4th Of July Fun

We have had a tremendous 4th of July weekend!! It all started earlier in the week when Addie and I made some decorations for “America’s birthday”. We also made these Lemon-Blueberry Ice Cream Cupcakes..yummy!

We then treated Addie to her first ever movie theatre experience. Cars 2 was playing down the street from us, so we HAD to take her. She did very well and we will most certainly be doing this again!

On the fourth, we ventured down to the Inner Harbor for some Baltimore-style fun! We thought it would be a fun experience to ride the train into town, plus, then we wouldn’t have to find a parking space. Addie loved this adventure!! We’ll take any excuse to get on a train!


We got off at Camden Yards and made the short walk to the Inner Harbor. While we were there, we decided to grab lunch at a Baltimore staple – Phillips seafood! It was wonderful. Addie even drew a picture of the American flag while we waited!

After our lunch, we explored a bit of the harbor, including looking at the U.S.S. Constellation, the last existing Civil War era naval vessel.


We then boarded a water taxi and headed to Fort McHenry, which was where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write what is now known as the Star Spangled Banner. We were very excited to go today since they were having some reenactments, a fife and drum corps, as well as the public reading of the Declaration of Independence. We even helped” Addie fill out a Scavenger Hunt at the fort to earn her Junior Ranger badge!

We then headed back to the Inner Harbor via the Water Taxi and this was our view….

After all the fun was had, we boarded the train at Camden Yards and rode back to our home station. Addie was so exhausted, she fell asleep on the way back.

We ended the evening on our roof-top deck with our neighbors to watch the Firework shows in the neighborhoods around us as well as the big show over Chesapeake Bay! All in all, it was a fantastic Fourth!

Swimming Fun....6/25/2011

This weekend we got Addie a little pool for our roof-top deck. We've been craving some outdoor time, and this is the perfect remedy! There is a hose and drains already up there, so it is ideal for swimming, plus no one is usually up there, thus ideal for swimming :)

Can't really see it in this picture, but this is a view of the Chesapeake Bay and the Inner Harbor - just gorgeous! There will be 4th of July fireworks over the Bay..really looking forward to that!

A view of The Johns Hopkins Homewood campus.

She really enjoys splashing..in fact, that is mostly what she enjoys :)

This is, believe it or not, a shopping center. It houses our grocery store, a movie theatre, dry cleaners, and a lot of other shops. Best of all, it has a parking lot! I don't have to parallel park! :)

Drying off and warming up before heading back to the apartment. It was a bit windy and cool; we all had goose bumps!

Finally Here!

What a WILD ride the past month has been!! After moving out of our house in Macon on May 8th, to staying with my parents in Valdosta for three weeks, we are now finally Baltimorians! We loaded up on May 31st and took the two day trip up to Maryland with all of our stuff. My sister and brother-in-law made the trip with us and helped us move up to our 3rd story apartment! (BY the way, YES, they are still talking to us! Haha!)

After unloading all the boxes, we went downtown to a fabulous restaurant called the Rusty Skupper. They have excellent crab cakes and are right on the water. Addie really wanted to go on a boat, but that will have to wait a while. :)

We live in a close-knit, hip, and spunky neighborhood just northeast of downtown. It is a combination of young families and young single professionals. At first, I was in culture shock due to the miles of row houses, since I am used to houses being on an acre lot, but am beginning to really like our little area. There are many little antique shops, delis, and bakeries. Best of all, it is only 8 minutes from Justin's hospital! This is the view from our roof-top desk.

After a few days of unpacking and being bound to our apartment, we ventured out to a local park. It is on the edge of Loyola Univesity and it is so quaint! :) We've also had to learn how to keep Addie entertained, and more importantly, quiet, since we now live in an apartment, so Justin and Addie have been building caves and forts in her room with blankets.

For the most part, we are unpacked, but not good enough for pictures yet. I'll post those later :)

Disney Vacation 5-13-11

This past Friday, we took a quick, impromptu trip down to Disney World. We knew it would be a few years before we could get down this way again, so we made the short 4 hour drive to Orlando. This was Addie's expression when she saw the Disney World welcome sign...:)

Not sure who was more excited...me or her!

Getting all dressed up to meet the Princesses.

The Princesses were so sweet to Addie. In fact, Cinderella asked if she had been in her closet! Addie says that they are sisters now! Oh my!

Us with the main man.....err.... mouse! :)


Addie's first sight of the castle.

We loved the parade!

Addie just LOVES Buzz!

Standing in line for Small World...I just LOVE her hat!!

In fact, she was being so generous with it, she put it on me so I could wear it! That girl is funny!

Ready to ride!

She loved riding Dumbo!

We got a sweet treat before riding on the tea cups...she informed me we had to get a pink one!

Enjoying ourselves on the Magic Carpet Ride.

Getting ready to fly with Peter Pan.

Waiting so patiently in line for Pirates of the Caribbean.

We love Goofy! Addie spotted him first!

Around 5:00, Addie was purely exhausted from the heat and excitement of the day. She passed out in Daddy's arms, so we decided to do some indoor shows. She slept for nearly an hour in her stroller!

Eating dinner together after her nap.
Our sweet family before the fireworks show.

Trying on her ears as we waited for it to get dark.

This was Addie's expression when she saw Tinker Bell "fly" and touch the castle to begin the fireworks show.

We had a tiring day, but are so glad that Addie could experience the wonder that is Disney World.

Graduation Weekend 5-7-11

A few days before graduation, Justin's sisters flew in to spend some time with us. It has been since our wedding six years ago, that we've all been together! In fact, this was the first time Jen Jen met Addie in person! We had a wonderful time together and are looking forward to this being an annual trip! :) We took Erin to Hello There Cupcake in Macon in celebration of her birthday...YUMMY!

Addie was so spoiled with these two...after all, that's what aunts are for!

Graduation Day - AM practice. These four guys have helped each other throughout school.

The family...

all three rows full...Love our family! Some traveled by plane and some by car...some from the West Coast and some from the East Coast.


Getting ready for Daddy's "Gadulation"!

Being hooded...

So thankful and so proud! While Justin was receiving his diploma, I found myself overcome with tears of gratitude to our Lord for His seeing us through. He called us to something so daunting four years ago, and He saw us through! Thank you Jesus!

Dr. Justin David Mann and Family

The day after Graduation, we loaded up the house in Macon with the eventual destination of Baltimore, MD. This lone picture doesn't do it justice...this was the most difficult move we've ever made! Glad to be on this side of it.