happens, we try to go as a family so that Little Buddy and Little Sweetie can go see their families back east. We were very fortunate to travel back this month and spend an entire week visiting our loved ones.

Our first and longest stop was Marietta to stay with Mimi and Pop-Pop. Daddy was back to do recruiting at our alma mater, but we were lucky to come in on the last day of the Sternwheeler Festival so that Little Buddy and Little Sweetie could watch the races. We were double lucky that Mamaw and Papaw came down for the afternoon to join us, especially since it was Grandparents Day! How awesome that our kids got to spend time with both sets of grandparents on their special day!

Little Buddy watching the races with Mamaw and Papaw!

Brother and sister!

Happy sister enjoying Sternwheeler!

Papaw with Little Sweetie, in a picture that looks awfully similar to the ones we have of him holding me as a baby girl.

One of the best parts of a visit to Mimi and Pop-Pop's the castle! This playhouse used to be Daddy's and Uncle C's, so it means a lot that our kids can now play on it.

Little Sweetie getting her slide on!

Little Buddy is a seasoned slide pro!

Little Buddy on the castle with Great Grandma. Pop-Pop and Mimi have put a lot of work and love into the castle, and the kiddos couldn't love it more!

Little Sweetie also worked on standing by herself quite a bit this visit. Won't be long til she'll be walking on her own!

Another treat this year was taking rides in the vintage car that has been in the family for generations. It was a big hit, especially with Little Buddy!

Now Little Buddy is really desperate to get a license!

Ohio wouldn't be Ohio without our pilgrimages to Bob Evans. Oh how I miss dedicated breakfast restaurants! They just aren't a staple in Texas like they are in Ohio. We may have gone twice, lol!

Little Sweetie getting kisses from Great Grandma

Pop-Pop likes Sweetie kisses too!

We are so lucky to be able to spend this precious time with our families. I love watching Little Buddy and Little Sweetie blossom with the love of their grandparents.

Four generations of the Byers family!

Lots of fun in Marietta this trip!

At the end of the week, we drove up to Canton to see Mamaw and Papaw again. One of my favorite things to do is drive through Ohio. It's gorgeous!

I miss hills!

One of the best things about a Canton visit is getting to go on Papaw's bus! And this visit, Little Sweetie even got a turn to drive!

Sitting in the driver's seat!

Little Buddy also wanted to see some football players so, because my high school had a home game that night, we got to watch a game. A bit surreal to sit in the stands with my kids and watch (and by surreal, I mean I felt old) but it was a beautiful cool evening. We even were able to get some hot chocolate!

My kids' first football game was a CCHS game...crazy!

It was a great trip and I know all the grandparents loved having the kids up. And we loved watching them with their grandkids. We are so fortunate to get to see them as often as we do for living so far apart.