Ohio {part 3}...it's a long one

One of my favorite things about going to Ohio is going to their church back home.  Travis and his brothers grew up leading worship there as God was shaping their character and developing them into the men they are today.  To which I am so thankful for.  

I have come to just love this church.   The people are Bible loving people.  They read their Bibles regularly, study their Bibles in a very scholastic manner and they really try to live their lives authentically.  They can sit and talk about theology, different world views and how we as Christians are to play a role in what God is doing.  They are not a perfect church and I am sure there are many things one might critique.  But, they love God and they love people.  

Often times when we go back for a visit, Travis and his brothers will either lead worship for the service or sing a special song.  This past trip all three brothers played together and sang a new song called "Faithful" that Brandon and Travis just finished writing.  

[Side note... I often step back and stand amazed at not only the man I married, but also the family I married into.  I have always had a passion for music and I have played piano since I was 7 years old, but this family's talents and passion to lead people in worship is on a whole different level.  Travis' family has musical talent that goes back for generations.  His dad is a worship leader and it just amazing to see his legacy be passed on to the next generation.  What a wonderful heritage for our son Hudson. ]

We also celebrated Travis' birthday!  It was the first time he has been home on his birthday since the first summer we were dating in 2003.  

even Hudson enjoyed the birthday dinner:

again Brandon and Hudson yelling, "go, go, go":

We spent a lot of time doing this:

Hudson and Uncle Chad getting their groove on:

And we spent a lot of time doing this:

and this:

The delicious homemade (from scratch) chocolate cake that Debbie made:

Hudson got to sit on Grandpa's lap while he was mowing the back lawn and the rest of the boys were using the other push mowers to mow the front lawn.  Hudson actually fell asleep while riding the mower :)

So, Uncle Chad took the opportunity to enjoy a little cuddle time with the Hud bud:

Hudson loved all the land they have.  He was able to run and explore:

Taking a little pool break:

We played the traditional corn hole game:

And we let Hudson cheat:

Travis and I went on a date to this delicious hole-in-the-wall mexican restaurant.  Who would have thought you could find good mexican food in Ohio?

Then we hit up the world famous Graeter's Ice Cream!  Yum!  Fun tid bit: Todd and Debbie had this ice cream shipped from Ohio to California for our rehearsal dinner :)

Then on the last day while Hudson played with Grandma, the rest of us went to the movies:

I thought we should document it, since I haven't been to a movie theater since the night before Hudson was born.  When we go out without Hudson, we just haven't chosen to make it to the movie theaters yet.  

We saw Inception and I surprisingly really liked it. 

Our last meal together before we left for the airport:

One final group picture... I wish we owned a jet or maybe just had free tickets to fly anywhere we wanted whenever we wanted. 

The Collins' boys:

Hudson killing time at the airport:

What else do you do with a 15 month old and a 4 hour delay... you explore the airport: