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The girls and I went to Green Meadows Farm. It was originally suppose to be a field trip with Lilly's preschool class, unfortunately it was rained out. Going on our own we were able to go later in the day when it was less crowded. This was a big plus. There were all kinds of farm animals and some more unusual ones like a zebra, an emu and an ox.

Lilly got to milk a cow...

(photo taken by Connie)

We went on a hay ride...

Fed goats, and sheep...

And picked pumpkins.

© Michelle Hines

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Sidewalk chalk, don't you just love it? I know some don't. I think it is wonderful. It is totally imagination powered and everyone can play.

© Michelle Hines

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Oliver 36 days old.

Patrick picked up my camera tonight while I was calming Oliver. It is nice to have some photos of he and I.

© Michelle Hines

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Kate's team competed in a regatta in Boston this weekend. We did not get to go, but we were able to pick Kate up from Regan National Airport in Washington DC. Her flight was delayed so I had time to take pictures. It is a beautiful airport.

© Michelle Hines

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Today I got to try my hand at taking portraits of Oliver instead of just snapshots. I am posting more pictures then I usually do in one post because I would love some feedback. These are, of course, ones I like. There were definitely more bloopers than good shots. Thank goodness for digital photography, no wasted film and a delete button!

I still have not tackled Photoshop cs4 so my conversions to black and white are done with the Windows Vista program.

© Michelle Hines

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Oliver, one month old.

I finally got to take some natural light pictures.

unfortunately this one is a little dark. urgh!

© Michelle Hines

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A few more photos from yesterday's marathon.

The sun rise, taken from the train on our way into the city.

My sister, Mindy ran the half marathon yesterday.


So many people, 10,000 I believe I heard them announce, ran the half marathon yesterday that it had to be started in waves. In this photo you can see waves two through five waiting for their race to start. My sister is way back there in wave four.

The marathon planners made a big deal about being more eco-friendly this year. The pace cars were Prius, the booklet was not mailed out this year but was email to save paper, recycling was available at the festival etc. Then at the start of each event confetti was throw from confetti canons. So much for the saving paper.

(click to see larger)

Some of the interesting runners I saw during the race. The beer guys were two short in their six pack, maybe they got thirsty. The gentleman in the powder blue tux ran the event the last three years in his tuxedo. I love the crab hat but where do you think you find KISS spandex? And of course there had to be a Raven in the crowd.

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Today Patrick ran his third Baltimore Marathon. This was his fourth marathon he has run. I watch him train, I have seen his races but I am still amazed at the end of every marathon. Amazed at the ability and will power it takes to run 26.2 miles and at the number of people who willingly do this.

At the start of the race...

the half way point...

mile twenty six...

just after the marathon.

© Michelle Hines

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This weekend is Parent's Weekend at the University of Maryland College Park. Patrick and I took the day off to spend it with Kate at her school. We opted to not register and attend the organized events today but instead to allow our daughter to show us what her days are like. We visited some of the buildings she has classes in, we saw the library and we walked around the campus. UMCP is a hilly campus and quite large. We walked a lot, I couldn't think of anything I would have rather done today!

One of the older dorms.

This shot is for Danielle, Kate's friend who is suffering so terribly in Hawaii without fall leaves.

This building is in the National Treasure 2 movie.
(taken by Patrick)

The campus is beautiful. This tree lined walkway is on the McKeldin Mall.

Patrick and Testudo outside of the Comcast center, home of Maryland Basketball.

© Michelle Hines

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Oliver twenty eight days old.

© Michelle Hines

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This is the one and only picture I took today. Miss Lilly was suppose to be napping. I poked my head in to check on her and this is what I found. She was quiet as can be but she has turned her bedding upside down and brought a laundry basket into bed. Lately she has only been napping two or three days a week. My little bit of quiet time in the afternoons is coming to an end.

© Michelle Hines

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More photographs from our trip to Fort Smallwood Park. The last one was taken by Lilly. She does a much better job with an adult camera than with her V-Tech kids camera.

taken by Lilly

© Michelle Hines

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The girls and I spent the day at the "beach park". Lilly could spend hours walking up and down this little stretch of sand collecting rocks, shells and sea glass. Today she spent a lot of time drawing in the sand and by the time we left she had learned to write her name! The photo is of her first try. Without coaching she wrote L-l-l and the little squiggle is her first attempt at a Y. I showed her how to make the Y and reminded her that she forgot the I and she was off and running. After her nap she wrote it on paper over and over again.

© Michelle Hines

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Happy Birthday Mom!

© Michelle Hines

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Kate and Oliver.

Kate has never been a little baby person. Once they can sit up and interact more she would play with the daycare kids but the infants she steered clear of. Oliver though is the (baby) love of her life. She will even jump up before me when someone says OK who wants him next. You have to be pretty darn quick to get him before I do!

Twenty three days old.

© Michelle Hines