Cleveland Bound!

My grandparents are the best. They met in the Navy, where Grandma was a nurse and Grandpa was a dentist; Grandma says she saw Grandpa on base and told a girlfriend, "I'm going to get that guy." And then she did.

Can you find my mom in these pictures? Hint: she's the one who looks like me! Bonus: Find my dad in the last picture.

Grandpa was our dentist growing up, and Grandma was his assistant. They lived about 30 minutes away from us and have been in the same apartment for as long as I can remember. My grandpa's favorite memory of me is that one night, I was having a sleepover at their house and they promised they'd drive me home if I got homesick.

That night, I puked in my bed and got it all in my hair. (I have no idea why this is my grandpa's favorite memory of me but he tells it literally every time I call.) Even though they gave me a bath, I still wanted to go home.

So they drove me home, and when we got there, I had fallen back asleep; the next morning, I woke up and had no idea why I wasn't at their house.

My grandparents had six kids, and my mom is special because she's the oldest. She was apparently a great big sister. When her brothers were little, she'd crawl into their cribs and give them their bottles before going to school - or so the story goes. Obviously, my grandparents have a lot of grandkids (and now some great-grandkids, too), but I know we're their favorites.

I'm pretty sure this center photo is the first time they met Matt.

My grandparents always send us really thoughtful gifts. When we got engaged, they sent me a silver ring-stand. They send flowers every year for Passover so we have a beautiful centerpiece for our seder.

When Matt's Nana passed, Grandma wrote him a card and sent a gift for his ceramics studio so he could make something in her memory. She somehow always remembers to send birthday and holiday cards on time, and even though my grandparents are Catholic (we used to celebrate Christmas at their house), they always remember to send cards on Jewish holidays, too.

Grandma is also the best cook ever. The last time we visited, she made her special lemon meringue pie, which has a meringue crust, lemon filling, and homemade whipped cream topping.

When I visit, we eat this for breakfast every day, and Matt is always horrified by it...but in a loving way!

Don't let that sweet side fool you; Grandma loves to have her fun. She's the one who taught me to play cards and she loves to gamble!

My grandma has been having some health issues of the past year; she and my family are all very practically-minded about aging, but it sucks. Of course it does.

This summer, I overheard my mom on the phone with my sister as they discussed plans to visit Cleveland. Apparently Mom's high school reunion is coming up and she still goes to these things, and Steph saw an opportunity to jump on board and visit my grandparents.

Of course I wanted in.

And then, of course, Matt wanted in.

So we're on our way to Cleveland this weekend to visit my grandparents! I can't wait. With the tropical storm out there in the Gulf, there's a chance we'll have a delayed or canceled flight. There are supposed to be tornados Friday night, too. So keep your fingers crossed for us, because if this trip falls through, I'm going to be very disappointed!

Tell me something about your grandparents!
When did you last travel "home"?

ABK

Family Fun Times

Despite the fact that the wet heat of Florida was palpable when our plane landed at 9am, I'm glad to be back. Our trip to Ohio continued on July 4 with our family reunion. My dad's side of the family is pretty small compared to my mom's, and while there were definitely some unfamiliar faces, it was mostly a chance to catch up with people I've known my whole life.

The spread. My Aunt Kathi - who hosted - has always known how to put a table together...and that includes gluten free desserts!

Family photo!

My favorite cousin!

Steph enjoying her lunch.

There's something really liberating about being around people who knew you growing up, know where you come from, and understand or even share your idiosyncrasies.

All of us!

After the reunion we stopped by Chagrin Falls. There are so many hidden gems in Cleveland and its suburbs. 

On Saturday we met my grandpa at the Cleveland Museum of Art - Grandma left for Eveleth, Minnesota on  Friday to visit family and play the slots, so it was just him and us. I love going to museums, and I haven't gotten to go since last summer's trip to LA. The Cleveland Museum has a variety of collections, from ancient Egyptian and Medieval European artifacts to Pollocks, Picassos, and Monets.

Dali's "The Dream", one of my favorites...taken before I was reprimanded for taking photos of the art haha.

Dad enjoying the impressionist gallery.

Zach, Steph, and I took a detour to Westside Market after the museum, then grabbed some chicken salad from Corky & Lenny's for a late lunch. 

