Monday, June 7, 2010

Our Love For Pennsylvania

We started out for the beautiful state of PA last Friday with 6 adults and 2 babies in 2 vans.  I already know what you're thinking...these people are nuts.  And you're absolutely right.  Nuts, but somehow our babies surprised us all!  They were perfect and I'm not simply bragging.  They did great!  Ansley and Jansen just rode along without much fuss at all.
I don't know if I've talked about my love for Pennsylvania yet, but I would love to live there!  There's something wonderful about it...the land is gorgeous!  And it does help that my dad and his family grew up here.  I feel like I belong here, like my roots are here in a way.  Not to mention, my grandparent's house is something out of a country home magazine with all the beautiful wildlife outside and the house that my grandpa built with his own two hands.  It just feels like a second home. 
This is my Grammy's house
Her little spring fed pond
The scenery down the road from her house
My beautiful Grammy!

Laura and Jansen
Ansley walking the entire lawn!

 The only thing that's missing on this trip is my grandpa.  He is greatly missed...he could always make us laugh.  Either with his hilarious little jigs(I can still see him dancing) or his ear swipe(I can't really explain this...he did it for different reasons, we still immitate him when we get together).  Again, we all really miss him.  This week was my first time to visit his gravesite and it became quite an emotional time.  We had been to visit him a couple weeks before he passed away and I didn't make it back for the funeral.  I still regret it, but seeing his gravesite gave me some closure. 
 A nice Memorial Day sight

 Because we were all coming to Pennsylvania, my Grammy decided to have a family reunion.  My Aunt Sarah and Uncle Eric hosted the get-together at their house with all my cousins, aunts, and uncles in attendance.  It was so fun to reconnect with them all!  There were many that I have met before, but couldn't really remember some of my great aunts and uncles, so it was good to get reaquainted.


 

Maddie and Grammy
My brother and Jason lounging
Ansley in BB's coffee cup!


While visiting Pennsylvania, we always do a trip to another place (in years past, we've been to Atlantic City, Wash. D.C., New York City, Harper's Ferry in West Virginia), the list goes on. This year was no different, so we decided on the big city of Philidelphia where my cousins live. I'm so glad we did! We were able to visit with my cousins Danielle, Krista, Bob, and Addison, as well as, see the city. While we were there we visited several historical places including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross' house, the first post office, Ben Franklin's house, and we also traveled to Valley Forge (we are lovers of history if you can't tell!). We also ate at Geno's which is the Travel Channel's best place to get a philly.
Best Philly Cheesesteak
Outside Independence Hall
First post office
Betsy Ross' house

Chickies and Pete's restaurant. Yummy!
Saying goodbye to Addison
Kisses for Krista

The next day at Valley Forge
Has anyone seen my musket?

When we got back to Hughesville we lounged at my Grammy's house and then went to see some of the sites close by. 
Yes, Ansley got to drive
My dad and his brothers
My gram's church
My dad's one room schoolhouse
This is where my dad lived until he was 5.
I love all the big, beautiful barns!
The covered bridge down the road from Grammys and yes, we had a secure hold on the kiddos!


Whew...that's a wrap!  We had a great time as always in PA!

4 comments:

Kendra said...

What a fun trip! I love that pic of Ansley as George Washington. Too funny!

Erika Slaughter said...

Love all the fun pictures!! So impressed about that LONG ride with 2 babies! Ansley is so adorable...too cute!

Ashley said...

What a fun trip! Kurt and I want to do a driving tour of the Northeast at some point, so you'll have to give us tips. We really want to visit Amish country, and we love history too! Ansley is a DOLL.

Krista B. said...

Hi Sarah - this is your cousin Krista :) I'm so impressed with the blog! This is the first chance I've had to look at it, and I'll definitely add it to my favorites. Sooo glad you all were able to come visit in Philadelphia... wish we could have spent more time together! Danielle and I are planning a weekend trip to MO sometime before the end of the year...!!!!!