2010 Graham Family Vacation

Beginning when I was 8 years old, my parents began taking us on a summer vacation every year.  We hit the Black Hills that first summer and laughed really hard at Nathan, who was only 3, when we arrived at the Bad Lands.  He looked around very confused, and asked where all the "Bad lambs" were?  We have been laughing and vacationing together ever since.  Some years we stayed close to home and enjoyed a cabin in Northern Minnesota, other years we ventured down to Florida, or Arizona, or even the Bahamas.  Regardless of location, we laughed until we cried and became even closer over that week. 

We actually took Kyle on one of those vacations the summer we were engaged, but have since taken to vacationing right at my parent's lovely lake home each summer instead.  Its like a resort in every sense of the word, except that it is home too.  Lots of crazy competitions have arisen over the years and have included: water volleyball, pfeffer tournaments in the pool (with waterproof cards of course), coming up with the best 'on a stick' food (we brought apple crisp on a stick that year), cherry pit spitting, jumping backwards (you should try it, its hilarious), leg wrestling (one of the only things that having long legs backfires on Kyle, hehe), being pregnant in a swimsuit (this is the 6th vacation in a row that one of us has been pregnant... Heidi did a dang fine job of it this time), and this year Mike challenged us to make up a Top 10 list to make everyone laugh around the campfire.   

This year was no different.  I left feeling utterly and completely blessed by my family.  My original 5 person family, my every day 4 person family, and my new and ever growing 13+ person family.  Here are just a few highlights of the 2010 Graham Family Vacation...

Celebrating Jeremiah's 3rd birthday!  Piper's infamous words were spoken very loudly and repeatedly until her demands were met, "I need a pa-late!!!"

The kids were thrilled that both sets of great-grandparents attended the party that night as well.  Piper just loved all of the attention those great-grandmas were giving her.

Saturday dawned 90 degrees hot and humid.  We hit the pool early.  (Man I hope I look like my mom in 20 years!)








Hadley was even adventurous enough to try out snorkeling with Grandpa!

Followed by the lake, all before lunch!  This was the 1st time we have all been out on the lake together... My parents are now the proud owners of an incredible pontoon! We all feel incredibly lucky being able to use it.

Hadley was even brave enough to come swim out in the deep water with me!

Hadley was quick to request her fishing fix that evening.  Grandpa happily obliged.

We finished out the weekend with a professional family photo shoot (hopefully I'll be able to post some of those soon), their very first squirt guns (bribes for the photos - nice work, Mom!), and lots more cousin love.

I think Piper's face says it all in that last picture.  JOY.  Love you all!