Philedelphia Birthday Trip

Every year for Ken's birthday we do a short "Ken vacation." We spend a few days as a family doing things that we know Ken would love to do. This year, Ken asked if we could head up to Philadelphia. We had the best vacation ever! Last year we focused on the Civil War, and by accident, our trip this year focused on the Revolutionary War.

Day 1: We drove to Hershey PA, surprising the kids with a quick stop at the chocolate factory and buying Cora's weight in chocolate. Oh dear, we at that too quickly! Then, we headed to my awesome aunt Krista's house, and spent some wonderful time with family!

Day 2: Valley Forge. The weather was perfect. The sun was warm, but there was still a crispness in the wind. Valley Forge is no Gettysburg (one of my favorite places on earth), but there is still a reverence that demands respect in this hallowed place.

The National Memorial Arch (our first stop) has this quote inscribed on the inside. It brought me to tears:

"And here in this place of sacrifice and in this vale of humiliation, in this valley of the shadow of that death out of which the life of America rose, regenerate and free, let us believe with an abiding faith that to them union will seem as dear and liberty as sweet and progress as glorious as they were to our fathers and are to you and me. And that the institutions that have made us happy, preserved by our children shall bless the remotest generation of the time to come" (Henry Armitt Brown).

I'm not super patriotic, but when I read that quote, I am proud to live in this amazing country. I am indebted to those who have, and continue to, fight for the freedoms we enjoy. It makes me want to stand up and make our Founding Fathers proud of the country we have become.

Since this was a Ken-centric trip, we did what Ken loves best: hiking. Valley Forge is blessed with the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, littered with forests and rivers. We decided to hike the tallest hill, which took us over a bridge, up a mountain, and down along a river.

 Riley cannot smile for the camera without giving us some random dance pose.

Otho wearing his dad's kangaroo hat.

Ellie resting on the hike. 

We didn't go far (only a couple of miles), but man we were tired (notice Ellie sitting in the background).

This isn't the best picture (the faces are in shadows). But, I LOVE how Ken and Otho are talking and laughing. I feel it captures the pleasantness of conversation between father and son. Ken is such a great dad, teaching the kids many random science facts when we go hiking. I hope our children remember these happy moments (because, truth be told, they aren't all happy when we hike and we are tired and stuck together for long periods of time). But overall, I hope they see these hikes as the highlight of our family time together.

Super dad held Cora the whole time...and when a little girl got tired, he would carry her as well.

Day 3: Independence Hall

We spent the third day in Philadelphia. We woke up bright and early to go to Independence Hall (where our country was born!).




It was a cold morning, but we enjoyed the peace of arriving before the crowds.

Not the greatest picture, but this is THE ROOM where the Declaration of Independence was signed. See that chair in the center of the picture? That's the chair with the sunrise. These walls held Washington, Jefferson, Adam, Franklin...some of the greatest men of their time. What a sacred place!

The Liberty Bell was underwhelming, but the kids seemed to enjoy the quick (and it was super quick) visit.

After spending the morning at Independence Hall, we walked the half-mile to Reading Station -- an indoor market that is famous in Philadelphia. We waited in the longest line to get the best Philly cheese steaks ever. The were worth the wait.

That afternoon we drove over to the Rodin Museum. Ken's favorite artist is Rodin, and when he found out they had the largest Rodin collection outside of Europe here in Philadelphia, he grew giddy with excitement. This really was the highlight of the trip for Ken. (The above picture is me and Cora at the Rodin Museum).

There really is something stunning about seeing art in person. This picture doesn't do it justice, but "The Gates of Hell" structure outside of the museum left me breathless. There is so much agony of emotion in the sulptures.

I think this was Ken's favorite sculpture (not sure). He literally took a picture of every piece that he liked (which is 75% of the museum).

We drove home that night, exhausted, and so super happy with our trip. It was perfection! We can't wait to go back.