PA = Besties!

I suppose some of you want to hear about Europe but I'd rather talk about all the fun we had in July, including the road trip we took to State College with Sarah to see Tracy K and Bethany. I mean, my three best friends were all together for lunch on Friday at *the* Indian Buffet that is legendary in the Tracy and Tracy narrative. So let's talk about that trip.

We stopped at the DC Temple on the way up. It's the first time the kids have been there and it has been quite a long time since I've been there so that was nice.
Then we continued up to Williamsport to stay with Tracy K and Jer and the girls for one night. The next morning (Saturday) we all went down to State College together. Of course we enjoyed showing Sarah around College Ave and some of the major PSU paraphernalia suppliers. One funny moment was when Brynn, Tracy's oldest daughter, walked into one bookstore and said "Mom, who's this old guy?" Apparently she has yet to be indoctrinated.

I told Sarah I considered making her a PSU scavenger hunt for all the crazy things at the bookstores, but instead she had to get her picture taken with the most random Penn State thing she could find. I mean those stores have things that you never even knew existed, and then there it is not only in existence but with "Penn State" written across it. Her first two selections from SBS were, on your left, a branding iron for steak, chicken, or pork grilling offered at $10.99 and, on your right, a wireless portable door chime that plays the fight song for $29.95.And, while we momentarily thought those were the most random things in SBS, then Sarah found these--one pair of the world's first shoe tongue covers so you can display your lion pride with any of your fine JoePa inspired footwear selections.

After College Ave-ing for a few hours we met Bethany over at The Indian Buffet (no it's not really called that) for lunch. We should have had someone at the restaurant take a picture of the four of us but here we are in two groupings after wards. Really I can't tell you how much I love these ladies and how happy it made me to all be together.

Tracy 1 and Tracy 2's kids: Elyse, Ainsleigh, Ripken, and Brynn:

After lunch Tracy 2 and co. headed home and Sarah and the kids and I headed to Bethany's. After dinner we went to the Lion Shrine.
Next we headed over to the Creamery. Maybe not quite as epic as the size of last year's cone, but still more than they could eat:

Rippy, eating James. We really don't know what to make of him.

The next morning we had a great breakfast at The Waffle Shop. A few pictures with Bethany and Ethan before we left to drive back to NC.


It made me so happy to be in a place I love with my best friends. We will definitely have to do this again. And Bethany and Tracy, you have GOT to come visit me in London!!!