By the title of this post, you'd probably think that I was going to go on and on about playoff basketball and how blown calls cost the Lakers game two of the NBA finals. Not the case (although you'll read about some disputed rules and questionable outcomes in the text below). This weekend, we spent a fun-filled weekend at Lake Okoboji with Lisa's family.
Friday, we loaded up the suitcases and the coolers and drove four hours deep into the plains of Iowa. As we arrived and checked into our Jacuzzi Suite (don't get too excited), we found Addeson and Hadley already enjoying the pool at The Inn at Okoboji, our residence for the next two days. After the "pool time" had ended, Master Chef Kevin Baune located the grill and prepared a feast fit for a king. OK...it was hot dogs, brats and cheeseburgers but it also included baked beans, Snickers salad and the biggest brownies you'll ever find. Not to mention a late-night Smores feed including Ron's special "no graham cracker" Smores. If I were king, that's the feast I'd want every night!
Saturday, we woke up early after a late night of hanging out together in the jacuzzi tub. By together I mean Lisa since there wasn't room for three :) in the tub. Derrick cooked up some eggs and sausage (you can see a food theme starting to develop here) and we headed over to Cindy and Kevin's boat. By boat I mean a floating two bedroom apartment and living quarters that could fit five of my freshman dorm rooms. The weather held out for a little bit before the skies opened up and poured on us. Luckily, we had this wonderful enclosed vessel and most of us didn't even feel a drop. By the time we had all acquired our sea legs, we decided we'd had enough rain on the high seas (I'd seen The Perfect Storm one too many times) and it was time for us land lovers to head back to our rooms.
After getting back to The Inn, we took in more aquatics by the Jenniges girls while the rest of us played cards. Some new-fangled game made up by Ron. As the rules seemed to change throughout thanks to the game's creator, Ann completed a furious come-from-behind run to defeat me in the final hand (cheating is a certainty). This win is under appeal and will be reviewed by various entities (including former Governor Rod Blagojevich, Enron executives, the BCS and other authorities) to determine the legitimacy of the outcome. That night, Chef Kevin struck again with a delicious grilled chicken dish and, of course, more Smores.
Sunday we woke up to hit church and finished the trip with a delicious lunch and playground time at Barefoot Bar. After our goodbyes, we headed back to God's Country in Nebraska.
On the baby front, Lisa is feeling really well for being almost to her 35th week. As much as I'd like to make jokes about how big she's getting, I can't because she looks just so darn cute. She certainly has that pregnant glow about her. We go to another doctor appointment Tuesday and should know more about the baby's position. We're hoping he/she flipped to the proper spot but we kind of think he/she is still sideways. We'll keep you posted.
As we get into the final five weeks of this journey, I feel so blessed to have a wonderful wife, who will be the best mother in the world and a baby who is already so loved. I can't wait to meet our new little one and am looking forward to all of the great times we'll spend together as a family. In five weeks (or so) our lives will change forever...and I can't wait. ML
