Hocking Hills Weekend

We hit the road this weekend for Hocking Hills. 

The trip started out as an excuse to get away for Auntie Stacy's birthday

(and was initially just going to be girls...) but then we decided it would

be more fun as a group and to keep it local.

 

This is an area only about an hour south of us - but so different than Columbus.

We headed down on Friday and left on Monday (Memorial Day) just after lunch.

Fair warning - this post is going to be super photo heavy...but hopefully you'll

find that it's worth it :)

 

Papa Rob had to work on Friday, so Auntie Stacy, Max, and I drove

down on Friday (during naptime).  We arrived at our house (which was a little

nerve wracking since I'm the one that booked it - sight unseen). But, thankfully,

the house was just amazing!  It had a game room (complete with dart board,

pool table, and pony for Max to ride), brand new kitchen, family room,

and then three bedrooms.  The master bedroom (which we got because of the walk in closet that perfectly fit our pack n' play) was lofted above the kitchen with a steep ladder.  The ladder was kind of treacherous and Max was obsessed with trying to climb it -

but...the actual sleeping arrangement was perfect.

 

 

We spent the first night exploring the area around the cabin. 

It had a large pond with lots of frogs, a snapping turtle, and even

a salamander! Max loved walking around the pond and tickling all the

frogs and saying "jump mommy!"  There were also lots of big bull frog

tadpoles wiggling around in the water.  Of course, it didn't take long

for him to start tossing rocks in the water too. (What is it with boys and throwing rocks??)

 

We ate dinner each night in the cabin and thus had to bring all our own food.

When we first arrived it looked like we were going to be staying for a week...

but by Monday, we had definitely made a large dent in the food stash.

Since Friday was Auntie Stacy's birthday, we celebrated with "million dollar

spaghetti" made by Mim and grapefruit shandy (my new favorite beer).

I had brought a strawberry cake (which my Mamaw usually makes) and

it survived the whole ride down - and was delicious!

 

After dinner - a rousing game of darts was had by all - and Papa Rob

won easily. It was so nice to just relax and enjoy the company!

 

 

Saturday we had big plans to visit Old Man's Cave, Konkle's Hollow,

and return for lunch/nap. I was nervous about taking a two year old hiking

but I will say I think it's doable for sure.  The secret to our success was

everyone being willing to hold him at different times and also our ERGO carrier.

I thought we were done with the ERGO long ago but I did some refreshing on it

and it turns out you can use it with kids up to 40 pounds.

Carrying Max on our back ended up being super easy. 

He was more than willing to ride there (sometimes requesting it) and then

always wanted to do the stairs (of which there were many) on his own.

 

 

The descent into Old Man's cave was fairly easy - and not too long.

Also - all of the areas were covered with tall trees, amazing rock formations,

and greenery.  Seriously - the damp air under the trees was perfect for ferns,

moss, and lichens of all shapes and sizes. The ferns would just blanket whole sides

of the trail. Once we made it into the cave, we walked along the Upper Gorge trail

for some different views of the area.

 

Conkle's Hollow was a nice hike after Old Man's cave - a little

bit more flat - and full of spring wildflowers (May Apples, Trilliums, Jack in the Pulpit, and more that we didn't recognize). Max was more than willing to crawl up into

the recessed caves, over rocks, and even trees!

 

 

We headed home after a busy morning for some lunch - and

Rob grilled up some hot dogs :) Then, Max headed to his

nook in the loft for nap and I headed out to the deck for some Mama time.

It was so lovely to sit (undisturbed) and read while also listening

to the frogs calling, bees buzzing, and birds calling in the surrounding forest.

 

Saturday evenings activity included a fire built by Eagle Scout Rob.

Seriously, he went out after dinner and had the fire going in like

ten minutes (maybe less than).  It was unreal. We came prepared with

all the smores' supplies! Max got right to work preparing everyone's smore

stick with a marshmallow (seriously - he was obsessed with putting the

marshmallow on) and taking it right over to the fire. He had approximately

one bite of smore and then handed it over to anyone willing to eat it (hello every

adult there) - but loved the grahm cracker.

 

 

Sunday morning dawned and we were ready for another day of hiking.

(I would also like to add that Max was sleeping sooooo late in his nook hideaway - like 7:30, which is basically unheard of in the Hauck's nest). Anyway - we took our well rested selves over to

Cedar Falls and Ash Cave. (Can I also add that driving in this region, while picturesque, also makes

me want to vom because of all the twists, turns, and hills).  Anyway - we arrived (vomit free) and hiked down to see Cedar Falls.  Cedar Falls is actually the most photographed place in the Hocking Hills area (and incorrectly named because they are not Cedar Trees, but rather Hemlock). 

 

Cedar Falls really was gorgeous and we got very close to the actual water.

