A fishing we will go

Jackson had quite the time visiting Dee Dee at work today.....they even got in some rod and reel action!

When in the Mountains, you are a little closer to heaven!

This weekend I decided last minute to go to the Mountain house with my parents. It would be the last weekend to travel since this Saturday I will be 6 weeks out (and my track record with going full term is not so good). So I was crazy enough to pack up myself, Jackson, and yes Bailey and Harley. We had a wonderful time and the weather was SO much cooler up there.

Jackson had the time of his life...we got there about 11:45 Friday night and he was so excited. It was really sweet to see the excitement through the eyes of a 2 year old. I think it took him til almost 1 to finally fall asleep and he was up and at em at 6:30 the next morning. He slept in the bed with me which confirmed 2 things for me! 1- we NEVER let Jackson sleep with us thank goodness and 2- we are not ready for a big boy bed quite yet!

The next day we went into town and luck would have it they were having a festival - selling crafts, baked goods, and what not. So we walked through that and Jackson had the best time. He played the game where you pick up the duck to find out what prize you win, which he could have played all day! He won a match box car and this HUGE frog stuffed animal! After a snow cone we decided to head back to the house and enjoy the piece and quiet of Mountain Life.

We all hated to come home Sunday, but someone around here has to work - right?? lol


Here is Jackson at the festival!

Here is my parents home away from home!

Jackson watching cartoons in the rocking chair that use to be my Dad's!

Mom is finally getting the log furniture for all the rooms that she wants- it's only been 20 years worth of hand me downs! :) I think she deserves it!

Jackson taking a rub a dub dub

Playing with Memaw

Swinging with Papa

Bailey thinks this is the life!

Bailey and Jackson watching 101 Dalmations on the way home!

WCU

Cristie and I stopped by our old college on the way home from Misty's house - Western Carolina University. We had such a good time talking about the good ole days and seeing all the new changes. It has been 6 years....seriously where has the time gone???

Here is the Alumni Tower that sits in the middle of campus

Had to have our pics taken under the tower!

This is David's old dorm - Benton

This is Moore Hall where all my classes were for HIM....they say it is haunted??

Cristie and I outside of Moore Hall

This is the building I use to work in - David too actually!

This is the Tuck River that is right by where I use to live. David loved fishing in this river.

And here is my old house....lived there with Kelly and Chris until they graduated and then Cristie, Jennifer and Mary the last year!

We have a name!

David and I have finally decided on a name for this little guy!
Matthew Glenn Akins

Both are after family - Matthew is David's middle name and Glenn is David's dads middle name!

Let the monogramming begin! :)

Meeting Baby Reid!

We made it to meet Baby Reid this weekend....after Misty being home only 1 day. Sorry about that- I don't think she minded though. I only have about 1 more week where I can travel and then they want me Fayetteville bound. :(
Reid is the sweetest baby and he is SO good! She couldn't ask for more. He wakes up every 3 hrs to eat, eats quickly w/ no spit up and then right back to bed. Oh how I wish I had it like that with Jackson and how I really hope my next one is that good!

He looks a lot like his Daddy to me!

It all came back to me! He is SO SWEET!

Poor Buster was out on the porch a lot.....

Misty, Cristie and myself! The 3 Amigos!

For Sweet Baby Reid

I made this baby blanket for Baby Reid! I really like the colors in this one!

She thinks my Tractor's Sexy...

I thought this was a funny picture.....
I had to follow my Dad from my uncle's house to the farm so that he could cut one of the fields. On the way there we had to stop and get some gas.....I am sure we got some looks since Fayetteville is no longer farm country!

I finally did it....

Jackson got his ultimate "I really look like my Daddy now" haircut! It has only taken me a few months to get it this short.....but I seem to have a hard time letting my little boy grow up! :( But I figured since he was going to be the BIG brother he had to look the part!

Congratulations Craig Family

My good friend from college, Misty, and her husband, Courtney, finally had their baby yesterday after 40+ long weeks of pregnancy, 4 hrs of labor and NO EPIDURAL! We are so glad all are doing well!

Happy Birthday Reid Mckinley Craig!
Born: 7/13/09
Time: 11:17 am
Weight: 8 lbs 4 oz
Length: 19+ inches

New Bench

Our extra bedroom set has an old timey dresser with bench that I just love. The whole set needs to be refinished, but that is on the waiting list right now. Although I have wanted to replace the material on the bench to give it an updated look. It has taken me FOREVER to decide what I like. I wanted something that would go with the quilt that David's mom made us when we got married b/c that is what I want to use in the spare room when we get to Kansas. The colors in it are rose, dark blue and green and all the material I liked seemed to be more burgundy than rose. But finally I found this and I think it will work well with it - I am going from memory here! And I really like the strip. So today I was able to use my Dad's powered staple gun.....that is a scary thought and recovered the bench. I really like the way it turned out. I think I am going to try to make a couple throw pillows for the bed out of the left over material! :)

Here is the before. It was a vinyl type material and it actually had another older material under it.

And after

Bathtime Fun!

I bought Jackson these roll on Bath Soaps and he is LOVING them! As you can see from his GREEN Beard! :)

Daddy comes home!

We were so excited to see David this weekend for the 4th of July! It has been way too long and sadly has come to an end already. But while he was here we did do a lot! He flew in Thursday night late and so he didn't see Jackson until the morning. It took Jackson about 5 minutes to warm up to him and then they were joined at the hip.

Friday we took him to the park that morning to play and then they had some couch time!

After Jackson's nap (and ours) we took him to his first movie - Ice Age, Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Jackson LOVED his first movie. We have the original Ice Age so he knew the characters and was all into the big screen. But I think his favorite part was the popcorn and coke he got as a treat! He sat through the whole movie very well I thought for a just turned 2 year old.

After the movie we came back home and grilled out burgers and played outside.

Saturday we went out and about and tried to find David some new shorts and David wanted to buy Jackson a new toy. After that we met my brother and his wife for lunch - Thanks for lunch guys- before heading home. Jackson took a little cat nap in the car and while we shopped, so he was up for the day when we got back- no nap. It was so nice outside that we filled his pool and David joined him in it. I think we spend several hours outside swinging, swimming and just playing as a family! So much fun! Jackson was full of energy, so we considered taking him to his first fireworks show. I was worn out, but we took him anyway to Hope Mills and he watched the fireworks for the first time too! He really liked them at first- saying "Whoa and Wow". But toward the end he seemed to lose interest. On the way home the little boy fell right to sleep.

And then today we had to take David back to the airport for another Good Bye. I tell you they don't get any easier at all. We have learned to just drop him off and not go in...makes it easier on all of us. Jackson took his nap when we got home and as soon as he woke up he started asking for Dada....oh how it broke my heart. But we will see him again in about 2 months when baby boy decides to arrive and hopefully David will be done with training. Then after that he has a few more weeks away from us and we should be reunited as a family and on our way to Kansas.