Monday, September 15, 2014

Pennsylvania

School has been in session for a few weeks, but we still had some summer travel plans for the next few weekends.  We put a lot of miles on the van the past few weeks! 

For awhile now the kids have been doing certain jobs for pay.  But there are jobs around the house that they have to do just because they are part of the family.  With earning money, the kids like to spend it.  I need to be more willing to go shopping with them, as they all like to go and spend their money!  (If you were wondering, here is the breakdown for their pay in our house: 10% giving--tithing, 40% spending money, 50% savings.  Birthday money is theirs and they don't have to save any.)

Shanna bought a little kit and Lee helped the girls assemble it.
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Between all the trips and school starting we didn't do our no-electronics week this summer. Maybe next year.  We all really enjoyed it last year and did some extra fun things as a family.  I wanted to do something, so one night we went to the park for dinner, s'mores and running around.  Can't go wrong with a fire and treats!
Aug 23 2014 Elkton Park

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I am sure you probably saw something on social media or the news about the ALS ice bucket challenge.  My kids had fun doing it, Lee too. 
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My kids are ever enjoying Legos around here.
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The last weekend in August we headed up to Pennsylvania for my nephew Eric's baptism.  About midnight the night before I realized that we could swing through Hershey, PA without adding any extra travel time! I went to Hershey at least once, maybe twice growing up and loved it.  I thought my kids would enjoy it too.
Aug 30 2014 Hershey PA

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We stopped at Hershey World for a free tour of how their candy is made.
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Wow, a lot had changed since I was there over 20 years ago!  I just remember seeing still photo shots of the production process. I did get to sit in a "car" that went around. Not sure what to call them?
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At the end of the tour you get a free sample.  We all received a package of chocolate covered acai berries.  (I think that was the fruit.)  I like chocolate, and I like fruit.  But not together.  Now I do like chocolate chips in say, pumpkin or zucchini muffins/bread. 
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After the tour we looked around the shop and each picked a treat.
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Four of the five kids got York peppermint patties.  Too funny.
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Sometime it would be fun to go back again.  Maybe, even maybe go to the amusement park there. Even though we didn't add any extra travel time, we did arrive later than planned to Darrell's.  We missed out on going to a cool park.  Some other time though. Our kids still had a fun time.
Aug 30 2014 Eric's birthday

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It was so fun seeing the cousins swim in the pool.  Realistically, I don't think we'd ever get a pool, but being at Darrell's definitely had me thinking about one! 
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That evening we went to a near-by state park for dinner.  The kids, and Lee, had fun throwing huge rocks over the edge of the bridge.
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On Sunday we enjoyed some great meetings, followed by Eric's baptism.  He is a such a great kid!  We loved that we could be there for his birthday (which was the day before) and his baptism.  In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints children are baptized at age eight.  We believe that infants and those younger than eight do not need baptism.  At age eight they are old enough and accountable enough to know right from wrong.  We're proud of your decision Eric to follow Jesus Christ!
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On the way back to Darrell's we had all girls in the van (except for the driver, Lee).  It was so cute hearing them all sing.
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One more group shot!  This picture is only of four of us siblings and our families, including my parents.  We have a big, happy family! I love it!
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