Team Strong!

My Aunt Jane, my namesake, has been waging a brave fight against cancer for quite some time. We gathered in her honor this past Sunday to walk in the Step up for Stephanie 2 mile at Ohio State. The number of people there was a testament to how far-reaching the effects of breast cancer are in so many families. We pray that a cure is just around the corner. Stay strong Aunt Jane! We love you!

A Night in the Wilds

We were very fortunate to be given the opportunity to visit the Wilds overnight a few weeks ago. Before our visit, all we knew of the Wilds is that it's affiliated with Jack Hanna and the Columbus Zoo, and there are wild animals there. It is SO MUCH MORE than that! The Wilds is 10,000 acres of land with 28 different species of animals. It is the largest conservation area in North America. We had a backstage view of the place, and it was truly an amazing experience!!
We arrived Friday afternoon and spent the evening exploring our cabin and the surrounding area. The view from our front door was a beautiful lake. And it was SO QUIET! We took the girls out to show them the stars that night, and they were amazed at how many we could see. We even saw a shooting star!

The next day we toured the Wilds in the back of a truck. We saw animals from all around the world, including the kind of donkey that Mary and Joseph likely rode on. We pet a camel and rhinos, and we fed a giraffe! One of our favorite moments was Lily belly laughing at an Ostrich pecking at the truck. Our tour guide was fantastic, and we learned so much about this wonderful place.

I am convinced that the Wilds is one of the best kept secrets in Ohio. The scenery is breath-taking and their dedication to preserving God's creation is inspiring. It was an experience we will not soon forget!

Apple Picking

One of our new fall traditions is picking apples at Lynd's Fruit Farm. The kids love picking apples and eating them right off the tree, and Bennett is no exception!

We have enjoyed this experience so much that we just had to share it with some of our family this year!

We'll have to wait and see who will join us next year!