Flashback Friday: Pennsylvania

Flashback Friday {Thursday}

Pennsylvania

June 2008

The last stop on our road trip {read about Virginia here and NYC here} was Pennsylvania.  After our short visit to New Jersey and New York City, we made our way to Pennsylvania.  Angela was living there at that time.  Madelyn was 2 and Claire was only about 4 weeks old.  Will was 18 months old and he loved playing with Madelyn and all of her toys.  Gosh, the kids look so little in these photos!

Since Angela had a newborn, we kept our plans simple.  We toured an Amish community not far from where they lived.  We didn't really know what the day would be like with three young children, but it ended up being one of our best memories from the trip.  I love it when something like that happens. We decided to take a buggy ride through the countryside.  While on the buggy ride we passed by an Amish farm that had a little stand set up by the side of the road selling homemade root beer and lemonade.  They stopped the buggy and allowed us to purchase some.  I took the photo below of Mark after the tour and you can see he's still holding the cups.  I've lived in a rural area most of my life, but the farms in this area were idyllic.  I wish my photos captured their beauty.  After the buggy ride we toured the village and then made our way back to Angela's house.

Doesn't Angela look great for having a newborn?  Claire was so tiny!

Will and Madelyn

After we left Angela's we made a short drive to Hershey's Chocolate World.  We only toured the free part and didn't go into the amusement park since Will was so small. 

Before we left Pennsylvania, we stopped by the Gettysburg National Military Park and Museum.  Mark and I are both history nerds so we take advantage of any opportunity we get to visit and learn more about history.  Gettysburg is a significant battle in the Civil War, but I won't bore you with the details of why.

What I Wore Wednesday {Las Vegas 2012}

I'm in Las Vegas, and I knew I wouldn't be blogging while on vacation.  Do you blame me?  I took photos of my outfits before packing my suitcase.  Here's what I've taken with me. By the way, I know I've over packed, but I'm always guilty of doing that.

Apparently I only buy clothes from about 3 stores.  It looks like most of my clothes all come from the sames places.  WIWW always makes me aware that I don't branch out a lot when it comes to fashion.  I suppose those stores are my "comfort zone" when it comes to shopping.

#1
white shorts: Old Navy
orange tank with bubble hem: Loft
brown sandals: Shi

#2

denim shorts: Gap outlet

orange pattern top with bubble hem: Anthropologie

#3

blue shorts: J Crew outlet

top: Banana Republic

sandals: DSW

#4

Bermuda shorts: J Crew outlet

blue top: Loft

#5

blue, yellow & gray dress: Banana Republic outlet

#6

green strip dress: Banana Republic outlet

brown belt: Nordstrom rack

#7

navy dress: Banana Republic outlet

#8

skinny jeans: William Rast for Target

flowy top: Anthropolgie

nude heels: Guess purchased at TJ Maxx

#9

white linen pants: Old Navy

black top: Loft

silver flip flops: Gap

See more ladies who are much more fashionable than I am at

the Pleated Poppy.

Flashback Friday: New York City

Flashback Friday {Tuesday}

New York City

June 2008

When we left our family in Virginia, we made our way north to Princeton, New Jersey.  We stayed in Princeton and took the train to New York City.  Our day in NYC was packed full.  We went to a Yankees game, which was special to Mark.  He saw a game at the original Yankee Stadium in its final season of use.  It was also a special father-son moment because he had Will with him.  We'll have to make another trip now that we have Ben so we can all go to the new Yankee Stadium.  We've always heard that New Yorkers are rude, but our experience was quite the opposite.  I was offered a seat every time we rode the subway.  Also the workers at the Yankees stadium were extra helpful.  Fans at the Yankees game helped us to our top row seats, and one gentleman even offered to help carry our stroller.  I think New Yorkers are pretty friendly.

Do I look smarter?  Maybe not!  I felt a little smarter walking around the campus of Princeton University.  It was such a beautiful campus.  So much different than anything I've been to in Texas.

Flashback Friday: Virginia

Flashback Friday {Monday}

Virginia

June 2008

The first stop on our road trip in 2008 was in Virginia to visit family.  Will was 18 months old and this was the first big trip we'd taken with him.  After leaving Virginia we went to New Jersey, New York City and Pennsylvania. 

Since we'll be in Vegas most of this week, I won't be blogging.  I'll share flashback photos all week of our road trip in '08.

Mark, Will and I are with my two brothers, sister, sister-in-law and niece.

My brother Brian lives in Fredericksburg, which is a very old town founded in the 1700s.  The downtown is a historically-rich area.

Maybe not historically significant but still recommended by the locals.

One final shot with my brother Chris, Laura and Will.

Flashback Friday: Great Smoky Mountains

Flashback Friday {Saturday}

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

June 2011

Last year at this time we were in Tennessee spending time at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Will was 4 1/2 and Ben was 2.  We made the trip with Mark's parents.  We enjoyed driving around the national park and hiking on several trails.  I love looking back and seeing how the boys have grown and changed.  It's also sweet to reminisce and remember the good times we've had on our vacations.  More photos from that trip are here.

Mark and I will be leaving for Las Vegas on Monday morning.  I'll have several posts lined up for next week to share flashbacks from family vacations/road trips we've taken in the past--Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and maybe some vacations before we even had kids.

Summer So Far

We've been on summer vacation for a few days and so far it's been all that summer should be.

Silly!

Which one of these is not like the other?

Will has 4 monkeys that he keeps by his side.  He's given them all names.  From L to R: George, Ben, Jacoby and Fannin.  I shared this photo on facebook and my friends and family loved it. 

Fun and Games!

Ben had his 3-year checkup on Monday, and he was terrific.  I expected him to be terrified (because he normally is).  He surprised us and was very brave.  We took Will and Ben to Chuck E Cheese's since we had to cancel Ben's birthday party.    It was also a treat for Ben for being so good at the doctor.

A trip to the mall!

I had to run a few errands at the mall and the boys went into the Apple store.  I wasn't sure if I'd ever get them to leave ;) 

Gardening and Yard Work!

My little garden is growing.  I didn't plant very many things this year.  I only planned to plant tomatoes, but I let the boys pick one packet of seed and they chose pumpkins.  The pumpkins will probably be ready to harvest in the late summer, if they survive the hot summer.

My tomatoes are looking good and the rain tonight will only make them grow even more. 

Playing outside!

Someone was a little grumpy and didn't want his photo taken. 

Mark's parents gave Ben a toy chainsaw for this birthday.  Ben's wanted that thing since he went to a birthday party at a friend's house several months ago. He couldn't wait to get it out in the backyard and start trimming trees.  He's just like his Papaw Jerry.

 Playing inside!

We've tried to keep the boys busy with things that preoccupy their time other than the TV and computer.  The puzzles seemed to do the trick yesterday afternoon.

Riding bikes!

This photo shows that sometimes the fun is a little forced.  It's too hot to play outside in the afternoon so I try to make the boys get outside in the morning.  This morning was a challenge, but in the end, they had a good time. 

Being outside isn't so bad after all.  Riding bike IS fun! 

Well, we're 3 days into summer break and I'd have to say that it's off to a great start!