Christmas in Ohio, Installment II: Ginamom and Michaeldad

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Back in the country. This time, we travel an hour and a half southeast (?), the nearest town Winchester, Ohio. Andrew’s mom and stepdad’s house, otherwise known as Gina-mom and Michael-dad.

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And yet again, the cold cold weather could not contain us…

especially not the fearless, playful, snowball-fight-starting Gina-mom.

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Really, she started it.

Being around Gina always makes me feel like I should let loose a little more. Because she is so NOT old. Because seriously, the amount of energy contained in this less-than-five-foot-tall person is unreal. Because she is still raising her family (of five) and working full time as an oncologist and driving a million miles a day to do all of this.

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Energy

And then, on top of all that, whenever we visit, she cooks amazing meals to fill our hungry tummies and give us energy for…

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our own snowball fights,

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and barn exploring,

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and very first solo sled adventures!

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Catch!

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“More!”

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And of course I cannot fail to mention the graceful Katie, ever helpful and lovely.

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Who gets all the love and hugs from little guys around here, who obviously simply adore her because it’s impossible not to.

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And somehow, in all the fun and adventure-having, I failed to get a single picture of Austin, who suddenly had a very big fan (Milo) trailing his every move… which is hard to do because move he does! Thank you Austin and Katie for all the help with the little ones!

Needless to say, we had a wonderful marvelous time.

Side note: One unfortunate but inevitable side-effect of the trip was Milo’s sudden exposure to “shoot-guns,” as he calls them. It was love at first sight. Even in a pink Barbie Jeep…

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which, I feel, really completed the look.

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Fierce.

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What you can’t see is that Milo had stockpiled every single toy gun in that Jeep and was “shootin’ bad guys” and “smackin’ em around.”

Great.

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Where could he possibly get that?!

9 thoughts on “Christmas in Ohio, Installment II: Ginamom and Michaeldad”
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  1. It looks like you guys had a fun and family filled holiday! Just wondering…what kind of boot is Oliver wearing? We have been looking for something for Jackson, but the ones we have he can’t bend his ankles in and it makes it very difficult for him to walk…ha ha! Happy New Year!

  2. Gorgeous photos as always. Love the bit about Milo and the “shoot guns.” Ahhh….boys! Ben now says things like “I’m gonna DESTRUCT you!” And the ever popular “I’m gonna BADGER you!!!!” Where do they get this stuff?

  3. What about Milo’s cherubically said “I’ll tear your arms off” to Liam? Aw shucks, Aunt Annie, I’m just kiddin’ around. Me and my papa are always kiddin’.

  4. Oliver looks so much like the little brother from A Christmas Story. It makes me wish I was there to push him down!

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