Thanksgiving Palooza

Eric some how miraculously managed to get 2 weeks of vacation off at one time so we set out on what would be the last "hurrah" before the new baby comes. Our grand adventure included a week in Utah visiting my family and a week in Washington visiting Eric's family.

We left for Salt Lake City on Nov. 20th and that's when we officially decided that we would NEVER fly during Addison's bedtime again. NEVER! Unlike most other normal children, our child does not sleep unless she is in her own bed with all of her babies and the comforts of home and so she commenced in screaming for about 3 straight hours until we landed at our destination. We should know better by now but apparently we felt like tempting fates that day and lost!

Utah

My Mom, "Mom-Mom", braved a huge snow storm at night to come retrieve us at the airport. She was bundled to her eyeballs and came bearing snacks. We were sooo happy to see her! We spent the next few days at her very cute house in Provo. Mom-Mom introduced Addison to what Addison now fondly refers to as "cotcha" (chocolate) milk and from that moment on it was like crack to her. Addison also was introduced to Ollie who is the banana on wheels that was our toy when we were kids. Ollie has this habit of flipping over backwards and throwing small children to the ground and when it came to Addison there was no exception. Addison has now been "officially" christened by Ollie.

Eric and I had a wonderful visit with Mom. She made all of my favorites (like sausage gravy and biscuits) and she also took us to a great little Thai restaurant in town. We were also fortunate enough to visit some friends from Winston-Salem, NC who now live in Utah and we took a tour of the conference center too.

Salt Lake Conference Center

The highlight of or trip was that we were able to finish Eric's Mom's work in the Provo temple and have Eric's Mom and Dad sealed together and then have Eric sealed to his parents. My sister (Shannon) and brother-in-law (Doug) were both able to be there with us which was super special. Afterwards we all went to a Brazilian steakhouse and literally gorged ourselves on an absurd amount of meat to the point that Eric literally got sick. I think we overdid it a bit! LOL

Eric and Doug trying to look like they know what they are doing

We spent the last couple of days in Utah at Shannon's house (my sister). We loved to see all 6 of our nieces and nephews. They are so grown up. Addison had a ball playing with all of the kids and their little zebra finches (who are admittedly very cute). We did a lot of cooking and eating as usual and it was fabulous. You will see that eating is a theme throughout this trip.

Thanksgiving Day
Hannah, Shannon, Abigail, Mom, Shay, Addison, Rebekah

The second week we left all the snow and 10 degree weather in Utah and headed to Portland/ Vancouver area where we visited LeeAnn (Eric's sister) and her now husband Daymeon (as of Dec. 11) . We really enjoyed our time with them. Addison spent her days tormenting their poor cat. We were so heartbroken that we couldn't make it to their wedding in Maui but we got the great news that CNN picked their wedding to be on a destination wedding special that airs some time in the spring so we can all watch it then. I will let everyone know when it is supposed to be on so you can watch it too.

Aunt LeeAnn's cat. Addison was obsessed!

From there we were then on to Olympia, WA we ventured to visit Eric's Aunt Carol, Uncle Dan, Cousin Lindsay, Grandpa Oster and Grandpa Branch. It was so special for Addison to get to be with her great Grandpas. We spent our evening talking and of course, eating. Not like I needed to gain any more weight!!

Grandpa Oster



Grandpa Branch

From there we headed to Napavine/Toledo WA area where we spent a few wonderful days with Eric's Dad and his wife Terry (which Addison has claimed as her Poppa and Grammie). They had so many special toys, baby dolls and they even 3 miniature horses. Needless to say, Addison was in heaven and screamed her head off when it was time for bed b/c she loved it so much. However, she did manage to get back to KY with one of her favorite baby dolls from Grammie and Poppa's house. She must have done some major sweet talking! Eric was able to see several friends while we were there too which he really enjoyed. We even made a special trip to see Grandma Wallace (Grandpa "Bigfoot" Ray's wife). She is 90 and sharp as a tack. I love her stories!



Terry "Grammie" & Steve "Poppa"



The only person Addison will share "Mr. Softy" with



Addison loved Grammie's boots!



Chill'n at Grammie and Poppa's



Giant Chair at Cabella's in Olympia, WA



Grandma Wallace, Age 90

It was cold and raining most of the time we were in WA (imagine that). Eric keeps telling me that it doesn't ALWAYS rain there but every single time I have been there it has rained so I'm not buying it. Other highlights: We visited Multnoma Falls. It is the 3rd largest waterfall in the US over 600 ft! We also visited OMSI (a big museum/science center). It had a huge kids discovery place so that was very cool. We also tooled around downtown Portland and checked out OHSU. This was all just about an hour before the Christmas tree lighting bomb scare that was all over the news. And of course we had Papa Pete's pizza a couple of times and had milk shakes down by the mint factory while in WA. It would have been ludicrous not to plus I think it is a law.

Would you want this guy putting a stent in your heart?!

Having a blast in the water center at OMSI in Portland

Uh...can you say cold!

  

Addison did pretty well on the way home. Some melt downs but nothing too major. When we flew out of Portland, we were so close to Mount Hood that we could see the skiers near the summit. Mt. Hood is my favorite "volcano" in that area aside from Mt. Rainier. Eric laughs at me when I call them volcanoes but I have to remind him that mountains on the east cost aren't actively having earthquakes every day or explode or spew lava or ash therefore they are true mountains and the ones on the west coast are volcanoes. :o) I don't know if I'll win that one or not but I will keep trying!!



She gave up on us and found her own dinner



And then passed out

We had a wonderful trip but we were glad to be home. Baby Wallace traveled pretty well. I know he is easier inside than out so I try not to complain too much. We had lots of snow in KY when we got home. It must have followed us from Utah!

The End!