The highlight of the day was dinner. We went to Cheesecake Factory with our childhood friends and neighbors, the Sterns! We've known each other since I was three and the four Stern girls (Meredith, Jacqueline, Alexandra, and Caroline) were daily playmates for me and Steph. 

We slept at their house the night before we moved away.

Leaving Beachwood was a million times harder because it meant leaving the Sterns. Meredith was one of my bridesmaids, but I haven't seen her since my wedding four years ago!

Even when it's been years since we last saw each other, it's always like no time has passed at all.

Reunited!

Mere's fiance's family lives in Miami so we're hoping that we'll be able to see each other in the winter when they go to visit.

Overall, we had a fantastic trip. Now I'm back in the sweltering humidity of the tropics and staring down marathon training, which officially begins tomorrow. I'm a little nervous to start carving out new routes around the new neighborhood, but I'm definitely excited to get started! 

Do you have any really old childhood friendships that can just pick up where you left off?

Do you like museums? What's your favorite kind of art?

How was your 4th of July?

ABK

Home Sweet Home

I love that so many of you asked about how Archie's adjusting to the new house! He is definitely timid of the new place, but is slowly gaining confidence. I hope he doesn't give Matt a hard time while they're home alone together!

Why are they home alone? Because of my family reunion, of course!

On the plane, ready for take-off!

I grew up in Beachwood, Ohio - I lived here until I was 13. Moving was one of the most traumatic experiences of my young life, but I can't regret it. Still, coming back always moves me to reflect, and it's especially nice to be back with my siblings this time around. It's the first time we've all been back here in about 5 years. (Matt, my parents, and I came back last summer for Joey's wedding, but Zach and Steph didn't.)

My childhood home. (We creepily parked at the end of the street until the car in the driveway left, then drove up to take a picture!) It hasn't changed at all except for the front doors.

We flew in Tuesday and immediately went about spending our time wisely. We grabbed dinner at B Spot, a Michael Symon restaurant. The burgers were so good, but if you ever go, order yours medium or medium rare; a few burgers at our table were overcooked.

We girls at dinner.

My burger is hidden under that amazing egg. Beef burger with pepperjack cheese, no bun, of course.

Zach and dad taste the variety of sauces - dad looks unimpressed.

After dinner, Zach, Steph, and I went to Mahall's Lanes for a Patrick Sweany concert. He was discovered by The Black Keys and has a really eclectic sound, kind of rock/blues/country. I definitely need to make concerts a part of my life.

Patrick Sweany, up close and personal.

Today, I took advantage of the amazing weather and my nostalgia and went for a run - my first in ten days. After all the physical labor and exhaustion of moving, my legs felt amazing, but my breathing was a little rough. Still, it was a perfect run.

I wish I had been a runner when I lived here. Beachwood has some perfect neighborhoods for running.

Can you spot the bunny running away from me?

Afterward, we kids went to the mall to pick up a gift for our cousin's "new" baby. (We're a little late...his son is already 4 months!) Then we grabbed lunch at Melt, a crazy grilled cheese restaurant owned by Matt Fish. Zach partially came on this trip just to go there, and when Steph and I found out they served gluten free bread, we were in. 

Best decision ever.

I got a gluten free (Udi's bread, not fried) Monte Cristo because it's Matt's favorite and I wanted to try it. SO GOOD.

After lunch, we went to our grandparents' to hang out until dinner. It's always bittersweet to see them because it makes me miss them so much, especially because we were so lucky growing up because they were always around, and now, of course, they're a three hour flight away. That, and they make us go around and call "dibs" on their stuff for when they die. Yeah, my family is totally casual about death, apparently.

Grandma and Grandpa's wedding...62 years ago. Steph and I asked Grandma all about how they met and their dating life...I especially loved that she used the term "necking" lol.

Dinner was...interesting. Let's just say there are quite a few differing political opinions between our generations and none of us is shy about voicing them. After a heated debate, we hugged it out, because that's what families do.

Us with grandma and grandpa!

Tomorrow is the family reunion...this ought to be interesting. I hope you all have a great 4th of July and a wonderful weekend!

What are your plans for the 4th?

Have you ever been to an extended-family reunion?

Do you debate with your family, or try to keep things on neutral ground?

What kind of grilled cheese would you want?

ABK