Born in Defiance

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Defiance, OH
Born in Defiance

We're Luke & Samantha Kuhn, a NW Ohio couple sharing our lives, passions, and videography.
(5)

08/16/2024

People keep asking us: “Where are you headed next?” ✈️🌎

Next big adventure coming December 2024🧳

In this journey of parenthood, we are blessed to yet again become “Keepers of the Light.” 💡🤲

“A lighthouse is not interested in who gets its light, it just gives it without thinking. Giving light is its nature.” ✨

Special thanks to Carl & Valerie, volunteers at Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association, for helping us shine a light on this exciting announcement. 🍼

06/16/2024

What a blessing and joy it is to be married to such a loving, hardworking man of Christ! 💙

Luke, thank you for all you do and provide us: stability in a storm, positivity and light in the darkness, and humor when things feels overwhelming. 💡 Your vision and tireless spirit inspires us and so many others in the community and beyond. ✨ Evelyn and I love and appreciate you, dad! 😘

Happy Father’s Day to all men who make sacrifices for their families. 💪

Luke 6:45 — “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” ♥️

06/01/2024

🌳 🔥 🚐 We had a blast with these merry travelers at Crystal Fountain Park! This club is for owners of a Born Free RV, and they meet up multiple times each year in awesome locations across the U.S. 🧳 🗺️ 📍

… Pretty incredible that their last rally was in small-town Sherwood, Ohio! 🙌🏻 They loved the tour and history.

Learn more about the club: https://bornfreervclub.org

06/01/2024

☀️ 🛍️ Defiance Farmers Market today until 1 pm. Offerings include:

🍯 Raw honey (Arnos' Apiaries)
🐄 Locally raised beef (Pleasant Ridge Beef)
🥖 Breads, jams, and jellies (Jody's Jam n Jelly)
🧴 Lotions, chapstick, balms, and butters (Garden Thyme)
☕️ Coffee and tea (House Daggett Roasters)
🍫 Buckeyes
🪵 Woodworking and planters (Boldman Woodworks & Pjay's Wood Designs)
🪴 Succulents and plants
🍅 Tomatoes
🍓 Strawberries
🏠 Home decor
🧶 Crotched goods
🕯️ Soy candles

… and MUCH more! Personally, we adore the Hippie Lotion from Garden Thyme (that smell is amazing)! ✌🏻

Saturdays from 9-1, you can support our neighbors working hard to make a living and sharing their talents. ✨

📌 Located directly in front of Dunham’s Sports parking lot

05/27/2024

Quick Memorial Day weekend trip down memory lane — destination: Ludington, Michigan, where Sam’s family briefly lived growing up. ♥️

…Now we’re making new memories with our little family! ✨ Thanks to “Ga Ga” (grandma) for joining us on the adventure.

Highlights:

💡 Big Sable Point Lighthouse, Ludington State Park — Built in 1867, this black and white striped lighthouse stands 112 ft tall. It is listed on both the state and national registers of historic places and is one of the tallest in the state of Michigan. From May-October, visitors can hike the 1.8 miles from the parking lot to the beach and climb the 130 steps to the top of the tower, which offers a spectacular view. The original keeper’s quarters houses a gift shop. Learn more: https://splka.org/what-we-do/our-lights/big-sable.html

*NOTE: Ludington State Park will be closed 9/3/24-7/1/25 for renovations, so plan your trip before or after this. The park has lots of trails and dunes, including the scenic skyline trail! 🥾

🍦 House Of Flavors - Ludington, Mi — The best ice cream in Michigan! 😋 Sam had Strawberry Fields Forever sundaes growing up, but these days she’s more of a chocolate-holic. Still, she never met an ice cream she didn’t like! 😂

🌊 Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse — As kids, her and her brother would trek out and play games with the waves splashing up.

🎨 Exploring downtown — Murals, shopping, and more! We bought a cute Michigan themed keepsake book for Evelyn, explored the eclectic and well curated Sexy Nomad, and grabbed all-natural Vanilla Brandy and Lavender Lemonade chapstick from Sister Bees. 🐝

💎 Vendor fair at Rotary Park — Bought some famous Lela’s Original Kettle Corn, Paul’s Gormet Jerkey, and a resin flower earring and necklace set from Lillian’s Wildflower Boutique.

🍟 Dinner at Sportsman’s Irish Pub — may have been the best sweet potato fries of our life! Thick, THICK, and crunchy on the outside. The BBQ Hawaiian pizza was also delicious with lots of chicken.

Overall, the weather didn’t cooperate with us, but life is what you make it. Silver lining: We got the “real” lighthouse keeper’s experience. 😉

For those more adventurous: We learned that if we want to come back in the future, you can contact the Lightkeeper’s Association and stay for 2 weeks onsite at Big Sable Point Lighthouse in the keeper’s inn if you’re willing to volunteer. This may be on our future bucket list!

