(February): Snow

We had a brutal winter.  It was so cold and snowed a lot.  As a Canadian, I can't believe I've become such a wimp with the cold weather.  But I am.  

Lucky for me, the kids are old enough to play in it by themselves.  Since we don't have a fence, I don't like Isaac to venture past where I can see him, but with his sisters watching him, I'm ok not being out there with him if I can at least see him from the kitchen window.  And the girls are great helpers with him so that I don't have to get cold! :)  Isaac only lasts about 20 minutes, but the girls can stay out there for hours!

During this snowstorm in February we measured 19 inches!  The kids were in heaven - school was canceled, and while everyone in the city was snowed in, once they made the trek across the backyard, they were able to play with Neive in the snow all day!

(February): Love me some Erin

Cuddled up in my bed.

Erin informed me that if you wear your pajamas inside out and backwards your wish will come true.  She wished for snow, and wore he pajamas like this for 2 weeks!  And boy, did her wish come true this winter.  Maryland had one of it's coldest, whitest winters in history.  Thanks a lot Erin!!

(January): Philadelphia!

They wanted a picture with this guy

Independence Hall

The Supreme Court Chamber

The Assembly Room

where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed

The Rising Sun Chair.  I thought this was interesting:

this is "the actual chair Washington sat in while presiding over the Constitutional Convention in 1787.  At the signing Franklin was optimistic about the document and said that now he had the happiness to know that the carving on the back was a rising, not a setting sun."

Inside the entrance to Independence Hall

The actual inkstand that was used in the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution

Our family at the Liberty Bell

Both girls learned all about symbols of the United States in first grade.  When I mentioned that we would see the Liberty Bell, Elaina exclaimed, "that's one of the symbols of the United States!...but I think it has a crack in it" :(

Benjamin Franklin's grave

We went across the street from Independence Hall to the Constitution Convention Center - a museum all about the constitution and what it's significance is

The kids had fun visiting with these founding fathers

chatting with Benjamin Franklin

Signing the Constitution

Future Ms. President

An original copy of the Constitution

Independence Hall in the background

Philly Cheese steaks at Geno's 

Philadelphia's City Hall.  What a cool building!

Philadelphia Museum of Art. 

It was huge, and had a great collection.  Not to mention, a beautiful building

Running up the stairs, Rocky Balboa-style

I allowed them to burn some energy before dragging them through the art museum with me.  I don't think they understand why we had them run up the stairs and then cheer at the top, but one day they'll see the movies and think it's cool that they did that!

What a supportive family I have, accompanying me through art galleries :) I think they liked it though, and I was nice and didn't stay as long as I could have. I sacrificed seeing the Rodin exhibit, which I would have loved!  So maybe I'll drag them back there again someday! :)

Celebrating with Rocky himself

(January): Monticello

I took an interior design class at BYU and learned about this beautiful place. Ever since then I have been fascinated by it, and have been wanting to visit.  It did not disappoint.

We learned all about Thomas Jefferson.  Talk about a man of many talents!  Amazing.  He had a hand in developing every single aspect of Monticello - both the architecture and design.  

A lookout in Jefferson's garden where he would retreat to read and study

Behind the house

Jefferson recorded the weather, sunrise, and sunset.  Every single day.  With the career and responsibilities he had, where on earth did he find the time?!?

He had a rare indoor privy (bathroom) underneath and behind the house

Train em young! 

Jefferson had a genius system of delivering wine from his storage cellar below the house to his dining area above.  Erin is trying it out here

Jefferson's grave

I love old cemeteries! 

Afterward we went to the children's museum and played with toys!