Graham, 7-8 months: So many firsts!

We've been out enjoying what has been a surprisingly nice (i.e., not sweltering) D.C. Summer.  It's been great to see Graham experience so many things for the first time!

Lincoln was kind enough to share extra tickets that he had to his building's rooftop 4th of July celebration.  Why is this so cool?  Because it's on a little street called Pennsylvania Avenue, which is a pretty cool spot from which to catch fireworks.

We munched on snacks, Graham munched on his fingers.

Hanging out, waiting for nightfall.

What a view, right?

And then, the magic began.  We didn't know how little guy would react, but I don't think we expected this:

Speechless.  Dumbfounded.  Entranced.

Thanks again Essigs!

Then, the first weekend in August, we made what is becoming an annual venture out to Rehoboth.  There was a slight drizzle as we arrived, but it went away and we had a nice mix of clouds and sunshine.  Mandy was not impressed, however, with the all-organic sunscreen she bought for Graham.  You've been warned.

We were excited to see how Graham reacted to being in the sand.  He loved running his fingers through it and grabbing it:

Happy guy.  At least until he put some in this mouth, anyway.

We also took him down to the water for his first dip in the ocean! A little trepidatious at first, maybe because the water wasn't too warm:

But with his mama's sweet reassuring smile and his dad's repeated dunks, he started having a good time.

Sitting in the wet sand, however, not as enjoyable.

Loves that mama.

Then, two weekends ago, we initiated Graham into one of our favorite recurring Bowen family activities-- road trips to some random place/activity!  This time, it was a Peach festival out near Winchester.

So then why the apples?  Who cares, look at that cute baby.

We got to go and pick some of our own fruit.  Ah...paying to do something that our forebearers had to do to survive.  Can't explain it, but we enjoyed it.

"Mama, is this one ripe?"

Directions

Celebrating our haul of raspberries by getting Mama in the face.

There was also a Cow Train at the festival, pulled by a tractor.   Graham was a little hesitant at first, again, but he enjoyed it:

One of the best parts of our road trips is finding some good lunch, some fun live music, and throwing a blanket out to relax and enjoy.  This time, as a bonus, it came with a super cute mini photo shoot of Graham-bam:

He's such a happy guy.

We all yukked it up.

Most recently, we took a picnic out to a park near us that had swings for babies.  Technically this a second, rather than a first, b/c Mandy had done this, but he enjoyed it so much and she wanted to show me.  Turns out she wasn't lying:

Good times over lunch.

Look at the wind in that hair!

And then, just a few days ago, we encountered a new development.  Little Graham is officially fully mobile.  He's army crawling his way everywhere now...

...leaving a path of destruction in his wake.

Wish us luck!!