Philly Time

Last week was definitely a doozy. But a good doozy. My parents and Hal finally got to see Pulaski! It was an awesome trip. Rich and Eileen came up with Sissy and we enjoyed a few days that involved food, games and baseball. We decided to go up to a Salem Red Sox game, which is a Single-A team 45 minutes north of Pulaski, and they're obviously affiliated with Boston. After a few days, we packed up shop and went ROAD TRIPPIN'. It was a blast. Ironically we stayed in three towns with the same names as three of my brothers ... Morgantown, WV ... Clarksburg, WV (Riley's middle name) .... and Grantville, PA. They were there in spirit.

We started off by doing some family history in Clairton, PA. We found my mom's great-uncle, but not her great-grandmother, which was the initial purpose. Then we headed to Hershey Pennsylvania, which was such a cute town. Milton Hershey was ... the man. Although he was the founder of the town and the chocolate, it was interesting to know that he failed his first TWO attempts to start candy companies. He has a great story. Look it up. From there we drove through the Amish country and decided that the Amish are making bank. After that we went to Philly and met up with Miss LaMay. From there it was nothing but visiting amazing monuments (in the rain), eating Philly cheesesteaks (and Cajun food), and having an all around amazing time. Road trips + Family + Food = Happiness.

My boss thought we should have a picture in front of our new media backdrop.

The Curran fam before Rich became violently ill.

Sissy applauding ... she knows more about baseball than the average 1 and a half-year-old.

When the time came, she had to be pried off that railing.

This is for G-Money

Post-game. Right about now it started to rain.

These people are definitely lake house people.

About to head out on our ROAD TRIP.

St. Clare's Cemetery in Clairton, PA

We found my mom's great-uncle Sam.

We (Dad) decided to do a drive by of Pittsburg ... and I caught this pic of the Steelers stadium out my window.

Welcome to Hershey, PA ... the second happiest place on earth after Disneyland.

How could you not love a place with Kisses as street lights? Seriously.

I like to think that thing is filled with Hershey's chocolate syrup :)

Shot in front of the Hershey factory. The whole town smelled like chocolate, I kid you not.

Get off the iPhone! My madre put down some big bucks inside this place. We'll be eating chocolate for the next year. Haha.

The Chocolate Tour

Hal and I got to make our own chocolate bars. And that was our getup. Delish.

This is the only shot I have of the Amish country, but trust me when I say it's BEAUTIFUL.

As we were walking to Independence Hall we ran into a Civil War parade. Apparently it's the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Only in Philly would this happen.

Fredrick Douglass lookalike. Nice.

It was so cool, and it put us in a patriotic mood. Glory, anyone?

Washington's house stood right about here. Not many people realize that both Washington and Adams served their presidential terms here in Philly.

In front of Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both debated and signed. LEGIT.

The girlies basking in some United States history.

This park ranger was hilarious. That chair behind him was the actual chair that George Washington sat in.

Can you say ORIGINAL? George Washington walked on these steps.

First President of the United States. Nuff said.

Let Freedom Ring, baby!

The Reading Terminal Market ... Sorry Bostonians, but this marketplace had quite a few more options than Faneuil Hall. There, I said it.

They had food here from EVERYWHERE. We decided on Cajun food and then some crepes for dessert. We were not disappointed.

In front of the creperie

I spy with my little eye ... Halli picking out a crepe.

The crepes were amazing. The one I picked out had nutella on it. Heaven.

George on his great steed. I'd like to see Obama look that good on a horse. Not gonna happen.

In front of the Rocky statue at the Philly Museum of Art

The Padres (attempting) to do a Stallone impersonation

After we made it to the top it started to downpour.

At the top. Notice the rain on the lens of my brand new camera.

George and Martha back from the grave ... and as midgets.

This is the man who established Pulaski, VA ... and he was recognized at Valley Forge as one of the top European leaders that helped the colonies in the Revolutionary War. Can I get a what what for Count Pulaski of Poland!

Valley Forge Memorial

Valley Forge encompassed quite a bit of land.

TRON cupholders in the rental car? I had to put this up for Morg and G