Pennsylvania

At Princeton we visited the battle site and had a Panera picnic on the beautiful school grounds. Then we drove to Trenton and saw the monument there. Finally we went to Philadelphia where we saw the Liberty Bell and walked around the Constitution Hall. Nate got two different Philli cheesesteaks and we brought them back to the hotel and went for a swim. Mason loved that. We visited Valley Forge this next morning after Nate had let me sleep a whopping 11 hours and brought me breakfast in bed. So sweet!

Such a great trip! We are happy to be home again in Virginia.

Mason found a gun, so Nate had to find one, too!

We love how he puts his feet up like that!

When I walked out of Nasau Hall, this is what I found. Stanley was getting a lot of attention :). Now I know what my sister was talking about when she lived in Hong Kong with her blonde little boy!

Mason chose that one!

Valley Forge

Mason took this last picture - fun to see the world from his perspective once in a while! xx

New York, New York!

New York was amazing! We drove through Lake George, Saratoga (a famous Revolutionary War battle site), and made it to NYC just as the sun was setting. My cousin Laura and Wil and their two beautiful little boys hosted us there! We loved our time together - Brooklyn Bridge, Shake Shack, Magnolia Bakery banana pudding, The Met, and finally a broadway (Amazing Grace). I love you NYC!

Mason getting ready for the Battle of Saratoga.

I guess if you're going to have a battle it might
as well be in a scenic place.

Nate had to eat at the last Howard Johnson's in existence. Sadly I can see why they no longer exist - he was gracious enough to eat there, but I had to sit that one out (and I'm not usually a picky eater). Nate's edit: What?! This is the very definition
of food history! I know the place didn't smell super great inside, but the food wasn't that bad!

Lake George

Stewart's Shops ice - cream...wow! so good.

Saratoga

NYC at nightfall

Shake Shack at Brooklyn Bridge park

Love me some Shake Shack!

Just can't believe that view

So happy together!

Brooklyn Bridge

Amazing Grace! Loved it! I cried so much at the end. So inspiring!

Vermont

Vermont was probably my favorite state to drive through - those rolling green hills were breathtaking. We drove through the beautiful Dartmouth college during a pretty heavy rain storm, stopped in Sharon Vermont where the Prophet Joseph Smith was born. That place was so special. That night we stopped in the tiny city of Montpelier (Vermont's Capital), and saw the Capital Building where Nate's ancestor, Thomas Chittenden was the first Governor of Vermont. We had fun looking for his statue. The next morning we woke up and visited the legendary Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory. This of course was a highlight of Mason's road trip. We kept driving until we came to a ferry where we crossed and spotted Fort Ticonderoga and bought some delicious blueberries. Vermont, thanks for your beauty and delicious fruit!

We were actually just leaving Vermont, but Vermont
was indeed very welcoming.

Dartmouth's beautiful campus

a rainy afternoon

The sun came out just in time for this...Mason is being so funny as always!

Amazing sunset in Vermont.

Nate trying to help out the photographer - to no avail

At first I teased Nate that this was his ancestor on the top of the building - so of course he has to pose. Stanley as not so sure this was a good idea.

Then we thought it was this guy - but he definitely looked too stern to be a Freeman

We finally found him! Nate is so happy that he is not the only "hobbit" in the family! Short in stature but great in spirit! :)

And away he goes

Waving goodbye to Grandpa Chittenden.

Probably the highlight of the trip for Mason . . . okay, and the rest of us.

More than a little excited

They even gave us a sample of their ice cream

Short ferry ride across Lake Champlain to Ticonderoga, NY - sweetened by those blue beauties.

Just look at those!!

Fort Ticonderoga