We had an extra special long weekend and not just because of Valentine’s day. In fact the official February 14th Valentine’s day was really uneventful around here other than having donuts for breakfast. Seriously though, Holtman’s Donuts in Cincinnati are my most favorite among favorites when it comes to sweets.

Speaking of sweets J and I were able to go to the church’s Divine Desserts Valentine’s party.

Just before things got started our pastor’s wife approached us to see if we would be willing to volunteer to be dessert judges. Well you don’t have to ask me twice! We had to rank prettiest and most delicious and let’s just say I think I have found my new calling.

As if the night couldn’t get any sweeter we were also asked to come up for one of the many games they had, and this particular one was titled the “Hot Lips Contest”. It entailed slathering on the sample tube of lipstick you were given and then covering your spouse with as many kisses as possible in one minute.

 My brother and his wife were the winners. Keep in mind they got pregnant on their honeymoon and so far they’ve had three kids in four years. So I guess they give kisses like they have babies… in rapid succession. Sorry, I had to throw that one in there since I know they will see this.  

Moving right along, the next day we were able to enjoy some family time at the water park. 

WATER PARK? In February? In OHIO!? 

Why, yes actually.

Since it was President’s day J and the kid’s had no school so we went to an INDOOR water park called Coco Key. Someone got a groupon deal for us, and we weren’t about to let a little snow storm keep us from the family fun we had planned.

It was a little surreal trudging into the resort dressed head to toe in winter attire, before changing in the locker rooms. I couldn’t help, but crack up at the irony of it all. There were mothers dressed up like eskimos watching their children splash in the pool, there were mittens next to snorkels, and beach towels alongside snow boots.

The craziest part of all of for me were the 40 foot water slides! You spend about 45 seconds swirling around through the tube before getting shot back into the warm water inside. These rides really got my adrenal going, especially knowing that I was just one layer of fiberglass away from snowfall and icicles!

And I’m not going to lie, I am sure they tried to keep everything warmed up inside, but with it being less than 5 degrees out I’m guessing there is only so much you can do and there were some moments we were all shivering a bit. One thing is for sure, this is one family getaway we will never forget! 

The next day we should have resumed our regularly scheduled programing, but instead school was cancelled due to snow. So we decided to embrace the weather this time around and we went sledding, followed by a snowball fight.

 J was a little too aggressive as he may have forgotten how much older and bigger he is than everyone else. Being the loving father that he is though he allowed each of us to have a free throw and chuck a snowball right at his face. Don’t feel bad for him, he had it coming. 


I predict that won’t be the only snow day this week given the current forecast.

It’s snow time here in Ohio. That’s pretty much what’s been going on in our part of the world. How was your Holiday weekend?