Maiden Voyage!

This weekend marked the 2nd Annual Riverfest at my Dad's cabin in Guttenberg! Mike and I both took Friday off, sprung Lila from daycare, loaded up the truck and off we went! We were both really excited to take a day off and even more excited to head to the river.

My Dad has two new boats in his collection, so we were anxious to scope them out and take a ride. It also marked Lila's very first boat ride! It is kind of hard to believe that they make life jackets small enough for a little bean like Lila, but they do! Mike and I were excited to witness her first boat ride, but no one was more excited than her Grandpa Smith! This is a tradition that I lived out with my Grandpa Smith and I know Dad revels in the fact that he too, is creating that tradition with his grand kids. Some of my most treasured memories of being a kid are centered around spending time on the Mighty Mississippi!

The first of many rides!

What is a boat ride without a cold beverage?!

The Friday before Riverfest is a more relaxed time with just our family. We all come in the day before to spend some time together before all of the guests arrive on Saturday. We have had a very special guest join us both years, Tony Haselden. He is an amazing songwriter from Nashville, he has written many songs for very famous people, including George Strait! Tony played for us in the living room for about 45 minutes...a true treat!

With much anticipation Saturday came and other family and friends started to arrive to the cabin. Our good friends joined us a little early to try and take advantage of the boat(s), thank goodness the weather cleared itself up, it really made for a beautiful day! There were three other little ones that took their first rides this weekend, little Henley, Dylan and Danielle were all decked out ready to feel the wind in their hair!

Henley's first boat ride...soothing!

The gang!

It seemed like the weekend went by in a flash. Before we knew it we were on our way back to Cedar Rapids to prepare for a birthday celebration. The weekend before my brother Jason and Mom celebrated their birthday's on June 6th. We spent last weekend with Jason celebrating at their house, which we now know will be our last celebration there. They are moving this week into my Mom's house temporarily before their house is completed in October. We had a great time and good food, the girls even threw fish on the grill they had caught the day before with their Grandma and Grandpa Strike. YUM!

The Birthday Boy!

Hook, line & sinker!

This Sunday we were happy to host another birthday celebration with the Harvey side of the family for Jason and my Mom. My grandma is a wonderful cook/baker, always treating us with scrumptious cakes and pies on our birthdays. This year the girls had requested a sunshine cake and a peace sign, so she provided them with blank canvases and they had the freedom to decorate the cakes until their little hearts were content!

"Happy Birthday to You!"

My Mom also had another big announcement to share...the day before her birthday, her boyfriend of 3 1/2 years, Terry asked for her hand in marriage. We are happy for them both as they seem truly happy together!

It is amazing how quick life goes when you have a little one tearing up the house! Lila is all over the place and constantly wowing us with her amazing smarts and her hilarious personality! She is leading us on a chase all over the house one minute and the next she is begging to be in your lap for some snuggles!

Watching the news!

Reading to my dear friend Bongo!

Going for a stroll!

Life with Lila is changing by the minute! While our lives are full of schedules and structure for a one year old at the very same time she keeps us on our toes! She reminds us how the simple things in life are truly the most important, truly the things to be celebrated!