North Carolina

Sienna went on her first airplane ride to North Carolina. I was nervous taking her cause I had no idea how she would handle the flight and I didn't want to be that mom that everyone hates because their baby won't stop crying while they are trying to enjoy the inflight movie. But Sienna surpassed all my hopes. The flight to North Carolina was a red eye and she slept THE WHOLE time. Even when we weren't on the plane she was awake for maybe an hour. Also, I decided I love flying with a baby. Reason being, everyone is so nice to you! They let you go in front of you in lines or off the plane, they are nicer to you going thru security, it's just a positive experience. And everyone loved Sienna! I don't blame them of course cause she is so stinkin cute but it almost got tired having people stop us and ask how old she was and commenting on how cute she was! The most funny experience we had with her was eating in the Houston airport. Matt had just gotten Panda Express and we were just about to enter the Wendy's when some flight crew looked at us and with authority said "excuse me, you guys can't come in here." Matt and I just looked at each other, him thinking is it because I have Panda Express? Me just being plan confused. Then they go on to say "you can't just walk into here without letting us see that baby first! OH MY GOSH SHE IS SO CUTE. Look at her little feet and hands, oh her face is so cute. Blah blah blah." It was hilarious. As I was getting my Wendy's and Matt's waiting with Sienna there were more people coming up talking to him and then by the time I got back to our seat the flight crew told us they would be coming to see us at Christmas time. The flight attendants all commented on how much she looked like a doll and that they had dolls bigger then her, and if a new attendant was walking by, the other made sure to make them look. Okay, I will stop bragging about my sweet girl. It was just fun to see how much people love Sienna. I think it's just babies in general. There is something special about them and people are just drawn to them.

Here we are on our first flight together as a family. 

While in North Carolina we went camping at camp eagles nest. It's owned by the LDS church and is used a lot for boys scouts and girls camp. But lucky for us the last two times we have gone there hasn't been one other person there! Which is really nice cause then it's pretty easy to keep track of the kids and they can go anywhere without getting into anyone's stuff. There is a little lake there that has about the nastiest water I have ever seen. It looks like dr. Pepper and there are big snakes in it. But the kids love it. They have canoes and paddle boats that you can take out which is always a favorite.

The kids loved playing in the sand, despite the many unwanted sand fights which resulted in sand in eyes and mouth. 

Our attempt to build a fire. It had rained the night we got there making all the wood wet. So pretty much matt and I kept the fire burning long enough with pine needles so the kids could roast some marshmallows. 

I love this goof ball.

All of us in our camping shirts. Matts Mom and sister came up with the idea and it was so cute. All the kids that could drew a picture of themselves then we used fabric transfer paper or whatever it is and ironed them on to shirts. I wear mine at least once a week. I LOVE it.

Another thing we do while in North Carolina is celebrate everyone's birthdays since we aren't able to be together on those days. Matt's mom made cute rainbow cupcakes this year. The kids absolutely love it, mostly cause they get to blow out a candle and eat a cupcake. Nothing better then that. I think Sienna enjoyed her first year.  She was so mesmerized by the flame before I blew it out of course.

We also take family pictures while we are all together. We were going to take them the same place we did last year which was a really nice nature backdrop, but sadly about 20 mins before we were to go out it started pouring rain, so we did them outside. Of course almost as soon as we were finished it cleared up, but Matt's sister's family was leaving to go to the ocean for the week right after pictures so we couldn't venture out. Plus, I think the kids would've been real terrors. It's a struggle to get 9 kids to cooperate once, let alone twice.