Tri for a Cure

Years ago, Kendall suckered Amy into doing her first Triathlon.  From that point on... Amy was Hooked!  As the years progressed, Kendall and Amy would sucker some other friends to join.  This year was a a whole new level.  We had EIGHT women doing the tri with us (two girls who were doing it for the first time).  We had Kendall, Amy, Alisa, Sarah, Angie, DeAnna & Jess (Kendall's neighbors) and Meghan (Angie's friend).

The early crew: Sarah, Amy, Angie and Alisa.

Ready for the race: Amy, Deanna, Jess, Alisa & Kendall

This particular year was Epic due to our cheering section.  The boys cheering us on were so popular; it was like hanging with famous people.  At least five people asked to take their picture and they were announced over the loud speaker twice!

The perfect way to class up any event, the triathlon cheer squad.

This year was a bit tough for Amy - training with two kids under three = Very Difficult.  As such, she knew it would be a tough tri and it lived up to expectations.  Amy was still glad she did it and will ensure she is fully trained before 2013's Triathlon. 

One funny story was that Amy started out her tri doing her swim.  Keep in mind that Amy doesn't wear contacts; so her vision is slightly impaired.  They started off and Amy led the pack; in fact - She was very proud she left the pack by the first bouy (normally it takes longer for her to get in front).  She kept swimming until she had a canoe come up and tell her ... "you are off course and missed Bouy #2."  She had to go Back to 2nd bouy.  She didn't see the 2nd one (thought there were only three on the course; not four) as it was directly into the sun.  Whoops!  Ended up adding 2-3 minutes just to get back on course.  After this crazy start to her tri - it was a comedy of errors.  They weren't even "excuses" as to why she had a bad finishing time - just became funny.

Amy's favorite part of the race she will never forget.  Kasey and Karsten were excited to cheer for Mommy.  During her run, she sees her fans coming up as she ran toward them.  Karsten was jumping up and down, shaking his cowbell and yelling for his mommy.  His face was brighter than the sun when he saw mommy.  Just warmed her soul.  Then as she passed... he tried to keep up with mommy.  She had to tell him he couldn't run with her and that she would see him again soon.  Didn't take long for him to crumple onto the floor into a hysterical crying ball of sadness.  Made her want to run faster so she could get him back in her arms.

Can I run with you Mommy?

 

Couldn't you have carried me like this on your run Mommy?

Amy was glad when she crossed the finish line and was proud that she was able to complete it.  Had a great time sharing all the fun with Eight Lovely Ladies and can't wait until next year!

Frontier Days

A summer would not be complete without a trip out to the Rodeo for Frontier Days.  Kris and Amy have attended Frontier Days together every year since they met (minus the year they were married).  During 2002, the two weekends of Frontier Days collided with our wedding weekend and our honeymoon.

This year, Jim, Sarah and Angie were able to join us.  We ended up lucking out again this year and were blessed to be in the Holly Frontier box; which meant misters, shade, free food and beer.  The boys Loved every part of the rodeo.  Kasey loved the Bull Riders and kept asking "Lets do it Again!"  When asked his favorite event; he stated he liked the "horse bouncing" (aka: bronc riding)  They even got to meet a Bull Rider (although they were a little shy).

"Horse bouncing", Kasey's favorite event

 

The shy boys meeting one of the bull riders

 

I know how this works Karsten, I have one at home.

Kasey and Karsten riding on Uncle Jim's dream bike

Our Sweet Suite

We also lucked out for last minute tickets for the girls to attend Blake Shelton!  It has been awhile since Amy has had a girls night and even longer since she attended a concert.  The girls got in about the 5th row!  It was beyond amazing and a wonderful night with friends.

Any closer and Amy would have been on stage.

MN Lake Fun

Ok - I know... Five weeks is TOO long between blogs.  Especially at the rate of fun that happens in our house.  In my defense; it takes A Lot of Time to go through over 400 plus pictures from a recent MN trip.

"Not So Recently", we drove (yep - I said "drove" with two kids under the age of three) to MN to visit the Mattsons and Woodards.  We were very courageous to choose to drive, but it ended up going perfectly!  We hope this means many more road trips out to see the cousins over the years.  We left at noon on a friday and arrived at 4am on Saturday morning.  Kris and Amy's idea was to go straight to sleep.  As we drove up to Grandma and Grandpa's place; we noticed Grandpa standing in the porch.  Karsten woke up and shouted "Is that Grandpa?!?!?" with the most excited voice!  Needless to say... no rest for the weary.  We were up for the day (well; until our mid-day nap!)