The nostalgia right now is real. Both of us had wonderful childhoods growing up and hope we can give our little hooligan the same! ♥️

💭 What did we miss in Ludington? Where in Michigan should we go next?

05/12/2024

Happy Mothers Day to all the incredible women who keep our crazy train chugging down the track! 🚂 💨 😜

Evelyn, I am so blessed to be your mom. ♥️ Your cheesy, expressive grin is the best medicine!

05/11/2024

Wow! 😮 Did you see the Northern Lights in northwest Ohio tonight? ✨

04/19/2024

Did you hear about this wonderful program yet? ⛰️ 🦽 We had a blast filming at this event and seeing the meaningful work happening in NW Ohio! ♥️

04/09/2024

☀️ 🌙 A dramatic cosmic phenomenon: “The Great American Eclipse!”

This afternoon, we experienced nature’s most spectacular sight — a total eclipse of the Sun! On April 8, 2024, the moon’s shadow swept from Mexico to the U.S. (Texas to Maine) to Canada. The U.S. won’t experience another total solar eclipse until 2044, and Ohio won’t see one until 2099.

For the best view, we traveled to Carey, Ohio, where we plunged into darkness for more than 4 minutes — nearly twice as long as the last American eclipse in 2017. (In Carey, we saw 3:55 of darkness specifically.)

Bailey’s Beads first, then the “diamond ring.” What an incredible experience to stand in the shadow of the moon and witness the sun’s exquisite corona! 🌖

🤔 What was it like?

Strange. The most noticeable change was the temperature, which dropped significantly (enough that it went from 70 degrees and sunny to windy and chilly enough for a jacket). Goosebumps came when the diamond ring appeared. You knew you were witnessing something celestial for which there were no words. Truly stunning! The crickets started chirping during totality, and birds sang their morning tune when the light came back.

**Fun fact: Did you know eclipses happen around the world every 18 months or so? Sometimes they are only visible over oceans or remote areas, so not every one can be enjoyed by humans.

We were in awe of God’s handiwork today…especially given the rare conditions of the sun that made it a truly extraordinary astrological event. 🙌🏻

03/31/2024

🐣 “Easter is the only time of the year when it's safe to put all your eggs in one basket." (Evan Esar)

Happy Resurrection Sunday from our little family! ✝️ 🌸 🐰 The excitement of the eggs is unmatched this year. 😁

03/31/2024

🕊️ Easter Sunday is a beautiful reminder that new beginnings are always possible. Today, we reflect on our journey and embrace the opportunity to shed old habits, beliefs, and behaviors that no longer serve us. We still have a long way to go… but we remember:

“Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)

Step into the fullness of who you are meant to be. 🌱🌸

03/28/2024

Who else thinks driving through small towns is fun? 🚘 Lately, we’re trying to appreciate what’s right in our backyards.

📍Today’s adventure — West Unity, Ohio!

Nice parks and playgrounds, cute small businesses, and super unique houses with that old-timey charm. 🏠

🎄 You can tell this town transforms into a Christmas Hallmark movie during the holidays… there are multiple seasonal stores! 🎅 🍭

🥾 There’s even a walking trail! 🚶🚶‍♀️ Wabash Canonball Trail is a 7-mile trail from Montpelier to West Unity.

Places of interest:

🥩 Jacoby’s Olé Smokehouse
☕️ 🥪 Mill District Deli
🍕 Wyse Guys
🎄 Holly Jolly Christmas Shop
🐔 Red Hen Country Market

💭 What spots do you like?

**Does anyone know what Hotel Dodge is (2nd to last photo)?

03/27/2024

Battle of the Biggest Sweet Tooth! 🦷🍦

Who's already been to Apache Dairy Bar this month? 😋 (Because it's never too cold for ice cream!)

They also serve burgers, chili dogs, sandwiches, fried food, and other yummy treats if you haven't tried them out!

03/02/2024

⭐️ For World Compliment Day, we’re dishing out some local NW Ohio praise!

