The Trip

recap of our jam packed ohio trip:

Monday morning i got home from work and we had a quick little birthday celebration for june-bug. Nothing beats chocolate cupcakes with pink icing for breakfast!

Nova decorating her cupcake

mmmmm....

Delicious!

we loaded up the van and headed to the aiport. We made it through security without too much hassle (which has become an art after flying several times with 2 toddlers). Then we waited and waited for 4 hours at the gate for our broken plane to be fixed, which was finally found to be unfixable until the next day, and we were all sent home. In the meantime my mom was calling with news about my dad's surgery which was scheduled for the following morning. Turns out the surgeon finally looked at my dads CT scan (which he had not done until 12 hours prior to the surgery) and based on the images changed his mind about the whole shebang, and cancelled the surgery the night before. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he looked at the images, but it would've been kind of nice if he had done that back in July when the CT was performed...

Anyway, Tuesday we got up early and repeated the whole airport thing again. fortunately this time the plan was in working condition, and we had an uneventful flight to columbus.

The Fam chillin' in the hotel room

Although we were severely dissapointed in the management of care my dad recieved, we were so happy to get to spend a whole week without the major stress of my dad's surgery. Once we got over the initial shock of it all, we were able to relax and enjoy being together.

Wednesday we headed to the science museum in Columbus, COSI. It was such a great time! I don't know if i've mentioned on here before about Nova's "projects", but she spends her whole day coming up with little projects - transferring all the laundry from one basket to another, or putting all the "little people" from one container into another. There was a fantastic machine that had little vacuums that sucked up balls, and then shot them out of the top of the machine. Nova was in Project Heaven, and collected all the balls, put them into the vacuum, and then re-collected them when they shot out the top.

The Ball Machine

Nova diligently working on her project

playing in the waterworld at COSI - they were DRENCHED!

Thursday Cris and Juneau headed to a Farm show in columbus with Grandpa/Grandma Stickley, and then on to Toledo, while Nova and I stayed with the fam in Columbus. We spent all day thursday shopping in columbus, and then headed home.

Once we got back to my parent's house we met their new dog, Sadie, and Grammy taught the kids how to give her a bath.

Nova LOVES dogs, and was quick to join in the fun

a house full of babies! - we finally got to meet baby Micah (who i am feeding a bottle to in this picture). He is soooo sweet and laid back.

The girls eating corn with cousin Secily

Juneau chowing down on the corn

LOVE this pic of the girl cousins (we MISSED YOU HOPIE!)

On Sunday morning we were so happy and thrilled to have the girls dedicated at my home church in Mansfield. It was a really great service, and Cris parents and Grandma all made the drive to be there on Sunday morning.

June-bug in her Dedication dress

Nova Jo (not feeling too great from her ear infection), in her borrowed dress from cousin Hope

Typical...

My brother Tommy and adorable baby Micah

The Stickley and Saccenti crew on Sunday morning

Stickley's

After the dedication we all headed over to the historic Carousel in downtown Mansfield for Juneau's Birthday Party! The carousel is really cool, an has some very unique animals (giraffes, lions, ostriches). Everyone had a great time.

Mammaw was quick to join in the carousel fun!

Nova and Grandma

Lookin' cute

Juneau had a GREAT birthday. She was scoping out this blue Ladybug cupcake, and was so excited to finally get to eat it!

Blowing out her candles!

Aunt Becky and Junebug enjoying the birthday celebration

super photogenic Secily enjoying the carousel ride

Micah and I were perfectly color coordinated!

Grammy in her element!

Nova's ear infection was brewing but had not yet been diagnosed - she was tired and a little grumpy, but Grandpa was quick to soothe her

Nova snuggling Aunt Becky

Happy 2nd birthday juneau!

After the Carousel party we hopped in our cars and headed straight to Columbus to try to catch Aunt Coral at the finish line. She completed her first Half-Iron Man triathlon in superstar fashion. We were sooooo happy to see Aunt Donova, who had also come to cheer on Coral. Aunt Donova has always been an incredible support since Day One of our adoption journey. She was praying hard for our little bug from the beginning, and spent lots of time in prayer during the difficult waiting period between our referral and bringing Juneau home.

Juneau loved playing with Aunt D!

Baby Nova with her great grandma Nova

This was the first meeting for baby Nova and Aunt Donova.

Playing hard with Aunt D

Coral's cheering section at the Triathlon

A Strong Finish by Aunt Coral - What an accomplishment!

following in Aunt Coral's footsteps - future triathlete?

The long awaited "Nova" picture. Grandma Nova, Aunt Donova, Baby Nova and Lyndsey Nova

Aunt D with her nieces and nephew

Coral and the kiddos.

We love these goofballs!