Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Here some pics from our last day on Thursday in the zoo of Maryland. It was a lot of fun to see another zoo than our regular Toledo Zoo but the Toledo Zoo is still the best ;)

At last a family picture from WED... aren't we cute :). It was towards the end and Henry was so super tired.

Uncle Victor's Funeral - Reception

The reason for our trip to Baltimore was Uncle Victor's passing. He was 82 years old and has battled cancer for 13 years. Bounced back a lot of times but this time he didn't have enough strength to bounce back. He was a great guy and I had the chance to meet him a couple of times. The service in the church was very nice. Of course it reminded me a lot of the last funeral I've been to which was mom's and it was somehow nice to think of her soooo much, it hurt a lot but it was good in one way as well. 

After the church we had a nice chinese buffet:

The three youngsters: Zoe, Henry and Drew (Uncle Victor's great grandson)

Our Family: Frank, Patty, Ray, Nancy, Jay, Tina and Norma

Henry sneaking in some food from Uncle Ray :)

Afterwards we went to Donna's house (Uncle Victor youngest daughter) and continued the 'party'

Uncle Melvin and Uncle Nick (the only brother left from three brothers and four sisters)

Cousins: Frank, Ronny and Ray

Steve, his girlfriend and son Drew:

My Sister in Law Patty (right) with Cousin Michele

Goofing around

Cousin Roxanne, the only child from the long time gone Uncle Rocco (the youngest brother of the 7)

Our Family: Ray and Patty, Norma, us four and Jay and Nancy with the youngest daughter Tina (Jamie Leigh and Alex had classes):

Cheeeeeese, even Henry is getting the hang of the 'camera'

Cousins: David, Frank, Ray, Ronny, Roxanne, Michele, Jay, Donna, Darlene, Diana and Uncle Tony

The SIBLINGS and spouses: Norma on top with Zoe and Aunt Theresa, Uncle Nick and Caroline, Uncle Melvin and Nita, Uncle Tony and Nancy who just lost her husband Victor. The original siblings left  are Norma, Theresa, Nick and Nita. I always thought Aunt Nancy looked a little like Oma Ruhe... the first time I saw her it came to my mind right away... come to find out her ancesters came from the same area than Oma came from :)... there you go ;)

It was a great day and the kids behaved so well... I was really surprised but relieved it went so well. Tomorrow we're going to the Maryland Zoo and enjoying some family time, seeing friends in the evening and will be ready for home the next day.

Library

Here in Baltimore they have this great library with 'Storyville' which has a kids play area for free!!! Yes, in Michigan I have to pay for it and here it is free. It's pretty awesome. I normally try to go there once while we're in Baltimore... the kids had a blast:

Baltimore - Inner Harbor

Yesterday was such a beautiful day that we took advantage of it and went to the inner harbor in Baltimore and let the sun just shine at us. It was so beautiful and 'warm'... it was really nice.

Grandma and Zoe posing in front of a fish

Snack Time...

At Night the kids and I went to the mall close to Alex college and spent the afternoon strolling around in the mall. Then we picked up Alex for dinner and had a great and delicious dinner at 'The Cheesecake Factory'... YUM

"I'm HUUUUNGRY"

Afterwards we went to the play area and the kids went wild before we headed back home