Mim got Max to dip a toe in before he proclaimed "it cold Mim!"

Rob unintentionally put his whole shoe/foot in the water while trying to

carry Max closer - but never even complained.  #readyforsainthood

 

 

The hike into Ash Cave was through a narrow gorge which

eventually gave way to this HUGE recessed cave.  The cave floor

was sandy - and cave walls were covered in holes of all shapes and sizes. 

Max was convinced that maybe a raccoon (raca-coon is how he says it)

was living in the holes and brought us all over to see and possibly confirm his theory.

Silly boy!  There was also a constant drip (small waterfall?) over the top edge

that Auntie Stacy helped Max stick his hand under. He loved it because she would

set him on a rock and he would stick his hand out and feel the water.

 

 

Another delicious lunch (leftovers for the win!) and glorious nap period

and we were out on the trail again! Our last stop was Rock House.

We weren't quite sure what to expect in this area - but were treated

to probably the only true "cave" in the park. All of our hikes

were comprised of lots and lots of stairs - but this time, the stairs

led us to a cave (technically a cavern carved into the sand stone) - and you could actually walk

through.  It was really dark inside, except for the occasional "window" carved by water

into the sandstone. The geological formations all over Hocking Hills are pretty incredible (despite being very hard on the knees).

 

 

Another fantastic feature of our cabin (and most in the region)

is the hot tub!  I have to say after walking up all those stairs

and then down...and up all over again - the hot tub felt incredible!

 

 

We woke up Monday morning with no real agenda - but didn't have

to check out until 11:00.  So, we lazed around the cabin for a bit -

packed up the remaining food, searched for frogs one last time, and

finally decided to head over to Lake Logan (the only local spot we hadn't been to yet).

We had some trouble locating the actual trail head - and got side tracked

by not one but two nests of Swans!  One of the swans had six babies that

followed along behind her on the lake.  It was so, so, CUTE!

In the end, we attempted to get Max to play in the sand (not to sure about the actual sand on his feet), and ate an early lunch before saying our goodbyes.

 

 

It was such a GREAT weekend! 

We created lots of new family memories and exposed Max to lots of new

experiences.  In fact, we can't wait to go back maybe over the winter!

Thanks for hanging in for this super long recap :)

xoxo

Weekending

Our weekend looked a little like this.

(I'm counting the weekend as starting on Thursday...sort of like being in college all over again...when you go out on Thursday nights and then maybe don't go to class on Friday....). 

Grandpa Jim had to go back to Oregon on Thursday morning (we miss him already!)

It was so fun to see Max and him interact - the two of them content to push trains around for long periods of time, check out new I-pad apps, draw silly pictures, watch Mickey Mouse Club House, and generally just be adorable. 

Thursday evening was the Pirate Island preview party for staff at the Zoo. 

Papa Rob brought Max to the Zoo, we all met up, and walked down to Water's Edge for 

some pizza. After dinner, we gathered up everything and headed to the boat ride entrance. 

There is a huge sign over the entrance with pirates sitting on top...here's where the trouble started.

The pirates would shoot off their cannons and water would mist everywhere

and they would grumble weird pirate talk, and also, did I mention they look like zombies?

Either way, Max was having no part of that business.  We tried, we really did.  

But, the closer we got to the boat, the harder he would cling to us, and then 

the parrot squawked in his ear and it was basically game over. 

We hauled the stroller over the boat ride and walked out...while

Max proclaimed "bye bye pirates".

Friday I spent the day at the Springfield Flea Market with my parents.

This is a tradition we've been taking part in together now for about seven years (I think). 

It's an indoor/outdoor flea market - and the junk is just about everywhere. 

But, if you are willing to bargain (I'm not, I make my parents do it for me!) - you 

can get some pretty sweet stuff. 

 

Came home and we hustled Max into the car for a dinner at Chipotle!  Yum!

Then, we drove to Lowe's to look at and then purchase our annuals for the front yard....

plus six sugar snap pea plants. Ever since our trip to Oregon last summer, I could not stop thinking about growing sugar snap peas (like Grandma Sugar)! I could wander around in the garden center for hours, but it turns out Max would rather splash in every single fountain - so we

wrapped it up pretty quickly and got home. 

Other Friday night happenings included watching Papa Rob mow the grass 

from the safety of the front porch and then the deck. 

Max also conned me into a popsicle before dinner!

To we fair, we split it so I didn't completely spoil his dinner. 

We also conceded to a last minute park visit to burn off some bedtime energy.

This was a new to us park and Max was loving the stepping stones, 

swinging bridge, and small hill to run down and jump off the end step. 

He also had a very dirty diaper while there and we changed it in the car, 

and I taught him to say "it's a doozey".
I 

Saturday morning it was off to work for this mama!

