I apologize in advance that this post has a ton of pictures. By a ton, I don’t mean 2,000 pounds worth, but I do mean a lot.
Our Easter weekend was packed full of driving, sight-seeing, and family. We decided to take the scenic route to Henry’s parents’ house in Ohio. They just moved there a week or two ago, but have good friends in the area who they’ve known nearly 30 years.
Our first sight-seeing tour was in Weirton, WV. When Henry and I were first married, Weirton Steel was a client of a company we worked for. He went a couple times to visit. There’s a little town that abuts this steel plant now owned by another company. I remember him telling me how a road ran through the plant and I finally got to see it. We tried to explain it all to the kids, but they kept asking how close our condo was to the factory. They didn’t understand the idea of a business trip (I guess you can tell how much Henry travels for his job now!).
Our second real stop of interest was in the tiny historic Roscoe Village in Ohio.
It consists mostly of one quaint little street lined with restaurants and shops.
Unfortunately most were closed by the time we got there around 7:30 pm. We looked in the shop windows and ate at The Warehouse… a steak house and tavern that was absolutely delicious.
(the kids in front of the General Market window)
The kids woke Saturday morning to Easter baskets. Natalie thought it was an accident they were out so they all ignored them the first hour until we told them they could have at it. I tried to tease them and say the Easter bunny had to start delivering baskets early to get all the houses in. They didn’t buy the story since we’ve never told our kids the Easter bunny was real… they’ve always known their baskets came from my mom or Henry’s mom. This is the first year Henry and I purchased them. So of course as I’m telling my story Ainsley says, “The Easter bunny didn’t come! Pop gave us the baskets.” Henry’s mom gently told them a little while later that mommy and daddy bought them the baskets. They were genuinely surprised. I’m not sure if this makes me happy or sad!!
(BTW, Ryan ate all but three of his peeps in one sitting before we realized what was happening. It’s an understatement to say he loves them.)
That was the start of the sugar high that lasted all weekend. Next up was an Easter egg hunt at Marmi and Pop’s church.
I think this is Ryan’s first Easter egg hunt…. last year he hung back with mommy. He skipped over all the pink eggs intentionally looking for green eggs. I’m finding green is his favorite color.
Ainsley and Marmi.
The kids in Natalie’s age group were so fast we didn’t get the camera over there in time!
After the hunt, we headed to an Amish farm about an hour and a half away. On our way we happened by Roscoe Village again. This time the shops were open. We stocked up on old-fashioned soda pop, grape twizzlers (yuck!), and dried fruit. It’s definitely a town I want to explore again. They have lots of little shops we didn’t take the time to explore and a vintage toy museum that is out of this world.
We imagined the Amish farm would be rustic, lit by lanterns, and a great way to expose the girls to another culture.
Instead we found a commercialized shopping extravaganza. The closest thing to Amish life was the buggy ride.
I didn’t even tell the girls about the Amish way of living so as not to confuse them by the actual atmosphere. We’ll have to find another opportunity to explore Amish life! The girls were excited to sit up front by our driver Chris as Shirley drove us around the shopping complex.
Ryan rode with Marmi and Pop in a different buggy behind us.
We were there near closing time so we were the only riders on our train. It was driven by a man named Henry. I’m not kidding. All the males on our train were named Henry. What are the chances? And since when did the Amish drive trains?
I caught Natalie in the common pose of explaining to everyone what she wants them to do.
A quick snuggle with Marmi.
In the cowboy store (connected to the pet shop) and powered by electricity… a lot of electricity… Ryan chose this hat. I suggested we start guiding him toward darker colors.
Easter morning we had a great service…. I started crying on the way to church thinking about how broken I am as a person… how grateful I am that “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” How perfection is not the requirement to come to Him because if it was I’d be up a creek. Daily I’m reminded how much I’m in need of a Savior. I think I wept through the entire service out of gratefulness.
Marmi, Pop and the kids.
Just the kids.
And in front of the Granville Inn restaurant where we ate lunch.
We took a different scenic route home. The kids busied themselves in the back. Here they are in a tickle fest. Even Ryan got in on the action.
The weekend was a blast…. lots of sugar… lots of late nights…. and lots of activity. The kids are off again today and I’m looking forward to unwinding a little before school tomorrow.
Happy Easter!
(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (6)
Sounds like a really good Easter, tears (I had them too) and all.
And I, too, am SO glad the kids have all have off today too. We normally do have school the Monday after Easter. But this year Easter was at the end of the quarter so it’s a teacher workday today – feel bad for them – but so glad to not be getting kids out the door this am.
Jennifer
cute dresses for the girls 😉
I didn’t know the Marquiss’s moved. Looks like a fun weekend 😉
It was great seeing you and the family this weekend plus getting to meet in person instead of me stalking (not in a creepy way) your blog each day. LOL
Hopefully next time you come back to visit, your family can come to the Salvation Army to help serve.
Brenda Blough
This is where I grew up!!! Went school with Shrocks… I could have taken you to real working Amish farms, and had you stay at a friend’s parents who live on one who run a B&B now:) Small town Ohio, gotta love it (or escape it as soon as you turn 18!)
Sounds like you made some great memories. I love the chocolate covered peeps. yummy.
We dont do Easter baskets very often. Our church family always loads the kids up with candy, each sunday school teacher always has something for them. So this year we bought them hats (fishing type) and a small toy. We don’t go to egg hunts as the greed from some parents just still stun me so I keep my kids away from that.
Love the pic’s. Miss A’s hair looks like it grows so fast, my goodness it seems like just a short while ago they cut each others hair.
I love the girls’ dresses. I was excited my older sister came down for the last night of Conversations and Easter. But forgot to take pictures. I’m so special.