Eastern State Penitentiary

One of our favorite things while visiting Pennsylvania was the Eastern State Penitentiary.

Maybe Michael and I have a morbid side but we both found the rumbles of this first penitentiary interesting.

The inmates were in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day.  The Quakers felt that all men had good within themselves and they needed time alone with God to find that good.  I guess they didn't read Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

The guards would even wear socks over their boats so that their footsteps could not be heard.

 The gate to the medical wing

 A replica of Al Capone's cell...

  

Philly Vacation

    Last week, Michael and I were able to fly and spend a week in the Philadelphia area.  We actually stayed in New Jersey but it was a close drive.  We had a great time.  It's nice to be able to get away and spend time alone together. 


    This post is going to be picture over-load, so don't say I didn't warn you!

This is where the first congress met and President John Adams was sworn in.  

Upstairs where the first Senate met.   

The Outside of constitution hall.  

Inside  Constitution Hall where the constitution was put together.  It was super neat seeing this piece of History.

 

 

 This is where George Washing set leading the meeting.  The back of his chair has a sun.  There is a quote of Benjamin Franklin saying something to the extent that all during those weeks he couldn't decide if it was a rising sun or a setting sun.  Once the Constitution was signed he decided it was indeed a rising sun. 

  

Obviously  this is Liberty Bell.

 

 

Betsy Ross' House.  We toured the inside.

 

 

Our only picture of us from the whole trip :(

 

 

The Philadelphia Museum of Art...."Rocky Steps!"

 

A statue of Lincoln honoring the signing of the emancipation proclamation.  He was left handed.  :)

 

Benjamin Franklin's Grave

And finally our hotel.  :)


That's the majority of our pictures from the city.  I'll post a few more vacation pictures soon.  Thanks for enduring to the end :)

Fireworks on the 4th

Steve (My sister Punky's boyfriend) and Michael took turns being photographers. 

A Long---Over Due---Update

     I think I always do this....plan for big things on the ole blog but then get distracted.  Life the past 3 months has been busy.  Of course the end of the school year always makes me a little crazy.  This year I had to box up my classroom for the big move to the new school...yeah!   I've already had a day and a half of inservice, and a week of summer school.

     My favorite thing about summer break is Fridays.  I spend the whole day thinking it's Saturday.  And I get to keep reminding myself over and over again that it's only Friday.  I love that!  

     We had Easter Dinner at my house this year.  Mom, Wendell, Granny Ruppe, Papaw Ruppe, Papaw Tommy, and Punky all came.  I can't remember what Kiah was doing and Josh had to work (at least that's the story we got :)....

 I feel it necessary to clarify that I was running really short on time that morning!   Cooking is hard work...thus the lack of hair styling.  Punky also left before we started taking pictures.


   Father's Day a bunch of my family met @ Outback.  We spent a lot of quality time together.  The wait was almost 2 hours and that was just to get a table!

For the record, we spent time with both of our mothers on Mother's Day we just didn't take pictures.

Michael's big project the last few weeks has been building an utility building.  I wish I had took pictures of it at the start of the project.  I think it's pretty cool that he's able to build like that. (I'm buttering him up for a new bookcase for my new classroom).   He's had a little help here and there but has done the majority by himself. 

Michael's sister, Lisa, had her baby this past Monday.  It was a special birthday present for Michael.  I love it because he has the same birthday as Michael, Josh, and Renee, and it's also the day I was saved 20 years ago. 

 Titus John Thomasson

11 lbs 6 oz  23inches

6/18/12

So that's the main highlights for the past 3 months.     Hopefully now I can just remember to update before September.  : )


   
 

2011 Smilebox

I'm way behind on posting my annual smilebox.  Spring break is treating me well!  These are my favorite pictures from 2011.  You can check out 2010 here,  (I totally skipped 2009) and 2008 here.   Enjoy!

Personalize your own free slideshow

I'm off to finish wall and baseboard cleaning. 

24 Years at Mineral Park

I am so far behind on blogging.  Life is good in the Jones household.  We just stay extremely busy.  Spring Break has finally arrived (Hooray for washing walls) and I thought I'd use this time to catch up on some way over-due blogging!   


First up, Michael's parent's 24th anniversary at their church.  I have been extremely blessed with super in-laws.  Michael's dad is a pastor and has been at their church for 24 years, which is a rare thing in this day and time.  We were able to go down and participate in the celebration on a Saturday back in late October-early November (I told you I was was behind on blogging!)

 Their cake was beautiful....

I loved how each Sunday School participated.  They each sang a song, or gave a testimony.  

It was a fun day.  I wish we lived closer to Michael's family but am glad we were able to spend this special day with them.