Vacation Trip Part 1- Phillidelphia

David and I were able to take a Great trip together this past week.  David had work in Philidelphia so I was able to meet him there and begin our next adventure.  I had never been to Philly before so I was very excited to go check it out.  I flew out on Wednesday and the adventure began.

The first thing we learned was Pennsylvania has a lot of toll roads aka turnpikes.  In California you have an option when a toll road is coming up. If you want to take the toll road (expressway) you take that exit. But in Philadelphia all must exit to get your ticket for the road.  You can drive around if you have a pass, then at the end all cars pay according to your ticket, the amount of time on the turnpike.  David did not understand that and thought he was driving around avoiding the toll road, but that is not the case.  As he exited he had to go through the checking point and he had no ticket. They were going to charge full price but the lady had grace on him as he had his ticket to prove he had just flown in from out of state. Lesson learned.

Thursday David had to go to work and I was able to go exploring with my cousin, Chris.  I hadn't seen my cousin in over 19 years, so I was very excited. She looks great and just like I remembered.  We had a wondful day as we explored all the historical sites.  Most of the sites are free, as the cashier explained we had already paid with our taxes.  You have to get a ticket to go into Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence, the Article of Confederation and the Constitution were all written. So we got that ticket and then walked to see the liberty bell.  It really is a bit surreal to go see these sites that I have read about since I was a small child.  We explored all we could in that area, grabbed a bite, then went to see Betsy Ross house (there was a five dollar fee for that).  An actress did a great interactive reenactment of Betsy Ross .  It was fun.  Then we went to see Benjamin Franklin's museum .  Outside the museum in a separate building, they had a working printing press similar to what Franklin would have used.  The Park Rangers showed us how it was used and printed us a copy.  Then we went into the museum. It is also five dollars but has a lot of interactive displays.  Unfortunately, we got there late and didn't get to explore as much as I would have liked. We then met David for dinner and Chris's husband was able to get there in time for dessert.  We had a great time catching up.  It was hard to say goodbye to Chris, but I hope it isn't another 19 years until we get together again.

Chris and I at Independence Hall

The Liberty Bell

The room set up as it was when they signed the Declaration of Independence

Cute little sandwich shop in Philadelphia 

Betsy Ross House

Great Big Beautiful State

Our family enjoys camping.  We like to camp the easy way, a trailer.  I know, not as roughing it as some but I really appreciate our trailer.  There is something wonderful about going into the forest, away from the city and just breathing.  The air feels, smells, looks and maybe even tastes refresher.  It makes all the hard work of packing and preparing worth it.

We have been able to take a couple beautiful trips the last two weekends.  Last weekend was for three nights, this weekend it was just a day trip but just as beautiful.  How blessed I feel to live in our beautiful state so diverse in God's beauty, from desserts to forests, to rivers and lakes, to cliffs and canyons, and rolling hills to gorgeous mountains; all within a couple hours from where we live.

After the gender reveal party we headed out camping.  It was so wonderful to have all my kids present for our camping trip along with a few friends.  We went to a place called Warm Lake.  Not sure why it is called that, I wouldn't say the lake was warm, but it was oh so beautiful.  It was my favorite type of camping weather, cold enough for the bugs to mostly stay away, but warm enough to be comfortable.  We planned our meals with our family together and that is the best part, being together with those we love and just spending time together.  Our family got to hike, boat, play games, worship and did I mention "eat" together, good times.

eating together

Cassandra caught her first fish

our hike to the natural hot springs

The hot spring just came right up out of the ground, so amazing

Down aways the kids soaked their feet in the warm water

time around the campfire 

August was having a great time.  

Here are some pictures of the beautiful lake

Then Saturday, David and I went on a little hike with my parents.  David was scouting out the area and I got to enjoy the amazing view.  Isn't God's artwork so beautiful, the mountains sing forth with joy.  I wanted to share these pictures on top of the world of our little day get away. Hope all is well, Have a blessed day.
Alicia

David and I 

Feeling like we are on top of the world

So beautiful!

Gender Reveal....It's a ....

Alexander and Ivy traveled the long drive here to hold a gender reveal party for us.  It was so sweet.  They had wanted to have their first gender reveal party to be with family.  Only Alex and Ivy knew the gender and they kept it a secret for almost a week, pretty impressive.

Alex and Ivy mailed us adorable invites to the party and encouraged us to dress blue for boy and pink for girl.  Vicky (Ivy's mother) made "stud muffins" (blueberry muffins) and I made "cupcakes" (pink strawberry cupcakes).  David and I had no idea the gender.  I am pretty bad about guessing genders, I have only been correct for three of my own out of seven.  I did guess right with our first grandchild, August.  This time I decided to guess a boy, but everyone I talked too was guessing a boy also.  So, I decided to change my vote, I mean what if it is a girl and everyone guesses a boy.

The big day came and we were asked to put our guess on a chalkboard

 They had the yummy snacks set out that we could grab on our way outside to find if our guesses were correct

 Ivy's dad had built this awning for use at their wedding, they decided to use it to hang up the pinata full of candy either blue for a boy or pink for a girl

Thankfully, they started to the party off with the gender reveal.   August began with the first swing at the piñata, so cute

 Then Aidric got a try

 Next Isabella gave it a try.

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Unfortunately, we didn't get the picture of my niece breaking the piñata, but yesssssss, it is a "Boy!!!!!"  Blue candy came out and we were so thrilled.  I know people who say they don't want to ruin the surprise of finding out the gender before the birth, but we really enjoyed the surprise a bit before.  When the baby comes we will have the joy of the surprise of his features.  Will he be big or small, have hair blonde of brown, or at all.... and all the other parts of his fearfully and wonderfully made self. Yes, I guessed wrong that day, had it been a week earlier I would have been correct, but I don't mind.  I was so excited to find out the gender and as always sat there all choked up wiping the tears from my eyes so excited.  Now we prepare to welcome this new little gift from God.  I have already started a beautiful new blue baby afghan for this little man. 

 We had a great time rejoicing together, celebrating the great upcoming arrival of Alexander and Ivy's first baby, a boy!  Here are a few more pictures of the night.  We continued the celebration playing a couple little fun baby jeopardy and baby charades games. It was guys verses girls and well the boys beat us at both games.  Good job boys.  :)   Have a great day and God Bless

Alicia

My dad reading the jeopardy question for the guys

Cassandra giving her clue

My parents reading the clues for the charades 

Latisha, Brent and Aidric giving it a try

sisters.  

August posing for a picture with his first cousins outfit!