Trip to Philadelphia

First of all, I'm sorry it has taken me so long to post again.  We have been busy with our schooling.  I have plenty to tell you about!  I hope to post at least once a week!  I'm writing that down so I feel accountable to you my readers (all five of you, maybe less now that I've taken so long to post!)
Two weeks before Christmas, we went on a road trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  From our new home in Maryland, it is two and a half hours away.  On our way we stopped in Aberdeen, MD at the Ordnance Museum.  It was about half-way between Glen Burnie and Philly.  There we learned about the history of tanks and weaponry used throughout all of the wars.  Of course the boys loved it!  I pretty much felt like if you've seen one tank, you've seen them all!  =)

The next day we visited all the historical sites in Philadelphia.  I cannot begin to express the emotion I felt being in all the places I had only read about in the history books.  I felt so proud to be an American. I was also in awe of the great, intelligent men that made hard decisions and thought through what a democracy should be!  So anyway, here are some pictures from the historic sites: 

Luke and Nathan at the Liberty Bell, the clock tower at Independence Hall

This picture was interesting.  We were on the second floor of the Pennsylvania State House which housed the state senate.  Before Washington DC was built, our national government used this location.  Our tour guide told us that the spot where Nathan and Luke are standing would have approximately been the spot where George Washington was inaugurated as our first president at the front of the Senate chambers.  Later an addition was added to the building and that is why now that space is in the hallway. 

For some reason, Blogger won't let me upload my most favorite picture; the room where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.  So moving on...the picture on the left was taken in Ben Franklin's print shop that he built for his grandson.  This kind gentleman gave us a demonstration of the printing press.  It would have been meticulous work.  So glad that blogging does not involve setting type, inking the page and then letting it dry for several hours!  We've come a long way! 

Last but certainly not least, a trip to Philly would not be complete without Rocky and a run up those famous Philadelphia Museum steps!  Before you scroll down, get the theme song in your head or hum it out loud!  Okay, now scroll down! =)

When my sister came to visit for Christmas, we decided to do something untraditional for Christmas dinner.  We wanted to try Julia Child's Beef Bourignon dish.  It is basically a french beef stew.  The recipe is rather involved and the dish cooks for a very long time.  All the effort was definitely worth it!  We served it over mashed potatoes.  Here are a few pictures of our process and final product. 

It may not look very appetizing in these pictures, but it was so tender and yummy!  We will definitely do it again. It was a lot of fun spending the day in the kitchen with my sister!