Summer Vacation

After celebrating the Johnson parental anniversary, we made the trip up to Priest Lake sans child to celebrate our own (7 years and going strong!).  We love our Grady boy like nothing else, but the two days without him at the lake were amazing.  Chris and I toured the lake stopping to jump in whenever we wanted, ate out for every meal enjoying everything huckleberry related from daiquiris to pie to pancakes (without scarfing food down afraid that our cute little ticking time bomb was about to go off),  slept in, played golf, went fishing, and gave our sweet first child a little extra love and lots of games of fetch. 

Bella was in her happy place.  She'd fetch off the dock or the boat all day if she could and when not fetching, she'd sit sadly with her ball waiting to fetch.

This dad has still got it!

View from the breakfast table at Hills Resort. Doesn't get much better than this.

Having the ability to enjoy unscheduled recreation time was just so awesome. 

 

Then Kim and Eric came bearing the sweet gift of Grady.  We'd dreamed so many wonderful dreams of spending summer days up at the lake with Grady and almost all were as amazing as we thought.  We loved our time with him up there.

Grady spent mornings dining on the boat, how is that for service! 

Driving the boat; learning the ropes.

First hike

First Popsicle

 Grady has a definite lack of a love affair with his life vest. These were taken during the 5 seconds that he wasn't screaming on our trip across the lake.  We can only hope that next year will be better!

The hatred of his life jacket meant we spent a lot of time on the beach, which was so much fun!  We just loved being able to share this special place with our special little boy.

My boys melting my heart.

And perhaps my favorite picture of Grady from all of summer.  What better way is there to water Grandma's flowers than naked.  His tiny buns are the custest things ever if you ask me.  This picture just perfectly captures our summer boy.

Attempts at a family picture with Grady were . . . difficult

"I am one and you cannot tell me what to do!"

Attempts with the Johnson adults were a little better. 

The boy was happy as can be to roam free, "water" the plants, and chase his puppy around.  As long as there was no life vest involved, he LOVED Priest Lake as much as we do.

What a difference a year makes!

"One year old!"

Before we took off for Priest, we had some extra wonderful time exploring Grandma and Papa's house and their magical yard and playroom complete with the revamped train set and Chicago the galloping horse.

These may be my second most favorite pictures of our Grady boy this summer with his adoring grandparents looking on and his papa in the hammock.  Thanks Kim and Eric for allowing us the time to vacation as a family at our favorite place on earth.  Thanks also for allowing us some adult time without our little monster, it was AWESOME!

Until next year!