The Last First Holiday

We just traveled to Minnesota for Liam's last First Holiday-- The Fourth of July.
(If you're still a little behind on the title, for the last year Liam has had his first Christmas, First Halloween, First Easter etc. etc. etc.... and the Fourth was his LAST first.  Got it?  Good.) 

The main reason we traveled North was for my family reunion.  My dad's family gets together every Fourth of July at my grandparent's cabin in Hayward, Wisconsin.  This was the 25th year of the valued tradition so we had to go!  My dad has 9 siblings, all of which are married and have kids.  You add us all together and we total 49 people!  There is always something happening at our gatherings! 

Here is Liam on the plane: 

(Keep in mind we were on a red-eye flight... This little boy is SUPPOSED to be sleeping!!)

Right off the plane, we headed to Hayward for the reunion.   Here is the family (minus just a few):

Grandma and Grandpa are in blue, as well as their kids, the Grandkids are in red and the In-laws are in white.  The two Great-Grandkids are also in Blue.  A good lookin' family!

Here is my dad's branch of the tree:

The cabin is one of my favorite places to be.  You can play in the water, sit and relax by the water, enjoy the company and sunshine and eat eat eat the great food! 

Liam got his first boat ride:

and it was to watch his daddy try water skiing:

No success this time...but maybe next time!!

We all spent a little time in the water:

...at least when the sun was shining.  It did rain a little bit, but it was no big deal.

Mom, Liam and I went for a paddleboat ride:

Liam enjoyed it so much he took a little nap.

Then what Fourth of July is without Fireworks?  Here is a sparkler for Liam:

He thought they were really neat:

So after the weekend was over it was time to travel back to Minnesota for the rest of our visit.  

 

We spent a day downtown.  We visited the St. Anthony Locks, the State Fairgrounds and Como Zoo. 

Here are the Giraffes:

which of course Liam called dogs.  Or "Gogs!" in baby-speak.

He also found a water playground:

He was soaking wet after this picture.

Then after the zoo we headed to my grandparent's house for dinner. 

Liam got to try out the highchair:

This highchair has been around since my mom was a baby.  Still in good shape!

 

We had a great dinner and played on the patio:

The next day was my grandma's birthday.  We headed to South Haven to their cabin on Lake Sylvia.  Again, the lake is my favorite place to be!!

We went for a boat ride:

 

We caught a few fish:

We played in the water:

And wrapped up in towels to dry off:

After hanging at the cabin, we went out for a nice birthday dinner on the lake in Big Lake.  Afterwards we walked down by the water.

Liam loves the ducks:

The next day, Chad went back to California, while Liam and I stayed a few days longer.  I caught up with friends and Liam got to stay with Gramma, Grampa and Uncle Tony:

He is so helpful!
He liked to play with this little tricycle:

The night before we left, we went out to Benihana for my birthday dinner.  It was delicious!!

We all had a great time.  I say that all the time, but this time was really great!  I finally got to show Chad the places I spent my summers growing up.  I talk about the lakes all the time and how much I miss them.  It was so nice to be back.  It definitely will not be the last visit, especially after discovering how much Liam loved being in the water!  So Liam's last first holiday was a good one, and now we have his big #1 to plan and enjoy.