"Adrianne!!!!"

I have such good intentions to blog...and my life seems to get in the way.

But, I can't complain too much. We were finally able to get away for a little familiy vacation and it was so fun.

We have wanted to go to Philadelphia the entire time that we have lived on the east coast...and Troy got a wild hair...took a few days off work and away we went.

We started out in Amish country. I was really surprised at how much the kids enjoyed this part of our trip.

I really thought they might be bored...but they weren't.

We started at the Intercourse Pretzel Factory where the kids learned how hard pretzels are made and had a chance to twist their own. It was surprisingly hard...and those little teenagers that spend their summers twisting pretzels are amazingly good!



It was a yummy visit all the way around.

We then did the ultimate tourist thing and took a buggy ride through Amish Country. Our driver was a sweet Amish gentleman who took us on a ride through town...and even through his very own farm...where his parents had lived, where he was born, and where his son now lives. It was humbling to think of these many generations of families working the land and making their lives here.





I know I drove everyone crazy with my photo taking...but I couldn't help myself.



It was lovely.

Then we headed up to Philly.

We took a little walking tour of Philly at night. It was really pretty. Of course, our schedules were off and we didn't end up eating dinner until 9 pm...and the only thing open was Dunkin' Donuts. So the kids were crushed to have to have donuts for dinner. LOL! (They asked the next night if we could do it again.)



Our hotel was right across the street from City Hall...how cool.



We started out the next day bright and early. We visited Independence Hall.



We had some time before our tour of Independence Hall to goof off and take some photos.










I really enjoyed learning about the history of Independence Hall and the founding of our nation. It's truly amazing all that occurred in that tiny building 200 years ago.

We also visited Betsy Ross's House, The Church of Christ where Benjamin Franklin and his wife were buried, and the US Mint.



Afterward we went down to the Delaware River to have lunch and look around. We were debating taking a ferry ride across the Delaware of heading off to Philly's famous kids museum - the Please Touch Museum. We decided on the museum and found out as we were getting there that it was closed. grrr.

So...we drove all the way back across town to do the ferry ride. Well...as we made our way back...we passed the Philadelphia Museum of Art and what did I see?

OMYGOSH!!! The "Rocky" Statue. I almost caused Troy to get into an accident with my shrieking...as I made him pull over so we could take pictures.

I don't know about everyone else, but this was the HIGHLIGHT of my trip. (I am easily amused.)

We did all the tourist photos..right up to running up the steps and pumping our fists into the air.



It was awesome.

The kids just kept asking "What's Rocky?" LOL! When I finally said it's the movie that the song "Eye of the Tiger" is from...they all said, "OHHHHH." Thank you Guitar Hero!



The steps of the museum were the perfect backdrop for a few more photos.





As was the area by the side of the museum...um...I guess I think every where is a good place to take photos. LOL!





There were lots of fountains in the area...and it was a riot (mostly) to watch Katie take her shoes off and try to get into each and every one.



And...can I just say...it wasn't much easier keeping the big kids out of the fountain?



The museum was really beautiful.



We did finally make it down to the Penn's Landing and took the ferry ride. It was really relaxing and the perfect way to end our trip.







We heart Philly.