Here we go go go on an adventure. . .

I have about 800 excuses as to why it has taken me this long to post about our vacation, but it basically boils down to two straight weekends of sick kids.

We took off for a whole week of vacation and it was super sweet. We packed up the megaload and hit the road for a MT/WA/ID loop. It was very enlightening to spend 24-7 with your family, I will say that. I mean, you think you know them, but spending every minute of every day with them for a little over a week, you realize some things about your husband and your kids that you may not notice with all of the distractions of daily life.

The biggest ah-ha (don't sue me Oprah) or duh moment for me was that we yell at Jr. way too much and even with all of that yelling, he doesn't really respond better. I came to that realization sometime in Coleville. I think both Ed and I made a conscious decision to yell at him a lot less and the rest of the trip improved drastically. The next biggest duh moment for me was that Jr. is so much more mature than I realized. He understands so much and communicates very well. He is becoming a great sleeper and if given the chance is very helpful. I just need to stop, listen and do a better job explaining things to him. It is hard, because we are trying to get so much stuff done and he is an active participant in everything we do. He gets frustrated when he gets pushed around by Ed and myself as we scramble to get 1 million things done. If you simply include him in the activity as an equal he seriously performs. He is so ready for a big boy bed.

I learned a lot about Graham as well, our sweetie pie baby is actually quite determined and stubborn. He knows what he wants, and gosh darn it, if he doesn't get it - WATCH YOURSELF! He loves to put things away, or put lids on, or stack things. My sweet little organizer. He loves his routine also. That was the best part about the camper, was that even though we were in a different place all of the time, Graham always had his bed, his toys, his place. He did really well, but there were a couple of bad nights. 2 out of 8 isn't too bad though. On the trip we started calling him Fat Baby. When he is hungry, feed him NOW. When he is done eating, he is done NOW! And if he sees something his brother is eating and he doesn't get it, OH BOY! He is still pretty easy to please though.

As for Ed. . . well, I started off the trip rolling my eyes at his TL-ness. You all know what I mean. Then, I sort of started to enjoy it. I sort of let myself get swept up with his minuta. It was cool. We felt like a team. It was good.

The itinerary: Clinton, MT to stay with Brian and Angela. Coleville to stay with Josh, Amy, Sammy and Luke. Quick visit with Grandpa Ron. One night camped in the Priest River, ID area. Hayburn Lake State Park, ID for a couple of nights. Kooskia/Stites, ID to visit the Ward family, Philly, Becky, Evy and Frances. Clinton, MT. Home. 9 days.

I think Jr. was the luckiest of us all. He got to go 4-wheeling with Brian and Philly. He got to ride the tractor with Grandpa Ron. He got to play, play, play and have a sleep over with Sammy and Luke. He got to go tubing behind a boat on Lake Roosevelt with Amy and Josh. He got to go rafting with Philly, Evy and his dad. He got to pet goats. He got to ride in the bike trailer on the Coeur d'Alene trail and play on the beach. The hike with his parents was likely the low point of the trip for him.

Here are some of my favorite photos of the trip.

Lookie Who is ONE!!!

We made it. We made it. We made it. One year old is less of a birthday and more of a celebration for the parents of one year in the bag. Time went by super fast and bizarrely slow. That is the best way I can describe it.


I am thrilled that my little sweetie is about to take on walking. I am so sad that he isn't a an infant anymore. He just quit nursing. I wasn't ready, but he was. It has been over a week now and I keep offering it, but he says NO WAY, I am not a baby anymore. Gulp.


Ed and I are ready to move onto the next phase of life with two little boys. I remember now, that we used to joke when Jr. started walking that we didn't take care of a baby, but we were on constant suicide watch. Graham thinks it is awesome to climb the stairs. He gets half way up the stairs and turns back to look at us, wobbling dangerously. Yikes baby.


I had three days off last week, so we took off to Great Falls to spend some time with Nanny. That is where we had birthday party #1. There are some cute photos in Picassa below.




On Sunday night we had a combo birthday party (#2) for Nona and Graham. Their birthdays are back to back. He was kind of her birthday present, or as she puts it, she doesn't have to have anymore birthdays now because they belong to Graham now. Cute.






Tomorrow night, his official birthday is birthday party #3. Doesn't every baby need 3 birthday parties? Yes. They do. He does.



Dear Graham, on your first birthday. Thank you for being my sweet baby. We were a little shocked when you developed quite the temper, you are honestly the sweetest happiest baby alive, until you don't get what you want. Even when you are SO MAD at us, it is so easy to make you smile. You have the most beautiful smile and smazing sparkling blue eyes. I still rock you to sleep even though I should put you down awake. I can't let go of that snuggling time just yet. I would still snuggle your brother every night if he wasn't so wiggly. We call you fat baby because you can seriously pack in the food. You get into everything, you love to open and close doors and cupboards and man can you crawl fast. You give the best (slobbery and biting) kisses and hugs. I love making you laugh. I think you are the most beautiful baby I have ever seen and I am not ashamed to tell everyone about it. I wonder when we will stop calling you Baby Graham. We are always amazed at how tough you are, your brother delivers quite the hits and you just roll with the punches literally. You often instigate the wresteling match. I kind of love it. You think your brother is the best and I hope you stay in awe of him. The first year of your life was pretty amazing and I think it is just going to get better. I will never forget the day you were born. It was actually kind of fun. Your dad and Aunt Liesel were there and you didn't want to come out, but when you were ready, boom, it went fast. You were so pretty when you were born. So pretty.

Oh and just a note about your brother - he is FINALLY potty trained. I am a little embarassed it took us this long, but he had to do it in his time.



Graham the first year.