A La Comedia Tradition

One of our absolute favorite things to do in Cincinnati each summer is have dinner and see a show at the fabulous dinner theater, La Comedia. This year's production was Beauty and the Beast and, once again, it did not disappoint!

We had two tables on the floor which is the best seat in the house. Unfortunately we had to share our table with two ladies but they sat at the back end and really just kept to themselves so it was no big deal. We did, however, have a change up in our seating - Ryan, Heidi, Kellan, and Ciara, who usually sit with us, joined Mom, Dad, McKenna, and Xander at their table.

She's such a cutie!

In exchange we got Bryan, Savannah, and Ashlyn at our table;  Noah usually sits with us.

Let the eating and pre-show antics and picture-taking begin!

In past years cream soda has been the drink of choice for all the kids. This year it was a cookies and cream shake! Good thing Grandpa loves them all!

And thank goodness this year I didn't get nauseous right before it was time to eat. I got to thoroughly enjoy our yummy dinner this time.

Those mini muffins - good to eat and play with too!

Right before the show started I was able to grab one last cool picture of all the cousins.

What an awesome production! All the actors did an amazing job!

I joked about Xander taking a picture with the pretty ladies thinking he would never do it in a million years...next thing I know, he's hooked arms with them and posing for me. Smooth!

Belle's father. This actor has been doing theater at La Comedia since it opened many years ago.

Gaston...

who Savannah absolutely loved and insisted on getting a picture with him. Of just her. Without the cousins.

Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and Chip - loved them all!

Although the Beast was a little on the short side, he did a fabulous job and both he and Belle had amazing voices.

Another memorable evening in the books!

Birthday Dinner

I always struggle with what to get our parents for their birthdays; they already have everything they want or need. So, this year we decided to give them a memory instead of a material gift and we took them to dinner at a restaurant of their choice. While the kids stayed home, the adults headed to Northern Kentucky to the Oriental Wok.

As soon as we pulled up and I saw the pig...

and this limo, I knew we were in for an entertaining night!

Apparently my parents used to go here quite often because it's located near their old Stake Center building. They were such regulars that the owner still remembers them and gave us "the special treatment". He was hilarious and had us laughing about all kinds of different things but the best thing he did for us was make special dishes just for David and my dad. Those are some big plates!

Not only were we celebrating their summer birthdays, Mom and Dad had an anniversary coming up. That calls for some champagne and dessert! Unfortunately the bubbly had to stay in the glasses.

My beautiful momma!

The evening was filled with delicious food, great conversation, and lots of laughs. We even played the "in bed" game while reading our fortune cookies. Who knew that playing that game with one's parents would create side splitting, belly aching, tear-filled laughter...

with only a little bit of awkwardness?

Happy Birthday to my amazing parents! This evening was definitely one of my favorite memories with them.

Ha ha!

Special Temple Trip

What a blessing it was to have Grandpa arrange for the cousins to do temple baptisms together one evening at the Louisville temple. Serving in the temple with those we love most is the absolute best!

The cousins and their Grandpa!

After the baptisms we took some more pictures!

Can't be serious all the time!

Cincinnati Time!

And so our week in Cincinnati begins!

We love the time we get to spend with cousins, aunt, uncles, and grandparents!

And of course the pool keeps us entertained on a daily basis.

Let the races begin!

Lunch with Grandpa!

A little meditation...

and somersaults down the slide.

When you don't have a mask and snorkel, you get creative.

Everyone loves little Cocoa!

Thank goodness this girl has some cousins that are like sisters to her!

The annual "cousins jumping into the pool" pictures! This year Ciara finally got to join!