Monday, April 29, 2013

Grey Day at The Inner Harbor

It might have been gray and spitting
but it was FUN!









Once a month our church designates a Sunday
as a Family Day.
All that it means is that there is no church sponsored
event after worship on that week.
We encourage families to focus on spending time together
alone or in smaller groups.

We don't want burn out.

We do want creativity, conversation, 
field trips, rest, and variety.

So.....what it looks like is different 
for each family day and each family.

Sometimes we make plans to go out for dinner
with the Moms.
Sometimes, like yesterday, we make plans to 
head out of town after church.

With families working, home educating and keeping homes
all week long it is so nice to have at least ONE day per 
month that is completely open to whatever we want to do
together.

So.....we went to Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
We were joined by our friends, The Barrs and Pastor Mike.
Of course "we" includes the Moms.

Many others went to Creekside Cottage for a picnic.
I know many were looking forward to that kind of a calm
afternoon, while still others went home for quiet time.

I'm coming to love this particular Sunday
of the month.
The car ride to Baltimore led to amazing conversations.
I wouldn't trade it for the world!!

Once we arrived we stopped at the Visitor Center
and then headed out to enjoy the sights.
Chelsea was in "need" of some Starbucks so she 
and I headed out across several lanes of traffic
for her "fix".



Perhaps Warren is checking this out in case his Miata ever feels too big?




Two birds in one shot




We came back and joined back up with the group
from which we got quick snapshots of the Grandmas 
touring a ship and then headed for this huge 
Barnes and Noble.


I can't even imagine how cool it must have been 
to turn this old factory into an amazing store.



We spent a fair amount of time just poking around the harbor.
Even though it was getting late there was still plenty to see.





A little fishy fun....



And at the risk of shaming myself.....
 My "friend" Bonnie said that I look demented.
Haha.  Good....I was going for the crazy fish look.

Our final stop was dinner at
The Uno Chicago Grill.

Delicious!

They worked hard to make sure we had
a wonderful experience.
And.we.did!


 These brothers crammed into a booth that was way too small.
But they didn't mind.



As we were leaving darkness had fallen
and so I had to snap just a couple more shots.








I have to back up to tell you a story so that you'll see why we 
found the next two photos totally amusing.
While we were in Barnes and Noble we kept losing 
track of one member or more of our group.
So...I was kidding when I suggested that we should get matching 
t-shirts for the group so we would be easier to find.
Of course the name Sonrise Christian Fellowship 
would be on the back.

Well, it didn't take long to see why this would be a very bad 
idea when Mr. Barr was suggesting that Jonathan and he should
do something quite unacceptable.
Can you just imagine....and there we would be
with our church name emblazoned for all to see???
That was all in fun....
but so was the suggestion for the t-shirts.

However, 
on a final stop as we were leaving at a Candy store
Grandma Ruth found t-shirts for the group.
LOL
What a laugh we had over the very idea.

 One....or two....Hot Chicks.
 Just in case I have to say it.....This did NOT come home with anyone!

Things got a bit more sensible with the oversized Twizzlers.


Pastor Mike picked up a bit of candy.
 He wasn't the only one.
Kelly and I got some too 
and were totally SHOCKED 
at the price.
But...it was fun.

There was a sign up on the wall which Georgia noticed.
It said 
"Gotcha Sucker!"
I guess we were gotten.

It was time for the locals to get some sleep.


We made it safely back to 
the parking garage and enjoyed another chatty 
ride back home.

Simply delightful.

I wonder what we will do next month?

Hmmmm........
Maybe a zoo?

**********

A postscript on this lovely day.
While we were out and about my dear friend, Susanna, 
gave birth to a darling baby boy.
I've not met him yet but I know he is darling because 
that is what Susanna does. 
She makes darling children.

One month from now their adopted son,
Tommy, comes home.
This will round out their family to 
a perfect 13 children.



6 comments:

Gayla said...

That looks like a full and happy day... Great photos!

Unknown said...

Ahhh, my home town Baltimore! Looks like you had great fun. I remember when they first built all the harbor attractions.

sammysgrammy said...

This is what fond memories are made of.

Linda G. said...

Wonderful photographs of a great day! It has been many, many years since I was at Inner Harbor; lot of changes!

The REAL EverSewSweet said...

We haven't gone to Baltimore for several years. I loved seeing your pictures of the Inner Harbor. We heart Charm City.

Vee said...

Oh that is lovely to know about your friend's new baby.

I am going to resist the urge to vent in your blog about one of my biggest pet peeves. ;) Just would like to say what a lovely day you had! I've never seen a cuter demented fish!