📖 Local Bryan writer Kat Elizabeth Jones, Author released her first 5️⃣ star book, “Even Tomorrow Still” — give it a read! Amazon link: https://a.co/d/3A8RFfP

🎊 East Vine in downtown Sherwood is gorgeous for small parties, events, wedding prep, and overnight stays. We just filmed a video for the ribbon cutting… and may have a part in it. 😉 ✂️

🐷 🌶️ We recently ate lunch at Dos Eppi's in Defiance… WOW! Absolutely delicious Puerto Rican flavors. 🤤 We ordered a bag of tostones to go! (Pro tip: they reheat wonderfully in the air fryer! 🔥)

🕰️ Into all things vintage? Check out Touches of Time Antique Mall in Van Wert on the square. They have two floors of carefully curated art, glass, furniture, clothing, and oddities. 🏺

🛍️ The new Limitless by PC Workshop location in Paulding on the square is about as fun as a shop can be! Discounts for days 💰, and they help people with development disabilities hone their work skills. Don’t miss the inspiring mural outside. 🎨

♥️ What NW Ohio businesses, people, or efforts do you think need a shoutout? Comment below! ⬇️

02/19/2024

✨ ONE YEAR ✨

This has been the best year of our lives. Evelyn, you are joy personified. ♥️ With 12 months has arrived your personality… and attitude. 😂 💅

🤷🏻‍♀️ She wants what she wants when she wants it!

🏃 Next shoes should be joggers, because this girl is basically RUNNING. Heaven help us!

🧠 Grandma swears she will be a genius. Her memory is surprisingly long at this age, she can’t be “distracted” away from something, and even if you hide something she can’t have, she refuses to give up until she gets it.

🎶 She dances with her head and shoulders, loving a good beat. Rock and roll or guitar playing with her daddy are nightly rituals. 🎸

👄 No talking yet, but lots of sounds. She shoves way too much into her mouth at once.

🏈 She’s getting good at throwing, climbing, and gathering/holding multiple toys at once (refusing to leave anything behind).

🪑 We can’t keep her off the rocking chair. She loves her little white play chair and squishmallows.

🧩 She started stacking blocks rather than just knocking them down. 👏🏼

🐶 🐱 She loves her pets, especially playing tug of war with Lilly. This makes her laugh so hard!

🐑 She still needs a snuggle blanket to go to sleep. It has to have a silky back side. She loves silky things!

02/14/2024

Our little Valentine. 💌 🕊️

“Love doesn’t make the world go ‘round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” 💕

— FRANKLIN P. JONES

02/07/2024

Happy 1st Birthday to our little Evelyn! 🎈

From the moment you arrived into our lives, you brought with you a love so profound, it changed us forever. Your first smiles, your first laughs, and your first steps have been milestones that we've cherished deeply. ✨

This past year has been an incredible journey filled with joy watching you grow and discover the world around you. 🌿

We celebrated with a mini adventure at Moats Park in the Village of Sherwood, trying out the new paved walking path and playground equipment from Luke's childhood. Who says chilly February birthdays can't be fun? 😉

***Anyone have birthday traditions, activities, or tips to share? We are looking for ideas. 💬***

01/20/2024

Evelyn is 1️⃣1️⃣ months old! 💃🏻

This is when she really started dancing and loves spinning. She thumps a foot to rock music. 🎶

🦷 7 teeth, lots of happy drool

🤝 She started taking your hand and letting you lead her around (and leading you around!)

🛋️ She knows how to get down off a couch or bed (“feet first”)

🥘 We’re working on staying in the high chair for meals, because, well… this girl wants to move! 😂 (*Bite, throw it, play, chew a book, then “wait, I want what you have!”)

⭐️ She has favorite drawers and cabinets to pull things out of now. We also find miscellaneous puzzle pieces, books, and bottles in those same cabinets. 😆

😱 don’t leave a glass around — she’ll dump it out! 💦

🧐 Still won’t fall for a fake TV remote. Only the real thing will do! 📺

🧩 She got an activity cube for Christmas and has learned how to put blocks down the chute. She is experimenting with how items (aka pet bowls) stack together and loves her “popper” toy!

🐶 She plays tug-of-war, teasing the little 8-pound dog until she gets pulled to the ground.

📱Thinking she’s ready for her first phone before 1… she knows how to take accidental selfies already!

We are loving every moment with this sweet, ornery blessing! ♥️

01/02/2024

What a year! 🎉 2023 was one we’ll never forget.

We welcomed our first child, Evelyn Opal, into our lives on Feb. 6, 2023. She has filled our hearts with more love, joy, wonder, and gratitude than we thought possible. 💕

We still enjoy traveling and have visited Mackinac Island (MI) and New Orleans (LA) with Evee. Baby wearing with this 99th percentile “little one” is making us strong! (She inherited her dad’s genes. 🧬)

We got a mini van to make life easier — yes, we’ve reached that exciting transition in our lives! 🚐 😆

We — along with Luke’s brother, Levi, and wife, Kelsey — officially opened Crystal Fountain Park, a 7,200-sq-ft wedding and event center located in Sherwood, Ohio. Built in 1910 and newly renovated, we held our first wedding in October. You can learn more at www.CrystalFountainPark.com.

