beautiful PA

Although we are blessed to see B's Uncle Bill and Aunt Ginny every summer at the Bourne Reunion, it never feels like enough time with them.  Early this year, we started discussing a plan to follow them home to Pennsylvania from the reunion, show the kids their homestead and make some sweet memories together, spending more individual family time with them...and seeing a few other sights as we've posted about already.  They were so kind to agree to a visit from our crew, so we headed north instead of south when we left the reunion in Virginia :))

We stopped a little ways north with some of our northern Bourne cousins.  Sweet time and absolutely beautiful there!

After crossing several state lines, we finally made it to Pennsylvania!  We were all super excited :)

Gehrig loves maps and geography...got this new one at the PA welcome center and studied it on the way...

We made it!  Their home and property is so incredibly gorgeous...and they maintain it all themselves

Their beautiful home was built in the 1840s and also served as a doctor's office when it was common for them to practice downstairs and live up.  The office hours are still etched in the glass of the red corner door :)

They bought the property in the 1960s in part because of this barn.  Uncle Bill and now his son, Ric, have used it for their graphic design/sign making business for lots of years.  They are beloved in that community :)

Although close to town, it doesn't feel like it...

Uncle Bill takes so much time to tell stories and share when you have questions about anything...and he is a constant learner, always asking questions and trying to figure new things out.  It's got to be one of the things that has kept him so young!

Gehr didn't want to stop listening...so we let him stay up late to soak it all in

So adorable and seriously, no way they are 90 this fall

Beautiful garden area with a fish pond...the kids loved playing here :)

Ric and Wendi stayed after work each day to visit with us over dinner and were amazing with the kiddos too :)

(That mural on the wall??  Uncle Bill's work.  Amazing...)

Paper dolls with Daddy :)

Love

My quiet time space...so peaceful

One of the kids' favorite parts of our whole roadtrip...spending time with Uncle Bill in his art studio. He still stays super busy with his work

When he offered to take us to the local historical society, we had no idea what a treat it would be.  He and a friend have spent several years putting it all together and it blew us away!  They now host field trips even...wish our co-op were closer :))

I fell in love with all of the old books...

Next stop...the local dairy farm and creamery :)

Uncle Bill's signs are all over their area :))

YuM!

After-lunch swinging :))

The kids' next art lesson.  Uncle Bill sends hand-painted Christmas cards every single year and had a couple of stenciled cards leftover.  He guided Gehrig and Greer as they painted them with watercolors.  So beautiful!

Outside break :)

And his fun game, "Stump the Artist."  He will have you draw your initials or even a scribble and turn it into a person...the kids loved it!

And the kids helped him with a sign-printing job for a local church too and then helped him deliver it :))

The girls checked out the cows there and the whole herd ended up walking up to check out who the visitors were ;)

Red door :)

Love so much.  Ever since B's grandaddy died when he was young, Uncle Bill has stepped up to be grandfather for his brother's crew too.  It's beyond special...

Walking next door to the Peter Wentz homestead.  George Washington stayed here during the Revolutionary War and it is now a historical site that is true to its 18th century time period...

We got a tour and learned so much...love all the history everywhere up there!

We will forever cherish this time with him...

And the kids loved every part of being at a "grandparents'" home...sure do wish we were closer.

So sad to see the time end...we love them both dearly and hope that we are as active and no-nonsense at their age.  Or even now, actually :).  They just live life and keep going like they don't know they could slow down if they wanted to.  And Aunt Ginny's homecooked meals?  So delicious...every day. And set on her good china.  The kids felt so special :).  What a gift it all was...we will never forget it :)

Heading home...we ended up driving all 11-12 hours home in one day (because B is amazing ;)). This one took the opportunity to catch up on some rest :))

Sweetness...we stopped for a little bit when we made it back to VA on the way home...

And a good convenience store snack to finish the trek...

They were incredible travelers the whole time.  Love them like crazy.  Already trying to figure out where we can all go next summer :))