Family Fun in the Carolinas

We took the opportunity to use Matt's last week of vacation for this academic year and go home!  We landed on Saturday and drove to Columbia, SC.  We ate at a favorite Mexican restaurant of ours with some great friends.  We didn't take any pictures (gasp)!  How do we know we even went there?  We have a group that we have seen now every time we return.  It means a lot to us and we always talk for hours without realizing how much time has passed.  We were missing a few to our group and hope we can add them in next time.

Sunday, it was church with Matt's parents.  Nathan had these really cute shorts that matched Joshua's pants.  He definitely pooped through the shorts and down his leg about 15 minutes into the church service.  :-)

Then we traveled to my parent's house.  We were able to visit with my family and some other relatives for awhile.  Again, no pictures.  :-(

Sunday evening we traveled to our home for the week.  A very generous friend allowed us to stay at their lake house for the week.  This was the BEST trip we have had home.  We didn't have to pack up midweek and reorganize kids/stuff.  We also had enough space that both families came and visited with us there.  

The first part of the week my family came.  My Dad taught Joshua to fish.  He did it for about 5 minutes the first time and repeatedly asked, "What's next, Grandpa?"  He wasn't interested in the waiting part.  They returned later on, and, after 5 minutes, he caught a fish!

Julia gave us all hair cuts on Monday too.  I hated that we didn't have her cut it before we saw everyone Saturday/Sunday.  We were all cuter after Julia worked her magic.  

Nathan didn't enjoy the cut though.

Rachel trying to get in my selfie.  :-)

Nathan forgiving Julia for the haircut.

We grabbed kids and ran down to the dock to check out the families of geese.  

Joshua didn't have shoes on so of course he had to be carried too.

We cooked out and tried some tasty southern barbecue.

We enjoyed time on the dock.  The weather was perfect!  We all decided that when we grow up we want to have a house on a lake.  We canoed, kayaked, swam, and just enjoyed the peace that comes from being near water.

My mom brought this crocodile hat for Joshua.  He thought he was pretty cute!  He also loved playing air hockey.  

Wednesday evening Mom and Dad Turek came to visit with us.  We had a great time during their visit too.  The weather changed a bit and it was rainy and cooler.  One evening Mom and I escaped for a walk that turned into a shower about 10 minutes from home.  

I love my time wearing this kid even if he is a workout.

We didn't have the tray for this seat and Nathan decided his feet should go on the actual table.  He loves to have those feet propped up and usually crossed.

Peddle boats are always fun!

Nani completed the look when she gave Joshua his goggles.  

There is a great park about 20 minutes from the house that had a train and merry-go-round.

The boys loved this inside feature of the house.

We managed to squeeze in some shopping and delicious food that we cooked ourselves and discovered at some quaint restaurants.

Saturday Nathan was 11 months old but we decided to break all of the rules and celebrate his 1st birthday while we were in SC.  We wanted to celebrate with both sets of our parents and Nathan's birth family, so we decided to go for it!

Joshua even got presents since his birthday was last week.  (lucky kid)

Everyone watching the video we made of Joshua and Nathan together over the last year.  I will make one of just Nathan of his first year too.  This was appropriate though because I truly do believe that Nathan was an answer to all of our prayers but mainly Joshua's.

The party was a success.  It was wonderful to see everyone love my son so much.  Nathan smiled, laughed, and enjoyed the attention. 

People have asked if it is awkward or weird to be in touch with Nathan's birth family.  They have asked if I would feel threatened/intimidated by his "real mom" or jealous. I can say that I felt nothing but love for his birth family.  Sometimes, I feel sad for them because I know that seeing him is probably hard.  However, I am Nathan's mom and they have always made me feel that way.  I am grateful they were willing to come and grateful that we are making memories together.  Nathan will see these pictures and never feel that he was "given up" for adoption.  He was placed in our arms right where he belonged and he changed lives along the way.  What a miracle and what a journey this year has been!  

Saturday we cleaned up the house, packed up, and drove to Rock Hill.  Matt and I went on a date and then came home and stayed up past our very early bedtimes and visited with Matt's parents.  It was a really nice evening.

Sunday morning snuggles before driving to the airport.

Climbing in to ride between the carseats.  No seat belt actually needed when you are riding here.

Joshua loves airports and planes.  This kid is a very seasoned traveler.  He knows the entire system and was eager to teach Nathan all about it.

Joshua always spends at least 45 minutes of our flights examining the emergency plan.  He really could go over it with everyone.  This time he was asked to speak in the phone/microphone at takeoff and landing.  He was very pleased with himself.  

Nathan is leaning around talking to the flight attendant.  This kid had both flight attendants in his corner.  He was laughing, flirting, and playing with them most of the flight.  Joshua gave everyone a laugh at the end though as he announced to our flight attendant that he doesn't like to fly US Airways. (We are of course flying US Airways.) I quickly told them that this was a US Airways flight.  He said to her that she did a good job and he liked the flight but he didn't like US Airways airports or in other words US Airways check-in.  The line was way too long and he doesn't like to wait.  He prefers Southwest.  Oh my...

Happy to be back in San Antonio but a visit to the Carolinas is always a treat!