10 Guest Traditions Celebrated at Bobbi's Bungalow

Tradition #5: Making Time for Family

One of the things I have come to appreciate most during the past 10 years at Bobbi's Bungalow is how often a stay at the bungalow is really about something much more important than a place to sleep.

It's about making time for family.

Over the years, we've welcomed guests who travel near and far to come back to West Liberty to visit parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and other family members. Sometimes they are coming home for a special occasion. Sometimes they are simply making a regular visit. And sometimes, they are coming home because family is where they want to be.

Bobbi's Bungalow has been fortunate to be part of many of those visits.

A Home Away From Home
​One of those guests is Patricia Shumaker Chisholm, who regularly travels to West Liberty to visit her mom, who lives at Otterbein Green Hills.

Patricia and her family have made Bobbi's Bungalow their home away from home during their visits, and we're so grateful she took the time to share what those stays have meant to her:

"My family and I have really enjoyed Bobbi's Bungalow. The house is perfect for us when we visit my mom who lives at Greenhills. The house is clean, well furnished and convenient for walking around West Liberty. We highly recommend it."
— Patricia Shumaker Chisholm

Those words mean so much to us because this is exactly what we hope Bobbi's Bungalow can be—a comfortable place where families can stay while making time for the people who matter most.

Patricia isn't the only family member who has stayed with us while visiting her mom. Her sister Sharon and her husband have also enjoyed staying at the bungalow during their visits.

Over the years, we've gotten to know Patricia and her family a little, and those connections are one of the things I treasure most about having the bungalow. Guests don't always feel like strangers for long when they return year after year.

For guests visiting someone at Otterbein Green Hills, we offer 10% off their stay when they call directly and mention that they are visiting someone at Otterbein Green Hills. This discount cannot be combined with other offers, and it is not available through booking sites. 

Coming Home
Another guest began staying at Bobbi's Bungalow in 2021 when she returned to West Liberty with her husband and their nine-year-old son to visit her father and uncle. She was so excited to bring her family to see her home town. 

That first visit wasn't the last.

Her family continued returning to the bungalow in the years that followed. What started as a trip home to see family became a tradition of its own.

I love stories like this because they remind me that sometimes coming home isn't about one big event. It's about making the time to keep those family connections strong.

When the Family Has Outgrown the House
Families change over time.

Parents who once had a house full of children may eventually downsize. Children grow up, get married and have children of their own. Before long, what once seemed like plenty of room for everyone isn't quite enough anymore.

We've had young families return to West Liberty to visit their parents after the parents downsized and no longer had room for their growing family of four.

The family's parents live only a few blocks away, making Bobbi's Bungalow a perfect home base. The family can spend their days together, but they have their own comfortable space to return to at the end of the day.

And honestly, there is something to be said for that. 

There's nothing wrong with loving your family and still enjoying having your own space!

A Place for the Kids, Too
Bobbi's Bungalow is also set up with families in mind.

We have many books to read, including children's books for little ones to enjoy. The back bedroom has two twin beds that are perfect for siblings. A twin air mattress and bedding are also available, and a Pack 'n Play can be provided upon request.

That means families don't have to worry quite so much about where everyone is going to sleep.

The bungalow gives kids a little room to be kids—and gives parents a place where they can settle in and feel comfortable.

Holidays, Family Gatherings & Overflow
The holidays can be one of the most wonderful—and sometimes most crowded—times of the year.

When families gather for Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas, there isn't always enough room in the family home for everyone to stay overnight. Maybe Mom and Dad have downsized. Maybe the family has grown. Maybe there are simply more people coming home than there are beds.

That's where having a nearby home away from home can make a big difference.

Instead of trying to squeeze everyone into one house, family members can stay together during the day and then retreat to their own comfortable space at night.
And during the holidays, I like to make the bungalow feel especially welcoming.

A Little Holiday Magic
I decorate Bobbi's Bungalow for the holidays—especially for fall and Christmas—because I want those stays to feel a little more special.

There's something about coming home for the holidays that brings back memories and creates new ones. A cozy, decorated house just seems to fit that feeling.

During the fall, the bungalow takes on the warm colors and touches of the season. And at Christmas, I decorate throughout the house to give guests that festive, welcoming feeling when they walk through the door.

My hope is that guests feel like they've arrived somewhere special—not just somewhere to spend the night.

Having your own front door during a holiday visit can be pretty nice. You can come and go as you please, keep your gifts and belongings in your own space, let the kids spread out a little, or simply enjoy a quiet cup of coffee before heading back to the family gathering.

And sometimes, after a full day surrounded by family, a little quiet time is exactly what everyone needs!

Making Time Is What Matters
Whether you're coming from across town, across Ohio, or across the country, the reason for the trip is often the same:

You want to see your people.

Maybe it's a daughter visiting her mom. Maybe it's siblings gathering again. Maybe it's parents welcoming their children and grandchildren home. Maybe it's a family making an annual trip that has become a treasured tradition.

Whatever brings you back to West Liberty, we hope Bobbi's Bungalow gives you a welcoming place to relax between visits and enjoy a little time in town.

Thank you, Patricia, for allowing us to share your kind words and for making Bobbi's Bungalow part of your family's visits.

And thank you to all of the families who have trusted us with your stays over the past 10 years. We are honored to be a small part of the moments that bring families together.
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Because sometimes the most important reason to travel is simply to be with the people you love. ❤️