Last week we spent six chilly & rainy days in Philadelphia, PA. Jarrett had his yearly conference NASPA, and although he didn't go last year (baby born), Lindsay and I used our airline miles to hop into his suitcase and go with him this year! Here are some photos from our trip... First things first. We DID NOT like Philadelphia. This was a strange phenomenon for us, because we really expected when we visited, we would love it, like Boston or New York or DC. Well not so much. There were many reasons, but here is a short list:
1. City of Brotherly Love... didn't show so much love for the Fishers. You meet all types of people in a city; however, the amount of RUDE people was significantly higher than in any place we have traveled. And yes, they were more rude that the French and New Yorkers.
2. Terrible Public Transportation/ Signs... We spent the majority of our time lost on subways, buses, trolleys... we have traveled subways in foreign countries with a different language that made more sense than this place.
Alrighty, well I could continue this list for a while, but I want to focus on the cool things we did encounter on our adventure, rather than dwell on the negative. So here is the FUN:
Lindsay and I hanging in a pew at Christ's Church. This is Ben Franklin's family pew!
For you Grandpa Rich... The Girls in front of the Fireman's Hall Museum!
An older gentleman in an elevator asked us with a chuckle, "Is this your first child?" Is it that obvious? We just might be from the West Coast. Notice her faux Uggs too...LOL...
We did a LOT of walking practice... She took a couple of steps in our hotel room to her Daddy, but we aren't counting those as real because she got a run/walk start :)
In front of Independence Hall, where they signed the Declaration of Independence that started the Revolutionary War.
This market was across the street from our hotel and had so many yummy little food vendors.
Fresh flowers for sale at the market.
My two loves standing in front of the famous LOVE sign.
Daddy & Lindsay in the Reading Terminal Market.
We had to have a Philly Cheese Steak, and boy, was it amazing. YUM! Pat's is THE place for the original Cheese Steak.
We ordered ours "Wit" "Whiz" which in Philly means with Cheese Whiz and Onions. It was delicious, and I didn't want to think about the gazillion calories I was eating. Yep, we did get cheese fries too, and Lindsay had some fries and said, "MMMmmmm".
Don't knock it before you try it.
Lulu and I in front of the oldest, continually-occupied neighborhood in the US.
J and I in front of the Bell. Liberty Bell that is.
We wanted to see the famous Row Houses along the river Schuylkill, and got to see some rowers doing there thing. It was very collegiate. Row, Row, Row your boat... sorry, just couldn't resist.
Lindsay's favorite part of the trip was the Please Touch Museum. This place was too cute, and an absolute paradise for kids 5 and under. If you have little ones and are in the area, it's a must-see.
Lindsay's first carousel ride... She LOVED it (although you can't tell in this picture) and was clapping and waving her arms in the air.
There were tunnels to explore...
"Look Daddy, there's a giant tree house to play in!"
Daddy and Lindsay having a tea party. She was way too into the tea to look at Mama taking the picture!
Hanging in the laundry to dry with Mama...
Water table! Did I mention she loves to play in the water?
We rented a car and drove west to see Lancaster County and the Amish and Gettysburg. It was so green and there were idyllic farm houses with silos and even windmills. Very Dutch.
We respected the Amish's rules about no photos, but we did get to see a horse and buggy!
Abe, Jarrett & Lulu in Gettysburg.
Jarrett & I enjoyed touring the battlefields... these pics are for you Uncle Matt!
Another day we drove east into New Jersey. No, we did not visit the Jersey Shore..LOL. We drove just over the bridge to see Princeton University, and it was really a gorgeous campus. It was a fun adventure, but it is so, so good to be home. Note to new parents: I think we also realized that traveling with a 13 month old requires scheduled time to just be a kid; to crawl, pull up and play with toys by herself. Once we adjusted our love of sightseeing with her needs, we were all happy campers. Needless to say, we won't be traveling back to Philly again (unless required by work) but I would like another one of those cheesesteaks.....
Thirteen Months has been so much fun... Lulu is ALL GIRL. I always hoped she would be a little girlie for me, and it probably didn't help that I made her wear bows constantly since she was born, but she has begun to let us know she has preferences, and it is too funny. 
She has been into jewelry lately, and has wanted to wear bracelets and necklaces. I put a few ones that were slobber-proof for her to wear around the house. She digs to the bottom of the box to find the pearl necklace and matching bracelet, then wears them proudly while she plays. 
Didn't quite fit over the head, but she had the right idea... LOL 
Don't you know- Pearls and Turquoise are a girl's best friend...
These shoes have a story... Lindsay has recently outgrown 3 pairs of shoes, and is now in a size 3. I took her to Target last week to get some new ones, and while we were down the shoe aisle she saw these shoes and pointed, waved her arms and said "OOOoooo". I have the same reaction when I spot some nice shoes too. LOL. Of course, being the sensible Mom I am, was looking at the boring old white mary jane's, but my Lulu, bless her heart, loved the pink and the bling. So we got both pairs, the sensible and the fun. (She is modeling them in the 2nd picture). 
Daddy took this picture with his phone.... she is just too much fun!! 
