Lancaster PA

I have always been fascinated with the Amish and how they live. I am one of those romantic people who thinks it would be oh so cool to live 200 years ago and experience it. I sometimes think it would be cool to live with the Amish for a couple of days and learn all sorts of things. Alisha really wanted to see the Amish communities too, so we made a trip to Lancaster PA. I found this old farm that was deeded in the later 1700's and the house was built around 1805 I believe. They give tours of the house and let you tour the farm which is still a working one. I thought it was so cute, and the kids had a blast. We were a little disappointed in the food that we had, but I am sure there is some great Amish food out there. Not the particular place we went to though.

Lexie had Grandma and Grandpa wrapped around her finger. She is a pro at this. I of course know her sneaky ways and can block myself. But most people find themselves smitten with her. I don't know if this is good or not.

Gabe was our tour guide, he was really worried about how to get to certain places. He gets that from me of course.

I love that all the older kids take care of Hailey. They all watch her like a hawk and keep me informed of all her moves. Logan had Hailey duty that day and he was great about it.

I love this picture, this is exactly who she is. She LOVES being outside. She just walks around in circles and picks things off the ground. Most likely it is trash and I have to confiscate it from her, but here she found a stick and she was just as happy as could be.

Cheese...what else is there to say.

Don't you just love these cutouts!! I think they always look so funny. Although sometimes it is hard to get everyone to look at the correct time. You can tell our timing is slightly off.

Oh Gabe, what a dork. I love that kid. He makes the day interesting that is for sure.

So Logan pretty much gets along with everyone. He is so sweet. Gabe gets along with no one on the other hand. I wanted him to take a picture with his sister as well, but I got the no way from him. Logan climbed right up and snuggled close to her. I am glad that she has at least one brother who is nice to her.

Giddy up baby. Yep that is us in the open courting carriage. Don't we look just so much in love.

Managed to get all the kids squeezed in there. Hailey was not too happy about it. And can you sense the body language between Gabe and Lexie? Yep not too happy either. But Logan looks good to go.

Posing with the goats. I told them they eat anything, so Gabe was looking for trash to give him. Geez.

Sooo Eeeee. Talk about one big mama. This pig was HUGE. I never realize that they got that big. It was honestly bigger than Logan and I wanted him to lay down beside it but he was a little scared of it. She just had piglets but they are to the right of the picture.

Farmer Logan...milk that cow.

I thought this was interesting. It was one of the first road markers in the whole United States. It was located out on the main road but was saved and moved closer to the farmhouse. Gabe kept asking who was buried there. He just didn't get it.

I had to much fun. Thanks Scott and Alisha for a great vacation. We love you guys.

Gettysburg

I can never go to Gettysburg enough it seems. There really is nothing to look at especially, a lot of memorials and graves. You can look out over all the fields and the places that the battle takes place. On July 1, 2 and 3rd they do re-enactments but I hear it is torture to go with the crowds during that time. There is just something there that I can't explain. A sort of pride for what men sacrificed for their beliefs. You feel it everywhere you go and you know that about 150 years ago men walked those grounds for the last time.

This time I kept thinking about what is going on in America right now with Obama trying to take away our freedom that these men died for. It seems a shame to me that Obama would do this. Makes me ashamed to be an American almost. But it also gave me hope. Because I know if men were willing to give their lives 150 years ago for this country and what it stands for, I have no doubt that when it comes time again to defend what we believe there will be others who take their places. I hope it doesn't come to that, but I think eventually it will. And when it does I will gladly stand with the American people who treasure their freedom.

I love this picture. Hailey looking down at an Unknown grave marker.

Logan's baptism

We have finally reached a big milestone for Logan....he got Baptised last Saturday. I have a hard time thinking of my little boy as old enough for Baptism. I can remember so much since he was born. He is so willing to do everything he can to choose the right. He tries to keep his little brother in line all the time. He is quick to say sorry and just wants to be good in general. He is my soft hearted child and I am so glad he will set the example for my others.

I am so proud of you Logan and your choice to become a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We love you Logan.

Mother's Day

We were so blessed this year because Corey and I both got to have our Mom's here for Mother's Day. There is nothing better than being a Mom, and there is also nothing better than my own Mom. She really is so much fun and I miss her so much. I wish we still lived close, but I know I am where we need to be right now.

Being a Mother has been very challenging, but in the same breath it is also very rewarding. I love all my little nuts in their own separate ways. They contribute so much to our family and I couldn't imagine not having them in my life. I get sad to realize that time is passing so quickly. I wish I could hold onto them a little tighter.

Those are some good looking kids.

Harper's Ferry

I took my parents to a battlefield here called Antietam, and we got a tour. Unfortunately it was so stinkin cold and windy that we stayed in the car for our tour and only got out a handful of times to look. It was really interesting and the landscape was unreal. So I will have to go back and take pictures another time. While doing the tour our guide suggested going to Harper's Ferry, a small town that is in a beautiful location. We have heard of Harper's Ferry before, but never thought about going there. So the next day we bundled up and made our way there for the day. Can I just say it was one of the most breathtaking places I have ever been to. I could have just lived there and not left. We are going back again this summer and taking the boys. The Appalachian trail goes right through there and they have restored the old buildings and made them into little shops you can tour and see how things were done around the civil war period. Reminded me of a small Nauvoo. I wish it was warmer but we had to do it in the rain and cold.

You park at the Visitor Center and pay 6 bucks per car. Then they bus you down to the downtown district to walk around. Lexie loved the bus ride by itself.

The pictures don't do it justice, but I took lots of landscape pictures I just couldn't help it.

Lexie and Grandma by the foundation left after troops burned the Artillery during the civil war.

This was where John Brown's hideout was. He was an activist against slavery during the Civil War.

We get this look a lot from Hailey.

These are hand carved stone steps made in the early 1800's. You can still climb them.

This church was burned during the Civil War.

Jefferson Rock

Frederick Half Marathon

I did it!! I ran my first Half Marathon and I made it the whole way without walking which was my main goal. It was a little muggy and warm but overall it turned into a pretty good day for it. The traffic was horrible coming in, and we (my friend Ginny and me) left early for that reason. By the time we parked we only had 15 minutes to get to the starting line. But both of us had to use the restroom before hand. Of course the lines were horrendous and we would be late for the start. So we made out "own restroom" back behind the fairgrounds, which it seemed A LOT of people were thinking the same thing. Then we were ready to go. I was glad it turned out this way because I didn't have time to stand around and get nervous about it.

I did pretty good. I ran 13 miles in 2 hours and 5 minutes. That evens up to around a 9 and a half minute mile. So I will take that.

After race
Holding my metal

Corey and I, he was such a great support while I was training.

Me and the kiddos

Lexie, can't you tell dad did her hair that morning.

relaxing

Cooling down.

Corey got me coming across the finish line.

I am still trying to recover even now. I had no idea how taxing running that much can be on your body. I ache and I dealt with chills for 3 or 4 hours afterwards. I am glad that I got the chance to run it and complete it.