We had our official family day for our grant funded programs (Chase Classroom Safari and Head Start Seedlings sponsored by PNC Bank).

I decided to make it more fun by instagraming every detail. 

The details included all my co-workers, the hotdogs I consumed for lunch, 

the promotions animal visitors, Pirate ambassadors, and all other 

shenanigans that happened. 

After Zoo Day was over, I zoomed back home to tag Papa Rob into work. 

We both don't normally work Saturdays but as the Zoo was expected to have

record breaking crowds - the warehouse needed to be fully staffed up and ready for any emergency! 

I woke Max up from his nap and he immediately wanted to put on his

Mickey Mouse took belt!  Rob said he was pretty into it all morning - even wanting

to nap with it on.  After some negotiating between the two of them, Max relented

to let Rob take it off and lay it just outside of his crib. Such a funny boy!

 





Auntie Stacy let us come over for a visit in the evening (I kind of invited us over...but hey, that's what Aunties are for!) Max hauled out all his toys and continued his fascination with Stacy's cat Dot.

Dot is definitely more tolerant than our cat (Miss Pecan) - but he still hisses from time to time.

Auntie Stacy and Max ran around in the rain...built lego sculptures...shared some animal cookies...all the while I browsed through some of Stacy's clothes.

 

We finished up our visit with dinner at Wendy's where Max gave a rousing rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance (you have to follow Stacy on Instagram to see it).  Side note: The little stinker said it perfectly in the car on the way to Wendy's and Stacy managed to capture it on video and then somehow Max deleted it! Gah!

 



 

On Sunday Max and I met up with our friends Amanda and Ronin.

Ronin and Max go to school together and Max loves him!

We brought donut holes, apple juice and towels (to dry off the playground equipment)

and the boys had a blast!  The danced around, walked all along the stepping stones, chased one

another over and around the playground slides, used the swings...and finally

we convinced them to settle into the wagon so us mama's could catch up! ha!

 



 

                                     

Finally we finished off Sunday by planting all those annuals (geraniums)

in the front yard.  The nap time hustle was in full effect.  I had rolled up all the old tulip leaves, weeded, and then planted even through a few rain showers!  You have to make the most of that long afternoon nap to get things done. Grandpa and Mim arrived during the hustle - and helped us finish up everything.  Thank goodness!

 

Dinner at Jason's Deli...watering the plants...repacking the diaper bag...and

finally off to bed to begin the week again!

XoXO



A party you DONUT want to Miss!

So...there is a newly minted two year old running around the Hauck's Nest...you may or may not have heard ;)  To celebrate this momentous birthday - we decided pretty early on to have a donut themed party.  It was kind of a no brainer given Max's love for donuts!  I went into the party this year determined to keep it more low key than his one year old party (where I spent many late evenings stressing about musical notes, favors, the weather, and how to fit everyone in my tiny house). I think I was quite successful and if you don't mind, I'm going to hit you with all the details below.

First up - no matter how big or small the party - I love a good theme!  

We had already established donuts as our theme (in particular, Krispy Kreame), so with a little

help from Pinterest and Etsy, I was able to find the perfect invitations.  

Working with the seller on Etsy was a breeze - I just provided her with all the details

and she formatted it into a digital file.  The digital files ended up being free

because she did not meet her three day promised turn around time (even though I could have cared less) - but hey, I do like free! The invitations went out a quite early help accommodate all of the grandparents what would be traveling from out of town. I also ended up purchasing the plastic cups to go with the corresponding stickers and the green straws were free too!

Then, I literally did NOTHING until about a week before the party. 

I hit up Party City for all the paper goods and giant balloons (I'm obsessed with those

number balloons and plan to have one at every party until Max is like 18). 

Rob and I also worked to put together a donut garland I had purchased from Paper Source. 

(If you are going for a low key party, do not purchase this garland, it was a pain in the butt to make). 

Saturday was really Max's actual birthday - so we got up like we 

normally do (around 6:45).  We ate breakfast (eggs and toast) and then 

played until about 8:45. I unfolded all the Krispy Kreame hats that I had pilfered from the store on our various visits, put on a tablecloth and arranged the cups for orange juice. Mema (Rob's mom) put on a pot of coffee and Pops iced down the champagne (for mimosa's!). Papa Rob left to get three dozen donuts from Krispy Kreame and a 40 pack of Tim Bits from Tim Hortons...meanwhile I quickly (and I do mean quick - it has four ingredients) prepped a breakfast casserole and popped it in the oven. Our door bell rang just before 10 and it was grandmim and grandpa with the fruit salad. 

I set all of this out and the party began!

The birthday boy was in heaven with all his guests and helped us 

blow out his candle.  There is really no good place to put a candle in a donut (because it was shaped like a number two and kind of bulky) - so I ended up just holding it while everyone serenaded him. It should be noted that Max was wearing his special donut tee and I was wearing my "donut stop believing" tee as well - I told you I loved a theme!) 

