December 14 to 20
Quick trip to Baltimore for Jake and Beth's Wedding Celebration!
Jake and Beth actually got married over a year ago in a small private ceremony after their first planned extravaganza, which was to have been in November, 2020, was postponed due to COVID.
We were finally able, after a second postponement, to get together and help Jake and Beth have a "meet and greet" party, a proper wedding ceremony and reception, complete with formal gowns, tuxedos, photo sessions, flower girls, champagne toasts, and so on, all that wedding stuff!
Here are a few of my photos from our trip.
Our good friend AJ dropped us off at the airport. We had a couple hours to kill so why not have a Bloody Mary?
San Diego Airport Terminal 1 cocktail lounge. That's Lorri on the left with the mask. Our flight was late boarding and late departing but we got to Baltimore only an hour or so late.
The next morning was bright and sunny! This is Debbie and Mike's new home and Debbie's new car.
This is our rental car. Since we were so late getting in, they didn't have the size vehicle we had reserved so they bumped us up to this Jeep. No complaints.
Debbie went all out decorating for the holidays.
The living room tree and some snow village
The Byers collectable carolers
The family room tree. There were three Christmas trees in the Filling house!
We met Beth and Jake for lunch on Wednesday. It was nice to spend some quiet time with the wedding couple before all the hoopla began.
Not too far from Deb and Mike's is the NCRT. We had some nice weather and it was good to get out for some fresh air and exercise
When we were here in June everything was green and lush and the cicadas were out in full force.
Now the leaves are gone and all is quiet. This is Big Gunpowder Falls. At least that's what it's called on Google Maps. We didn't see any falls though it was nice to see running water. We don't have much of that in SoCal.
This is a wide part of the trail on a bridge over the creek
Another view of the creek. You can see much more during the winter because the trees are bare.
Big Gunpowder Falls, but no falls.
Typical view of the rail trail and Lorri
A couple photos from the "Meet and Greet"
Mike giving his welcoming and Father-of-the-Groom speech.
People watching and listening to Mike
Malarie, Julie, Lorri, and Jen. First time I've seen Julie and Jen in person in about 50 years!
Dave Kuhn taking a selfie
Should probably give credit for this photo to the photographer
And here are a few from the wedding venue
Aren't the flowers beautiful?
The "Alter"
Olivia, the flower girl
Jake and the Groomsmen
Mike, Jake, Deb
The proud papa
The Filling Clan
The Bridesmaids and Flower Girl
Beth improvising her vows
Saturday and Sunday at Deb and Mike's house
Big sister Olivia and baby Sloane
G-Grandma Lorri
and G-Grandpa Jack
Liv and some Snow Village houses
Grandma Deb (GiGi) and Sloane
Presents!
Big surprise of the weekend: my brother Bob (Uncle Hobble) drove up from Virginia for the weekend!
Jake and Beth were heading to the Ravens game but stopped by and hung out for a while with us.
GiGi making cookies!
GiGi cookies!
Another Lorri
Great Uncle Hobble with Sloane
the great grandkids
Baby Sloane lying on a quilt which was handmade by her great-great grandmother, my mother, Marjorie F. Hill
Liv with the Christmas gift we gave her, Barbie's Pizza Kitchen
Lasagna dinner! That doesn't look like enough wine!
Mike and Sloane
GPJ and Liv and Barbie's Pizza Kitchen. Looks like Barbie ate too much pizza!
We had a great visit - just the right amount of chaos and relaxation - great to see everyone and hang out, talk, eat, drink, and celebrate Jake and Beth's wedding and an early Christmas!
According to our rented Jeep, it was 28 degrees when we left for the airport! Yikes! Good to get back to San Diego where it doesn't feel much warmer.