Everson's First Trip--Baltimore, MD

This past April, we took the opportunity to go to Baltimore, MD and walk in the Walk for Juvenile Diabetes. My cousin and her husband have the most amazing little boy, whom they adopted as an infant, who was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. He just turned 2. It's amazing the things he must go through, just to live a "normal" life. Sugar shots every day, monitoring EVERYTHING that goes in his mouth, watching the amount of water he takes in...it's something that takes a lot of patience and time, and my cousin does it flawlessly. She makes it look easy, when I know, it's super hard.

I haven't seen my cousin in 16 years. I know....that's a long time. Too long. In the months leading up to our trip, we'd been Skyping and the boys got to know each other (technology is wonderful!). This trip was freaking AWESOME!! To be able to see family, new family members, and raise money for a great cause...one of the best things I've done.

Mom, Aunt Stacey, GG Jane, Me, Jackson, and Everson all packed up and flew to Baltimore. This was Everson's 1st flight...and he did great! Jackson colored and Everson just hung out and slept!

Upon arriving at the hotel...isn't he just the cutest thing?! HA!

Baltimore is about 45 minutes from Claymont, Deleware where my mom grew up. We took the boys to see MeMaw and GG's old house, MeMaw's grade school, and the church that GG was SUPER involved in.

The creek that MeMaw grew up playing in...

Holy Rosary

The Convent

While in Claymont, we HAD to go to Claymont Sub Shop! The BEST sandwich shop in the United States!!

Nice Diet Coke Mustache!

The next morning, we got up early and got ready for the walk!










After the walk, we headed to lunch in the Inner Harbor. We found a great little place that had crab cakes--yum! As we were leaving the restaurant, the huge ship outside shot a canon. It was LOUD! The funniest part? Jackson panicked and RAN for the door that we just walked out of. There were people sitting outside eating, and all of them were laughing. Poor baby! It was too funny, but he was scared shitless!! :)

After lunch, we saw a Pirate Ship, that looked like people were riding it. So we asked around, and yes, it was a touristy Pirate Ship ride for kids! We called and made reservations. In the meantime, we went shopping, and then, got LOST on the way back! UHHHGGG!! Lost and speeding all around Baltimore--it was ridiculous! And not safe. But in the end--WE MADE IT!!








































The Inner Harbor





After all the excitement from the day, we still had Matthew's birthday party to celebrate at! What a day! Cake, ice cream, yummy pizza, lots of presents!! Great day!

The next day, we spent the entire morning and afternoon with Matthew, Lauren, and John. We ate at a great HOLE IN THE WALL restaurant that was literally, in the parking lot of a strip club--and we LOVED it!! It was featured on Diner's Drive-Ins, and Dives....and it was awesome! (although GG would disagree b/c she was throwing up the entire ride home--on the plane and all. Poor thing!)
After lunch, we took Matty bowling. Although, the kiddos were more interested in the arcade games...oh well!

It was a great visit. I can't wait to see them all again....we are so much alike and we have fun together! They rock! :)