I thought I would dole out the details of our North Carolina trip a bit at a time. I was thinking how cool it would be to actually post as it happened, but, alas....those of you who are parents understand why this would never happen! Especially since my husband was not with me on this trip. I will say that I was very fortunate to have my sisters, brother and some great friends who helped me with the kids a lot. A big Thank You! to all of them. I actually got to go shopping at Ann Taylor AND Sephora! Woo Hoo!!

I will admit to being very nervous about taking Maya and Owen on an airplane. I was imagining all of the horrible things that could happen and all of the angry fellow passengers and flight crew that I would have to apologize to and deal with. Fortunately, after much prayer and perparation, I was amazed at my kids. They acted like we were just going for a Sunday drive and it was no big deal. They were fascinated at all the workings of the airplane and were thrilled to receive a pair of wings to stick on their jackets at check in.

I took a backpack full of toys, books, candy and the best $200 I ever spent - a portable DVD player. I used it all the time and it was a Godsend on this trip. I kid you not when I say that neither of the kids made a peep on the flight to Minneapolis or on the flight into Raleigh. They were super stars!

Here the two of them are as we are preparing for take off from Great Falls International Airport. I found that it worked really well to have Maya sit by the window and I sat on the aisle. She enjoyed looking out the window and Owen could sit next to me and hold my hand (a habit of his when we are riding). Owen was a bit alarmed at take off just because it was such a new sensation, but he did not cry or even make a noise. His eyes just got really big and he squeezed my hand really tight. Then he was fine.


We got off the plane in Minneapolis and had lunch at Burger King. This is where we met up with my Mom and sister Jill. Jill is Owen's favorite person on the planet and he was thrilled to see her in such a strange place. After a walk down the concourse, it was back on the plane and off to Raleigh.


Neither one of the kids slept a wink in spite of having left home at 5:30 AM in order to make it to the airport on time. When we arrived in Raleigh, they were happy to walk for a bit while I went to get the rental car - a mini van - and then it was off to the hotel. My sister Julie has a small apartment and so my friend Sally and I decided to stay in a hotel while we were in Raleigh. The hotel was right in downtown Raleigh - a place even the locals get lost in sometimes - but not to far from my sister's place, so all was fine.


We went down to street to the local Irish pub for dinner and then it was off to bed. All of us were exhausted. For me, it was double relief to be in North Carolina, be checked into our hotel and be ready for some sleep. I had worried about things for nothing - once again - and was finally at a point where I could look forward to our trip. We had some sightseeing in Raleigh on the schedule for the next day, so we all needed a good night's rest.

More details and some great pictures coming soon. I came home with almost 300 pictures and some video! LOL