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Holiday events within a 5-hour drive of Central Ohio

November 13, 2018November 18, 2017 by YoderToterBlog

I’ve spent the last 15 years within an hour of Columbus, Ohio, so I’m finding I’m ready to get out and explore more of my home and neighboring states. The Midwest (and Pennsylvania) enjoy a plethora of events to relish in Yuletide joy! Here’s a guide to Christmas & holiday displays, including light shows, festivals, and shopping opportunities. Ohio Ohio Girl Travels gives a rundown of Ohio’s Best Christmas Lights Displays. Clifton Mill is less than an hour’s drive from …

5 FREE Christmas Events near Columbus, Ohio

November 13, 2018November 12, 2017 by YoderToterBlog

This post may contain affiliate links. Central Ohio is the perfect place to enjoy the Christmas season with your family! The chilled air and falling snow will get you in the mood to take in the sights and sounds with your children. Here are 5 free Christmas events near Columbus, Ohio! Scioto Mile Christmas Lights The Scioto Mile is a great place to chill in the heat of summer, but now you can enjoy it during the holiday season. The …

Make a Trip to Tipp- The Best of County Tipperary, Ireland for Families

October 30, 2018October 30, 2018 by YoderToterBlog

Before traveling to Ireland, everyone was quick to tell us about the Cliffs of Moher and Killarney National Park, but there was little said about County Tipperary. What we found in Tipperary, Ireland was historical attractions, breathtaking vistas, and so many friendly locals! County Tipperary is a great destination for families. When it comes to things to do, we only hit the tip of the iceberg. Here’s a rundown of the best things to do in County Tipperary with kids. …

Yes, I went to Australia for a week!

October 29, 2018October 28, 2018 by YoderToterBlog

Surprise, surprise The beauty of air travel is that it makes the world a much smaller place. A couple of months ago, I was scrolling through flight deals when I saw a deal for Australia. I put the bug in Mr. Yoder Toter’s ear that I’d like to surprise my Aussie bff, Briony, for her birthday and also catch up with my host family. Just a couple of days later, the flights were booked and a secret mission began! Initially, only …

Cleveland Rocks: 10 things I want to do in Cleveland

November 7, 2018October 12, 2018 by YoderToterBlog

Inspiration from the book 100 Things to do in Cleveland Before You Die It’s no secret that Cleveland has gone through a 21st-century renaissance! Visiting Municipal Stadium as a kid, it seemed like mom and dad ducked in and out of the city faster than the Indians’ umpire yelled, “Strike three!” at the bottom of the 9th. Now, Cleveland beckons visitors through a world-class art museum, diverse restaurants, and a thriving theatre scene. Cleveland and her surrounds offer plenty of …

Want your kids to be better travelers? Put away the screens.

October 9, 2018October 8, 2018 by YoderToterBlog

Friends ask all the time how our children fare while traveling? Do they throw fits and get antsy? How do they handle flights? For the most part, our children are great travelers. We exposed our kids to planes, trains, and automobiles at a young age. We drove 14 hours to the Florida panhandle when our boys were just 2.5 and 6 months old. Our first domestic and international flights were when they were 5, 3, and almost 2. Other than making …

Astronomical history and fun in Mercer and Auglaize Counties, Ohio

October 7, 2018October 7, 2018 by YoderToterBlog

Things to do in Mercer & Auglaize Counties- Fort Recovery is just one of the many great attractions of Western Ohio. See my guide here.

Things to do in Western Ohio I grew up in NE Ohio and then went to college in Columbus, so my time exploring anything west of I-75 has been basically non-existent. I’m so glad I attended the Midwest Byways Conference and learned more about Mercer and Auglaize Counties in Western Ohio- prompting our trip! Families visiting this area will not be bored! We spent two jam-packed days in the area and could have used another. The Bicycle Museum of America …

One Delightful Day on the Dingle Peninsula & Slea Head Drive

September 22, 2018September 22, 2018 by YoderToterBlog

The Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head Drive were a slice of quintessential Ireland. We drove on a beach, held baby sheep, walked among ancient churches and visited Star Wars filming locations. Yes, we packed a lot into one day on the Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head Drive – and we left with our hearts full of wonderful family memories. Here’s how we conquered the Dingle Peninsula in one day. My first tidbit of advice is- Start your day early! If …

5 Reasons to Visit the Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum

September 7, 2018September 1, 2018 by YoderToterBlog

On last year’s trip to Fort Wayne, we did not have enough time to visit the Firefighters Museum. This year we made it a priority! I think the Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum is one of the best things to do in Fort Wayne with kids. Here’s why: #1 – So much history! The museum is housed in an original Engine House. I’m a sucker for history and standing in the place where so many brave souls served their city added …

August – life updates

September 6, 2018August 2, 2018 by YoderToterBlog

Hard to believe it’s nearly August! In my attempt to share more personal updates, here’s a look back at our July and a look forward to August. July in review July was the first month in a long time that we spent every single night in our own beds! Can you believe it?! We had zero out-of-state travels and while that was helpful for mom, it was mostly because of the kids’ activities. Jackson did tennis camp nearly EVERY SINGLE …