Happy Holidays!

As many of you know, we spent Thanksgiving in Maui watching the Heels in the Maui Invitational. Payton split his time between Meme and Pawpaw in East Bend and Grandma and Grandpa in Sherrills Ford. While we were relaxing, soaking up the sun, touring the island, and spending time with family and friends in Maui, Payton was a very busy little guy! Meme and Pawpaw made sure he was able to met many of his extended family members and church members. He slept through is first snow on his first night in East Bend. We enjoyed learning his detailed schedule from his time in East Bend! Once in Sherrills Ford, he saw more family members, spent time with Grandpa Joe and Harold and Cherie. He spent Thanksgiving day in Sherrills Ford and then to Charlotte the following day. Saturday he was very busy at his first "kid" birthday party - he was able to see many of my family members at Wil's 2nd birthday party. To top it all off, he was there for Grandpa's birthday too! The best part of his visit may have been when he came to pick Mommy and Daddy up at the airport....or maybe I imagined that!?!

We did have a great time in Maui. Many people have asked if I missed Payton - of course we missed Payton, however, once we arrived I knew I had made the right decision. It would have been very difficult to change time zones and travel with him. I was overly sensitive to other babies though...I believe I saw everyone on the island! It was as if I had baby radar! He will have his turn on an airplane soon enough I'm sure! I took good notes by watching other traveling families!

In Maui we were able to spend lots of quality time with Chandra, Allen, Calyn and Carson. It was great to have an entire week with them and to have Thanksgiving dinner in such a beautiful place. The first day we watched it rain and rain and rain. Sunday morning it cleared up and was beautiful for the remainder of the week. Sunday we took a very exciting sunset sail with Kade and Jenny - thanks to Captain Gene we made it back safely from our exhilarating sail! Chad jumped off the black rock with Eric, Kade, Amy, Jenny and several other UNC people. I was the photographer....much safer spot on the sand for me!! Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we enjoyed watching the Heels play and eventually win the Maui Invitational. Thursday we set off with the entire family for the Road the Hana - for those who have never been to Maui, it would be the Hawaiian version of the Blue Ridge Parkway - it just has about 500 more curves and its so much more beautiful (if you like blue water, black sand beaches, and waterfalls of course). The drive alone is an adventure! Thursday night was wrapped up by a great Thanksgiving dinner at the hotel. Friday morning Chad and I moved from Ka' napalli Beach to Wailea. I thought Ka'napalli was beautiful. I found out Wailea is even better! We had hotel envy as we walked around at the Grand Wailea - we were staying next door at the Marriott; however, our trip was wrapped up by spending the day at the Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea. It was truly wonderful! I felt so spoiled and I think for a moment I forgot about the long trip we had ahead of us to get home. After about 10 hours in the air and a major time change we made it home - we arrived to a dreary, rainy day with 40 degree temps in Charlotte. Of course, that beautiful little baby boy quickly reminded me how lucky we were to be back home!

After being stuck in traffic for hours and getting a "warm" welcome back to the real world, we finally made it home and to work on Monday. Payton and I are back on our normal schedule and I feel like I never even left him! We are still getting settled back in and trying to prepare our home and minds for the next holiday....and my favorite...Christmas!

At the airport, Calyn gave Payton a cute winter outfit and a new book - the book has four sounds, a dog, a cat, a guinnea pig and a parrot - he LOVES it! This is his new favorite toy. Each time he looks at it and hears a sounds he cackles out loud. Thanks Calyn! You always pick the best gifts for Payton!