OBX

All over in Richmond people had bumper stickers with OBX written on them.

What was that all about?

Then I learned.

It stands for the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

Spring of 2007 we had a Dixon family reunion at the Outer Banks.

Best vacation ever. 

Wish I had the $$$ to fly my family there every year.

The extended Dixon Family rented a large home about 2 blocks from the beach the week before spring break (before it got crazy with teenagers and college students partying away).

We could walk to the beach with all our gear and let the kids play like crazy.

The weather was beautiful, not too hot or cold, but the water was still too cold for the kids to really play.  They didn't seem to mind and stayed on the sand.

I'm not a beach person.  I don't like sand in every orifice of my children and every nook and cranny of my home and car...but for some odd reason, I chilled out this week and just enjoyed. (not like me at all)

Don't remember why Andrew is not wearing his suit at the moment.

He wasn't bothered and was the only one who would brave the cold water, tighty-whities and all.

The Death Grip

Carter did NOT like the water and hung on to Steve like a baby orangutan.

Just leave me be in the sand!

Tough guy

At the rental house, there was a hot tub and pool.

Andrew was the only one I allowed in the hot tub.

Diabetes and hot tubs do not mix...this was pre-insulin pump.  Now we say go for it!

Carter (non-swimmer) mostly played on the pool steps...until he slipped off and went under.

I had to rush from the other side of the pool and pull him out.

I'll never forget his little pudgy hands struggling under the water.

I look back and am surprised how calm I stayed.

He lived...I'm glad!

(Still get a sick feeling just writing about it.  Ick.)

Colby stayed out of the water for all our sakes.

While we were there we also visited the Wright Brothers National Memorial and visitor center.

The kids fleeced us by getting airplanes.

Another day we visited the local aquarium.

I still don't like sharks this close to my kids' heads.

You know that shark is looking at Colby as something tasty.

Because we were off season, there were a lot of places closed...but the t-shirt shops were always open.

Hurray for pirates!

We were at the outer banks for almost a week and spent our time being with family.

We all took turns cooking and everyone had their own rooms so little kids were able to nap.

Steve's dad even rented a boat and the boys went fishing on the ocean one morning and brought home fish that we fried for dinner.

If I could pick one place I could take my family again, the Outer Banks would be it.

Loved it...even with the sand.

A few words about Colby

Colby was our second son born in Virginia.  

This kid was as Dixon as they come.

Unfortunately, Colby was born during Steve's official second year of school.  It was extremely stressful for all of us.

He also was my third child...and I thought I would lose my mind.

To add insanity to craziness, Colby was nine months old when Carter was diagnosed with diabetes.

I don't remember a lot about Colby as a baby...my brain was a little preoccupied.

I feel bad about this still and wish I could peek in and re-live some of Colby's baby days.

In honor of my neglected soon to be officially middle child, here are a few (meaning tons and tons) pictures of the little man in all his baby glory.

(I did tell him the other day that he was my favorite...I hope this makes up for some of my guilt.)

 I had a friend who had a girl a few months older than Colby.

We had to see what he would look like if he was a girl.

It was cruel...but very very cute.

 The worst haircuts my kids have ever had.

Steve only made this mistake once.

Colby was spared- lucky baby.

 Is that a Dixon face or what???

Happy Happy Boy!

 I was cruel more than once.

(My friend Tracy had really cute bows!)

We called this the "Ruler Smile"

Yes, that is drool running down the crib.

Best Halloween costume ever!

Please note the slobber bib on his shirt.

Colby was our slobbery kid.

Smiley, but slobbery.

Playing under the table is always a good way to go.

First Birthday.

He was a mess maker I'll tell you!

First birthday pictures

...didn't get them taken until 14 months.

"What?  This cake isn't from scratch?  Well, I'm not eating it then!"

The summer of 2007 we came home to Idaho how for a few weeks.

Colby fell and gave himself a spiral fracture.

The doctor assured me he wouldn't be able to walk on his cast.  He was walking on it 10 minutes after this picture was taken.  He wore the bottom of the cast clean off by the end of the six weeks.

