August: vacation time in PA and NY

We are so proud that both our girls had 4-H projects that were selected for the NY State Fair in Syracuse. It was a perfect reason to take a quick trip to an area we have not explored before and also go to the Fair and see the kids projects on display.

We were even able to get a National Park stamp in Syracuse at the Erie Canal Museum.

Girls test out the beds on a canal boat at the Erie Canal Museum.

The girls are so creative. They made up a play about the Erie Canal while we were at the Museum - too cute!

Enjoying the fountain and beautiful buildings in downtown Syracuse.

Hooray - we made it to the New York State Fair on Friday August 27, 2010!

Hangin' with the veggies!

Who knew they would have Boise State University chickens at the NY State Fair. Amazing what can happen by feeding white chickens kool-aid.

Dagny's butterfly photography was honored with a blue ribbon at the State Fair. She is incredible!

Tessa's puppy no sew blanket received a red ribbon at the State Fair.

Girls are ready for some food and a break after walking all over the fair.

Saturday August 28, 2010, we stop in Rome, NY - near Syracuse to get another National Historic Place stamp at Fort Stanwix. This replica fort shows the location and style of the Fort from the French and Indian War. It was the first Historical Place to become part of the National Park System in 1935. The town of Rome actually demolished their downtown to build the replica of the fort in its original location.

Beautiful new Visitor Center with great displays. The girls enjoyed building their own fort out of linkin logs.

Fort Stanwix replica with buildings of Rome in the back ground.

Inside the walls of Fort Stanwix.

HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY TESSA!!!! August 14, 2010
Tessa, being the very active child she is, had her birthday party at the Castle. They went Roller Skating, played Laser Tag and played in the arcade. Plus ate pizza and cake.

Prior to the party there was time for some race cars. Tessa is thrilled she can drive herself - bumper cars and now race cars - whoo hoo! Look how serious she is while racing :)

Dagny takes the lead over her dad.

Big birthday present from Dagny. Look at the Thunder Cats Sword of Omens card Dagny made for Tessa - another incredible card! Tessa is a huge Thunder Cats fan!

Matthew and Dristin sing Happy Birthday to Tessa with her Castle ice cream cake.

Sarah and Tessa speed around the roller skating rink.

Kids at the birthday party pause for a quick picture before playing in the arcade.

Birthday presents for Tessa!

Family vacation starts at HersheyPark Amusement Park in Pennsylvania on July 31, 2010. This was thrown in so the kids could say they did something cool for summer vacation, not just that they went to Amish Country and Gettysburg.

Tessa plays in the fountain and her and mom wait for Dagny and Daddy to ride a big roller coaster. Dagny loves roller coasters. Tessa is tall enough and rides a couple but did not want to go on Big Bear - too many loops and corkscrews. Tessa and mom drove cars - well Tessa drove - her new love.

The family could not pass up the carnival games. Joel actually won a stuffed Hershey bar the size of Tessa by throwing softballs into metal milk containers.

We had a fabulous time at the water park at Hershey.

Joel had a board game competition (he took 2nd place - like last year) in Lancaster, PA. The girls and Gwen entertained ourselves with some bowling and going to see the Ramona movie.

The girls try out an Amish cart (no horse attached) at Strasborg Railroad in PA.

We did the most incredible tour at the Strasborg Railroad of their shops. They repair steam engines from all over the country.

We took a train ride in the Presidential car. It was the only car with air conditioning, which was worth the price on a hot and humid August day.

Girls enjoy the air conditioning and Coconut cake in the Presidential train car. Tessa loved that the hidden light bulb popped out of the wall above her head. Such technology...

Tessa wanted to ride this pump car (like Scooby Doo). She was too short to pump, so Dagny has to pump. Dagny was not happy about this, in the heat and humidity, but she was great sister and did it.

At the Amish Farm and Village

the girls got to try out milking a fake cow. Go city girls...

Tessa kisses a goat by putting a leave in her mouth for it to eat.

Tessa tries out an Amish scooter.

Pennsylvania Capitol Building in Harrisburg. This is one of the most incredible Capitol buildings. Beautifully architecture inspired by the St Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy. The entire building - inside and out is a work of art. We also found out here that the Capitol Buildings have stamps. Yes - we got the stamp.

While waiting for our tour of the Capitol we found a nice lady that turned out to be the Attorney General for PA that gave us a personal tour of the Governor's Office and took our family picture in the office.

One of many rotundas in the PA Capitol Building.

One of the tiles on the main floor of the PA Capitol that depicts their state.

Standing in front of the Capitol looking at downtown Harrisburg.

No trip would be complete without a National Park Stamp and this is a big one!

The girls is hanging out with Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg.

Girls in front of the home of President Eisenhower's farm at Gettysburg.

Overlooking the battle grounds of Gettysburg. There are over 1,300 monuments there.

We enjoyed an Amish farm tour. This farmer breeds miniture horses. The girls loved them and there were several babies. They were able to feed and pet them.

At the Amish Farm and Village, Gwen and Tessa play giant checkers, while we wait for Dagny to have a personalized book marker made. Tessa won - of course.

Hangin' with the laundry at the Amish Farm and Village.

We visited Indian Echo Caverns near Hershey, PA. The under ground Crystal Lake is the most clear wate we have ever seen.

Outside the enterance of Indian Echo Cavern.

At Indian Echo Cavern there was a petting zoo that the girl were able to feed and pet the animals. Look at the super cute bunnies.