The past couple months through pictures…

Early October–Forget Dora–it’s Michael the Explorer…

Happy Birthday, Michael!  Can you see his face behind the pole?

Happy Halloween from a Pig in a Blanket .

Philadelphia–Late October, First of November

Michael and I took a walking tour of Philadelphia via cd one day.  I’m sure we looked like idiots as we crossed the street listening to headphones from the same cd player, looking in awe at each building, then randomly stopping to hear facts given given to us by “Philadelphia Frita.”  The cd tour was cheesy but interesting, and we were able to see many things that we would have otherwise passed by.  For instance this picture was taken outside of one of the free libraries which Benjamin Franklin helped establish (What did he NOT help establish in Philadelphia??!?).  The statue depicts Benjamin Franklin holding the scepter facing down in defiance towards the England monarch.  He’s also wearing a toga-like outfit because he was interested in establishing a new republic like Rome had done previously.  Thanks, Philadelphia Frita!  So much wonderful history that is easily passed by in the hustle and bustle of today’s society.

 Another fascinating fact:  On the right is the Benjamin Franklin Post office.  The only post office in America that does not fly the American flag.  The reason for this is because the post office was established prior to the first flag being made.  Upstairs is a very small museum.  One thing I learned from it was that the US (New York City and Philadelphia) tried to create a Pneumatic tube mail system (similar to how you receive money from a drive-thru bank, or prescriptions from a drive-thru pharmacy) to deliver mail in the 1800s!  It was too cost prohibitive, however, and was dissolved.

A favorite thing of mine to do when on vacation is to check out the Foder’s book of that city and go and do what they recommend–usually the ideas are fun, and worthwhile.  The Cosmopolitan Restaurant was such a place.  While admiring the olive/martini light fixtures and the other metro-y decor, we split a yummy sandwich and salad.  What they are especially known for their shoestring fries.  After getting over the dilemma of HOW to eat them, they were delicious!

Below, is not Ben Franklin’s epitaph, but it was one that he wrote as a young man for himself, and it is on a plaque beside his grave.  Michael and I found it interesting.

Too bad that they are restoring William Penn on top of City Hall- ruined the picture .  Fun fact, thanks to the Foder’s Book…until 1987, it was the tallest building in Philadelphia.  Crazy to think about that because now, there so many taller buildings–all within 20 years!  It’s also the largest building of it’s kind in the world: masonry building (no steel).

Foder book in hand–ridiculous…

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Masonic Temple–Crazy Beautiful

For the people with money…

Visiting my HARD-WORKING sister-in-law.

more random light fixtures…

An Amish father and son working in the field.  I wanted desperately to get a good picture, but don’t want to be one of those gawking tourists (um…too late??)…so this is through the car window…still fun, though.

In Amish country, you can’t help but think of Fiddler on the Roof’s Sunrise, Sunset

Spooky Ross teaching us how to start a fire. (SURVIVOR, I’m READY!)

Self-Timer…gotta love it.  We are all laughing because I couldn’t keep anything in my pocket the entire weekend.  Before the snap, I was being teased about my clutzy ways–I hit the button and ran to get into the picture…took a slight stumble, and my phone flew out of my pocket and into the fire…luckily it was down to embers, and it landed primarily in soot.

So much fun to be around!  Family=WONDERFUL!

NOVEMBER

I’ve always wanted to go see Opryland–and at Christmas!  So fun!  Thank you, Brooke!

WONDERFUL TIMES!

Inside Opryland

Hahah…if you made it through, Thanks.