Virginia and Pennsylvania!

We left D.C. and headed down to Charlottesville, Virginia where we stayed with the awesome Merkely family on their beautiful farm!! Jared has talked a lot about this place and it definitely lived up to its name. It was so peaceful and relaxing.
This photo with Kai and the dog just is such a farm pose I think. Perfectly fitting for this place. Kai was in heaven between the dog, cats, horses, pony, chickens, and baby chicks she couldn't be happier!

Sarah and her husband Brian pretty much run the farm now. 

They took us on a little tour of it all. The lightening bugs were all over of course!

Kai meeting the Pony!

Sarah and Brian and a bunch of baby chicks that they kept in their living room. Kai could not get enough of them. 

Anytime we were at the house she was right there. I  don't think the chicks liked her much though, the poor things would always runaway. It is amazing none of them died of fright!

 

 The next day we headed down to walk around the University of Virginia's campus. This is where Jared went to Med school. He loved being back there. It was a beautiful campus with a lot of history to it.

The next day we headed back toward New York. We stopped at the D.C. temple to walk around and get some photos in front. I would have loved to be able to go in and do some work but we didn't have the time!

 The Christus in the D.C. temple visitor center.

 

Then we headed to Gettysburg. This place was cool and very solemn. We didn't have a ton of time but we did take a tour in the cemetery there where Pres. Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. Kai spent her time collecting sticks and had quite a big collection by the end of the tour!

Hanging out with Abe!

Overlooking one of the huge battlefields. So crazy that so many men died there.

The next day we headed to Hershey, Pennsylvania so Kai could have some fun!

 

We met up with Jared's good friend Emily from UVA and her two adorable little girls. Kai became instant friends with them.  We went to Chocolate world!

They had a fun little ride that shows you how Chocolate is made, the singing cows were a hit and then at the end you got a free piece of Chocolate. Can't beat that!

We did the ride a few times!

Then the girls got to manufacture their own Hershey kisses. Here is Kai picking out her container!

Getting ready to store and collect the kisses!

Hurray and catch them all!

Then you have to give it a good shake.

They take your picture and then stick it on as the label and you are all done.

Hershey was definitely fun. The whole city was based around chocolate. The lampposts where Hershey kisses and so forth. If we ever make it out that way again we would love to go the Hershey Amusement park!

All in all it was a fun trip and a great way to end our stay in New York. We got home and a few days later the movers came and packed up all of our stuff and then it was on to the next adventure. 

Road trip to Texas!