Boji Bash 2010

I've been thinking about how to put into words "Boji Bash 2010" for days now.  Everyone who attended our family reunion reads this blog and I want to be sure to do justice to a week we will never forget.  Here's my attempt...
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There are several things I wanted to do while on vacation that I never got around to.  We didn't make it to Arnold's Park.  We didn't rent jet skis.  I wanted to do some more shopping at The Emporium.  I traveled with my golf clubs, but didn't play a single round.  I took 3 books along and never cracked a cover.

Yet looking back, I wouldn't change a thing.

We spent six days with my Mom's side of the family at Lake Okoboji in Iowa.  A place that holds so many memories for my family.  As a child, my Mom and her 4 sisters spent every summer there - believe it or not, in the exact cabin my grandparents stayed in this year.  20ish years later, my Dad's company invested in a golf course and condo in town so my family vacationed there during my high school and college years.  In fact, Okoboji is where Drew was first introduced to golf (and we all know how that turned out!)  For me, going to Okoboji is like traveling back in time.  Not much has changed from the place I remember in the 90's.

When I told people our summer vacation was going to include twenty-some members of my extended family I got a lot of strange looks.  I think we are the exception, not the rule, because we managed to get through 6 days with absolutely no drama, fighting or hurt feelings.  All week I found myself thinking about how emotional it must have been for my grandparents.  There they were, in the very place they brought their daughters in the 60's and 70's, only now there were also 5 son-in-laws, 13 grandchildren (plus 3 spouses) and 3 great-grandchildren in the mix (with twins on the way!).  A group of 30 people that all began with them. 

If I were to write every detail of our week at Lake Okoboji I would be writing for days.  Here are a few of the highlights that stick out most in my mind.

The Barefoot Barge
We rented a party boat one afternoon and the whole gang cruised around the lake.  It was a perfect way to spend what turned out to be a drizzly afternoon.

The Snake Hunter

Early in the week, Jackson, Drew & I saw a snake as we were walking back to our condo.  Naturally, it scared the crap out of me, but Drew & Jack followed it while making "sssss" sounds until it disappeared in a bush.  For the rest of the week, every time Jack would see that type of bush he would say "sssss" and crouch down looking for snakes.

The Rivalry
You may recall back in March that the Kansas Jayhawks (undoubtedly the best team in the nation at the time) were upset in the Sweet Sixteen by little known Northern Iowa.  Turns out there are some Northern Iowa alum and fans in my extended family.  We had fun keeping the rivalry alive.  And reminding them of the FIVE National Championships in KU's history.

The Water
Unfortunately, Jackson was not a fan of the water.  In fact, he hated the lake.  When I took him out he just screamed and cried.  During Drew's attempt, he shouted "All done!"  "All done!"  until Drew relented and came back to shore.  He was much more comfortable just waving at swimmers from the safety of the beach. 

He did better in the pool, but even that wasn't his favorite thing to do. 

He much preferred playing with balls and running races. 

I suppose he comes by it honestly as both Drew & I could take or leave the water, but I was surprised he didn't warm up to it more.

Family
Most of all, I just enjoyed spending time with my family.  Drew played golf nearly every day and Jackson & I would play at the beach, or visit my Grandparents, or hang out with family.  Each evening we would load up our food, cooler and lawn chairs and head to the gathering spot (that quickly became known as the "Circle of Love") where the whole gang would grill, drink, play games, laugh and talk until all hours of the night.  It was wonderful to catch up with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins; and I loved introducing Jackson to the mix.

So there you have it, in a nutshell.  Boji Bash 2010.  Thank you Nana & Papa for an unforgettable week. 

For those interested, here is a slide show of pictures from the week.  All 91 of them if you have the patience or desire to watch!  Click in the black space first, then click the play button at the bottom.