Trip to Tennessee

Dragging a carseat, stroller, 4 carry-on bags, and Dakota through the airport was no easy task.  The days of easy, simple flying are behind us.  It is hard to imagine what it will look like to fly with more than one child.   Patrick said that we will just put all of the kids on leashes as we smiled at passing parents tethered to their children.   The fear of every parent is for their child to have a mental breakdown on the airplane.  We just weren't sure what Dakota we were going to get.  Would we get the sweet, smiley Dakota or the inconsolable, screaming Dakota? Thankfully she did great on the way there and was only a little fussy on the way home.  I think she just missed Nanny and Papaw.   After our first flight experience with Dakota, we can say that it actually went quite smoothly but there are no guarantees on future flights.

As soon as we arrived in Nashville, we traveled to Cookeville to see all of the Cavender family.  Even after a long trip, Dakota had lots of smiles for her cousins.  It was so great to see all of the family!

We were so glad to be able to be there to celebrate with Brad and Kara on their special day.   It also gave us a great excuse to make the trip out to Tennessee to introduce Dakota to all of her Cookeville family and Kingston friends.  With the reception outside, Dakota, as well as her mom and dad, had to adjust to that Tennessee humidity.  

Dakota was loved on my her Kingston "Great Grandma" and her Great Grandma Nanna.  She received lots of hugs and kisses.  

Dakota spent a lot of her time walking around outside with Papaw, touching all of the plants, and having flowers put behind her ear.  Papaw knew how to distract her when she started to get fussy.  Dakota also spent a lot of time with Nanny as Nanny babysat Dakota while the rest of us went to a movie. (Rhonda didn't seem to complain!)  Nanny has the touch for getting Dakota to sleep whether by rocking, bouncing, or swinging on the front porch swing.  Nanny was beaming when she held Dakota at church for all of their friends to meet.  Dakota had lots of smiles and giggles for Nanny and Papaw.  We had a great time!