Its sister venue for smaller gatherings,
East Vine, will open in early 2024.
We have a big vision for local revitalization — stay tuned!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.”
— James 1:17

We praise God for His many blessings
and wish you all a prosperous New Year! Thanks for following our journey. ♥️

12/26/2023

“The best way to see Christmas is through the eyes of a child.” 🎄✨

Thankful for our family, our blessings, and all the memories this season with our greatest little joy. ♥️🎅🏻➕

12/25/2023

TEN months! ✨ Baby’s first Christmas is quickly approaching, and the magic is real for us all. She:

🎄 Loves pulling ornaments off the tree. Really, pulling anything off a table, out of a drawer, or otherwise removing it from its place.

🐱 Squeals in excitement at the cats. She is learning how to be gentle, even though they are so soft!

🥰 Finally cuddles — first thing in the morning and when she’s tired, she enjoys a cuddle session… she even lays her head on your shoulder!

👟 Walks all around the house, finding things to get into. Her “toddle” is strong!

🦷 Has 6 teeth — 4 big ones and 2 that just came through!

😧 Is showing fear for the first time ever. She gets anxiety about going to strangers.

⚽️ Throws a ball! Her finger dexterity is coming along, and she is very into textures and feeling.

👁️ Loves observing from the baby carrier, as she got a dozen plus hours experience in New Orleans!

👼 Has hair long enough for a Cindy-Lou Who “do”!

🐟 Still loves sardines, graham crackers, apples, split pea soup, and really anything that we eat. If we eat it, she has to.

😃 Flashes that open-mouth, gummy smile all the time! It melts our hearts. 💕

🗑️ Who needs toys when you have trash? Boxes, paper and water bottles are her favorites.

🐑 Her “lammy” stuffed animal with a silk backing soothes her to sleep. If we ever loose it, we’re in trouble! 😬

We love our sweet Evee! 💕 Thanks for bringing such indescribable joy to our lives!

12/13/2023

NOW OPEN: the highly anticipated Spangler Candy World! 🎉 Kids, parents, and grandparents will LOVE this “sweet” little gem. 💎

🤩 Did you know roughly 45% of candy canes sold in the U.S. are produced by Spangler Candy Company, right here in small town Bryan, Ohio? 🏆 🍭 Come see the “Dum Dum Capital of the World,” churning out 12 million suckers DAILY! (The awesome water tower pays homage, too. 😉)

Experience it firsthand at Spangler Candy World, located on the square downtown. This new retail store and museum features interactive games, nostalgic goodies, apparel and gifts, theater showings of a Spangler factory tour, and photo opps! Not to mention, every kind of Spangler CANDY for sale (yes, even Bit-O-Honey)! 🍯 😋

You can even have your little one’s birthday party here… Sugar rush! 😜

Let your pride show by grabbing a candle, magnet, or Christmas ornament like us. 🕯️ 🎄 We love exploring local spots here in the Midwest and appreciating what’s right in our backyard. ♥️

Don’t miss our video: https://youtu.be/hhKdQTjSWlg?si=tp63vCgGmp5H4e4U 🍿

———

? Founded in 1906, Spangler candies include:

🔸 Dum Dums®... 16 great sucker flavors + the Mystery Flavor™

🔸Spangler® Candy Canes, including Dr Pepper, Airheads, and other unique flavors

🔸Saf-T-Pops® - the pop with the fiber cord loop handle and completely enclosed pouch

🔸 Circus Peanuts - the orange peanut-shaped marshmallow candy

🔸Necco Wafers® - the original candy wafer

🔸 Sweethearts® Candies - the original candy hearts with a message

🔸Bit-O-Honey® - made with real honey and almond bits

🔸 Canada Mints® - the original candy refresher

***Which candy is your favorite? 😍 🍬 ***

———

12/11/2023

Spangler Candy World is NOW OPEN in Bryan, Ohio! 🍭 See why Bryan is known as the “Dum Dum Capital of the World” 🏆🌍

📍 Plan your visit:
131 S. Main St, Bryan (on the square)
Open 10 am - 5 pm most days (closed Sunday)
Candy, apparel, gifts, party room for rent, games and machines, historical exhibits, big screen theater tour of the factory, and more! Bryan also won the 2023 People’s Choice Award for their unique Dum Dum water tower! 🎉

Our little “Cutie Pie” fit right in. Bring the whole family and live “the sweet life”! 😉

Spangler Candy is a family owned company since 1906, concocting treats known the world-over including Dum Dums, Saf-T-Pops, Bit-O-Honey, Circus Peanuts, Necco Wafers, Sweethearts conversation hearts, and more. ❤️

⭐️ FUN FACTS: The company produces approximately 45% of the candy canes sold in the United States and produces over 12 million Dum Dum suckers per day. 😮🎄

Learn more at http://www.spanglercandy.com/

📞 419-633-6439
📧 [email protected]

12/04/2023

⚜️ We learned why the Big Easy is described as the "most unique" city in the US — cuisine, cross-cultural roots, art, music, and a vibe you have to experience yourself! 🎶

🕰️ 🇫🇷 Founded in 1718 by French colonists, NOLA was the largest southern city from the Antebellum Era until WWII.

