Day 19: Bodenstein Family Reunion

Today was our annual Bodenstein Family Reunion.  It was held at Gower Park in Sharonville again this year. It was lots of fun to be had by everyone, especially the kids.  The boys really enjoyed playing at the park this year, now that they're big enough.  They also played in the sand of the horseshoe pit.  We all brought a little something and Grandpa worked the grill.  Check out the fun below!

Day 18: Lunch with Daddy and Riverside Park

Today we met daddy for lunch at the Newtown Farmer's Market.  To kill a little time before daddy could meet us, we went across the street to Riverside Park.  It was okay and the boys found some fun in it, but it was an old park that could have used some updating (like new equipment).  They had a cool sand area but it was too hot and it wasn't covered.  They did enjoy a really cool slide that was built into the rock wall (see below pictures).  Daddy met us at the park around 12:45 and we went to lunch at the market.  Their deli always makes the best sandwiches.  The best part is that daddy didn't have to go back to work so he followed us home!

Day 17: The Strudthoffs

Tonight we went to the Strudthoff's for dinner.  Belle even joined us for the trip over to their house because she loves to play with Samson, the Strudthoff's Great Dane!  She also loves searching for Frank and Madge, the two cats, and she actually almost got a hold of Frank this time!  The boys enjoyed playing with Austin's cars and checking out the cool things in his "big boy" room.  The dinner was great and the company was even better!

Checking out Austin's cool light that changes colors

Day 16: Nana's pool with cousins

Today was a great day for the pool because man was it HOT!  Previously when we swam in the late morning it was a little cool but not today.  We were even joined by cousins Alex, Charlie, and Shelly.  Alex adores the boys so she had fun helping them on the slide and playing with them in the pool.  And if you notice below, JT likes to skinny dip-what a chip of of the old (daddy) block!

Day 15: Children's Museum

Today was our day with Grammy (Tuesdays) and we went to the Children's Museum.  We pretty much spent the afternoon at the "white bus", grocery store, house, balls, and the farm.  Those are definitely their favorite places to play with the "white bus" being their VERY favorite (especially for JT).  We even met up with my friend and colleague Kristen and her son Logan.  It was a light crowd so we didn't have to take turns very much either!

 Grammy driving the Metro!

 JT's turn

Logan driving double trouble

Day 14: Cheviot Park

Today was a slow start given that the boys didn't wake up until 8:15 a.m. because they were so tired from our trip.  They really weren't motivated to do much and were content to play cars for most of the morning.  At around 10:00 we decided to take Belle for a walk. I was considering returning after our walk to drop off Belle and then take them to story time at the Cheviot Library at 11:00 but we just didn't make it back in time.  So instead we went to the Cheviot Park to play.  They really didn't do a lot of playing but they did see the garbage trucks and many other construction vehicles working on the Fieldhouse.  They were thrilled!

 Watching the garbage trucks

Day 13: Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA and Happy Father's Day!

Today the Spielers took us to the Carnegie Science Center and boy was it FUN!  I can't even tell you what the boys enjoyed most because so many things were interesting to them.  We were able to see the new exhibit in it's opening weekend, the world's largest playable guitar!  It was really quite neat.  Some of the highlights were the train exhibit, the robot area (including a robot that shot hoops), the submarine, and the children's area.  It was very different from our museum here in Cincinnati.  Here are some snapshots of the day!  And...it was a great Father's Day for Peter!

Watching the trains, which JT would have done for hours!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

The sleeping quarters in the submarine...tiny!

All 3 boys loved turning this wheel and making the balls go on the conveyer belt

The house that Grant built!

Another place they could have stayed at for hours!