Missy & Shawn Came!

We were so excited when Shawn gave Missy her birthday gift to come out here. I didn't think we were going to have any visitors from my side of them family this year but then we did! We cleaned the spiders and cobwebs out of the basement and set up our air mattress.

They got here really late on Wednesday July 24th. The next day, they went to the Pro-Football Hall of Fame, Nate went to work, and Logan and I had a pretty normal day until they came home early afternoon. We really wanted to take them to The Melt (which was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives) so we met Nate up there. It's pretty close to his work so almost an hour away from Canton. But it was worth it! Those gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches are so good and big enough to have two meals!

They give your group a name tag with funny names that they make up for their seating list
They were doing a Christmas in July theme, but I don't understand Tower City

Playing with Shawn while waiting to be seated

My huge sandwich! It had meatballs and mozzarella sticks

Logan kept climbing out of his chair. He is an escape artist!
Unless something has a 3-point strap, he can get out

That night we watched a movie since we were all a little tired. The next day, Missy and Shawn went to Cedar Point and had the time of their life. It has the most roller coasters of any amusement park so I'm glad they were able to go, especially without kids so they could go on everything they wanted to. Nate went to work and Logan and and I had a normal day at home. After they got home that night, we played games then went to bed.

On Saturday, we went to Amish Country. Our first stop was Amish Door where they have a bunch of homemade items in one building and bulk foods in another building. I bought a rug for the kitchen and I am loving it! It makes the kitchen feel more homey and comfortable.

Logan really enjoyed this digger even though he didn't really figure it out

After that we went to the famous Heini's Cheese Factory! It was so busy! There was a pretty long line to stand in before we ever got to the cheese. We haven't ever been there on a Saturday in the past, but it was worth it to wait. You get to try tons of different cheeses and cream cheese fudges. So good! At first, Logan was confused when I was trying to shove something in his mouth that was on a toothpick, but once I took it off the toothpick, he enjoyed the cheeses too. I didn't give him any of the spicy ones or strong ones. Of course we all ended up buying our favorite kinds.

Outside of the factory

After the Cheese Factory, we drove a little farther to Berlin and walked around a few shops there. There was a great girly shop where Missy was able to get something for each of her girls. It started sprinkling and it was getting a bit late for Logan, so we headed back home. After putting him to bed, we had dinner and played some games.

An Amish buggy!

I'm not sure what this picture is about

The next day was Sunday so we went to church in the morning, came home to eat lunch, then headed up to Kirtland. We first went to the temple because they have shorter hours. We watched their video, then did the tour. It is interesting to me the difference between their tours and the tours that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does. It is purely historical and they talk about these amazing spiritual experiences like it was just something that someone recorded, just a story. And the sacrifice that the pioneers did at that time to build that temple wasn't even touched on. But it was still interesting and I did learn some things even though it was my second time being there. And it was cool to be there where Christ and others visited and certain priesthood keys were restored.

In front of the Kirtland Temple

After the temple, we went to the historical city where the tours are done by our church. We caught the tail end of the video where we were able to feel the spirit even without having seen the whole thing. While we were in the Whitney store, Logan was getting ornery and difficult to manage so I took him outside, put him in the stroller, and just started walking. After a bit, I noticed that he was asleep. So that was why he was ornery. When the group came out of the store, Nate and I traded places and he walked with Logan while I went through the Whitney home. Logan woke up about the time we finished the home so we were able to do the rest together which included a red brick building (I can't remember what it was for but it was some sort of city building) that now has kind of a Visitor Center feel to it with touch screen TVs with information, artifacts, and a replica of what Kirtland would've been like when the Mormons were there. Then there was the Ashery and Sawmill. This tour was historical but also spiritual and filled with testimony. This was the 3rd or 4th time that Nate and I have been on this tour, but it was still good.

The missionaries were nice and took a group picture!

We made it home for a late dinner and played some games again. The next day Nate went to work and I took them to the airport. It was great to have them here, see some family, and  to get out of the humdrum.

Thanks for coming, guys!