Some of our “Big Easy” highlights:

🚎 🌟 Evelyn’s first streetcar ride. The windows taste great! 👅

👻 Haunted history, vampires, and voodoo tour by Witches Brew Tours. Thanks, Robbie!

🎷 🎶 Jammed to Jazz in the French Quarter and exposed our Midwest taste buds to new creole flavors. 🌶️ Surprisingly, Evee ate what we ate!

🥐 How many beignets is too many? We didn’t ask. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Just follow the powdered sugar trail.

🐊 🦝 🐦 Saw gators, boars, birds, and raccoons on a swamp tour with Cajun Encounters Tour Company. Huge thanks to our charming and informative guide, Captain Dustin, for showing us the beauty of the bayou!

⛪️ St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square — the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the US. Tours are free and open to the public.

☠️ Look into the fireplace at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar and watch for his pirate face in the flames. 🔥 It’s one of many haunted spots you can search online.

Babies are not the norm in NOLA, so Evelyn has made a lot of friends. 🎩 Every server, manager, and passerby on the street just eats her up! 🥄

🍺 …YES, she’s even been kicked out of a bar already! 😂 I mean, she really knows how to handle a bottle! 🍼

**FINAL COMMENT: Nobody warned us that life with a little one would be so joyous! Traveling a city with an opinionated infant can be hard at times, but there have been many exciting (and flavorful) firsts for baby girl. 💕 Experiencing “new” is why we travel after all… and encourage everyone to do the same!

__

🎒 Note for parents: Luke used the Tactical Baby Gear carrier for more than a week straight on this trip and loves it. So many carriers are bulky or complicated, but this one easily goes on and off so we could switch Evee — now weighing 21 lbs — between us. No frills but no hassle! 🏆 It was ideal for safety keeping her close and ease on old sidewalks when putting in the miles.

11/30/2023

🎷 “Life is a lot like jazz… it’s best when you improvise.” — George Gershwin

Sometimes in life (and parenting), you just have to go with the flow. Thankful for the recommendations and unexpected advice from tour guides, servers, and the locals here in the Big Easy (they really do make it easy). 🎼 ♥️

Cat Music Club
Barrel
of Blues New Orleans

11/29/2023

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” — Pablo Picasso 🎨

Supporting local artisans and musicians out here in the Big Easy! 🎶

Luke found a new leather wallet from that’s the perfect metaphor for our new phase of life “under the bigtop” 🎪 🤡 (Starting a family feels like a circus some days, but we adore it!) 😉

Little Evelyn is doing great, flirts with all the strangers, loves the long walks and people watching, then crashes hard. 🍼

11/26/2023

Happy Thanksgiving Sunday from NOLA! 🎭 We are giving thanks for our little family, galleries with ferns, fresh seafood, live oaks, and gorgeous art! 🎨 🌳

We needed a change of pace, and enjoying a beautiful new city with our little nugget what exactly what the doctor ordered! 🌆

This is our first experience with endurance baby-wearing, walking 5-8 miles a day. 🎒 Let’s just say Luke is feeling it this morning! 😆

We’re figuring out this travel life with a 9-month-old. ✌🏻

💭 Any recommendations for what to see or do? 💭

11/23/2023

🦃 Happy Turkey Day from this 9️⃣ month old! We’re grateful for her precious little self, our professional endeavors, and the health of our entire family. 🧡

What a BIG month for Evelyn! She is:

💃🏻 WALKING! She took her first steps at Crystal Fountain Park’s ribbon cutting Nov. 9 and now 2 weeks later is toddling down the hallway like a pro to find us!

🍏 Eating — her favorites are… whatever you have! 😂 Smoothies, chicken and potatoes, and — hold your breath — even sardines! 🐟

👋🏻 Playing peekaboo with you (not you with her). She loves raising and lowering a cloth over her face or peeking around a corner then hiding to play. She claps often in pure joy, and there’s always laughter. So much adorable laughter!

🐈 Extremely curious and observant, exploring every box, opening every drawer, pulling things out of bags, the list goes on — she has a magnetic attraction to everything she knows she can’t have. The smallest scrap of paper doesn’t go unnoticed.

💩 Yes… solid and stinky now!

