Ohio Caverns

Summer is almost over. New school year just around the bend...don't really want to think about going back to work just yet...Shannon had the idea to take the kids on an adventure to the Ohio Caverns...located about 1 1/2 hours northeast from our house (near Marysville). At first, I was not sure about how the kids would do caving..especially Reilly....but both kids loved it!

One Last Day

I knew that this day would come eventually. The end of our vacation. We didn't go on any big adventures on this day, rather we chose to just hang out on the beach outside of our condo...That afternoon, we went back to Jolly Roger restaurant for dinner.....some big storms were looming overhead...and warnings posted...however, the worst missed us and just went out to sea...looking back I feel that the kids did pretty well...Reilly especially...although there were many frustrating moments... I felt bad for Shannon...who Reilly did not let her have a moment's peace all week...we must have broken a record for the most spongebob squrepants watched in one week....we also learned that Reilly is a daredevil in the swimming pool and likes to jump off the edge of the pool into the water...
Kellen was probably the most amazed simply by the ocean itself...and liked to chase the waves...although I think that he is ready to go home...we leave in the morning...and see how far we make it before the kids get too tired...

Well it is Thursday and only 2 more days at the obx. We started the day at Roanoke Island where we charted a boat that looks for dolphins...we were on the water for about 2 hours..and saw lots of dolpins and got lots of pictures. We then ate lunch on Roanoke Island and drove around the Fort Raliegh Historical site...We got back to the condo about 3PM or so..the kids swam in the pool...hung out at the beach and we will probably go crab hunting again tonite

Day Four

Day four was the busiest so far..we first headed to Cape Hatteras to explore the famous lighthouse there...it was about an hour drive south from our location..and a very pretty drive through several beach and nature sanctuaries..as well as a few quaint beach towns...much less commercialized...when we arrived at the lighthouse, Kellen and I climbed up to the top (12 stories...legs were really tired)...Reilly was not tall enough, so Shannon stayed back with him....at the top of the lighthouse were awesome views...we then went to a beach that was nearby, which had huge waves and rough surf..on our way back up the the condo, we found a nice little mom-pop retuarant for lunch...later that afternoon...we tried to make dinner at the condo...bought a couple of frozen pizzas, but the stove appeared not to be working right and we burned both of them..had to settle for PBJ's instead...that night we went out onto the beach again for the usual ghost crab catch....

Day Three

Day 3 of our obx vacation...we are now starting to get into the real "outer banks" mood...R...E...L...A....X....we started the day out with beach time...and sandcastles...Kellen made some friends with some girls next to us who all tried their best to defend the castle from the evil powers of the "high tide". Reilly is now starting to become more comfortable with the beach and waves and is no longer stuck to Shannon 24/7. After beach time, we hung out at the condo and watched some storms roll in...after lunch we went to the Roanoke Island aquarium (forgot the camera!!)...it was not the biggest...but definately the nicest aqaurium we have been to...then to an overpriced buffet dinner at the Western Sizzler and back to the condo...kids are exausted...although they would never admit it...tomarrow we plan on heading down to Cape Hatteras...

Day Two

Day 2 at the oxb...went to the Wright Bros. Memorial where they had a kite flying festival...then more time at the beach...went to a good place for dinner...Jolly Rogers...Reilly missed dinner, however, and slept in Shannon's arms the whole time...at night we watched thunderstorms rage over the Atlantic and went hunting for crabs on the beach!!

Arriving at the OBX

It's our arrival at the OBX..finally...it seems that the last 10 miles lasted an eternity, especially with all the traffic...we arrived to

our condo about 4 PM and the kids wanted to immediately head to the beach...Kellen was in heaven...looking for shells and playing in the surf. Reilly was a little intimidated with the crashing waves, but enjoyed what seemed like the world's largest sandbox. We all lost the time for awhile and before we knew it, it was past bedtime and the kids were starving! With no fast food joints in sight and the lines very long at all the local restaurants (saturday night), we started to panic! Luckily we found a dairy queen brazier that sold hot dogs!! With the kids satisfied, we headed to the grocery and finally back to the condo...although Kellen would have wished to stay on the beach all night long...he finally surrendered to fatigue and actually asked to go to bed about 9:30PM....

Staying home NO MORE!

We are currently on our first family vacation. Heading to the outer banks, NC. We stopped by Waynesboro VA to help break up the drive. Kids did great in the car. When we arrived at the hotel, we swam and ordered pizza delivery. We hope the night goes well.

Graduation Day

Well let me be the first to introduce to the world Dr. Shannon Flaum-Horvath! The day has finally come. All the hard work and sacrifice finally realized. Shannon received her Ph.D from the college of education (OSU) in quantitative research design and analysis. Family traveled from all parts of Ohio to celebrate such an outstanding achievement. As the pictures dictate, we arrived at the "shoe" about 12:30PM, after fighting some mean traffic getting into the university area. After a short walk from the medical center area, we all sat and waited for the start of the procession. We were initially entertained by the OSU marching band and by 1PM, the graduates entered the field. It took quite a while for 8000 students to make their way across the field and to the opposite end of the stadium. The day started out rather pleasant, with overcast skies, however, by the time John Glen spoke (keynote speaker), the sun broke out and started to bake everyone down below. Reilly and Kellen being on their best behavior for the first hour or so, started to show signs of fatigue and grandma Debbie and grandpa James took them back to the minivan to cool off and relax. After Gordan Gee and all the other VIP's finished their speeches, it was time to distribute the diplomas. The Ph.D's were first to be "hooded", by their corresponding advisers. There were approximately 200 students receiving their Ph.D's that day. After getting hooded, Shannon got to shake hands with Gordan Gee and everything was now official....Dr. Flaum-Horvath then left the stadium for a couple of quick photo shots with family. We then all headed to a local restaurant called "Schmidts" for a informal party with family. The food was good. Shannon opened lots of wonderful gifts and the kids entertained the family with "singing and dancing". Thanks to all who joined us to celebrate!