Sunday- Day 3

I woke up early to exercise with my mom. When I went to her room, she said my dad really wanted to go jogging. That was weird. He never jogs. So when I asked her why, she said he wanted to jog to the Rocky steps and run up them. Haha. So my mom, Zach, my dad, and I did that (hey, with all the craziness and lack of sleep, I forgot it was Sunday. We normally don’t exercise on Sundays. This was actually my first time ever. But, to justify it, I was enjoying God’s beautiful weather). It was really fun! And a good way to get my dad out exercising! I didn't take my camera though :( Because we were running.

Then we went to tour Independence Hall. On our way, we went to this market with tons of little restaurants. We had a Cajun breakfast, which was delicious.

Independence Hall was fascinating. I really enjoyed it (1) because of the architecture, and (2) because of the significance. I stood in the room where George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, Ben Franklin, and all those others stood. It’s just really amazing to think about what they have done for our nation. For us. And in respect to us, what they have done for the church, which includes what they have done for me. Because of these men, and all those who fought in the war and helped us win, we are free to worship as we choose. They paved the way for Joseph Smith to question religion and receive inspiration from God to establish His church on the earth. God had His hand in everything—the point when those men signed the Declaration of Independence, when Joseph Smith received the first vision, and everything after that has led our church to where it is now. I stood in the room where God helped form this nation. 

Ben also took this picture. I didn't even know. I just found it on my camera. He's good. 

Part of the interior

 This painting replaced the British coat of arms that they took down and burned when the revolution started.

 The room where they signed the Declaration.

 After they wrote the Declaration, they sent a typed version to the colonies for people to read. This is a replica of what people received and read.

Later in the afternoon, we made the drive to New York city! I have a love-hate relationship with New York. I think it’s fun, but it’s dirty, smelly, and crowded too. Oh well, I think I love it :) I wanted to get a NY loves ME shirt. Haha. But I refrained.

After checking in to our hotel, we went exploring. First, we went to a dollar pizza place, which was amazing. My dad said it didn’t meet his expectations for thin NY pizza, but it was still the best pizza I have ever had. For $1 per giant slice (a little extra for toppings, but still a great deal). Then we just walked around. I paid a dollar for a picture with Cookie Monster with my sisters (rip off? Idk. I was okay with paying a dollar). We also journeyed to the M&M and Hershey’s stores… We had to exit the Hershey’s store quick though. I was absolutely in heaven. I could live in the Reeses section. 

I also took a picture of us on this big screen that caught the crowd. It was advertizing vodka… but the fact that we were on the screen was cool. So disregard the vodka stuff and bask on our glory of being on a screen in NY :)

We are directly to the right of the vodka box. Ben and my mom are wearing flag shirts. My dad and I are right behind. I, obviously, have the camera in front of my face.