👄 Trying to speak. She babbles and mimics you. She loves turning book pages OR chewing them so much she starts eating cardboard. 📖

🦷 Flashing a toothy grin when you flash yours (she now has 2 top and 2 bottom teeth)

11/11/2023

Nov. 9th — the day we “cut the ribbon” at Crystal Fountain Park... AND cut my hair! ✂️🎗️(Yes, it finally happened!)

Big thanks to Steve at Headquarters Barbershop for coming out to celebrate the special occasion. You’re more than just my forever barber; you’re a forever friend. 🔮✨

— Luke

11/01/2023

Trick or treat, smell my mouse feet! 🐹🎃 For her first Halloween, we dressed Evelyn's in the same costume as her mom wore many moons ago. 🤣

Huge thank you to Defiance's Wooded Acres Estates for being so friendly, having amazing candy, dressing up, and winning the animatronics contest for ghostly ghouls! 👻

The minutes tick by quickly, and we can't get them back. Those minutes = your life. As parents, we're realizing that making the most of the little moments become the BIG moments. Take a breath, and enjoy life happening around you. ✨

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Videos

Happy 1st Birthday to our little Evelyn! 🎈 From the moment you arrived into our lives, you brought with you a love so profound, it changed us forever. Your first smiles, your first laughs, and your first steps have been milestones that we’ve cherished deeply. ✨ This past year has been an incredible journey filled with joy watching you grow and discover the world around you. 🌿 We celebrated with a mini adventure at Moat’s Park in Sherwood, trying out the new paved walking path and playground equipment from Luke’s childhood. Who says chilly February birthdays can’t be fun? 😉 ***Anyone have birthday traditions, activities, or tips to share? We are looking for ideas. 💬*** #firstbirthday #turningone #1stbirthday #babygirl #12monthsold #parks #babymilestones #proudparents #NWOhio #BornInDefiance #parenting

Evelyn's First Birthday at Moats Park

Happy 1st Birthday to our little Evelyn! 🎈 From the moment you arrived into our lives, you brought with you a love so profound, it changed us forever. Your first smiles, your first laughs, and your first steps have been milestones that we've cherished deeply. ✨ This past year has been an incredible journey filled with joy watching you grow and discover the world around you. 🌿 We celebrated with a mini adventure at Moats Park in the Village of Sherwood, trying out the new paved walking path and playground equipment from Luke's childhood. Who says chilly February birthdays can't be fun? 😉 ***Anyone have birthday traditions, activities, or tips to share? We are looking for ideas. 💬***

Evelyn Opal's First Christmas - 2023

“The best way to see Christmas is through the eyes of a child.” 🎄✨ Thankful for our family, our blessings, and all the memories this season with our greatest little joy. ♥️🎅🏻➕ #Christmas2023 #MerryChristmas #SantaClausIsComingToTown

Spangler Candy World is NOW OPEN in Bryan, Ohio! 🍭 See why Bryan is known as the “Dum Dum Capital of the World” 🏆🌍 📍 Plan your visit: 131 S. Main St, Bryan (on the square) Open 10 am - 5 pm most days (closed Sunday) Candy, apparel, gifts, party room for rent, games and machines, historical exhibits, big screen theater tour of the factory, and more! Bryan also won the 2023 People’s Choice Award for their unique Dum Dum water tower! 🎉 Our little “Cutie Pie” fit right in. Bring the whole family and live “the sweet life”! 😉 Spangler Candy is a family owned company since 1906, concocting treats known the world-over including Dum Dums, Saf-T-Pops, Bit-O-Honey, Circus Peanuts, Necco Wafers, Sweethearts conversation hearts, and more. ❤️ ⭐️ FUN FACTS: The company produces approximately 45% of the candy canes sold in the United States and produces over 12 million Dum Dum suckers per day. 😮🎄 Learn more at http://www.spanglercandy.com/ 📞 419-633-6439 📧 [email protected] #BornInDefiance #SpanglerCandy #DumDumPops #TheSweetLife #BryanOhio #NorthwestOhio #travel #midwesttravel #candy #christmastravel

Spangler Candy World OPEN in Bryan, Ohio

Spangler Candy World is NOW OPEN in Bryan, Ohio! 🍭 See why Bryan is known as the “Dum Dum Capital of the World” 🏆🌍 📍 Plan your visit: 131 S. Main St, Bryan (on the square) Open 10 am - 5 pm most days (closed Sunday) Candy, apparel, gifts, party room for rent, games and machines, historical exhibits, big screen theater tour of the factory, and more! Bryan also won the 2023 People’s Choice Award for their unique Dum Dum water tower! 🎉 Our little “Cutie Pie” fit right in. Bring the whole family and live “the sweet life”! 😉 Spangler Candy is a family owned company since 1906, concocting treats known the world-over including Dum Dums, Saf-T-Pops, Bit-O-Honey, Circus Peanuts, Necco Wafers, Sweethearts conversation hearts, and more. ❤️ ⭐️ FUN FACTS: The company produces approximately 45% of the candy canes sold in the United States and produces over 12 million Dum Dum suckers per day. 😮🎄 Learn more at http://www.spanglercandy.com/ 📞 419-633-6439 📧 [email protected] #BornInDefiance #SpanglerCandy #DumDumPops #TheSweetLife #BryanOhio #NorthwestOhio

