It was set to be quite a weekend. We remember the last wedding in Baltimore that involved the same people and many previous celebrations of Ben's birthday including

2003
and 2001 birthday and 2001 party
and 2000 with the sad observation that in 2002 my camera was broken and there was a shortage of new digital cameras.

But, it was clearly time for a celebration or 2, so we got ready to roll. So we packed the trunk IMG_0001 Suzanne and Sarah did their ritual handshake IMG_0002 and after Suzanne IMG_0003 got in the car, it was wheels up IMG_0004 only 54 minutes late. We hit traffic and so decided to take a short cut through Haddonfield where this person on the street IMG_0005 was celebrating Jane's history teacher IMG_0006 as we followed the traffic IMG_0007 past the gas station IMG_0008 and back onto the highway. When we approached the Delaware Memorial Bridge IMG_0009 I IMG_0010 was unhappy as was Suzanne IMG_0011 because the line IMG_0012 was long and we had forgotten our new E-Z Pass IMG_0013 so we didn't feel a little better IMG_0014 as the toll taker IMG_0015 went incognito. We drove on until a pit stop at which we left Sarah in the car to prevent theft IMG_0016 as Jane acknowledged the culinary choices IMG_0017 and the dress code IMG_0018 before we paid homage IMG_0019 to Maryland's finest. Once inside, Jane IMG_0020 picked the food IMG_0021 and we paid IMG_0022 so that Ben IMG_0023 would feel nourished as we drove on IMG_0024 to the line IMG_0025 at the next toll booth and finally got Baltimore IMG_0026 and the hotel in our sites IMG_0027 where this fine man (grandson of P"53) IMG_0028 gave us one of our rooms with a less than ideal view IMG_0029 of the parking lot. As the girls IMG_0030 got ready to go upstairs, Suzanne called IMG_0031 to see if our other room would ever be ready. The views from Dansyl's room of the harbor IMG_0032 IMG_0033 and the tall ship IMG_0034 were excellent even as Benjamin got his monopoly game IMG_0035 and assembled it IMG_0036 as a way to fight boredom.

Next it was time to get dressed. I failed not once IMG_0037 but twice IMG_0038 to capture myself, so I tried the mirror trick IMG_0039 before deciding that Benjamin could take a better picture of me IMG_0040 before turning to his toes IMG_0041 over which he was watching Georgia Tech take an early lead over OKState IMG_0042 in the game that mattered. Jane appeared and posed with Ben IMG_0043 and then with Suzanne IMG_0044 IMG_0045 before Ben IMG_0046 ducked out of the picture and headed for the window IMG_0047 where he posed IMG_0048 and then went further IMG_0049 and further IMG_0050 into the curtains until he was totally obscured IMG_0051 though he did emerge IMG_0052 and use his game IMG_0053 as a decoy as Sarah appeared IMG_0054 and showed her hair IMG_0055 before posing with Suzanne IMG_0056 and taking my picture IMG_0057 as we gathered IMG_0058 for an almost whole family portrait IMG_0059 and then a few of the children with Ben looking bored IMG_0060 then dorky IMG_0061 then sleepy IMG_0062 then bashful IMG_0063 which made us wish that we could remember all seven of the dwarfs.

Downstairs, we ran into Larry IMG_0064 and a reluctant Janet IMG_0065 who eventually got with the plan IMG_0066 as Suzanne, Jane and Ben IMG_0067 sat as DanSyl IMG_0068 and Fran IMG_0069 arrived. Sylvia IMG_0070 had one group IMG_0071 then a larger group IMG_0072 then an even larger group IMG_0073 and then a substitution IMG_0074 gather for photos as Isabel and Peter IMG_0075 joined Larry and Penny IMG_0076 joined Fran. Meanwhile, Sarah and Janet IMG_0077 and Jane and Suzanne IMG_0078 were watching the conversation IMG_0079 before we went into the ceremony and saw Michelle and Jason IMG_0080 and got their attention IMG_0081 before the ceremony began.

