Keisha visit- Day 4 Valley Forge and Gettysburg

The day after Thanksgiving, we were itching to get out of the house, so we decided to go on a trip to Valley Forge, and then into Gettysburg. Had we known how long it was really going to take to get to Gettysburg, we probably just would have gone straight there and spent the day, but I'm still glad we went to Valley Forge, it was really cool, and surprisingly close to where we live. I am going to make sure that I brush up on my history the next time I go back so that I can gain a bit more appreciation for what I'm looking at. I warn you now that I will be posting a ridiculous amount of pictures for memory's sake, so now that you know...

I was a little worried about the kids getting bored, or not enjoying themselves on our little history tour, but they really liked it. The weather was gorgeous, and they were happy to go on little walks to check out the sites.

I loved the scenery and the open fields at Valley Forge and Gettysburg. They seemed so preserved and untouched. Very peaceful.

General Stueben, pronounced "shtoy-ben." He didn't seem like a guy to mess with, even his name is threatening!

A room in one of the homes in Valley Forge. If I did my research, I could actually tell you about it, but alas, my attention was monopolized by the kids.

How'd you like to bake in that kitchen?

Okay this is a corrider into the chapel of the coolest church in Valley Forge. This was probably my favorite visit of the day, as well as Keisha's. I didn't get a picture of the entire building (dang it Teresa!), but I just loved it, there's something so cool about old churches, they just don't make structures like this anymore.

There were several of those gorgeous stained glass windows throughout the church.

Nope, not the liberty bell, but a replica right before you walk into the church.

As we were walking out, we passed a lady that was planning her wedding in this chapel, kind of cool!

The pillars and yard attached to the church, it reminded me of one of the scenes in Ever After. It made me want to hold hands with a guy, but my guy was attending to the bathroom needs of our girl, so I settled for my miniature guy!

After a few hours at Valley Forge, we stopped for a lunch at McDonalds and made our way to Gettysburg. The kids were real sports in the car and barely complained, I think their Aunt Keisha helped with that situation! Gettysburg was SO cool, but by the time we got there, it was already starting to get dark, so we did a condensed version of the tour. Fortunately, we have three and a half years to check it out again. Next time I go, I'll have done my research!

There were so many amazing statues to look at, Jayda loved them too.

She was good enough to read off what it said to us.

We did take a quick trip to the visitor's center, which was cool, but there wasn't a whole lot to do there unless you were willing to pay. So, we stuck with our fields!

These were all along the car tour.

Skyler on his "lease." This is how we directed him, since picking him up was completely out of the question.

We climbed to the top of this building, it was really cool, but the stairwell was very narrow and winding, so if you were passing someone on your way up or down, you got very close, not good for someone with claustrophobia!

This was my favorite statue. There is actually a scripture that it was built after, I'll try to find it and add it later.

After Gettysburg we went home and ordered some white pizza so that Keisha could try it, and because we can't get enough! We put the kids to bed and watched Penelope, which was Keisha's first time and my...well, I've seen it a lot! I said goodbye to Keisha that night because at five the next morning she and Glenn were out the door to the airport to catch her flight. I would have loved for her to stay a bit longer so we could take her to see the Liberty Bell and Independance Hall, but there is always next time! We had a great time and hope to see Keisha again soon!