Thursday, February 23, 2012

Chocolate World!! Hershey, Pa.


There are SO many things I don't like about our house (the drafty windows which we keep 'king frost' on year round, the unfinished dusty wood floors, the stinky scary basement, the gravel driveway, the CHEEP Home Depot kitchen cabinets....) BUT, for now, lets keep those buried, and discuss the positive things!!
I LOVE that my children have an indoor track in the winter! It ROCKS!
When they are not running circles, they are riding these little bikes around and around!
I LOVE the halls and paths in our house that make this possible!

Now, what was I saying? Pack your bags!
Lucy loves a vacation (she'd love it even more if it were to Utah) BUT, this was a trip was to Hershey, Pa.
(SO cute that she does this!!! )
If I haven't said it enough, I LOVE that we can drive just under 3 hours, go through 3 states, and be in a NEW, exciting destination (even if it revolved around my least favorite treat, chocolate)
How was the 'Hershey Experience'?
Well, you already know I don't like chocolate, and Jeff doesn't like to spend money, so that about sums it up!
No, really, this place was one to see and I'm thrilled we did.
I'm also thrilled we didn't spend any money on the '3-D' experience, the 'factory tour' (which was NOT of the factory. In fact it was IN the museum, touring some of the equipment they may have used...) or the 'chocolate lovers guide' to Hershey (a 45$ VALUE!!!)
BUT, we did have a the ride of our lives!!!
(P.S. the bag I'm holding was Jeffs splurge in the chocolate store, while I went out to the car to get our lunch.....never again!)
We had no problems jumping in line (ahem, a few times) to the only free thing offered by Hershey.
It was a Disney Land esk ride.
You sit in cars, and it takes you through the journey of Hershey!
IT WAS AWSOME!!!
And, in the end, you got 3 little chocolate candies.
TAKE THAT, Hershey!
How was 'the Hershey Experience'? Not all that bad.




The view!
This is the actual amusement park @ Hershey (closed for the winter) but looks awesome!
How could we not love Jeff? I mean really?
This kids are SO lucky!

I think as my kids get older, they'll remember Hotels being like their vision of 'Heaven'
The rules at the hotel, none. Food restrictions, none. Clothing rules, none. Cleanliness, none. T.V. time, virtually endless, (ok ok, they do still go to bed on time, are only allowed SO MUCH popcorn, do eat a healthy breakfast, have to pick up their dirty things....we are still us after all....)
but its fun time for all on vacation!
They love it kuz they get to be 'naaed guys', jump on the bed,
while I soak up all the HGTV/Food Network time I can!
The Antique Automobile Mueseum!
SO worth it.
NAILED IT, Hershey!
I can't remember the name of this car, but it was one of the hundred we saw.
This particular one was one of 8 made, and only one of 2 still in existence!
SO neat!
This car....made out of Aluminum!
The makers of Aluminum at the time wanted to show the diversity of Aluminum.
Goal, achieved. (it weighed nearly 2x's as much as the same car, different material!)




Everything from model trains, motorcycles, busses, buggies, hearses, scooters, dress ups.....
We spent hours at the museum. In the basement, they had a kids craft area. Everything from building your own wood car to building your own CANDY car.
It was perfect!! We may have over stayed our welcome, but it will be remembered!
The capitol of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg!
This capitol building was SPEC-TACULAR!
The outside view was just breath taking, and the inside was stunning.


Loving the sun, as we enjoy the slow pace of life.

We couldn't help ourselves with so many stairs!
We counted them all the way from the street to the door.
Somewhere around 70. :)

The most beautiful ceiling I've ever seen!
And look at this statue, holding this unique crystal light!
Oh, it was just breath taking to think of all the time and effort that went into such a creation.
We had a great journey! It is such a treat for me to enjoy time with the fam! To let my strict side rest, even but for a weekend in a hotel. So glad we went! Now, where to next!!!!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

You may not know...

You may not know these things.....and frankly, you may not need to know......
We have many a place to play in our house. A favorite, this large bay window in the den.
Henry has gotten stuck in this baby pretend high chair more times then I care to count
Friday night has become our un-official pizza night.

To kick of this new tradition, we let the kids watch some of movie.
Its clear that T.V. is a special thing, as it was brought down form the dusty attack and put on the table just for such an occasion.
You may not know that the trick to a thick, soft, chewy cookie is not having the dough to moist. I never knew this, and shame on any of you who did, and didn't tell me.
Same recipe. Same day. Same ingredients, BUT with more flour (on the left) and they were
GO-ood. You're welcome!
Hank loves him some stamps. Stamping himself that is.

A new favorite toy is the vacuum. I was feeling quite generous one day, and let the boys suck up about 5 cups of cheerio's I had intentionally dumped on the floor. Oh the joys.
We took the metro down to see the free 'big bird in the sky' show @ the Air and Space Smithsonian's Planetarium.






Henry needs you to know he loves peanut butter (on a knife). He loves cherishing it behind his chair in the kitchen.














Charlie can now use the bathroom by himself (to prevent major sprays) we have been helping him for the last year 1/2. Its such a treat to not take him, and Lucy and him have some great quality time in the bathroom.




Lucy and I had a girls date. Cupcakes and donuts were involved. I say to her, we're the only girls, so we've got to stick together!
Love this girl!