After the ceremony, Jane, Fran and Michelle IMG_0082 did the sister thing while Ben IMG_0083 watched until Suzanne joined IMG_0084 IMG_0085 for a pair of pictures as I went off to meet Lynn IMG_0086 and Yitz IMG_0087 and chat with Bob IMG_0088 while trying to get the perfect picture IMG_0089 IMG_0090 of the most interesting guest, but more on that later.

It was family time with Betsy and Matt IMG_0091 DanSyl IMG_0092 and Dick and Larry posing IMG_0093 before we grew the nuclear family, one IMG_0094 by one IMG_0095 as Jane and Eric IMG_0096 and then Barbara too IMG_0097 watched as Ben and Sarah IMG_0098 led us past Andy, our host, IMG_0099 to our table where the other brothers and wives IMG_0100 were waiting to see if we would join them for the perfect picture IMG_0101 IMG_0102 IMG_0103 for which, you gentle viewer, can be the judge. Adam and Bonnie IMG_0104 IMG_0105 appeared and DanSyl IMG_0106 made Fran and Dick IMG_0107 stir as Rachel and Suzanne posed IMG_0108 IMG_0109 IMG_0110 for their collection of pictures to the amusement of Janet and Larry IMG_0111 and Dick and Fran IMG_0112 as I showed that my skill at self portraits IMG_0113 IMG_0114 had slipped away so that Jane had to join me IMG_0115 and then pose alone IMG_0116 so that Fran IMG_0117 IMG_0118 would do the same even as the rest of the table IMG_0119 conversed and Rachel explained something IMG_0120 to Suzanne. It was time for more pictures at our table with Fran and Dick IMG_0121 and a few tries IMG_0122 IMG_0123 IMG_0124 to get Larry's expression right and then Penny IMG_0125 and Peter IMG_0126 as Sarah and Ben IMG_0127 saw if the three children IMG_0128 IMG_0129 IMG_0130 could produce a good group picture. At this point, DanSyl IMG_0131 happened by and chatted with Fran IMG_0132 before posing for pictures with Fran and Dick IMG_0133 IMG_0134 then Janet and Larry IMG_0135 IMG_0136 and finally Larry and Suzanne IMG_0137 into which PhotoShop may be able to paint this finer face IMG_0138 with more hair. A dark salad IMG_0139 was served as the table engaged in conversation IMG_0140 IMG_0141 and Ben decided to see if Larry could amuse him IMG_0142 before the sorbet came IMG_0143 and Ben did variations on his sleeping on the table IMG_0144 IMG_0145 IMG_0146 IMG_0147 IMG_0148 which brought Barbara over IMG_0149 to try and massage his back IMG_0150 IMG_0151 to energize him or at least Larry and Penny IMG_0152 who led to the dance floor. Bob and Isabel IMG_0153 dined as Bonnie and Rachel IMG_0154 posed as did Ben, Suzanne and Jane IMG_0155 and Fran, Dick and Janet IMG_0156 while Dick brought Eric to the table of the next generation IMG_0157 so that they could talk man talk with Matt IMG_0158 while I went back to my delicious vegetarian dinner IMG_0159 and walked to the wedding cake IMG_0160 with Sarah who seems to need to show me her body parts feet IMG_0161 IMG_0162 then hands IMG_0163 IMG_0164 as we gathered her and Ellen together IMG_0165 IMG_0166 to see if they were twins when their glasses were off. Ellen and Brian IMG_0167 posed and then we went outside where I captured the others IMG_0168 IMG_0169 but missed severely on an attempted profile shot IMG_0170 before getting closer IMG_0171 so that I felt comfortable about having these groups photos IMG_0172 IMG_0173 which Eric IMG_0174 took before he took the pictures of my next generation IMG_0175 IMG_0176 IMG_0177 and I got Dick's family assembled IMG_0178 for a collection of group photos IMG_0179 IMG_0180 IMG_0181 IMG_0182 IMG_0183 which made me feel like the day was done.

