Manasas VA...The Battle of Bull Run

On my birthday in June I took my two youngest (you can almost hear my oldest two cheer because they escaped the adventure) to the Manasas Battle Field.  The confederate (I think I'm getting this right but please correct me if I'm wrong...) army named the battle fields after nearby waterways.....and the Union referred to the battle according to the nearest town.
 
Well, so as to not bore you to death I will just share some pics of the day.  We had fun even though as you can imagine my kids all scream "NO!!!" when I say who wants to see a battlefield. 

Stonewall Jackson

Thanks for looking...
Love,
Bronwyn

Patriot Place

I just wanted to share a few pics with you of our last night excursion while in Boston.  On Saturday we visited Salem, MA.  Its a neat place but I had it in my head that it would be old townish and it was instead very modernized.  Still, very worth the trip and I wish we had had more time to explore but we had to get back so Casey could go to work.

After taking a short nap....I'm old and get tired :)  we went to see Gillette Stadium where the Patriots play.  Now just to be clear, we LOVE our Ravens but Drew is such a fanatic about football that we decided to go up and tour the museum....plus there's a mall....right there where the stadium is!!!

After we looked around at the mall and had dinner at Red Robin (YUMMMM)  we went to the museum over the pro shop at the stadium.  The admission price was very reasonable and there were a lot of interactive games for the kids.

There was a very good short movie that covered the history of the team....

and then the kids got to kick field goals and dress up in football uniforms

There were also lots of props available for photo ops...

sorry.....I couldn't resist

We had a great time and if you are ever in the area and interested it was well worth the trip.

Have a great day all and stay cool!!!

Bronwyn

Marion Freda Dolan

One week ago today my Gammy (Marion Dolan) passed away.  We were blessed to have her in our lives for so long and have some wonderful memories to cherish. 

I leave my thoughts, my laughter, my dreams to you whom I have treasured beyond gold and precious gems.

I give you what no thief can steal, the memories of our times together;

the tender, love filled moments,

the successes we have shared,

the hard times that brought us closer together and the roads we have walked side by side.

And all I take with me as I leave is your love and the millions of memories of all that we have shared.

Fear not nor grieve at my departure, you whom I have loved so much,

for my roots and yours are forever intertwined."

                                               August 18, 1927 to July 11, 2011

Update....Jimmy fund

I said in my most recent blog that I had seen these little boxes throughout the stadium...

I said I still don't know who Jimmy is....

My hubby (whom I asked that night and was told "I don't know") has just informed me that the Redsox collect money and the fund is for cancer research for children....
He still claims I never asked but you know how women are....we have memories that are great for situations like this and I KNOW I ASKED HIM!!! 

If I had known....if he had told me while we were there I would have put some $$$ in the box...

So...if you are ever at a game in Fenway Park...please put some $$$ in the box for me...

Thanks

Bronwyn

Fenway Park

We ended day 1 in Boston at a baseball game at Fenway Park.  We rocked our Black and Orange to show support for our team...The Baltimore Orioles and had a great time.

Fenway Park is a very old stadium with a lot of character and history.  I really enjoyed being able to go to the game and the fans were great.  No one heckled us....we got a little teasing but that was all in good fun and we played along....especially when we were down 8-0 in the first inning....UGH 
Here are a few pics from our night at the ballgame.

This street is on the outfield side of the ballpark....we were looking for Gate D...little hint...it's NOT between gates C and E!!
But I loved the party like atmosphere on this street....felt almost like a carnival.

We finally locate Gate D and entered the ballpark

We had great seats behind home plate and I loved the old seats that we sat in!!

We went up to the media room to see Casey and had an interesting view of the field from there....

While walking around the ballpark we kept seeing these little boxes for the Jimmy Fund....

I still don't know who Jimmy is....

And then we left the game....I was tired and kids were antsy and remember, I had been up since 2am!!

I want to say Thanks to all the Boston Fans who treated us so well!!!  We had an awesome time!!

Thanks for looking and let me know what you think about the pics.....or if you know who Jimmy is :)
Love,
Bronwyn

Boston....Day 1

My hubby has a dream job...he gets to travel with the Orioles and produces the radio show for the games broadcast!  Occasionally....meaning not often, we get to meet him in a city and stay with him and explore the city.  Last year we met him in Texas!  This year we went to Boston!!!  (We just got home today.....)

We left early Friday morning and arrived in Boston a little after 9am....yes I drove....yes with the 4 kids....yes I left at 2am! 

Here are my sleepy heads before leaving.....

Well,,,one of them was sleeping!!!
We arrived in Boston safely and even though it threatened to rain that day we explored the city and (thankfully) stayed dry.

We first went to The Commons....very briefly this is a park area that used to be a common grazing area for the local inhabitants animals back in the good ole days....

It was a beautiful area with gardens....

and statues....

and a graveyard!

Well, after all the traveling and walking the kids were hungry so we went to Cheers

....no one knew my name but the food was delicious!!! 
Have to show you this....Casey got a Norm Burger....

IT WAS HUGE!!!!!!!!  And...HE ATE IT ALL!!!!!!!!!

Then we walked part of the Freedom Trail, had to cut it short because Casey had to go to work.
Here are a few pics of our walk on the trail.

State House

Park Street Church

Old State House ....on the other side of this building is the site of the Boston Massacre

The only thing we didn't see was a Dunkin Donuts!!!!  (kidding, in case you haven't been there, there's a Dunkin Donuts on almost every corner)

Well, we had a busy day and then went to the baseball game....I'll post about that later. 

Thanks for looking!!

Bronwyn