Field Trip to Valley Forge!

We have been studying the Revolutionary War this year in our homeschool.

Which has been so much fun since we live so close to many of the historical sites from this era!

I am a history lover, and so this might be more exciting to me than some of my children, but since I'm the teacher, I get to decide what field trips we go on!

We just finished learning about the winter at Valley Forge....so off to Valley Forge we went!

They had an awesome educational packet for the kids to fill out while in the Visitor's Center.

They were all 3 busy learning and recording.

(Just love the sight of kids learning!)

 Ronan is trying out a musket to see just how heavy they really were.

 Madelyn and Duncan as Mrs. & Gen. Washington.

 Once you leave the visitor's center, the Valley Forge site is really quite big. 

I think the kids were expecting it to be more condensed.

But I reminded them that an entire army was camped here for the winter, so you would need to have a bit more space.

We drove around and looked at some of the replica buildings.

Inside we saw how they were bunked 3 high on wooden slats, and a small fireplace on one wall.

 Far from home and freezing temperatures too.

 A statue of General Washington

This is the home that General Washington used as his headquarters building during the encampment.

 Not very big when you thought about how many people were in there on a daily basis.

 Where his officers would be working.

And the place it is presumed he would of used as his office...

 (It is all by best guess, and there are no exact records as to what was where. But all materials are off the time period.)

 His bedroom

 Duncan in front of an officers quarters.

 Kitchen which is off the house.

Martha Washington had spent some time in Valley Forge with Gen. Washington, and helping where she could, and gave some encouragement to the men as well. But left so as to not take any more food away from the soldiers (which was scarce as it was).

 Morgan & Madelyn on this beautiful day in Valley Forge!

(I kept telling the kids to try and imagine being there in the middle of the winter, instead of on a beautiful spring day.)

 On our drive home, we got to drive through a covered bridge...

Which I think was as exciting as Valley Forge for the kids!

So glad we live so close to all this history right now!

Spring Break in CALIFORNIA!!!

Day 1

Watch out California...the Mahaffey's are headed your way for some Spring Break fun!

We were all super excited to get the chance to head to California for some sun, fun, and visit with grandparents!

Our first stop after landing in San Francisco was to the Oakland Temple...

If you've been in our kitchen, you've seen our 'Temple Wall', and we were excited to add some more temples to the wall this trip!

Then off to Lombard Street...

And Pier 39...

Where we had clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls...delicious!

On Pier 39 we also saw our very first double decker carousel!

The girls thought it was awesome!

(Ashlyn riding a dolphin on the top level)

Of course a trip on the Golden Gate Bridge!

Such a beautiful view from the top there!

We then drove south along the coast, and stopped at a Taco Bell on the beach...

Hayden enjoying the view and sun.

These two had fun playing on the beach.

And I enjoyed watching their cuteness!

Some of the sights we saw as we drove south...

We stayed in Monterey that night on the military base.

Day 2

After a morning of playing at an awesome park, we headed to to coast to explore!

It was BEAUTIFUL!! 

Nana had brought buckets, and there was treasures to find, and things to explore!

The children wasted no time!

Beautiful views!

The kids found fun creatures in the tidal pools...

or just had fun splashing around!

Just couldn't get over the views!

I have to say, while everyone was enjoying themselves on the rocky coast, the little girls were looking forward to building a sand castle, or something. So, I pushed for us to pack up, and move on to a sandy beach  after a while on the rocks.

This proved to be the wrong move.

We stopped at the first sandy beach we found, and unloaded all our things, trudged out to the shore, and set up camp.

Well, the waves were crazy, and you could see the strong rip tide. I said "We can stay here, but No one is allowed in the water! We are only here to play in the sand!" 

Yay right.

Water is like a magnetic force for my children.

They were first just running in the surf, but would get a bit closer each time.

And my heart was going crazy!

Seriously, I've never actually had a panic attack before, but this was the closest I've ever been.

Brian & my parents were assuring me that it was ok, they were fine.

BUT, I was so full of anxiety, I made everyone pack up and leave.

They weren't too happy.

But my heart was as soon as we left.

Not a single picture from that beach-too panic stricken to think about getting a camera out!

We carried on to visit with my Great-Aunt Earlene instead!

Much better for the heart than a scary beach!

And it was great to see her-it's been lots of years since I had!

