Allen Family: Welcome to the Zoo: My trip to Ohio

I went to Ohio all by myself to visit my family October 10-16th. It was so much fun, and I don't know if I have ever shopped so much in one week! I got on a shuttle bus at 3:30AM to take me to the Salt Lake airport. Yes, I know, I live in the middle of nowhere. Kate picked me up from the airport on Friday and then we went home to see Mom, Jen and Riley. We went to the Aurora Outlets, did some major damage, and then had PF Changs for dinner. Yes, the theme of this trip is shopping and eating. On Saturday we went to Southpark Mall in Strongsville and shopped all day. We even let Riley play glow in the dark putt-putt as his reward for shopping so long. Kate and I shared our traditional sandwich and soup at Houlihans, and then we went home to hang out with Mame and wait for Chris to come home. Sunday I went up to the Mayfield ward to see some great friends that I miss, and then home to celebrate Christopher's 21st birthday! On Monday, I saw Amanda and her new baby Samantha, had lunch with Edie and Patti from the NICU, visited the NICU, and did MORE shopping with my mom as well as pedicures and manicures before dinner in Legacy Village with Mom, Chris and Jen. I forgot how many great stores and restaurants there are! Tuesday, I had lunch at Cheesecake Factory with Kiley, Hatsuho, and Nancy and all of their cute kids. I hung out with Kiley and Kaedyn, and I also got my haircut (yes I still travel 3000 miles to get my haircut, but Jack is the BEST). My mom and I went back to the outlets, then had dinner with Jenny, my best friend from grade school, and her mom. Wednesday, I went to Mom's school to see her class, and then she took a personal day to spend with me! Of course, we shopped again and had lunch, went home for a small rest, and then went downtown to see the musical, A Chorus Line. It was fun, and of course, we bought the CD and sang all the way home. Thursday I spent with Mame having lunch at Yours Truly, and as usual, she had to beat me in Rummy before I left for the airport. It was so nice to have so much time with my family! Thanks Mom for all of the awesome clothes and treats. (I had to ship two boxes of stuff home because we bought too much! :) ) I wish you weren't so far away! Can't wait for New Years Eve! Also, thanks to my wonderful husband who had to go to Oregon without me! Poor guy!