Columbus Zoo & Zoombesi Bay . . . . . 94 degree temps didn't stop Riley, Alexis, Jim, Cara , Ted, and Rose Anne from venturing to the Columbus Zoo last Saturday. Most of the animals were taking it easy in the shade as the "smarter humans" wandered through the park consuming liquids and eventually cooling off at the water park. A very warm, but fun day! Ted went to the Columbus Clippers baseball game with neighbors that evening while the rest of the family had a cookout back home. All in all . . a great weekend!

"It's a DONUT, not a VOLCANO!" Our transition to the Buckeye State has been smooth . . BUT, one aspect of Ohio landscaping techniques still has us puzzled. Trees in Ohio are surrounded by huge amounts of mulch around the tree trunk resembling a volcano spouting a live tree?????? It was our mission, as we finished our project, was to convey the proper mulching technique of making a donut around the base of the tree to provide proper irrigation and prevent insects from climbing up the side of the tree! Wednesday, July 14, we travelled back to Ohio Mulch to purchase 40 more bags of ABSOLUTE RED mulch in order to complete our project. Following the Genoa 5K on Saturday, July 17, Rosie & I diligently spread 48 of 58 remaining bags . . neighbor, Don Olenick & his son, Tyler, placed the bags in strategic spots! One picture shows good neighbor and friend, Bob North, inspecting our work! 7 1/2 hrs later . . . Project complete, mission accomplished! . . . yes, it is a “donut” NOT a “volcano”!

"Happy Trails" . . . . Genoa Township Businessman's Association and the Genoa Township Fire Department hosted their fourth annual Genoa Trail Running Festival on Saturday July 17. Proceeds from the running event went to the MDA foundation. The festival celebrates the opening of the Genoa Trail in 2007, a multipurpose trail located in Southern Delaware County. One of many outstanding trails in our area! 154 runners and walkers participated in the event which kicked off the weekend Festival. Rose Anne finished FIRST in her age group, Ted completed the 3.1 mile race finishing THIRD in the 60-69 age group! Another great race; we made some new friends in the racing community!

"Bob & Rosie's Landscaping" . . . . we may not be quick, but we are persistent! Flowers & shrubs are planted, now it's time for mulch! Black is the color of choice in central Ohio. Well, needles to say, we didn't conform. Instead we opted for "Absolute Red" to compliment the color of our brick & new paint on the exterior. We picked up 50 bags at Ohio Mulch on Saturday, July 10 to begin the process . . . "let the work begin" . . . with Maddie supervising from the front door we began the process the next day spreading 32 bags in the front of the house!

Fourth of July weekend . . . kicked off with our weekly excursion to Kroger for wine-tasting. Saturday morning, July 3, we participated in the Westerville Rotary 5K @ Alum Creek North Park along with 457 runners and 63 walkers. Clear and 57 degree temps made for a great morning run. Our picture following the run was taken at a monument honoring the astronauts of Space shuttle Challenger. All 7 members of the Challenger crew including Akron native, Judith Resnik, perished in the disaster 73 seconds after lift-off, January 28, 1986. It seemed appropriate to spend a little time during the weekend, which commemorates our Independence, to honor those who sacrificed their lives in pursuit of our country's freedom and liberty. President Reagan stated at a memorial service 3 days after the disaster "Sometimes, when we reach for the stars, we fall short. But we must pick ourselves up again and press on despite the pain" The morning of the disaster President Reagan quoted the poem "High Flight" by John Gillespie Magee Jr.: "We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of Earth' to 'touch the face of God.' "Red, White & Boom" fireworks were the order of the day in downtown Columbus. Rosie & I watched the Alum Creek fireworks from our deck and fixed our traditional home-made ice cream . . . a great weekend, but we missed hosting our traditional 4th of July pool party!

Ever-changing facade . . . these pictures were taken 6/28 - 6/30. Shrubs around the front porch are gone, new flowers planted, new storm doors installed, temporary exterior lighting, and yes, Maddie is in her favorite place! Let the projects continue . . . . . !

Time to rest, explore the lake, and feed the fish back at Santa's Lodge . . . even Frosty had a good time!

Time for a break, a snack, and Riley resting on his horse before going to the waterpark!

Riley's eyes really got wide when the airplane left the ground! His favorite ride was on the Bumper Boat!

Catching up . . time away from the blog . . and many summer activities to share! Christmas in June! Riley , Alexis, Jim Cara, Ted & Rose Anne enjoyed a summer visit with Santa @ Holiday World in Santa Claus IN June 24 -26!