Random Summer Fun.

We have had a lot of fun this summer already. Going to the lake is one of our favorite things to do. I still haven't found the mountains here, but it is still pretty nice to look at. Joel caught a real fish in a real lake!

Wally prefers the worms...

Our anniversary (can you believe it has been 7 years!?!?!) is also Moose (7) and Daisy's (5) birthdays. So, Wally and I made them a cake. They even got to open presents (new collars and bones).No party is complete without the birthday song!

When it rains in Iowa (as it happens to be doing as I type), it doesn't get cold. Therefore, it is the perfect time to play outside!

Wally's boots quickly filled with water, so we just removed them. Umbrellas are more fun as boats too. We had fun with our neighbor in the rain. She knows where all the best puddles form.

I got a Dora the Explorer sit 'n spin for Wally at a garage sale. Not sure how he ended up on it naked, but of course, the camera had to come out!

Wally is always a good napper. This day, we thought he was asleep (in bed), but when we came upstairs, he was asleep, just not in bed. He moved his pillow, blanket, and animals into the hallway. Apparently a wood floor in a hallway that is so narrow you have to have your knees bent and your feet in the air is more comfortable than a big queen-sized bed! He slept for around 2 hours that way!

It can be so warm and humid in Iowa, that even grown-ups can run through the sprinkers. You don't really feel any drier if you don't go in the sprinklers.

This picture was taken about a month ago when the corn just out grew Wally. Wally likes to now point out that the corn is taller than Mommy and Daddy. It should be ready to pick before too long!

For Father's Day, we of course went to the lake for a fried chicken picnic.

Wally figured he should try a Daddy drink to celebrate the occasion.

Apparently, he has his Moms taste in beverages.

He found a more creative way to use a bottle.

Before we get turned in, I should mention that Wally found the littered bottle, played with it, and then recylced it. Wally is very much into recycling these days "Reuse, Reuse, Recycle." (Reduce is too hard to say, so just say reuse twice!)

Eh, I decided to include a picture of myself, just for grins...

Wally's First Camping Trip

So, this isn't camping yet, but I wanted to include it anyway. Joel was talking to Papa Steve on the phone, and before Wally would talk to Papa, he had to get his "cowboy clothes" on. He was in his PJs for bed, but put his vest and coat over them. Added his hat and topped it off with his "inside cowboy boots" (aka old brown shoes that were too small for him). Not sure where he came up with "outside" and "inside" cowboy boots.
Over Memorial Day weekend, we went camping with our friends at a farm owned by a professor at the university that Joel is friends with. It was such a beautiful place and we were very lucky to have it all to ourselves.

Wally found "Team Graff Caterpillar." He was very upset when he had to let him go. Luckily Team Graff Caterpillar showed up again the next day.

The pond was beautiful and the dock was perfect for fishing.

These two boys are great friends and don't fight like brothers too often.

This is how Moose spent his weekend. The dogs were pretty stinky by the end of the weekend. Wally and I gave them baths when we got home. Moose still stunk for several days anyway.

Camping in Iowa apparently always consists of mowed lawn. Even if you are camping on a farm!

After Sander fell in the pond, we got smart and made the boys were lifevests when they were by the water. We were very lucky that Stacy was on the dock when Sander fell in.

I realized that this is about the best shot of our camp site. The tents were just out of view. Picnic tables, fire pits...lots of trees for potties (Wally, of course, had to poop 3 times in the course of about 24 hours!).

There was a little baby fawn just up the hill from us in plain sight. I hoped that its mommy would come get it during the night, but she didn't. In my world, she swooped in and saved the little guy as soon as we left. He was sure cute, but his cry was so sad.

If Moose wasn't swimming, he was enjoying the view of the pond.

Daisy would only wade in the water, but had a great time anyway. Oddly, neither dog paid much attention to the wandering crying fawn.

Not sure why this picture is turned funny. Joel caught his first Iowa fish in the pond. He says this bluegill doesn't count because it was a stock pond.

Wally thought the fish (who swallowed the hook and was thus a gonner) was the coolest thing (next to Team Graff Caterpillar). He wanted to "cook it and eat it."

The campsite also came with a canoe.

And a sleeping baby. Baby Levi just slept on a blanket in the shade. It was so humid and hot (even all night long). There were bugs, so he needed some blankets.

Team Graff

All of us, minus sleeping Levi.

Best Buddies!

"Cracking Nut"

This is old, as are most of the pictures I will try to get up now. I've run out of excuses, so I will try to get up as many pictures as possible during this nap...

Wally and I made an impulse buy and ended up at home with a coconut. Here is Wally cracking it open. He was successful. The coconut wasn't very good, but it was fun and I did make a coconut cake with the thing.