June 27: Flint Ridge, Ohio

 Our morning started with Abigail coming in looking for a drink, then getting sick.  More excitement than we needed first thing on a Saturday!  She went back to bed looking pale and miserable.  The rest of us got up and started getting organized for our outing for the day.

Poor Abby.

Jay's Uncle Gary and his wife Peggy live just outside of Flint Ridge State Park, about an hour from Lancaster.  They have a lovely property with trails through the woods.  When we lived in Ohio, we loved going to visit them for family parties.

By the time we were ready to go, Abby was feeling enough better to ride the hour to Gary and Peggy's house.  She snoozed on the way while the rest of us enjoyed the view of the cornfields waving in the wind.

Another thing we don't see in Texas!

The cousins out by the lake.

We had a TON of food for lunch and enjoyed catching up with Gary and Peggy.  The kids were also thrilled to spend the day with their cousins.  Abigail didn't eat much lunch and ended up falling asleep on the couch.

Ben waving to me from the loft.

The weather really through us for a loop at this point.  After being miserably hot the entire time we were in Philadelphia, a cold front blew into Ohio as we got there.  The kids were wearing shorts and t-shirts for this outing, and we had to scramble to find sweaters because it was COLD.  (We've become wimpy Texans, too, which doesn't help!)

After lunch, the kids were in and out playing and enjoying the gorgeous woods. Ben bonded with Morgan and Morgan's girlfriend, Rachel.  Ben announced, "Now I have two Rachels.  One in Philadelphia, and one in Ohio!" 

Morgan and Benjamin playing together.

Sorry, Morgan--it looks like
you have some competition!

Benjamin stole Morgan's hat.

All the kids loved being on the four-wheelers, even Benjamin (who of course had to ride with his favorite Morgan and Rachel)!

Emily and Landon, Rachel and Morgan

All my boys in the back, Landon and Emily in front.

Not quite big enough to drive!

Meanwhile, Abigail woke up and felt well enough to play with the dog for a little while.  The dog wasn't necessarily sure about her at first, but eventually they got along.

Abigail and her new friend.

At the end of the day, we attempted to get some good cousin pictures. Trying to get 6 kids to all look at the same camera at once proved to be a bit of a challenge.

Emily, Landon, Morgan, Benjamin, Abigail, and Jonathan.

The cousins plus Grandma and Grandpa.

It was a late evening heading back, and everyone was tired from fresh air and fun.  Abigail seemed to be mostly better, but was still happy to fall into bed.