You have to “feel it” to appreciate it. 🎶 🎷 Jazz in the Big Easy. Thanks for the good vibes and memories, French Quarter. Our little girl loved it! ♥️ #NewOrleans #Jazz #BornInDefiance #travelwithkids

Nov. 9th — the day we “cut the ribbon” at @crystalfountainpark… AND cut my hair! ✂️🎗️(Yes, it finally happened!) Big thanks to Steve at Headquarters Barbershop in Sherwood for coming out to celebrate the special occasion. You’re more than just my forever barber; you’re a forever friend. 🔮✨ — Luke #CrystalFountainPark #BorninDefiance #haircut #hippie #lifechange #bigday

The Big Day: Cutting Luke's hair @ Crystal Fountain Park

Nov. 9th — the day we “cut the ribbon” at Crystal Fountain Park... AND cut my hair! ✂️🎗️(Yes, it finally happened!) Big thanks to Steve at Headquarters Barbershop for coming out to celebrate the special occasion. You’re more than just my forever barber; you’re a forever friend. 🔮✨ — Luke #CrystalFountainPark #BorninDefiance #Haircut #LittleVillageBigHeart #hippie

Trick or treat, smell my mouse feet! 🐹🎃 For her first Halloween, we dressed Evelyn’s in the same costume as her mom wore many moons ago. 🤣 Huge thank you to Defiance’s Wooded Acres Estates for being so friendly, having amazing candy, dressing up, and winning the animatronics contest for ghostly ghouls! 👻 The minutes tick by quickly, and we can’t get them back. Those minutes = your life. As parents, we’re realizing that making the most of the little moments become the BIG moments. Take a breath, and enjoy life happening around you. ✨

Trick or treat, smell my mouse feet! 🐹🎃 For her first Halloween, we dressed Evelyn's in the same costume as her mom wore many moons ago. 🤣 Huge thank you to Defiance's Wooded Acres Estates for being so friendly, having amazing candy, dressing up, and winning the animatronics contest for ghostly ghouls! 👻 The minutes tick by quickly, and we can't get them back. Those minutes = your life. As parents, we're realizing that making the most of the little moments become the BIG moments. Take a breath, and enjoy life happening around you. ✨

Micah + Emma | Wedding Cinematic 🎥♥️

Micah + Emma | Wedding Cinematic 🎥♥️ Some weddings are just magical. ✨ As Micah and Emma welcome a child into the world, may they look back and remember why they said "I do," in the first place. 💍 📸 Shaylee Brown Photography

Jordan + Haley Core | Wedding Cinematic 🎥♥️ Seeing the love you two have for each other, your families, and now Sawyer; it’s no wonder days like these go by way too fast. “If you’re lucky enough, she’ll give you that big old heart. And if you’re smart enough, you’ll give her your big old heart back.” — Father of the Groom ♥️ Jordan — thanks for being there all the way back to when the two of us first started to “like each other” back in high school. Haley — we look forward to growing closer with you both as friends, family, and teammates as we turn the page on new and exciting chapters in life. “And may God’s blessings be with you today and all the days of your life, amen.” 📖 ✨ 💨 #bornindefiance #weddingvideo #wedding #videography #marriage #weddingday #love #cinematic

Jordan + Haley | Wedding Cinematic

Jordan + Haley Core | Wedding Cinematic 🎥♥️ Seeing the love you two have for each other, your families, and now Sawyer; it’s no wonder days like these go by way too fast. 💨 “If you’re lucky enough, she’ll give you that big ol' heart. And if you’re smart enough, you’ll give her your big ol' heart back.” — Father of the Groom ♥️ Jordan — thanks for being there all the way back to when the two of us first started to “like each other” back in high school. Haley — we look forward to growing closer with you both as friends, family, and teammates as we turn the page on new and exciting chapters in life. 📖 “And may God’s blessings be with you today and all the days of your life, amen.” ✨ #BorninDefiance

