Our First Weekend in Durham

When we woke up we had a big day of shopping to get our apartment all squared away and stocked with food. To start with we stopped for lunch at Dickeys BBQ.

We are fans and love the dessert because you get free ice cream!

After a trip to Costco we went home and walked across the street to Target to get a few more things.

Aiden decided to get in on the shopping fun and help in the veggie department

Don't tell but we put that one back. After shopping we headed home to make dinner and decided it was pizza kind of night so Mike got to work.

After our long day Aiden was pooped! His snooze came at the right time though because that meant Mike and I actually got to eat dinner at the same time which is rare in our house. It was a great day and a wonderful start to our time in Durham.

We Moved!!! To Durham, North Carolina

After a few weeks missing Daddy Aiden and I had to say see you later to Sacramento and board a plane to our new home for awhile, Durham, North Carolina. The flight was great and since there were seats available they let me bring the car seat on board so Aiden got a cozy ride. He slept through most of the first leg and as we were getting off the people behind us said, "Wow! I didn't even know there was a baby up there!"

On the second leg of our day the flight was supposed to be full so no car seat but as it turns out one person did not show up for the flight. We had our fingers crossed that the extra seat would go to us and go figure nobody wanted a middle seat next to a baby. Score for us! So Aiden got to spread out with his toys and have some play time.

We are so excited when we landed because when we got down to baggage claim there he was! Daddy!

After some hugs and kisses we loaded up the massive amount of luggage we had and headed to our new home for the next 4 months.

We arrived and it was so perfect! We live on Haven Hollow which is off of Holly Hill !!!

The apartment is great, Mike did a wonderful job selecting it. It is very nice and clean and Aiden has his own room and bathroom with a big soaking tub for swimming! We settled right in and were so happy to be all together again.

After a little unpacking it was time for bed because we had a big day of shopping in the morning.

Yay!! Avery is Here!

After a long wait we finally got to go to the hospital and wait for baby Pappas. We didn't know if it would be a boy or a girl so that made the anticipation even that much greater. We sat in the waiting room waiting for uncle Ryan to come by with Aiden's new baby cousin.

When uncle Ryan finally came out, it was a GIRL! Her name is Avery and she couldn't be more precious. We all hurried upstairs to get a peak through the nursery glass.

We love her SOOO much !! After all the excitment of the day Aiden was pooped so it was time to go home.

A few days later we went back to the hospital to get the cousns properly introduced.

They were instant new BBFs !!!!!!!

The California Capital

After being stuck in the house all winter Aiden and I decided to take advantage of a sunny day and get out!

We went to lunch downtown with uncle Ryan and auntie Virginia. After lunch we went for a walk and took a stroll through the capital building. Before heading home we wrapped up our day with a little photo session.

It was a great day!!!!!!!!

Minnesota Brrrrrr!

So we finally made it to Minnesota! After a long couple days in the car we arrived at Mike's home away from home, the Eden Prarie Towne Place Suites. We were lucky we made it in when we did because the next day Minneapolis was hit with a blizzard getting the 4th most snow in one day ever! If was so bad it even collapsed the roof of the Vikings football stadium. Aiden and I stayed in the hotel room and watched the craziness from the window.

While we were staying warm inside we sent Mike out to the store for dinner. He had a great time getting the snow off the truck :)

We spent some play time on the floor to pass the time. Aiden really started to get the hang of playing with his under the sea mat, he loves the music!

The next day the sun came back out so we were happy.

Monday Mike had to go back to work after his 6 weeks off and Aiden and I started our house hunting search. Being that it was 10 below outside Aiden got nice and bundled up.

We spent many long days looking at house after house, it was exhasting!

Because we were there at Christmas time we took a break from work and house hunting for a family trip to the Mall of America (MOA) to get Aiden's picture with Santa.

Soon it was time to head back to CA. We didn't end up buying a house because we found out that Mike would shortly be heading to North Carolina for a few months to head up a project for Mortenson. Back on a plane we went to home sweet home.

Road Trip New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin

After a wonderful 6 weeks at home bonding with baby it was time to pack up and head to Minnesota for some house hunting. So on the plane we went with more luggage that we have every carried before! Who knew such a tiny thing could require so much stuff! Aiden did so great on the plane, no crying at all and everyone on the plane complimented him on what a great and cute baby he was as we were getting off the plane ( nobody said anything getting on I am sure they thought oh crap a baby).

He even managed to take full advantage of the accommodations in first class and really stretch out. Mike's frequent flyer miles sure come in handy when traveling with a little one!

Because of Aiden's early arrival Mike had to leave his truck in New Jersey at Aunt Pam's house to make it in time from the east coast so that is where we started our road trip. Uncle Bill came and picked us and all our luggage up from the airport. Aunt Pam prepared us a fabulous dinner and held Aiden so Mike and I could eat with both hands at the same time (this doesn't happen very often in our house).

Even cousin Ashley got to get some baby time. Aiden sure loves his cousin Ashley!

After visiting Mike and I went to sleep and Aunt Pam stayed up with Aiden because after sleeping all day and time zone changes he was up and at 'em. It was amazing to get some restful sleep and when I woke up the next day I felt like a new woman! Thank you so much to the Crum's for the hospitality!

 It was then time to get on the road and start our journey. We drove for quite awhile stopped somewhere in Pennsylvania the first night and then in Indiana the second. Aiden thought staying in hotel rooms was kinda fun and even called housekeeping for extra pillows.

Our next stop was in Madison, Wisconsin where we stopped a little earlier than usual so we could take in some of the sights. It is a beautiful city and we can't wait to go back. We had a nice room facing a lake so we hung out and relaxed for a bit.

Mike and Aiden even got in a nap before dinner.

We ate a great local brewery then called it a night.

We woke up the next morning and hopped back in the car for our last day of driving. Next stop Minnesota!