Hodges Family Blog: Lake Knottley

How it all began

Ralph and I have been together since the summer of 2008 but it all began in 1992. Ralph's sister, Colleen and I have been best friends since 6th grade and we grew up at each other's houses throughout the years. Ralph was always around but being the younger brother was forbidden to be around us (not that he wanted to make up dances with us). We said hi during high school and when I needed a jersey to wear to school on Fridays, Ralph was nice enough to let me wear his. He visited Kent State while I was there once to look at the football team and campus but decided against attending. He joined the Marine Corps and we spoke through emails every now and then just to see how the other was doing. Life went on and our paths finally crossed again in 2008 when Colleen invited me to their families yearly 4th of July party. Ralph was home on leave from Iraq and I just moved back to Cincinnati. This time when we saw each other things seemed a little different and the rest is history. In December 2011 we were engaged, July 2012 we were married, April 2013 we bought our first house and March 2014 we had our first child, Braxten! Each year has been more blessed than the last and we are so excited to see where our future takes us!

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Lake Knottley

Our first road trip!!!

So our trip started with a 6 hour drive that went better than expected. Kiddos were pretty good with a few meltdowns but at least it wasn't the whole drive. B slept for 1 hour and Kane only 30 minutes. It was so worth it to get to the beautiful lake!

Finally asleep!!! And then we got stuck behind an actual house on a two lane street!

Getting right to it with a boat ride! B loved it but Kane hated the life jacket and through a fit most of the ride. Braxten was SO excited to be able to sit with Uncle Glenn and drive the boat.

First time in the lake for B and he attached himself to Daddy like a spider monkey, luckily he got more comfortable as the weekend went on.

Besides just boating Uncle Glenn loves to wrestle and so do all of the kids!

Braxten was super excited to get on the jet ski and once Daddy showed him how to go, Braxten was off as fast as he could go. Ralph loved it too! CJ took a turn too with Uncle Ralph - love family vacation!

Not loving that life jacket meant more time hanging out on the porch looking at the beautiful view!

These two are going to be buddies as they grow up - so much fun to watch 2 year olds play!

Surprise baby shower for Erin and Benjie!

Braxten and Kane did a great job sleeping in the room with us (Kane in the closet and B behind a big piece of furniture) but one morning B woke up at 5am. He laid with us in bed until 6 but since having never laid with us, he just wanted to play. He and Mommy decided to go for a walk, throw rocks in the lake and watch the sunrise. Maybe not part of our vacation plan but it was memorable and Mommy loved that time with just B.