NC Trip and Other Updates

Before I start writing about our NC trip, I want to give an update about Tyler's job situation. He actually got a new job within his company that is far less stressful, and a better situation overall, so we are really happy about that! And the best part is that his boss let him have a week-and-half off work so he was able to go to NC with me!
Our NC trip was awesome!! I was so happy I got to go so I could see my best friend for eight years, Kathleen, get married. I was also so excited to see my family. 
Since plane tickets are ridiculously expensive right now we drove all the way to North Carolina! I had   a lot of people stare at me in disbelief when I told them this, but even though the drive was looooooong, it was so worth it! The kids actually did really well. Obviously they had their moments, but overall the drive was pretty good. Addy is at that stage where she likes to mimic all of the sounds Dawson makes. So at one point during our drive Dawson was pretty upset about something and screamed the word "no" a few times in a row. Next thing I know Addy is saying "no" three or four times in a row in the closest voice she could get to a scream. Oh it made me laugh!

Asleep in the car. So precious!

Stopping to stretch, chugging his favorite drink, Root Beer

We drove for twenty-four hours straight except for stopping to get gas and letting the kids stretch. We finally stopped in Louisville, Kentucky for a night, at a hotel called The Galt House. It had a four star rating and I found a really good deal for it on priceline, but I probably wouldn't stay there again. It was pretty old (Abraham Lincoln stayed there once) and basically kinda creepy. I must admit I was freaked out it might be haunted or something!  Dawson loved it though. We were on the 22nd floor and had a great view of the Ohio river and down town Louisville. They also had some pretty cool fireworks that we were able to watch from our window. It really was a neat setting, but I was too exhausted to take pictures. I am kicking myself for that now. 
We finally arrived in my hometown, Hampstead, at about eight on the twenty-first. Everyone was so happy to see us, and Dawson was so excited! I thought he might be kind of shy at first, but he just made buddies with everyone and got busy playing. My parent's have a huge yard and Dawson is in Heaven there.
We had an awesome week. Dawson was outside first thing every morning when he woke up, and stayed out there until bedtime. And let me say one thing, HOLY HUMIDITY! I forgot what that was like. I was so happy that my siblings loved hanging out outside with Dawson so I didn't have to be out in that sticky weather too much. 
I really enjoyed spending time with my family while I was there. We swam in the lake a lot, and the boys enjoyed a bike jump into the lake that my brother, Andrew made. Tyler took a pretty good spill off the bike, but he survived!

It's hard to get this kid to smile for a picture!

Dawson loved throwing rocks in the lake.

We went to the beach while we were there which was way fun! I miss the beach so much. At first Dawson was afraid of the water, but pretty soon he was loving it. He would run out in the water, but when the waves came crashing in, he'd run for the shore as fast as his legs could carry him. Addy quite enjoyed our beach trip too. She sat in the shallow water and splashed away. I should have taken more pictures of the kids at the beach, but I just hate taking my camera out at the beach because I am so worried it's going to get sandy and ruined. I did snap a few quick shots though.

Hangin' out with Uncle Adam and Aunt Savannah.

Poor kid, his little but crack always hangs out in these shorts.

Dawson got to ride on Papa's tractor while we were there. My dad let him steer all by himself!

Dawson loved him some Aunt Savannah

Dawson just loves my other siblings too! He was always hanging out with Lucas and Zayah, and he thinks Adam and Andrew are so cool. Andrew was always giving him little treats and toys. On our drive back to Utah Dawson kept saying things like "when I am bidder(bigger) like Andrew . . ."

We got some pictures of the whole family while we were all together, and some cute ones of the kids also.

Ok, I seriously LOVE them!!

Trying to give Addy kisses.

Sista's!

I was really happy to see Kathleen and her family while I was in NC. They were like my second family during my teens and I realized when I saw them again how much I had missed them. We had some fun times together during my visit, including a girls night, long visits, and of course ice cream! I can't go to the McLeod's house and not have ice cream!!

On Friday the twenty-seventh, we packed up our car and hit the road again. It was a sad, sad day. Dawson kept saying. "You go back to Harrisville and I'll stay in North Carolina with Mimi and Papa." He was adamant that he was not going back with us. It just about broke my heart seeing him so sad to leave, because for one thing I was sad to leave too, and I just hated taking him away from a place he loved so much.

There was one good thing about us leaving that day though. On our way to Utah we stopped at the Raleigh temple and I was able to be there for Kathleen's wedding. She looked absolutely gorgeous and so happy. I remember her being able to come to my wedding in Utah, so I was so happy I could be in NC for hers. She is such a good person and friend and I just love her!

We made it home safe and sound. Our car was a champ and we had no problems with it for the whole trip. We are missing NC. Dawson was pretty bored and cranky our first day back because he felt cooped up, but we are adjusting to life back in Utah. And as a mom I have to say it's always nice to be in your own environment, and on your own schedule. We miss you NC! We'll be back soon!

Now for some Addy and Dawson updates.

Addy is 9 1/2 months now, and just had her 9 month well-child today. She is a tall girl! She is 29 inches and in the 96th percentile for her height. She weighs nineteen lbs, putting her in the 46th percentile for weight. She has thrush right now which is no fun, but the doctor gave us a prescription for her so hopefully that will start to help her. 

Addy is now crawling and pulling up and climbing up to everything! She loves to sing "yi-yi-yo" when she hears the "Old Macdonald" song, and she can say "ma ma, da da, and no" now. She absolutely adores Dawson and squeals with delight when she sees him. She loves to eat big people food and if she sees that you have an otter pop or a sucker, look out! She will be on that like white on rice. She is so adorable and happy and we just love having her in our family.

Dawson is getting "bidder" as he always tells me, and he is a talker. He loves to pretend Addy is his "baby dod(dog)" and sit her on his lap. 

If I tell Dawson he can't do something he looks at me and says "But mom, I am bidder now!" He is a very excited about his birthday in October and has requested a Cars cake. He  always tells people he is three. He keeps me on my toes and laughing every day!