Then drove 3 hours back to Nana & Papa's house.

(Which is were the kids requested to spend the most time)

Day 3

We had a great relaxing day at Papa's.

Always fun activities for the kids, which means it's relaxing for mom too!

Morgan was in love with just driving the lawn mower all around.

They had some target practice with the BB guns, and bow and arrow.

Ashlyn was a GREAT shot with the bow and arrow, and got a Bulls Eye multiple times!

Madelyn even have the BB gun a try, and hit some water balloons!

These guys could do this all day!

(And some of them did, in fact)

They took a break for lunch, and had a picnic in the tree house with Papa.

And once Duncan realized how fun it was to drive the lawn mower, he even took a break from the target practice!

Crazy boy!

Such a nice low key day!

Day 4

The next day Morgan & I drove down to Fresno with Nana & Liam (my nephew) to meet up with Stella (sister-in-law).

We got to see the Fresno, CA Temple while we were there too!

Another one for our wall!

Once we came back, we headed out for Yosemite National Park!

To see some big trees!

And we were not disappointed!

Hayden, Moran, Duncan, Brian, & Madelyn standing by the roots of a tree that had fallen.

HUGE!

Mahaffey family by a Sequoia tree.

We tried to see if we could wrap ourselves around the trunk.

You can't see Madelyn (by Ronan), but 8 people on went half way around!

With Nan & Papa by the trees!

Duncan, Morgan, & Hayden by a cut section of a sequoia.

Just so massive!

I absolutely LOVED this view! 

Just stunning. And of course the photos don't do it justice!

The family in Yosemite National Park.

(and Ziggy the dog(my brothers dog)-Morgan was in heaven)

Yosemite Falls.

Brian, Duncan, Sara, Ronan at Bridalveil Falls.

These two loved hiking around with Ziggy!

We pulled over to the side of the road, and had some curious visitors come up to check us out..

Closest we'd ever been to a deer.

At the same time we (the girls) were watching the deer, the boys car had stopped to watch a mamma bear and her cubs walking on a fallen tree.

Lots of wild life excitement that day!

Day 5

Papa has a friend who has horses.

So, knowing how much my girls (especially Morgan) love horses, he arranged a morning for us to come by for a visit!

It was definitely a highlight.

They got to brush the horses.

And feed them carrots.

And just hang out with them.

Then off to another grove to see some more trees!

Little Duncan man.

Mahaffey family having fun with the huge trees!

(Can you see me? I'm hiding)

Ronan.

8 Mahaffey's on a log.

My brother and flown in the night before, and so he and Stella, & Liam got to join us!

Fun to hang out with them.

Of course, a day in the woods wouldn't be complete with out driving on the roof with Papa...

While Hayden drove the truck.

 That night we had a nice time around the fire pit out back.

 (view from the tree house)

 Morgan and Auntie Stella!

The kids all ended up sleeping in the tree house with Papa.

Fun times.

Day 6

EASTER MORNING!

The Easter Bunny found us at Nana & Papa's house!

 The girls were exited!

Madelyn showing off her new bunny, and new bunny socks!

Then off to hunt for Easter Eggs!

Their spoils.

Duncan was the lucky finder of the 'Golden Egg'!

Dressed and ready for church...time for some photos!

Nana & Papa and grandkids.

Mahaffey Family

These two.

Love them.

After church, and packing, we headed back down to San Jose for the night so we could catch our morning flight the next day.

No one wanted to leave.

First time ever that we've been on a vacation, and there wasn't at least one person who was ready to head back home.

Day 7

Travel day

There was running through airports trying to make connecting flights.

Counting children, realizing one was missing (luckily it was the oldest), just as was are trying to board.

Brian set off to retrieve him (apparently he went to the bathroom thinking we had time). 

I left Morgan with their boarding passes and instructions to wait at the gate for them as I board with everyone else.

Then....They show up, just as I'm handing in my boarding pass!

Phew!

I'm thankful that my kids are such good travelers!

They really are rock stars on the plane.

And we usually get comments like, "Wow! I would of never guessed that I was sitting next to 6 children!" "They are so quiet and well behaved!"

(Not quite sure why this behavior isn't apparent ALL the time, but I am so grateful that it comes out while flying!)

 

Homeward Bound!

Goodbye California!

What a great visit!