Derek's last school project for his elementary education

This was Derek's last project for his 6th grade.  He has done so well.  I have loved watching him grow and mature and see all his great projects.  I am so glad we can "save" the great projects he did.  I love you Derek!

An Adventure with Derek in Phillidelphia

A great, great, great day together.  The weather was great.

One of Derek's favorite characters.  This was so much fun to share with him.

Derek and I on the famous Rocky steps.  This was the reason we came to Phillidelphia.  Derek loves the Rocky movies.  It was great to do this and to be able to see so much more.

Derek and I outside the first "White House" that the presidents lived in before the White House was built.

Yes, this is the actual Liberty Bell.  What a day.  I can't believe all the history we were able to see together.

Inside the old Town Hall

Outside the place the United States Constitution was drafted.

Yet another great tradition.  Our "Elf jumping" together in yet another city. Fun times together.

This is Derek and I (of course, sorry for the obvious) in front of Benjamin Franklin's grave. 

This (as I have probably mentioned once or twice or a million times, sorry if it's been way too much) is a great tradition that the kids and I have.  We have been taking pictures of us with fire trucks all over the United States.  Some day, I'll have to write the list down of all the cities that we have done this in.  I hope that this tradition continues for many more years and many more cities.

This was Betsy Ross's house.  Derek is such an easy person to travel with.  He is so easy going and appreciates everything, except excessive picture taking, which I certainly do have a propensity towards.  Sorry Derek.

This was just a funny picture that we took.  When I grew up we lived in a neighborhood that had about seven thousand filbert trees and each tree had about five hundred thousand filbert nuts on them.  We would pick them up off the ground for fun (just kidding, about the fun part).  So this was more of just a childhood memory that I wanted to help preserve.

This is the oldest church in the United States.  This seemed to be a common phrase here in Phillidelphia, "the oldest..." 

The old street of Elfreth. 

This is the sign post for the oldest residental street in the United States.  It was very, shall we say, quaint. 

Derek and I outside the Mint.  We wish we could have gone in but this trip was a real marathon.  Not much time, but we did see a lot.  We traveled over four thousand miles for just a weekend of adventure together.  Derek was awesome.  We had to wake up before 3 am the next morning to get home.  He was happy to do it.  (Well, sort of, but it didn't stop him from wanting to come out and share a fun time together which I am so grateful for)  Quite a long flight, about 4 hours.  We both slept the best we could.  I was so grateful.  We were able to sit next to eachother on the way there and the way back.