Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Baltimore


Well Carlos started a new job this week and so we knew we wouldn't get a spring break vacation. He took his last day of work off and we drove up Thursday night to DC and looked at the monuments. The key being the Lincoln Memorial, which the girls thought was great and we read part of his speech etc. Then the next morning we drove the rest of the way to Baltimore, checked into our hotel, got our free aquarium tickets and went to the National aquarium. We spent all day there, it was pretty fun. They had a 4D movie and a dolphin show that were extra and we decided to do the whole package. I think the girls would have rather NOT seen the film. It had water squirts in the face, vibrating chairs that also poked your back and tickled your legs at appropriate times throughout the film. It was fun but not for them. They wanted to get out of there. Elaine kept asking if we could go home. Laurie kept getting squirted in the face and Miriam just clung to Carlos with a sad look on her face. What made it worse was there was a group of teen girls who kept screaming at the top of their lungs every time something happened. THANKS A LOT!

So we enjoyed the many underwater creatures, none of which they allowed you to touch. That was a little disappointing. It would have been nice to have a 'petting pool' or something. Anyway, the girls were having a good time but kept asking when we were going to go back to the hotel. They wanted to spend time there! But we made them enjoy a day out. After, we ate dinner and walked around the pier for a while, it was nice. Until it started raining and then we went back to the hotel. It was a very full day! Including a complete blowout from Laurie at the aquarium. Luckily we were in the guest services room in private so there was no scene of us running to the bathroom and completely undressing our baby!! Unfortunately I don't know where my bags were and we had to wrap her clothes in paper towels! Oh well.

Next morning after a wonderful sleep on comfy beds with down comforters, we woke up and went to the hotel breakfast which was outstanding. Pretty much anything you can imagine for breakfast and some that I don't think I have ever had. Anyway, the hit of the morning was a coconut/mango smoothie that they called a 'shooter' because it was in a shot glass. I got some ingred. yesterday and we are going to make it at home! I am excited! Ok so after a long walk on the pier again that day, we drove home. BUT not before stopping at the Charm City Cakes! Home of Ace of Cakes!! We couldn't see much, just their building and sign. They had windows blacked out and could only get in with an appt. And sorry, we didn't need to pay a min of $500 for a cake! So anyway, the weekend was great! We got back in time for some friends to get baptised and get our house ready for the group of youth coming over on Sunday evening!

When we go again, you should come along! :)

I will put this link up so you can look at the pics yourself ;)

3 comments:

Olivia Heilmann said...

Fabulous!! What a wonderful trip. The bay, the aquarium, a yummy hotel and of course Charm City Cakes!!!! WOW And the monuments. You guys are lucky to live in such an amazing and historic part of our country! AWESOME!!!!!! :)

Kristi said...

Sounds so relaxing and fun, Em!!! I love family vacations and being able to break the "norm" of everyday life and do something exciting! Your girls (the older ones, anyway) will probably remember this forever! What would we do without family? A little scary to think about, huh?

nAnnie Laurie said...

Em that is so great that you were able to go see so many fun and exciting places!! I would like to come with you on your next trip - wherever that happens to be! Good luck, Carlos, on the new job -- I hope that it is as exciting and challenging as you want it to be -- no more boring work, anyway =) I love you guys!