Philly

While we were visiting the Causeys, we had the privilege of taking a trip to Philadelphia for a day. It was really amazing to see the places where the founders of our country came together to declare independence and fight for freedom. Our first stop was the Liberty Bell. In the background you can see Independence Hall, where the Liberty Bell once hung and rang to gather the people of Philadelphia for the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. I thought this was a great picture of the Causeys.

Independence Hall was truly amazing. The building is virtually unchanged since it was built in 1733. It was humbling to walk where the likes of Ben Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and many other important people in our nations history worked for our country's freedom.
It was in this room that the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence and finally the Constitution were written and signed. All of this furniture is original, the chair in the front of the room was George Washington's chair. Once the Declaration of Independence was written, only two people actually signed it in this room, and then the document was smuggled from place to place for the rest of the 56 brave men who were committing treason to sign it. They had agreed to not be in the same room again until the war with Britain was won so the British would not have the opportunity to kill them all at once.

Our guide through Independence Hall was really great, and he made a comment that stuck with me. He said the things that happened in this building changed the history of the world. Never before had such a radical government been thought of, let alone attempted. That the people would govern had never been done before. It took 4 months to write the constitution. We really do live in an amazing country. Luke provided one of the most memorable parts of our trip to Philly. Upon entering Independence Hall, we were told to spit out gum if we had it. Lauri had gum and looked for a place to dispose of it, but couldn't find anything. So she has gum in her mouth and is holding Luke. They happen to be at the front of our group, right next to the guide and Luke keeps saying to Lauri, very loudly, "GUM?" So Lauri sticks it to the roof of her mouth and tries to convice him it is gone. So then he says "GUM? GONE?" Pretty hilarious, Luke almost gets Aunt Lauri busted for chewing gum in one of the most historical places in the nation!

Next up was Benjamin Franklin's house and printshop. Neither are standing, but they have steel beams showing where they once stood. They have also excavated and have these cement and plexiglass things where you can look down at the cellar and other things.

Next up was Christ Church, where George Washington and many members of congress worshipped when congress was in session. The wooden object behind Andy is a baptismal from the 1400's. William Penn was baptized with this baptismal in England and it was brought over to the US sometime in the 1800s. If you notice, Christ Church wasn't exactly enthralling for Luke; he is out cold in his stroller!Our last stop, and by no means the least exciting, was a trip to the "Rocky Steps." You know, the steps that Rocky runs up in the movie during his intense training for the big fight. They are actually the steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. Andy and Ava after their run up the Rocky Steps!

Overall, a great day! Next up, a stop in New York!