September 28-October 5

Our Cincinnati trip last weekend was wonderful.  We accidentally themed it around food because the only concrete plans we made before going had to do with places we wanted to eat.  Conveniently, the rest of Cincinnati (well, Newport, KY, actually) fell neatly into line with our plans.  We visited the Newport Aquarium, the Casino, Eden Garden, a bowling alley, and a putt-putt place.  We also got fantastic grilled cheese (Tom and Chee), heard dueling pianos (Gangsters Dueling Piano Bar), tried Bavarian food (Hofbrauhaus), and had a fancy four course dinner (Nicola's) where we couldn't finish the tiny portions because we were too full from all our previous meals.  At Hofbrauhaus I noticed a sign that said "1 liter of beer = 3 12-oz bottles."  I hurried back to the table to tell Bryan, whereupon he looked at me with wide eyes and said, "I just ordered a liter."  We took our time eating an appetizer while he nursed his liter of beer.  :)  At Nicola's -- a restaurant where we were asked what kind of water we wanted (tap, bottled sparkling, or bottled still) -- we split all the courses, and Bryan accidentally tricked me into eating raw fish because the first course was sashimi (raw fish) in a mushroom broth.  The menu talked up the mushroom; the sashimi not so much.  :-P  On the way home after church on Sunday, we stopped at Jungle Jim's -- a huge store full of all sorts of weird things -- to get some kangaroo and rabbit meat.  We also got two pounds of assorted Jelly Bellys.

While we were in Cincinnati, the girls had a grand old time at Grandma and Grandpa's.  They ate hamburgers and pancakes, watched Scooby Doo on constant loop, and also played outside a fair amount.  :)  Murry kept them too busy to mind that we were gone, although they did seem pretty happy to see us when we got back.

Then it was back home to sleep in our own beds and spend the week unpacking some more.  I've been making pretty good progress this week, and even managed to unpack a few things in my workroom, which is by far the least unpacked room in the house.  Maybe I'll get around to taking some pictures this next week.

Bryan and his dad bought wood for the basement office, and Bryan set up a card table down there in the meantime so that he could spread out and use all of the computer monitors he is used to using at work.  He is apparently much more productive now than he was on the floor in the chapel, so that's good.  Now he just needs to get the office actually built and wired for electricity (and heat!) before winter arrives.

We have the Sandra Boynton book Tickle Time that is a favorite of both girls.  In case you haven't read this book, it is all about tickling (surprise!) and all the characters are cats.  We have another book about baby animals that Gretchen likes to read, especially now that she can do the sounds for dog, duck, horse, and cow.  She also thinks she can do cat: they say "tickle tickle tickle!"

Pictures:

Olivia and Gretchen enjoy life at Grandma and Grandpa's house:

Johannah and Bryan enjoy life in Cincinnati:

Back at home - Olivia reads to Gretchen, Daddy reads to the girls, Olivia in her Browns jammies, Gretchen hiding in the curtains: