Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy...

Here's looking back at the Fish Shots from 2 weeks to 12 months. He's changed so much and yet he still looks just the same.

gratitude

There are quite a few little things (like nice weather and a newer grill) that have helped make life a little sweeter lately. However, there are some big headlines that deserve special mention. Here's the breakdown on a whole list of things that have gone very right for us over the last few months:

• I passed my dissertation prospectus.
• Despite budget cuts in the department, I was lucky enough to get summer funding.
• Mercifully, microecon qualifiers are finally over, and I'm just a few bureaucratic hurdles away from an MA in Econ.
• I received enough travel grant awards to fund at least two separate field trips to Russia this year (first trip: this coming August).

Taken alone, any one of these would be newsworthy, but all together, I feel like we've been blessed with more than our fair share. But we'll take it.

Happy 1st Birthday

A year old already?! I swear it was within a week that he went from a crawling baby to a toddler. He is full of energy and exploration -- everything is something to discover.

To celebrate we decided to combine his birthday bash with a little farewell to our graduating dental student buddies. We're going to miss all of the people that have been such a part of our Ohio experience for the last 4 four years.

Hope you enjoy the photos -- there are A TON for the grandparents and aunts (thanks to Laura for being our camera gal)

1st Birthday

Asian Festival and Avery Fountains

Recently we've realized that our time here in Ohio will end -- and sooner than we think. So we've made it a goal to try and do more to explore Columbus and discover Ohio. I thought I'd pass along what we've been finding in case you live here or are planning a visit (hint, hint). My first two outings are in no way related, but I thought I'd do them both in one post and save time.

ASIAN FESTIVAL (free)
Yearly at Franklin Park (by the conservatory)
Fun entertainment, all sorts of great food to try (from Cambodian to Indian to Vietnamese), a kid station, a market area, and my favorite -- Sepak Takraw (Kick Volleyball -- these guys were amazing. It was like hackie-sack and volleyball combined. You should have seen the round-house spike -- wow).



AVERY FOUNTAINS (free)
In Dublin, not too far off of 161 and 270 there is a fun little splash pad called Avery Fountains (or sometimes the Bunny Fountains). The kids LOVED it -- I'd been before, but today was a riot. It was HOT outside, but we didn't even notice with all of the splashing. Bring an umbrella (there aren't many trees) and plan to get wet as the water shoots up around you.

Here We Go Round

Today L saw something that reminded her of the Grinch so she had me go down in the basement to dig him out of the Christmas box. While I was down there I decided to bring up a toy wagon we'd had out when she was younger. It was such a hit that her brother ("who's not a baby anymore -- he's a toddler," she's been telling people) climbed right inside. Around and around they went.