The next morning, our bed IMG_0184 showed the effects of sleep but Janet IMG_0185 and Larry IMG_0186 looked like they needed more though Suzanne IMG_0187 seemed awake as Fran and Sylvia IMG_0188 hugged goodbye. We ventured out IMG_0189 to the street IMG_0190 and crossed to the fountain IMG_0191 IMG_0192 so we could take pictures IMG_0193 as we walked through IMG_0194 which amused Larry IMG_0195 but made us realize that it was going to be a cold day.

As others checked out of the hotel IMG_0196 we drove past the Bromo Seltzer clock IMG_0197 inspiring Sarah to do an artistic portfolio IMG_0198 IMG_0199 IMG_0200 IMG_0201 even as the road IMG_0202 distracted but she was soon back IMG_0203 IMG_0204 IMG_0205 IMG_0206 IMG_0207 IMG_0208 with another break IMG_0209 before more orchids IMG_0210 IMG_0211 IMG_0212 IMG_0213 a traffic scene IMG_0214 or more IMG_0215 IMG_0216 and more orchids IMG_0217 IMG_0218 IMG_0219 IMG_0220 IMG_0221 IMG_0222 with closeups IMG_0223 IMG_0224 IMG_0225 of traffic IMG_0226 and even of the seat sticker IMG_0227 then back to orchids IMG_0228 IMG_0229 IMG_0230 IMG_0231 IMG_0232 IMG_0233 IMG_0234 IMG_0235 IMG_0236 before we mercifully parked the car IMG_0237 on the neighbor's grass and headed into the house IMG_0238 where Eric and Barbara IMG_0239 greeted Larry and Janet IMG_0240 as Betsy ate IMG_0241 while Ben played IMG_0242 and Suzanne IMG_0243 and Fran IMG_0244 ate though Dick and Jane (remember reading about them) IMG_0245 IMG_0246 posed without baby Sally. Not to be outdone, Fran IMG_0247 IMG_0248 posed with Sarah IMG_0249 though they don't seem to have ever had their own basal reader. The food, IMG_0250 coffee, IMG_0251 groom's cake, IMG_0252 cookies IMG_0253 and other desserts IMG_0254 amused the crowd IMG_0255 IMG_0256 IMG_0257 as Bob IMG_0258 IMG_0259 IMG_0260 and then Sarah and Jane IMG_0261 IMG_0262 IMG_0263 posed for picture triples before Sarah and Emily IMG_0264 IMG_0265 decided to do the twins with glasses pictures.

