Baltimore

Tim and I recently took a little trip to Baltimore, Maryland and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Tim is always so good about researching the place we are about to visit to find out what the "hot spots" are.  One of the places that was recommended to us was G & M Restaurant just outside of Baltimore.  They are famous for their crab cakes.  The menu said the crab cakes could be shipped anywhere in the USA!

I didn't want to look too touristy and take a picture of my meal, but the crab cake was HUGE! 

 We wanted to go to the Inner Harbor while we were in Baltimore so we had to take the Light Rail from the air port to the Harbor.  One of the stops on the Light Rail was Camden Yards, so we decided to exit the rail there and walk to the Harbor.  We didn't go into the park but it was pretty neat from the outside. 

 Our ultimate goal of going to the Inner Harbor was to walk around, take the water taxi, and go to
Fort McHenry.  Here are a few things we saw around the harbor.

USS Constellation

Tide Point

Domino Sugar Factory

After several water taxi transfers and a LONG walk, we made it to Fort McHenry.  Check out the website http://www.nps.gov/fomc/index.htm for more information about Fort McHenry.  It was a very interesting place.

We met Tim's two sisters in Baltimore and stayed the night, in order to drive to Lancaster, PA for their cousin, Jenny's, wedding.

Another summer project

We were having trouble with the grass growing under the swing set.  The space was too small to really get the weed-eater in there so my fabulous hubby came up with a great idea!

Dig up the grass and dirt...

...measure and cut some boards...

...and add a few pavers, and PRESTO, a great looking swing set that is more user friendly.  And I'm not just talking for the lawn boy : )  Now all we have to do is spray a little weed killer on the grass when it comes through the cracks. 

I think it looks great!

Springfield Zoo

Tim has finished summer school and is officially done being a teacher! 

We (or should I say) I, made a list of things that we could do as a family this summer.  I tried making a list of things to do in Bolivar, Springfield, and beyond.  One of the things on our list was to visit Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield.  The park is just the right size for our girls; small enough to see everything and not feel like we had to spend the entire day there. 

Ellen and Sophia have made a tradition of getting their picture taken on the elephant statue outside the entrance of the zoo.

Sophia was pretty fun to take to the zoo this year.  She was very aware of all the animals and made sure that you saw them too! 

Sophia pointing out the monkey.  Actually there were a couple in this exhibit and they were pretty playful.

We've never had much luck feeding the goats at the zoo.  This year was a little different though; They actually let Tim put his hand under theirs and let the goat take the treat.  50 cents goes a long way with our girls.  They would only give one treat at a time!

Sophia went first.  Feeding the goats was Ellen's idea, but she kindly let her little sister go first!  : )

Ellen actually fed the goats several times!  We really made progress this year!

We had just missed the elephants getting their baths, but we did get to see them walking around picking up grass to eat. 

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

Up close and personal with one of the elephants.

Tim and the girls walking ahead of pregnant mama!