Okoboji, Take 2

We're doing a massive blog catch-up over the next few days, and we're about two months behind. Meanwhile, there has been no shortage of fun!

Early in August, we ventured to the exotic beach destination of Lake Okoboji, Iowa, where Jeff's parents have a timeshare. Nana + Grandpa + Graham get to spend serious quality time together, while Jeff + I get to sleep in each day AND have some beach time. Hurray! Graham proved to us that while sand has no nutritional value, it is still a gourmet snacking option among the baby types. We also made a stop at the historic Arnolds Park amusement park, where Graham took his first-ever train ride. It was a sign of things to come... he is currently obsessed with trains.

Summer's last hurrah

Our dear friends the Spencers have the lucky privilege of getting invited to this fantastic cabin/hippie commune a few times a year, and WE were lucky enough to go with them at the end of August. The place has two cabins, a sauna, a huge raspberry patch, and tons of space for all of us to run and play. Oh, and it's surrounded by pine trees and on a lake, with kayak provided. By day we played hard with the kiddies, caught fish, swam (yes, it was cold!), and shared meals. By night we sat around the campfire with libations, laughs, and a star-filled sky. What more could you possibly want from a family vacation?

Here are a few photos that capture the fun. Graham, being the water baby that he is, was in heaven. The first one is one of my favorite photos: Harriet and Graham floating in a giant inner tube. Too cute.

Graham's 1st Birthday

Despite a 104 fever, a few folks said "fever schmever" and decided to come over anyway and celebrate Graham's 1st Birthday. Graham had so much fun that if I hadn't seen the thermometer myself I wouldn't have believed he had (and still does have) a temperature! Our small, wonderful crew of friends sang "Happy Birthday" and enjoyed cake, sangria and homemade graham cracker ice cream. (Yes, we have A LOT left over.)

Graham's last day as an 11-month old

I won't lie: I am completely and totally emotional today, thinking back on this time last year, almost (but not quite yet) in labor. Graham turns 1 tomorrow. How is it that I grew this little guy, birthed him, nursed him so he became a big chunk, and now have this amazing almost 1-year-old in my life? Thinking back to labor, it's crazy to think that I had no idea who we were about to meet, nurture, love, and get to know. It has been a wild, sleep depriving, joyful year and we are so, so happy to be the parents of this sweet little boy.

We're having a party for him (and us!!!) on Saturday and will post video and birthday pictures next week. Until then, here's a video of Graham and his play group friends from this morning. If we're not outside (which is the best possible place to play—Dirt! Sticks! Grass! Flowers to pull up!), then the stairs still rule as the number one source of entertainment.