Meanwhile, our attempt to get a picture of him IMG_0266 was interrupted by the cocktail hot dogs IMG_0267 as Barbara conversed IMG_0268 and Larry approached him IMG_0269 for the group picture IMG_0270 that Dick joined IMG_0271 so that we could have a family portrait. At this point, Larry and Janet were feeling lonely, so Sarah and Dick agreed to pose as their children IMG_0272 IMG_0273 so that their whole family could be represented at the wedding. After saying our good byes to Rachel and Toba IMG_0274 IMG_0275 IMG_0276 we followed this car IMG_0277 whose tags may never have existed as I drove IMG_0278 into the frame IMG_0279 and except for a few required orchid pictures IMG_0280 IMG_0281 and a pass of the Gilman School IMG_0282 IMG_0283 where we noted that our water IMG_0284 IMG_0285 was paid up we got to Betsy's house where we entered IMG_0286 IMG_0287 IMG_0288 group by group to see a crying baby IMG_0289 and a sleeping baby IMG_0290 and after some discussion IMG_0291 Suzanne and Jack IMG_0292 IMG_0293 IMG_0294 IMG_0295 IMG_0296 IMG_0297 IMG_0298 did a major bonding ritual with a break to record the play area IMG_0299 and then more bonding IMG_0300 IMG_0301 IMG_0302 IMG_0303 IMG_0304 IMG_0305 as Sarah and Emma IMG_0306 IMG_0307 IMG_0308 IMG_0309 IMG_0310 had a bonding ritual of their own though Betsy IMG_0311 interrupted one picture IMG_0312 as Suzanne and Jack IMG_0313 did nothing to amuse Ben IMG_0314 though Pat IMG_0315 seemed happy to see Emma IMG_0316 with Sarah IMG_0317 as Suzanne bounced Jack IMG_0318 and Sarah held Emma IMG_0319 IMG_0320 so that the twins IMG_0321 IMG_0322 could bond with each other as Dick IMG_0323 tried to capture the image and Jane and Pat IMG_0324 watched IMG_0325 into the darkness. There followed a potpourri of pictures IMG_0326 IMG_0327 IMG_0328 IMG_0329 IMG_0330 IMG_0331 IMG_0332 some of which were recorded IMG_0333 against a backdrop IMG_0334 of amusements. This is what they saw IMG_0335 unless they were shooting in this direction IMG_0336 or waiting for Jack to get in his seat IMG_0337 as the girls watched IMG_0338 and Emma got in her seat IMG_0339 for fun IMG_0340 so that we could all watch IMG_0341 IMG_0342 and Betsy and Matt IMG_0343 IMG_0344 IMG_0345 opened the gifts Suzanne had brought (not for them).

Next, the candles were lit IMG_0346 on the birthday cake and Ben IMG_0347 IMG_0348 stepped up to the challenge and blew them out IMG_0349 so that we could celebrate IMG_0350 and he could open his gifts IMG_0351 IMG_0352 IMG_0353 IMG_0354 IMG_0355 IMG_0356 before an attempt to get a family picture from afar IMG_0357 and close up IMG_0358 IMG_0359 as Fran took IMG_0360 one that looked like this IMG_0361 and the food was served IMG_0362 IMG_0363 as Ben did magic toothpick tricks IMG_0364 and I got a good self portrait IMG_0365 before the basketball men appeared IMG_0366 IMG_0367 encouraging me to take some self profile pictures IMG_0368 IMG_0369 that are among my best. After noting that the creme filled Krispy Kremes IMG_0370 were left, we hit the road, following this Gilman car IMG_0371 to the toll booth IMG_0372 where they charged an exorbitant rate IMG_0373 and then the cheaper toll booth IMG_0374 though Jane IMG_0375 slept through the journey until we got to Market Fair IMG_0376 and I toasted Ben's birthday with pizza IMG_0377 washed down by Diet Snapple IMG_0378 while he had birthday hot dogs IMG_0379 IMG_0380 so that we could see the family movie he had picked.

Back at home, Ben turned to the first of the accumulated gifts IMG_0381 IMG_0382 IMG_0383 while I posed in my raincoat IMG_0384 IMG_0385 IMG_0386 IMG_0387 IMG_0388 IMG_0389 IMG_0390 IMG_0391 IMG_0392 IMG_0393 IMG_0394 from all sides and Ben continued the process by opening the next gift IMG_0395 IMG_0396 and the one after that IMG_0397 IMG_0398 IMG_0399 IMG_0400 IMG_0401 IMG_0402 IMG_0403 IMG_0404 IMG_0405 IMG_0406 and yet another IMG_0407 IMG_0408 IMG_0409 IMG_0410 IMG_0411 IMG_0412 IMG_0413 IMG_0414 and a final gift IMG_0415 IMG_0416 IMG_0417 IMG_0418 IMG_0419 IMG_0420 IMG_0421 IMG_0422 IMG_0423 IMG_0424 IMG_0425 IMG_0426 IMG_0427 IMG_0428 before declaring it a very active and very enjoyable weekend.

Good life together, Emily and Jim.
Happy birthday Ben