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God has supplied just enough rain, sun, and great soil this season to help us raise what appears to be a bumper crop of everything we planted. I'm sure you aren't as excited as we are so bear with me with these pictures. This is the first year we have ever planted a garden and I already can't wait to expand next year. If you come to see us, you can have a home grown meal! We planted corn, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, peppers, beets, chives, and brussels sprouts. I have discovered that I would rather spend an hour in the garden than 15 minutes in the grocery store. I hate going to the store!Greg planted the corn and we are going to have tons!These pictures just don't do it justice and they were taken a week ago. This week everything grew by feet instead of inches. Here you can see beans by the corn, cucumbers, beets (story to follow), and tomatoes.On the right side of the picture are brussels sprouts and some peppers.Greg trimmed our trees and used the branches for bean poles. How's that for being resourceful!This morning I checked on the garden and my beautiful beets had been eaten by a deer. I still have about 2/3's of a row left. I used to think deer were so cute, but not anymore. At Christmastime, we will NOT be celebrating with any reindeer! We had to put up fishing line to keep them out and it worked until last night. It apparently stuck it's head through and had a little feast. Nathaniel said that fishing line would keep the fish out but we needed deer line to keep them out - HA - he is so funny! Anyway, come in about 6 weeks to help us enjoy the fruits and vegetables of our labor.
After leaving Morgantown Tuesday morning, we headed for Hershey, PA. Micah had done the roller coaster research and wanted to ride all of them at Hersheypark. We had great weather. We first went to Hershey's Chocolate World where they have every product made at Hershey and they have a simulated tour of the factory. It was really interesting. Greg and I loved the history - Micah loved the candy!On Chocolate Avenue, all the street lights are covered with a giant Hershey Kiss. We rolled our windows down while driving because the town smells like chocolate. It is a very clean place and the factory, Chocolate World, Hersheypark, and Hotel Hershey are all right together.At Hersheypark, we went up in the kissing tower and of course, we kissed at the top much to Micah's dismay! It isn't easy taking a vacation without siblings. Micah was outnumbered.Greg and Micah are in the cars going up extremely high. I can't take the loops - they make me dizzy so I just took the pictures.Here they are getting ready to head straight down!Greg finally got his chocolate milkshake at the end of the day.Micah is standing by the statue of Milton Hershey. If you ever get a chance to read his biography, it is really fascinating. I read one before we left and then shared the info with the fam on the trip. I think they might have gotten tired of all of my explanations.On Wednesday, we headed to Gettysburg. WOW! This was a great place to visit. We were there on July 3rd, the 145th anniversary of the final battle in Gettysburg. There were tons of re-enactors everywhere getting ready for all the battles. This is the station where Abraham Lincoln came to give his Gettysburg Address.This is the church where he went to pray before giving his speech.We went to a parade in the town where a lot of Confederate troops were taking over the town. Again, you need to read the history. It was really amazing. As we were watching the parade, Micah said, "That kid goes to my school!" He was in a wagon in the parade as one of the re-enactors. We can't go anywhere away from people we know!Ladies of the soldiers - they were watching the parade.This is a Union General we saw at the sight of Pickett's Charge.This is the view from the top of the hill where Pickett's Charge took place. We were there about one hour before the actual battle took place 145 years ago. It was an incredible sight.This marking is in the Cemetery where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. They had the soldiers buried by state.All the Ohio soldiers had an Ohio flag by their grave. It was a memorable place to go and visit. So many soldiers gave their lives. Having a soldier in our family, it really made me proud of our country and thankful to God for our freedom and for Nathaniel's safety while he was in Iraq.