Weekend in Gettysburg

There's something pretty awesome and a little spooky about walking on the land where Civil War soldiers fought and many died almost 150 years ago!

Brandon and I decided to visit the famous battlefield of Gettysburg for the weekend and brush up on our Civil War history.  Let me just say, I was confused for about 90% of the time.  I work with numbers on a daily basis, not war strategy!  Once I established who was red and who was blue, following along with the guidebook and CD wasn't nearly as difficult. :)

Weekend Itinerary:

Saturday morning - Visitors Center to buy a guidebook and CD for the AUTO tour.  They have a great route that you can drive your car on, with marked stops.  Perfect for pregnant ladies who you most definitely won't find walking across battlefields in 85 degree heat!  We did the first two hours of touring, then off to EAT!

Saturday lunch - Appalachian Brewing Company...highly recommended!

Saturday afternoon - 2 more hours of touring.  I left with much respect for those that participated in the hard-fought battles in Gettysburg and enjoyed learning about the history that took place on those expansive grounds.  By the way, the Union won...I think. :)

Saturday dinner - Dobbin House (claims to be the oldest building in Gettysburg) - the basement "tavern" has the neatest atmosphere and great food.  Then, ice cream and a stroll in downtown Gettysburg.

Sunday - lazy morning, ate breakfast at the hotel, and drove back home.

Good times. :)

Great weekend.  Thank you to those who fight for our freedom...past, present, and future!

Are these not gorgeous!?!

I'd have a hard time not killing one orchid...try not killing over a thousand!

Longwood Gardens - Orchid Extravaganza

I'm sharing these beauties at A Rosy Note...

Hershey, PA - Make Your Own Chocolate Bar

Ok, this was so much fun...

Cousin Shelby came for a visit a couple weekends ago (here's what other shenanigans we were up to that weekend) and we visited Hershey, PA...or the "Motherland" as her mom called it...Stacy, you are hilarious. :)

They have this new activity where you can create your own candy bar and design its wrapper...

Then, you watch it go down the conveyer belt...

....while sporting these awesome hair nets and, if necessary, beard nets (husband had a little too much fun with the beard net).

It adds the ingredients you chose...I picked pretzels, rice krispies, and cookie bits...go big or go home, right?

Next, it covers your creation in chocolate.

And adds sprinkles if you so desire...I do. :)

While your chocolate bar is in the cooling chamber, you get to design your wrapper.

And you have your very own personalized candy bar made in Hershey, PA! Cool, huh? 

Then, you eat it...DUH! :)

Happy St. Pats from Philly!

Last weekend was a blast with cousin Shelby coming all the way from Iowa for a visit...

On Saturday, we visited Hershey, PA (pictures coming...) and did all but bathe in chocolate....

and on Sunday, we watched the Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade.  One thing you may not know about me....I LOVE PARADES.  I don't know what it is....the excitement, the floats, the people waving at you as they go by...it's all just awesome.

So, on my very official parade rating scale, I give this parade a 7...but only in its lack of floats because it for sure did not lack personality.  It was really fun to watch and gave the big city of Philadelphia a small-town feel for a few hours.  I mean, seriously...how many people in a big, busy city smile at you and wave as they walk by on a typical day?

{All about the love.}

{Husband, Brother-in-law, Cousin-in-law}

{Lots 'o Irish-lovin' people}

{Here it comes!}

{Men in skirts...I mean, kilts :) They were seriously good, though.}

{Re-enactors that - almost - had it all together...my favorite}

{Again...my favorite}

{Adorable twins}

{Somehow, this message has gotten lost over the years...good reminder!}

{I think that means that these ladies are 150 years old??}

{Sell those balloons before they blow away and take you with them!}

{Proud to be Irish}

{Philly Phanatic - mascot for Philadelphia Phillies}

{I would hate to see this guy blow his nose.}

{Cute little Irish dancers}

{...and again}

{...and again}

{Official Philadelphia Eagles Bus}

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!