Day 1: Philadelphia, PA

We arrived in Philly around 12:00pm Eastern time.  We checked into our hotel and then began our sightseeing adventures.  First stop:  eating a Philly Cheesesteak.  Let me just say, DELICIOUS!!! 

Then on to the historic part of Philly.  Check out the pictures.

Independence Hall from a distance.  We are actually visiting it tomorrow for a tour.

  Benjamin Franklin's tombstone.  People come by and throw pennies and other coins on it daily.  As he would say, "A penny saved, is a penny earned." The tour guide at the cemetery said they collect $3000 or so a year just in coins collected from his tombstone.  Not to mention they charge $1 for student admission and $2 for adult admission just to walk around the cemetery.  Crazy!

Entrance to Christ Church Burial Ground

A view of the burial ground.

Statue of Benjamin Franklin made entirely of keys!

Close up view!

We also went by Christ Church and Betsy Ross' house, but they closed at 5:00pm, so we are planning on going back tomorrow. 

Tonight we are going to the Lights of Liberty tour!  It should be really cool. 

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post!

Lindsay

Philadelphia and Washington DC Here I Come...

I am leaving Friday morning at 5:00am for the airport.  I am going on a school trip with another colleague and six of her students.  I am going as a chaperone, but I do feel this is going to be a fun and educational trip for me.  I am really excited about it.  I wanted to include a link of the conference we will be attending. (Just click on the word conference) 

I will be taking my laptop and small camera so I am hoping to be able to blog at night and keep you guys updated on my travels. 

Stay posted,

Lindsay

Dougie Boy

Well, for those of you that do not know my grandfather, Dougie Boy, had to have surgery on his back this morning.  He had a bulging disc and he was in extreme pain.  This stems from a fall he had about two months ago when he was getting mulch for the yard.  He was helping level it out in his pickup truck and he stepped backwards and fell off flat on his back.  It hurt then, and he went to the doctor and had it x-rayed, but it didn't show any damage.  Then two Friday's ago it began to hurt worse.  Needless to say, we went to an brain and spinal specialist he scheduled surgery for today.  Because he wasn't dying from this, he had to wait nearly one week before they could do surgery. 

I have been staying with my grandparents and going over there everyday to help my grandmother with things.  It has been very stressful and exhausting.  However, I must say I am very proud that my immediate family has pulled together during this time to get things done. 

Like I said, the surgery went very well.  He is still in a little pain, but they are going to have him up and walking some this afternoon. He hasn't been able to do that in over a week.  I truly appreciate everyone's prayers and thoughts for our family.  He's doing great and should make great progress over the upcoming weeks.  I will be sure to keep you posted. 

Fun Times with Owen and Henry

Spencer and I kept the boys on Sunday.  We had a great day playing in the pool.  The boys are too cute!  Not to mention very well behaved for Aunt Lindsay :)

Piper's Haircut

Spencer took Piper and Tater to the vet on Friday for their annual shots and Tater's surgery (so he cannot father any children).  Well, I received a phone call at work from Spencer telling me he was going to have Piper shaved because she sheds too much and it is summer time and she will feel so much better.  I wasn't for this idea because I think Piper has a beautiful coat and I just did not want her shaved.

*When our other cat, Florida, was alive we used to shave him during the summer because he was  a long haired cat.  He loved it so therefore Spencer wanted to have Piper shaved.*

He did it anyway... actually the vet did it.  Spencer had to sign a waiver incase they needed to sedate her.  They said she did a great job.  She loved getting shaved and they didn't have to do anything to her. 

When I arrived in Albertville on Friday afternoon to check on my cats I cried at the sight I saw.  I did not even recognize Piper.  She used to be so fluffy, now without any fur she is the same size as Tater and looks sickly.  Needless to say it is just fur and it will grow.  I must also say she seems rather happy.  Check it out:

Piper, before, with all of her hair. 

Piper now.

Tater is recovering very nicely after his surgery.

We Have Tomatoes!

Two of the three tomato plants have tomatoes on them.  We had four plants, but Bella chose to eat it.  It shouldn't be too long before we can enjoy a fresh BLT! 

The Little Waverunner That Could

A couple of weekends ago we decided to launch The Blue Goose for it's first voyage of the season.  Spencer thought he had fixed any problems the boat might possibly have.  I had also cleaned the seats and vacuumed the entire boat.  (It's 28' long)  Yes, we were able to launch the boat however, it didn't make it too far before water began to fill in the engine compartment.  I don't know that much about boats, but I do know, that is not a good thing.  We decided to just try and enjoy being out on the lake and wait a few minutes before we attempted to head back to the dock.  We were going to meet my sister, Katie, and her friends anyway. Katie and her friends came and joined us.  Then black clouds seemed to get closer.  We decided we should probably head in.  We were not making it very far at all because like I said before, the engine compartment was filling with water.  Spencer finally just said, "Katie, you are going to have to pull us in on your waverunner."  and she did. 

The storm

  Katie and Russell pulling The Blue Goose to safety!

Thankfully, Katie and her waverunner were there!