4th of July in Gettysburg

We spent the actual 4th of July in Gettysburg, PA.  It was the 150th anniversary of the battle there and being the war buff that Tony is, we just had to go.  We were actually supposed to go on the 5th and wanted to go see Uncle Tom and family in Shenandoah, VA on the 4th.  But when we found out that Tom was having his Independence Day festivities on the 5th, Tony actually drove to Gettysburg to get tickets for the 4th! 

Gates opened at 8:30, but we really wanted to park on-site for easy access to food and a cool place to feed Lydia if need be.  We got there at 7:30 and parked right where we wanted to - score!  So, we hung out at the truck for a while looking cute...

 Then, we headed in and checked out the Union camps first.  I'm not too into this stuff, but it was amazing.  There were thousands and thousands of re-enactors.  Authentically dressed, with tents, materials, weapons, etc. all correct to the time period... Even horses.  The kids liked it, but were already starting to whine that it was hot and they were sick of walking.  We are totally NOT stroller people.  I usually wear the baby in a front carrier wherever we go.  But, we brought a stroller this time to carry other stuff and provide baby shade... Good thing, cause the other 2 kids rode their fair share too!

 Then, we took the long walk over to see the Confederate camp.  By now, it was quite warm out and there were many quarrels over whose turn it was to ride in the stroller with Lydia : )  Forgive the blurry pics - the lens kept steaming up it was so humid...

The only  proof I was there...

Next, it was time for the reenactment.  Lydia slept the entire 90 minutes.  So much for worrying that the noise might upset her...  Lucas and Charlotte climbed in and out of the stroller most of the time and couldn't have care much less about what was going on.  Char did say her favorite part of the day was seeing the "dead guys" on the battlefield.  Pictures taken by Tony :)

We had planned to stay until 7 p.m. or so... But around 2, we decided it was hot and we'd seen everything worth seeing.  So, we headed home... But not before giving a couple our parents' age a lift in the back of our truck through miles of traffic into town :)