More Virginia Fun

On Saturday we had a birthday party for Sadie. All of the kids had a blast (who doesn't at a birthday party???)

Then while the kids slept Matt, Maren, dad and myself hurried over to the Manassas battlefields. This is where the first battle of the Civil War took place (and another battle a year later) and where Thomas J. Jackson received the name "Stonewall" Jackson. The Union troops and leaders thought they would easily win this battle--they were convinced it would be the first and last. But, due to several different reasons the Confederates were able to gain an upper hand and "Stonewall" Jackson held the line, decisively winning the first battle of the Civil War.

Here I am where Jackson's cannon stood

Matt and I with the "Stone House" in the background. It was used as a hospital in both battles.

On Sunday we took a drive to Shenandoah National Park. The "mountains" were beautiful. They are completely covered in trees. In fact, there's look-out on the road just for this one mountain that is called "Old Rag". It is notable because at the very top there's some rocks (instead of trees). That made me laugh. In Utah all we have is rocky mountains with just a few trees. The leaves were starting to change, but I can only imagine how beautiful the whole mountain range is when the trees are flaming red. We had a picnic up in the mountains and the kids kept busy collecting acorns and watching the little deer.