We made our way out to Carlisle, Pennsylvania for the baby blessings of Annabelle and Ainsleigh Shiffler. The two little girls were darling in their white gowns and their father gave them each a wonderful blessing. Nicole and Bobby also had a very fun open house with family and friends. Ayumi made an excellent cake, with an artistic flair of cookie babies, including matching hairstyles for the twins- very impressive and yummy.
We also had fun holding the kids and putting them to sleep.
Jeff got a lot of flack for looking like he was nursing. (He was just trying to keep the kids from spitting out the pacifier.)
Along the way, we drove out to Fort McHenry in Baltimore to be a little patriotic. It was here that Francis Scott Key penned the words to what later became “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
We watched a movie from the 60s and then put hand to heart as the national anthem played and, when curtains were drawn, we beheld the flag in the center of the fort. There was a very good feeling with that song that made us feel proud to be Americans. (It makes me think of the Olympics to stand and listen to it).
Because it was the 4th, we were able to witness special activities for parents and kids, such as a canon firing and the hanging of King George III. 
(While the King was just a dummy, it was entertaining/disturbing to watch kids hit it like a piñata. What could be more patriotic then a lynching and beating of a dead monarch?) 
Also, tons of people dressed up in wool colonial outfits on a hot July day. Now that is patriotic.
