Has It Really Been 10 Years?

Ten years ago, my husband and I left the Rocky Mountains for the Atlantic Seaboard. We were young and ready for adventure. Brad got a great job offer and was excited to move up the corporate ladder. I had just finished five years of unsuccessful fertility treatments, including a very painful and expensive failed attempted at IVF. For both of us, this cross-country move was just the change we were looking for.

Of course, if you had told us ten years ago that we would still be living here, working for the same company and the proud parents of four, we would have laughed. We were just having an adventure, not settling down...

But, we've put down some roots and found a place that feels like home. It's been a wonderful place for us these past ten years! To celebrate, I'm posting ten photos of my favorite things around here. Hopefully, it will make you want to come visit!

This is the local pond. I drive by almost every day. During the spring we feed the baby ducks, in the summer you can see people fishing, the gorgeous autumn colors are reflected each fall and in wintertime it twinkles with lights. When we get really lucky and have a cold winter, people come out with skates and hockey sticks!
I love New York! And it's only a little over an hour by train! The first summer we lived here, when I had no kids and lots of out of town company, I went to NYC almost every week...seeing a different Broadway play and visiting different tourist spots each time. Heaven!

These days we don't go nearly as often...but try to see a show at least a couple times a year. Nothing is more fun...

The local food is delish. Soft pretzels are a biggie. Lots of Italians means there are lots of great little Italian places. Yummy pizza. Delis, bakeries, and water ice stands offer all kinds of delicious treats. Everyone loves hoagies and, of course, cheesesteaks. I'm not a huge cheesesteak gal myself. But I love the great restaurants around here!

Sesame Place is the top tourist spot in our neck of the woods. It is a waterpark geared for the preschool set...but my older kids love it too. I love their "Rock Around the Block" parade. It's very cute, clean and almost Disney-esque. We used to get season passes every summer until the year I lost my oldest child there. I have not completely recovered. But Sesame Place is still a happy place!

The architecture here is sooo quaint and charming. Lots and lots of stone houses. Historical homes are preserved beautifully. Tradition and history are everywhere. Of course, there is not a gas station or McDonalds on every corner...but a little inconvenience is so worth the beauty I enjoy each day.

Growing up in a land-locked state, I never thought I was much of a beach person...boy, was I wrong! I could spend days on the beach (or "down the shore" as the natives say). The Atlantic Ocean is very warm and swim-friendly in the summer months. Plus, the cute seaside towns have great boardwalk amusements, charming shops and fun restaurants. The above photo is in Cape May, NJ...my favorite beachtown here!

The spot where we live is close to the city, but also close to the country. In fact, we have the best of both worlds. I love to drive by all the local farm stands and past old covered bridges. Lancaster County is just an hour away. We like to go and see the Amish farms and stuff ourselves silly at the Good & Plenty!

Philadelphia itself has a lot to offer. No matter how many times I see the Liberty Bridge or tour Independence Hall, I learn something new about our country's history. It is fun to walk the old cobblestone streets, visit Ben Franklin's house and eat at the Old City Tavern. A great way to travel back in time!

Of course, it would be wrong to not mention the shopping is fabulous! King of Prussia mall...need I say more? This is another aspect of life I enjoyed much more in my pre-kid life. But just knowing it's there...that's enough for now.

**Hope you enjoyed your tour of my hometown today! Truly, the best thing about this place is the group of amazing friends who have become our East Coast family. They have helped us so much and continue to provide support and love. We always are ready for company, though...so call us when you're in town. We'll leave the light on for ya!