OH FUDGE! 🍫That’s what 3-month-old Evelyn said when she heard we had to leave Mackinac Island, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Many “firsts” were covered, from her1️⃣st RV roadtrip to campfire to petting a horse! 🐴 ✨It was a magical weekend with nonstop activities ranging from fudge sampling (@joannsfudge was Evee’s favorite shop) to touring the @grandhotelmichigan and Carriage Museum. To make it a budget friendly trip with grandma in tow, we camped at St. Ignace / Mackinac Island KOA. ⛺️ (@kampgroundsofamerica) We hiked @mackinac_parks, saw Arch Rock, and Evee coo’ed at more horses in one day than she’ll see in the next year of her life (motorized vehicles aren’t allowed on the island). Romantic, right? 💕 🥐Don’t forget to try a pastie (pass-tee) before you leave (trust us... get the gravy!) It’s a sin if you don’t stop at the famous @lehtospasties from 1947, one of the original pasty shops in the UP, still run by family. 🤤 If you have time, climb the wooden tower for $1 at Curio Fair in Saint Ignace, too. It’s odd but eerily charming and provides the best aerial view of Mackinac Bridge! 📸 Mackinac Island’s charm will win you over any time of year, but spring or summer is best to see the Grand Hotel (& Secret Garden) in bloom! 🌷 For more information about our stay and recommendations, visit https://bornindefiance.com/mackinac-island-st-ignace-camping/. @visitmackinacisland @mackinacisle @discoverstignace #mackinac #mackinacisland #michigan #explore #bornindefiance #travel #travelblogger #stignace #stignacemichigan #mackinacislandmichigan #horses #babytravel #puremichigan #rvlife #camping #KOA #leapnlions

Mackinac Island Weekend Trip | Camp in St. Ignace (Michigan's Upper Peninsula)

OH FUDGE! 🍫That's what 3-month-old Evelyn said when she heard we had to leave Mackinac Island, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Many "firsts" were covered, from her 1️⃣st RV roadtrip to campfire to petting a horse! 🐴 ✨It was a magical weekend with nonstop activities ranging from fudge sampling (shout out to the fun employees at Joann's Fudge) to touring the Grand Hotel (longest porch in the world) and Mackinac Island Carriage Tours & Museum. To make it a budget friendly trip with grandma in tow, we camped at St. Ignace / Mackinac Island KOA. ⛺️ We hiked Mackinac State Historic Parks, saw Arch Rock, and Evee coo'ed at more horses in one day than she'll see in the next year of her life (motorized vehicles aren't allowed on the island). Super romantic, right? 💕 🥐Don't forget to try a pastie before you leave (trust us... get the gravy!) It's a sin if you don't stop at the famous Lehto's Pasties from 1947, one of the original pasty shops in the UP, still run by family. 🤤 If you have time, climb the wooden tower for $1 at Curio Fair in Saint Ignace, too. It's odd but eerily charming and provides the best aerial view of Mackinac Bridge! 📸 Mackinac Island's charm will win you over any time of year, but spring or summer is best to see the Grand Hotel (& Secret Garden) in bloom! 🌷 For more information about our stay and recommendations, visit https://bornindefiance.com/mackinac-island-st-ignace-camping/. Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau Mackinac Island - Mackinac.com Discover St. Ignace Kampgrounds of America, Inc. Ryba's Fudge Shops Murdick's Famous Fudge Starline Boat Ferry. #leapnlions

Opening Day 2023 at Moats Park in Sherwood, Ohio

Ball season may be coming to an end, but this video makes us grateful to be #SmallTownStrong! ♥️ Thanks to all parents out there teaching values and making their kids’ summers memorable. ⚾️☀️ #SherwoodOhio #LittleVillageBigHeart

Night Farming at Schroeder Farms & Excavating

It’s all about family at Schroeder Farms & Excavating, and sometimes — you’ve gotta work late! 🏠🚜🌽 From harvesting, stone-hauling, and excavating, to building sites, fencerow removal, demolition, driveways, ponds, and more — count on Schroder Farms & Excavating to get the job done right. 💪✔️ Proudly serving Defiance County — call 419-770-2520 today! 📞 #SchroederFarmsandExcavating #FamilyBusiness #FamilyFarm #NorthwestOhio #DefianceCounty

Steubenville Conferences Fearless 2022 - St. Isidore Youth Group Defiance, Ohio

“He called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. For if we know Him, how can we be afraid?” 🤲 ⚔️ Few things have touched our hearts or left a lasting impact quite like Steubenville Conferences. 💪♥️➕ Having been on the high school end, and the chaperone end — all we can say is: we are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human one. ✨ This video was made in loving memory of Gary Seibert; St Isidore's Catholic Church youth group wouldn't be the same without you. ⛅️💫 #GoToSteubenville #ItsBetterToPray #BorninDefiance #SteubenvilleYouthConferences

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