Slate Run Living Historical Farm

After getting home from our Michigan trip we, ok, I, was craving normalcy and routine again. What better way to get that than call some friends and invite them to come along to one of our favorite places in Columbus.

The Slate Run Living Historical Farm is a working reenactment of an 1880’s Ohio farm. The staff and volunteers are dressed in period clothing and do the daily chores that were part of family farm life during this time. All of the tools, machinery, household goods and animals are authentic for the period. My favorite part? Its free and there is a nice picnic table area where we can eat lunch.

We came across this farm when Kinsley was just 2 weeks old. The day we went they were doing sheep sheering and showing off the lambs that were also just 2 weeks old! Sooo cute!

When we went last week, it probably wasn't the best day to go. The weather was sooo hot... low 90's, no breeze and the sun was just so intense. I was a bit worried that Kinsley wasn't going to handle the heat too well since we were all seriously sweating so bad. We made our trip quick but I was so glad we went. There was tons to see and the kids were just having a blast! I even had fun too! When we told Rick about our day happenings when he got home, he laughed at how excited I was.

Lainey was checking out the cows. She insisted they were "doggies" though. Shes still alittle confused on her animals apparently :P

Trying to keep Kinsley out of the sun. Didn't succeed though :(

 

The kids think the chickens are pretty funny:

 

Just sisters holding hands <3 p="">

 

Ben was trying to master the stilts. LOL. He was able to get his balance on them a couple of times but that's as much as he was able to do :)

 

Lainey wanted to try throwing the darts through the hoop but was too distracted telling me all about those ducks!:

 

The kids all trying to get the darts through the hoop hanging from the tree:

 

Some good 'ol fashioned bowling:

 

SCORE!

 

We were looking over the bridge that is above a creek and Ben spotted this frog. The kids were all really excited that got to see the frog jumping all over the place. While we were all checking it out, another couple passing by let us know that the ducks were waiting through.

 

All of the kids were kind of spread across the overpass and the strollers were in the way for these ducks to get through. They stood there and waited for the path to be cleared. I kid you not, once we gathered up the kids and scooted our strollers to the side, they passed by. It was so funny! The kids thought it was hilarious how well mannered they were. You can tell that this farm is home to them and they are used to all the visitors.

 

These are the lambs that are the same age as Kinsley. It was fun to see how much they have grown since the first time we met them!

 

Petting the horse, Marcus, that helps get the bails of hay up in the attic of the barn, the old fashioned way... with a  pulley! :)

 

This calf was just recently born. The stall was open for us to pet it. We passed though, the flies that were swarming made it a little less enjoyable.

 

These two mama cows are ready to give birth any day! So exciting! Ive been checking out the farms facebook page waiting for the announcement!

 

Ben spotted this birds nest up in the ceiling. There were 5 little beaks that happily chirped every time Mama bird came back with more food. It was so neat for the kids to see that even baby birds rely on their Mama :)

 

9 little ducklings hanging out with their Mama. It was so precious!!

 

Baby turkeys (is that the accurate terminology for them?!) Either way, these were less than cute but it was cool to see them since the last time we were at the farm, the turkeys were... ummm... mating... loudly! The kids were actually kind of scared of them and the sounds :))

The kids climbed around on some logs and rocks after we visited all the animals that we cared to see that day. We cut our visit short and enjoyed our picnic lunch at our dining room table... in the air conditioning!

Its been 1 year

Its been an entire year since we packed up our family and moved 211 miles away from everything we have ever known.

Our life together began when we bought this little house before we were even married. We took this house and made it a home. We have so many amazing memories here. Newlyweds. Holidays. Birthdays. Bringing home three beautiful girls and the first days home with them. 

As we pulled away I snapped this picture.  It was the last time it was going to be our home. I knew bigger and better things awaited for us but couldn't help but to feel sad. We were truly beginning the next chapter of our lives. 

We knew for 7 months prior that our family was going to go through the hardest transition we have ever had to face. Rick was offered a position that we couldn't pass up. After talking alot about it, we knew that accepting would be the best for his career and everything else would fall into place. It was hard leaving our family and friends to go somewhere, where we knew no one. 

3.5 hours later, we arrived here. Home. 

3,200 square feet of new space to make new memories. And we have. Lotssss of them... Even bringing home a baby!

Now, 1 year later, I can honestly say we made the best decision to come to Ohio. We have made some wonderful friends. We cherish and look forward to the time we are able to spend with our families. And we have all adjusted with no tears! I'm thankful for the amount of time we have together and how much we have grown as a family.