(from left to right: Max's tee, mama's tee, and the one I wish I would have bought Papa). 

We were so fortunate to have all his grandparents, a great grandparent, auntie Stacy, and even god parents there to celebrate with us!  He was loving every minute of the attention being showered on him. He ran from person to person...literally looking over his shoulder to see if you were going to "get him!" . We did end up letting him open his presents. Some of them were hard to wrap (like the easel, tricycle, and train table) - so we just kind of hauled them out and Rob had put together some of them beforehand. He received so many wonderful gifts - a t-ball set, cabooses/engines/train gear, Mickey tshirt, Thomas the Train blanket, Mouse -ka-tools tool belt, and cutting board with fruits and veggies.

I have to say his favorite is probably the big train table (I knew it would be!).  It's currently serving as our coffee table in the family room but we do plan to move it up to the living room/play area soon! 

All in all the day was great!  The time went by quickly and everyone was so respectful of his nap time.  All the guests had left by 1:15 and Max was worn out!  He went right to sleep (after declaring he did not want to wear his pants) and we had to wake him up around 4! 

Thanks to everyone for coming out, sending your birthday wishes, and generally just 

being the best friends and family to us over the past two years!  

We love you all and wait to share more of Max's antics over the next year!! 

(last) weekend

So, last weekend.  There was a big fight.  There was a Derby.  And there was some much enjoyed adult time at the Hauck's nest. It all started on Friday night - of course we grabbed our normal large pepperoni pizza from the Papa's and ate on the deck. Then, we couldn't resist the gorgeous weather and strolled the neighborhood while Max narrated all the bumps we hit. Our neighborhood (which has its flaws) is especially beautiful  in the spring.  Crab apple trees, magnolias, and dogwoods are blooming - tulips and daffodils out in full force, and it just makes me so happy. 

Max didn't know it but he was headed to Dayton with Papa Rob after his bath.  

This works so well because he usually falls asleep in the car and can just be transferred to the pack and play with no problem.  

The plan to go to Dayton was hatched because my old park district (where I spent many summers in college working and honing my awesome outdoor education skills) was having their annual "Big Rig Gig".  I mean if that doesn't have Maxwell Hauck written all over it, I don't know what does. 

Little man loves himself some diggers, buses, trucks - basically anything that moves. 

So, when Max woke up Saturday morning, Papa Rob and him went over to Oak Grove park to see some of the vehicles!  Sadly, I was at work for the morning.  But, I have to say that Papa Rob stepped up his picture game.  He sent me pictures (unprompted!) the whole morning!!  

Max enjoyed exploring the fire truck!

 

Not only did Daddy take Max to the Big Rig Gig - they even had a park visit

and a trip to Wendy's for nuggets (of course). The slide with all the rollers seems to be Max's favorite...it's like a tiny massage :)

 

Meanwhile, back at the Hauck's Nest...Mama finished up working - and shopping -

and it was on to one fine dinner (when Papa returned) on the patio at Kraft House Number 5. This place is right in the heart of downtown Powell but not conducive to toddlers - so

we took advantage of Max continuing his stay with Grandpa and Grandmim.

My new favorite beverage is the Moscow Mule. Love the copper mug and ginger beer!

 

Sunday we slept in and it was so, so, SO glorious. Then we skipped all the responsibilities on the

to-do list and headed instead to the Columbus Flea.  We browsed all the antiques, clothes, records, and jewelry...and Papa Rob bought me a ring for Mother's Day. 

 



 

On the way home we stopped at DiBella's subs for a quick lunch

and as you can see Max was pounding some donuts at Tim Hortons

and having not too shabby of a time himself.

 

The lovely weather over the weekend made it ideal to head on

down to Learning Tree farm (in Dayton) and check on all the farm babies.

They had baby goats, and sheep, and even chicken!

I love that he loves animals!

 



 

I feel like if Max could have written us a letter last weekend it might have read

something like:

 

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm having the time of my life,

Grandmim and Grandpa take me on all kinds

of fun adventures and cater to my every whim.

I'll be home in a week.

Send more pajamas. 

 

My response would have been:

Dear Max,

My house looks the cleanest it has in a long time.

I took a nap and feel rested.

Miss you!

 

hahaha!

Max finally did return home in time for a Columbus Zoo photo shoot :)

The Zoo needed some pictures for the Pepsi vending machines and such -

so we were more than happy to bring our little child model out

for giraffe feeding and camel rides.

 

I thought he would be afraid to ride the camel

but he kept saying , "it bumpy mommy!"



 

It was a great weekend - sorry the update is so late :)

Be back real soon with Max's official birthday party update.

You DONUT want to miss it.

haha!

XOxo