All the 'Murica a family can squeeze into 9 weeks.

This is where it all started, Ohio.  Well it did take a week (and some epically amazing stops and seeing epically awesome people on the way) but this was life for 9 whole weeks, Ohio.  The thought of having so much time for our family to be together with out a single interruption was amazing. No papers due, no orders to finish, nothing.  Just Knox, Bean and RyGuy time. 

We had all the time in the world to do anything and everything that we would want to do.  From the beginning we wanted to as many 'typical American' things that we could.  I mean, I know that we will have certain luxuries here in Morocco, but we are still 4,000 miles from a decent ball park and beer.

 

 Cincinnati is a great town.  Big enough to have traffic, but small enough not to get (too) lost.  The residents are great.  Down to earth, friendly and sure do know how to make a football stadium roar ~Who Dey~!   Looking back there were so many places that we could have stayed for the duration of leave, but we had a blast in Cincy.  It sounds lame, but I would recommend it to anyone!  (ok ok enough of the tourism blast) This blog post will be filled with a menagerie of stuff that we did, and what we loved doing in our last weeks in the country that we call home!

Mmmmmm Cheesy Conies!  So gross and soooooooooo good!

 

Bengals Football was my first in person NFL experience, and I got to do it twice will in Ohio *thanks Daniel!*.  Ryan has been to see some lame team up north that's named after an African cat, but I don't think they count.  And now I can call myself, and the kid, true Bengals fans!  Whooooooo-deeeeeey?  I could scream that all day long!  (But I wonder if I say that here in Rabat and might be egged for cursing a Prince or something...)

 

 



Oh dear, sweet, annoying husband of mine.  The Makers Mark aficionado.  If there are three things that this man loves in this world they are his family, his country and his bourbon.  But not just any bourbon, it has to be Makers Mark.  Hey, we all have something that we are obsessed with <see above my paragraph about the Bengals...Whoooooo dey!> We made the pilgrimage down to Loredo KY to see the birthplace of his holy water.  And let me tell you, even if you are not into MM like myself, go just to see the ground.  Gorgeous.  Our tour guide was wonderful, and definitely knew how to deal with ornery children.  Ryan drank all my samples along with his and then proceeded to spend too much money in the gift shop.  But hey, he had a smile from ear to ear for about a week after that trip.

Big bat, little bebe

 

Does anything need to be said about the Louisville Slugger Museum?  Don't think so.  It was awesome, and smelled like magic. 

 

 

 

I could seriously go on and on about the greatness of this day at Burger Farm. Such a wonderful farm and staff. Knox had a blast and it was a great way to celebrate fall.  Because we all know Monterey knew nothing about the changing of the seasons, and Ohio certainly does.

 

 

 

Another fine establishment in Cincy is the Zoo.  And specifically the Howlzooween event.  Seriously, a polar bear eating a pumpkin?  That by far, besides my kid, was the cutest thing I watched all day. And getting to spend the day with my brother, sister and respective niece and nephews

was just the icing on the cake for a epic day. 

Oh the casino.  We went for my birthday and all lost terribly.  Then we went back one random Friday and won a crap ton of money.  Gambling is bad kids, mmmkay.

 

Our last dinner in Cincinnati consisted of BBQed meats, mac n cheese, French fries smothered in cheese, lots and lots of soda and catching up with great friends.  I also wanted the donuts, but Liz said no bc they would give me gas on the plane.  Psssssht, BFFs and their gastronomical knowledge, I wanted those damn donuts.


As I sit here in Morocco writing this it makes me all teary eyed and sad.  But I know that we spent the best time ever with the best people ever and made every moment count.  And I never thought I would ever say that I missed Ohio, but I do.  Who-dey!



Quick PSA: The pictures on this blog post are not the best and we both apologize for that, but our internet is limited and we will be up  and running asap.  Oh and a mouse just ran through the dining room!  I knew I should have brought a damn cat with me.

And and awesome picture of my awesome kid to make you smile!

Our last picture on US soil.  But it wont be the last, see ya in a year 'Murica

 

 

Love, hugs and asalamalakam, bitches.