                                         

AJ, Colby, Wes and Dean

Four little Walker boys born within one year.

Colby is the oldest...and is now one of the smallest.

Excuse his cracker mouth.

Around 18 months Colby got really skinny and was labeled failure to thrive.

This prompted an endocrinologist visit with corresponding growth hormone tests.

His growth hormone influenced by diet was indeed low.

Nothing like telling a mother she is starving her child.

I tried to explain to his Dr that he had equal feeding rights with everyone else...Colby just chose to starve.

I feel that this year (he is six people) is the first year that I haven't worried at all about Colby's diet.  He can put down mass quantities of food with the rest of them.  He is also growing out of his pants faster than any of his brothers.  The doctors promised his growth hormone would kick in when he started eating...and it has.

Taken January 25 2008.

We went out as a family to celebrate surviving 1 year of diabetes.

We ate Chick-Fil-A.  

I'm sure Colby ate three fries and that was it.

New boots from Grandma and Grandpa Dixon.

He wore them almost everyday.

April 25, 2008

Colby's 2nd birthday.

Love you Colby!

2013 Pinewood Derby and a few random pictures

Carter's Pinewood Derby was tonight.

We went as a family and supported our growing up way too fast nine year old.

Carter's leaders did a wonderful job as always and one of the perks was a pit-pass for each racer.

Cute stuff.

Yep...that says, Carter "Pop Tart" Dixon

Our neighbor called him Pop Tart once and it has stuck ever since.

 Carter's car did really well and won three (or four of his heats) as can be seen in this very bad picture.

He came in 3rd for the Bears and 4th overall.

I think it was the exact same place he won last year.  

We are consistent!

 He also won Most Imaginative.

Steve and Carter came up with a fun idea this year.

The car, which Carter would not let me name (I had good names such as, The Black Mamba and Night Fury), had wires and springs that made it look like it just might be RC or battery powered in some way.

I guess in our family if you're not going to cheat...it might as well look like you are.  (jk Steve)

 Colby enjoyed the races from the sidelines with two of his buddies that are also in his school class.

I was happy he minded his manners and was on his best behavior.

He also brought a car Steve made for him last year and raced it with the scouts at the end of the night.

Andrew "Too Cool" Dixon watched close by too...but not so close as to seem excited.

He did admit before we left home that he LOVES the pinewood derby.

 Favorite picture of the night hands down.

I love that Andrew sat next to Carter and supported him while waiting for the final tallies to come in.

This scene melted my heart a little.

Saylor spent the evening either in my lap trying to mug and kiss on me or practicing her Stake Dance moves.

She takes after her mother and will have the "hold up the wall" move perfected by the time she is old enough to attend a Stake Dance.

On a totally unrelated subject...

Here are a few pictures from the past few days.

 Saylor loves my room.

She would spend her life there if I let her.

I found her asleep on my bed a few days ago.  She had made a fort with my pillows, hunkered down and took a late nap.

(She ran a fever this weekend and now I know why she fell asleep when she did.  She was plain worn out!)

More proof that my room is her playground.

I try to make my bed look nice...but it never lasts long.  This girl rolls around and plays on it until it looks thrashed.  

Three favorite things about this picture?

1. The two dolls perched on my headboard.

2. Her pj's and pull-up laid out perfectly to go skiing the next day with her dad.  She also laid out her doll's pjs so the baby could go skiing too.  They ended up not skiing because of the wind.  Bummer.

3.  The crusty crusty face.

 We traded in Carter's phone for an iPhone (sickening I know).  The phone was free and I now only have to worry about one type of charger.  Good thing.

Carter took the phone today and we practiced texting his blood sugar numbers and insulin amounts to me as I sat across from him.

He's decided he needs to get faster at texting.

My view of my pregnant self.

Not flattering.

I had to lean over really far with the phone to get my feet in there.

View from the side at 34 weeks.

Please note how I conveniently covered the double chin that is ever present at the moment.

I'm officially counting down by days now as I have an induction date.  March 28th.

30 days and counting.