Hershey, Pa.

The day before we were to leave the East, we decided to go to Hershey, Pennsylvania, which is about an hour from Martha's.

When you get inside they have these cars you hop into so you can have a little ride through the displays of how chocolate is made. One of the first displays is some animated cows who sing about how making chocolate is "all about the milk." The car goes around a corner, and there are the cows' backsides with swishing tails.

Martha and I are enjoying our little car ride and then Martha decides she is going to take a picture of me.

After being on the tour, we took a ride into town. I took a picture of one of the street lights because it was shaped like a candy kiss. Then a picture of the smokestacks at the factory.

We drove by this way cool play area called "The Cocoa Castle", so we stopped and played for a while. You can barely see a little blond head in the one picture. Then Grandpa was climbing up out of the tire. I will post some more of our Pennsylvania visit later.

Kenzie and the little pink car

When Kenzie is up at Martha's she loves to ride Cami's little pink car. She is a Hoot to watch on it. It has a little horn she can honk.

She hit the sofa, so she is going to climb off. She crawls over to check out the red crab.

Check out this cool crab, Cami.

Father's Day with the Eastern Dads

Cami with her Daddy. Underneath that fine blue and purple striped tie was a chocolate bar. The Primary gave some of the dads that nice treat. Then the lumpy after church Dads.

The Winchestertans came up to Hagerstown. Dallin is checking out the drumsticks in Cami's room. Then it's time to eat. Kenzie is stuck in the corner. The other two are thirsty.

Charlie was fixated on his roll, mmmmmm! Good dinner!

We went for an afternoon stroll in the Hagerstown City Park.

This is the beautiful fountain with spitting frogs. Then back to Martha's for game time. What a great day!

Zachary's 4th Birthday

Over the Memeorial Day weekend we had the pleasure of having our Grandson Zachary stay overnight with us (him alone) to celebrate his fourth birthday. I had read on line that the train museum was going to fire up their steam locomotive on Saturday, so we figured that would be a fun place for us to take him. He even got to sit inside one of the old engines that they have on display there.

Here is a picture of the old locomotive coming into the yard to pick up the passengers.

You can tell from Zach's face that he is a little leary of this whole experience. He didn't like how loud the train whistle was or the loud hissing of the steam.

We took a second ride and he was feeling better about things.

Here are Gpa and Zach hanging out in front of the train. Also a picture of the train as it goes around the loop. If you can see inside this engine, there is a little head peeking out.

This is the same engine with Gpa helping Zach ring the bell. We had a great time together. Happy Birthday, Zach!

Martha's Birthday

When we were at Hagerstown we were there for Martha's Birthday. Raenie made a delicious cake and we put all ?? candles on it. You can see two little faces looking on as Martha is blowing them all out. Happy Birthday to you, Martha.

Kenzie is trying to feed Martha with the wrong end of the spoon. Her Daddy comes to watch as Kenzie is STILL trying to feed Martha with the wrong end of the spoon.

It takes a committee to stand around while Ellen fusses with her camera. Then the REAL fun begins. GUITAR HERO! Dallin and Cami are taking their turn with the help of Steve and Jason.

Then the Sistas' take their turn while Charlie and Jason watch and admire their skill.

Now it's serious business with Charlie and Jason dueling it out. Check the look on Charlie's face. INTENSITY! Then more sibling rivalry with Martha and Charlie. What a great birthday bash!

Our first arrival in Winchester

When we finally got to Winchester Tues. evening, it was almost time for bed for the the little Prattlings. We brought some belated birthday presents for Kenzie, so Dallin was helping her unwrap them. She is letting Grandpa help her read her new book. Charlie was still doing his rotation in Front Royal.

The next morning is breakfast time. Yum, Yum!

Both Dallin and Kenzie had just gotten a cough and a cold. You can see Dallin's little runny nose. Poor kid!

Then he's all dressed and ready for the day, although he's only got on one of Daddy's shoes. Kenzie's checking out the toy box.

Dallin's waiting in the chair to watch either "Blue's Clues" or "Green Eggs and Ham". Then on to computer games.

Kenzie in her cute pink dress in the process of answering her flip phone. These kids are soooooo cute.