{Ft. McHenry}

A few weeks ago we spent our Saturday up at Fort McHenry, near Baltimore.  Ft. McHenry, for those of you who don't know, is significant to our history because that is where Francis Scott Key wrote the "Star Spangled Banner".  He was watching the British attack Ft. McHenry from a ship out in the bay all night and he waited for the daylight to come to see what flag would be flying over the Fort.  When he saw the stars and stripes he penned the song that we hold dear as Americans.  The weekend that we chose to go to the Fort happened to be the anniversary of what they call "Defenders Day".  We were lucky because the Fort was alive with period people and demonstrations of life in the early 1800's.  We even got to meet the esteemed Mr. Key himself, which the kids loved.  Flying over the fort they had a replica of the flag that was flying over the fort in 1814.  We have been to see the original "Star Spangled Banner" in the Museum of American History.  Seeing it time and time again, and hearing the words written by Francis Scott key sung, never ceases to cause me to get choked up with pride for this country we live in.  We do live in a blessed country and I love showing my kids the sacrifices made so they can enjoy it today.  There are a lot of pics because it was just a great day. Ayden got the low down on how to fire a canon.  We got to play dress-up and enjoy the military band perform.  We even got to enjoy a shaved ice to end a pretty perfect day.