A Familiar Face at the Statehouse

 

Emerson toured the Ohio Statehouse today with Kids R Kids and had a fun surprise! It just so happened that OOD Director Kevin Miller (my boss) was there at the same time, and he spotted Emerson during the visit.

Such a fun moment for Emerson, especially since Director Miller has always doted on him. 

Father's Day

 

We celebrated Father’s Day with little gifts, sweet well wishes, and, of course, the customary puppy chow for Seth (aka Doc). Emerson surprised him with a baseball card and a MrBeast candy bar, while the girls teamed up to gift him an extra-special OSU mug.

It was a good day honoring Seth while we eased back into everyday life after our vacation—grateful for the memories and the man we were celebrating.

Day 6 in Puerto Rico

We didn’t want to leave! Our final morning in Puerto Rico had a beautiful sunrise. If only the morning could have stretched on just a little longer.

The girls treated themselves to special coffees, and Emerson squeezed in a few more dips in the pool, making the most of every last moment. Seth and I enjoyed the resort’s oatmeal one last time.

We got everything packed up, returned our trusty Jeep Cherokee rental, and made it to the airport with time to spare. 

Day 5 in Puerto Rico

Friday was all about relaxing and soaking up the resort life. 

Emerson and I went for a bike ride along the golf course, enjoying the scenery. The rest of the day was filled with lounging by the pool, reading, and talking.

For dinner, we discovered Las Picúas 123 Seafood Restaurant (with swings!).

As the sun began to set, we gathered for family photos on the beach. We ended the night with a beach walk and danced to live music in the lobby area. 

Day 4 in Puerto Rico

 

On Thursday, I kicked off the morning with a beach workout—just like the 90s FitTV segments that inspired my dream of visiting Puerto Rico.

Later, we headed into Old San Juan for a day full of color, history, and laughter. One of the highlights? Spotting Seth’s doppelgänger on the street—we laughed so hard! (Here he is in the dark blue hoodie—not Seth, we promise!)

We explored the beautiful Cathedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista, the oldest U.S. cathedral, and then wandered through Castillo San Cristóbal, enjoying the sweeping ocean view. We also popped into a few local shops for souvenirs and browsing.

For a cool break, we stopped at Barrachina Restaurant, which proudly claims to be the birthplace of the Piña Colada. 

Lunch at The Cave wrapped things up deliciously before we headed back to the resort to relax.

Day 3 in Puerto Rico

 

On Wednesday morning, we enjoyed the resort’s main pool, which had a livelier vibe than the quieter, more secluded pool near our room. 

In the afternoon, we set out on an unforgettable adventure: a guided tour of El Yunque Rainforest with guides Brian and Jeremy. They were fantastic! We hiked muddy trails, learned a bit about the rainforest, and then got to experience two natural water slides, a rope swing, and even cliff jumping! 

Day 2 in Puerto Rico

 

We started the day slowly, with Seth and I enjoying Puerto Rican-style oatmeal. Eventually, we made our way to lunch at El Yunque Treehouse, where we were treated to a refreshing tropical downpour, making everything feel even more magical.

After a grocery run to stock up, we headed out for an unforgettable afternoon of ziplining in the rainforest. I played the role of videographer while the other four soared through the canopy—and all agreed it was hands down the best ziplining experience they've ever had. A little drizzle helped keep the bugs at bay.

Day 1 in Puerto Rico

 

We made it safely to Puerto Rico on Monday afternoon. The early morning flights were certainly worth it, and everyone did great.

We grabbed a delicious lunch at Ekelekua before checking into the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Río Grande. The resort had outstanding amenities, and the kids wasted no time diving into the pool. A favorite moment was hearing them sing together in the shower afterward, still in their swimsuits, full of joy.

A beautiful sunset snuck up on us around 7 p.m.

Pre-Trip Pause at Highbanks

 

Even with a full day of packing and prepping for our trip, we managed to slip away for a few hours to hike at Highbanks with Zac and Briella. The kids had a great time together—hiking the trails, skipping stones, sharing walking sticks, and exploring nature side by side. 

Backyard Bash: Emerson Turns 8!

 

We celebrated Emerson’s 8th birthday with a backyard party full of laughter, friends, and neighborhood fun. His theme was a blend of Emerson himself, Steve from Minecraft, and Max—his beloved stuffed black lab.

Winnie added her special touch by decorating the birthday cake, and we had a classic summer cookout with watermelon, and potato salad. The kids loved the Minecraft Pez dispensers we handed out as party favors, but the biggest hit by far was the inflatable water slide. Dubbed the “cold tub” in contrast to the hot tub, the kids had a blast hopping back and forth between the two.

When it came time for presents, Emerson asked me to read each birthday card aloud. I felt so proud watching him listen carefully to all the kind and thoughtful messages from his friends. For most of the day, Emerson thought the waterslide was just a rental—our original plan—but at the end of the party, we let him in on the surprise: the slide was his to keep. His face lit up with delight, and he later told Seth it was “the best birthday ever.”