Picture Happy in Williamsburg VA ~ November 25th to 27th

 Since Aaron had time off and we wanted to do something adventurous with his parents in town we ventured off to Williamsburg, VA.  None of us had been there and we all love American history so it was the perfect destination.  The drive was actually very pleasant.  Grammy sat in back with AJ and compiled a list of his favorite things. It was a really amazing list. They also watched movies. I read and kept Audrey busy and surprisingly she was pretty content just snacking (which she tries to do all day long), playing, singing, and reading. We were also lucky enough to have her fall asleep in the car, which is not an easy accomplishment.  Aaron drove the whole way while visiting with Papa and listening to Christmas and other music.  We arrived Friday afternoon and bought tickets for the following days activities.  It was very busy and we were really excited to start sight seeing. All of  Colonial Williamsburg has been restored to 18th-century authenticity, and walks you in the paths of the people whose journeys led to the idea of America. We watched an introductory movie to get our minds into the 18th century mode at the Visitors Center. Everywhere we went it was like walking in a live museum. Costumed interpreters told us stories, gave tours of the different prominent houses and government buildings, worked as if they were really living in the time.  It was fun to step back into the past and be totally surrounded by it. 

 We are going to tour the Governor's Palace. AJ loved that there were weapons decorating every wall.  It was a smart way to store it and have it close when needed. I love to see how they lived and it made me appreciate my modern conveniences all the more.

We enjoyed the beautiful gardens while taking a few moments to relax and let the kids run off some energy in the back of the palace. 

It was fun to see all the carriages around but you had to keep a look out so you didn't get run over or step in you know what!

AJ loves to climb trees, but has rarely had the opportunity to do it.  We found several great trees just begging AJ to climb them.  He and Aaron tackled this tree and I took lots of photos to prove it.

I have GOT to get me one of these!  Think I know what to ask Santa for...

Last night after it got dark we watched the marching of the Fifes and Drums Corps.  Midway through their march down main street, these cannons above were shot off and we were just 20 feet from them.  AJ thought it was the coolest thing.  He also loved the drummers in their costumes.  We couldn't see them that well but they held torches as they walked by. Really cool!

The whole town is decorated with wreaths and greenery. It is amazingly beautiful and creative.  They use dried and whole fruits, plants and flowers and even feathers and antlers.  The town has a competition fairly often to see whose house is the best. The towns people consider it a great honor to win the contest.

Super cool crazy knotted tree trunk!

This is the capital building.  We were about to tour it when AJ heard the Fife and Drum Corps were about to parade down the main street again.  Aaron and Grammy went on to tour the capital, Papa stayed outside and watched Audrey in her stroller while AJ and I ran to follow directly behind the corps as they marched.  We loved the loud beat of the drums and felt like we were part of the parade.

18th century Santa was really fun to see.  Below Audrey miraculously fell asleep and we covered the stroller with our jackets to block out the light and noise.  She put her feet in the net below the stroller somehow and its the only part of her I could see.

AJ found another tree right next to the College of William and Mary, one of the oldest colleges in America.

Trains, trains, trains are in the Roome blood.  Papa grew up with them and has shared that love with his boys and now AJ.  We take care of Papa's trains and he adds a few cars each year.  They love putting the track together and watching it run while smoke puffs from the engine and the whistle blows from the coal tender.  They are teaching AJ how to put the trains on the track here.