Fireflies

Well, we're back!!!! I had nothing to worry about- the trip went wonderfully!!!! I don't know that I could live in North Carolina again, but it brought back many wonderful childhood memories I wouldn't mind passing along to Danika. I think that I'll follow the idea of Kira and give you daily blogs about the different days of our trip.... lots to tell!! I must say, though, I had no idea how much can happen in 4 days in the life of an infant. Every night I was calling Nate with an update, each night (almost) telling him something new about Danika, which of course I will share with you, too!!! It was almost like bringing home a brand new baby!!!! 

North Carolina Trip- Day 1

We had to get up nice and early to meet the rest of my family at Cracker Barrel at 5:50. We were 2 minutes late and dad was a bit perturbed :) I thought it was funny to delay the supervisor. We got to the airport around 6:45 and Danika did great- charming everyone she saw along the way. Nate walked with us all the way to security and we said our goodbyes :( Off we went!!!!! I was really, really, really nervous as I had not flown since Sept 2001... which was definitely not a good memory. Luckily I had a lot of helpers to get me through the day! A perk of bringing a baby on a plane?? Preboarding :) We got all settled in and Danika settled herself down for a nice nap. She slept for the first 45 minutes or so of the trip. When she woke up, she was as happy as can be! She told us all kinds of stories, and shared them with the RESt of the plane, too... we got lots of compliments on what a good baby she was. 

We arrived in Charlotte, NC at about 2:00 EST and headed to our destination. But FIRST we had to make a visit to the almighty Bojangles!!!MMMMMMMM!!!! Even I had to have a chicken sandwich. Being the uber healthy vegetarian, the grease as well as the MSG laden seasoned french fries was pretty nasty, but there is still nothing like Bojangles. We headed on our way, a three hour adventure in a North Carolina rain storm :) 

We arrived in Hot Springs, NC around 6:30pm just in time  for Grandma's lasagna, blackberry cobbler AND black walnut chocolate pound cake :) Grandma and grandpa visited with Danika and the rest of us (defintieyl not as important!) before bed... 

The cabin we stayed in was BEAUTIFUL! It reminded me of our family reunion camping cabins in the Smoky Mountains in Cherokee, NC. There were big, beautiful trees and the sound of the rushing river just down the way. The best part of it all? As I was falling asleep on Thursday night, I turned to look out the window just in time to see fireflies dancing in the night. It brought back memories of the big red barn we had our family reunions at, and us kids chasing fireflies, trying to trap them in jars, and swinging on the tire swing at night. Life was so carefree and easy!!!! 

Danika did great the whole day- she was a bit crabby at bed time but she had a LONG day, so I give her a freebie!