Now, for an update of what we've been up to!
A couple of weeks ago, my mom and sisters came up for a week long visit. While they were here, we decided to check out Hershey, Pennsylvania. The city is about 35 minutes from where we live, and it is a gorgeous drive; lots of farmland and pretty scenery. We drove through the middle of town first (which was extremely cool with its kiss shaped lights and all) before we headed for Chocolate World. Once at Chocolate World, we decided the do the tour of the factory, make our own chocolate bar, and then ride the trolley for a tour of Hershey that tells the story of Milton Hershey.
The tour was a neat little ride that took you through several parts of the factory and talked you through how the process works - from beginning to end. It also talks a little about the different products they make. Although the music is a little loud, it was a neat tour.
(Where's Hannah, you ask? She has her standardized testing the week that mom visited, and had to be at school to take the tests. Bummer. Since Chris wasn't able to go with us, either, we are planning to go back this summer.)
The Make-Your-Own-Chocolate Bar is exactly what it states. You start the process in a room full of computerized screens where you pick what kind of chocolate you'd like, what you would like in the middle, and even sprinkles on top, if you prefer. You are able to watch your chocolate bar being made, from beginning to end, even as it is packaged. By the way, you also design your own package! At the end, they put it in a neat little tin for you to keep.
The trolley ride was last, but by far the neatest part for me. The story of Milton Hershey and his legacy is one of the coolest stories I've heard in a while. If you don't know it, look it up. I promise, you'll be amazed. So yeah, Chocolate World is definitely something we'll do again, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting this area.
I also checked out the zoo in Philadelphia while they were here, and after checking the prices for entry and parking, it was the same price for me to get a yearly pass as it was for just one day.
The zoo is just starting up its season, as winter was pretty rough up here this year, but we had a really good time. I'm really excited to get to visit again (and again) this summer with the kids.
Considering what a massive move this was, I think we've settled in nicely, and it didn't take us too long to feel comfortable. I still really love the area. We visited a church this past weekend that we really liked (yay!), so we'll be going back there this Sunday. We have family pictures made with a local photographer Saturday... so yeah, we are keeping busy and enjoying each other. More later =]
