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.....
Smelling the flowers
All the ladies after Easter service
Daddy & his Easter Bunny
Happy Easter 2011! Love, The Fishers
The Easter Bunny came not once, not twice, but 4 times for Miss Lulu... She would not look up for a picture- she was all about the basket. Grammie Kellie got her a little bunny that sang "Jesus Loves Me" and Nonna got some super cute dresses.
Grandpa Rich showing how to be gentle with the puppies..
New Swing Set!! Lindsay and Kat were the first to check out Nonna & Grandpa Jerry's new swing set! It was so cute that they got 2 swings so the cousins can swing together! Here is Kat trying one of them out. I can see many hours of fun out in the backyard in the coming years!
Uncle Matt made this rocking horse in woodshop in high school. Lindsay got to take it for a test ride. It was fun!
Grandpa Rich filled Lindsay's eggs with Puffs and all of her favorite Gerber snacks...she loved it! Lindsay liked the Easter egg hunt this year, and took the opportunity to 'hide' eggs in Uncle Matt's shoe. I hope she didn't eat what was inside of that egg. Stinky!
This photo is a little dark, but she was LOVING the puppies... Thank you to all of our families who hosted us this weekend as we bounced around. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family! 
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 "
