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.