Hatteras Beach Trip

Earlier this month we took our first official family vacation since Aiden was born and spent a week at Hatteras Island with Paul's family. We had a fun relaxing time. It was nice to get away from normal life for awhile and just relax and spend time with family. Aiden had 8 adults catering to his every need (or want) so he wasn't complaining either.

Aiden Update

Aiden is now 5 months old. My, how the time flies. Here are a few things about him.

-He is a very social baby and does not like to miss out on anything.

-He is not a very cuddley baby right now but he loves being held.

-He is sleeping through the night for the most part and has been since about six weeks.

-He just got his first two teeth last week.

-He is sitting up. He can't get up by himself but he has enough balance to stay up for awhile.

-He loves to jibber jabber.

-He is rolling around all over the place. For the most part he can only roll one way so once he makes his way over to a piece of furniture or a wall he thinks he is stuck and will start crying. Eventually he will get it.

-He has recently discovered his feet and they have become his favorite toy.

He is such a joy to watch as he discovers new things everyday. Paul and I are so blessed to have him in our lives. We love him more then we could have ever imagined.

Bathtime at the beach

First time eating rice cerealAiden and his BFF WillFirst plane ride. (He looks very excited)

Nauvoo

Our (Holly and I) second summer adventure was driving 16 hours (each way), with 4 children, to Nauvoo. My grandparents are serving a mission there right now so we took the opportunity to go there and stay with them. I had not seen them for about a year and a half so it was great visiting them and seeing them in action. It was also so good to have "girl bonding time" as Camree calls it. It was suppose to be a family vacation but all the boys in the family bailed out on us so it turned into a girl trip. We had my mom and all us girls there. The only one missing was Amanda. We really wish she could have been there too. We had so much fun and I am so grateful for the time I had to spend with my mom and sisters. I love them and miss them so much.

This was after our marshmallow fight. I ruined my shirt but it was tons of fun and totally worth it.

Carthage Jail

This was on the wagon ride but right behind Chanda is the house my Grandma and Grandpa live in. They live right on the Mississippi so right across the road is the river. I think they have the best view of anyone.

We decided to get an old time photo while we were there.

On our last day we all bought these shirts. We also bought the girls bonnets and the boys little hats. This is at the fair they have right before the Nauvoo pageant. Needless to say between what we were wearing and what the kids were wearing we got lots of attention.

Topsail Beach/Fourth of July

I know that July was months ago but I am just getting around to posting this. I am starting to see a trend here.

This year for the fourth we went to Topsail Beach with Holly's in-laws (Cameron's family). Paul was only able to spend the weekend because of work but I stayed the whole week. They always get a house on the beach so all you have to do is walk outside and you are right at the ocean. Paul's favorite part was the pier right next to the house. He probably went out there 6 times in the three days he was at the beach. He wasn't able to do any fishing but I am glad he had a good time. We all had a ton of fun and we are so grateful for Cameron's family and their hospitality.

Someone looked outside one morning and saw this huge school of fish (the big dark spot in the water)

Everyone dressed up for the Fourth