Karsten seeing cousin Brody for the first time this trip

Kasey seeing Brooklyn as she came over after waking up at 9am
(keep in mind we all had been up since 4 or earlier!)

Cousins ready to play!

Grandma in HEAVEN!

Amy Lovin' the cuddles

Our crew during our Pontoon ride

The week was filled with family fun and plenty of time in the water.  Brooklyn showed us her skiing skills.  Yes - she is only Four and this is her SECOND Year skiing!  AMAZING!  We were hoping Kasey would give it a try, but he was not quite ready to try.  Maybe next time.  Kris, Amy and Melissa all took their turns though!

Brooklyn showing off her waterskiing skills

Amy on the wakeboard

Not to be outdone, Melissa showing off her Mad Wakeboarding Skills

Kris slalom skiing

We also enjoyed plenty of time playing off the dock in the water.  We dock dove and swam until we were too tired to swim anymore.  In fact, most times... the key to leaving was the chattering teeth!  You will notice many pics of Karsten and only one of Kasey.  This is because, we found out Kasey was quite apprehensive of the water this time.  Not sure why.

Karsten was dock diving into mom's arms... until he shouted "Mommy, Go A-way!".  Amy stepped back and it took all she could do not to reach out as he jumped.  He jumped in the water and Amy waited (not so patiently) for him to resurface.  He came up with the biggest smile on his face and Shouted "AGAIN!!!"  This kid is a water baby for sure!

Don't worry about me, Mommy.  Banzai!!

One of the few pics of Kasey in the water

Told you I would be okay, Mommy

We also decided to enjoy some water sports on land... Including playing ball, wakeboarding, sprinkler running and of course time for the adults to hang around and catch up!

I'm READY, Daddy!   LETS GO!!

"Go Get it, K... guys!?!?"

RUNNNN!



Wake up Grandpa and look at me!

Enjoyning some silly time at lunch
Anyone else wondering why Amy was relegated to the Kids Table?

Is this right, Auntie Le'Lissa?

Who is the model in this pic? 

"Oh no!  Is that BUCKET-HEAD????"

Our circle of Fun!

The Prestigious "Coors Car" award!

The dope ring

But everyone's back there, Grandma

We even headed into Fargo a bit to play with Brooklyn and Brody's toys at home.  A recent fad is the 'fancy shoes' at the Woodard house.  I am Sure Brody will kill me years later for posting this one, but no worries Brody - Kasey has the same pic below!

Nice shoes

Are my shoes as pretty as Brooklyn's, Mommy?

While we were in Fargo, we got to go out and celebrate anniversaries.  Amy's Uncle Denny and Aunt Jane came to town and were able to join us and Grandma for a night out celebrating.  Denny and Jane were celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary and Kris and Amy were celebrating their Tenth!   Was fun to think about where we would be in 30 more years to celebrate our 40+years together!  Amy is kinda wondering if she would have a quiet, hot meal without interuptions anytime before that~ha.  Melissa worked out a sitter for us so we did get to enjoy a wonderful steak dinner at the Speedway.  We even ran into Beth breifly, while she was dining with friends!

Fill 'er up bartender

It was nice having a room to ourselves to catch up
So Glad Brady "Knows People"

Never fear - we got Great meals Every Night!  This is just one of the famous dinners prepared by Chef Grandpa

Dutch oven meal by Chef Bill

After dinner; it was time for some cuddling in front of cartoons before going to bed.

Big decison, which movie to watch tonight?

One of Amy's favorite parts about her trips home is that she gets to see her Great-Aunt Eunie.  Eunie was so chatty and even sang a few songs for us.  Amy didn't want to leave (and neither did the kids ~ she gave the best hugs!)

Karsten giving Aunt Eunie the biggest hug

Melissa, Brody, Aunt Eunie and Brooklyn

The whole crew

Amy grew up in ND and for some reason has "never" been to the Red River Zoo.  It was a little different then Denver ~ no Lions, Tigers or Bears; Oh My.  Instead, we had Llamas, Goats and Deer.  We got to see Monkeys, Eagles, Snakes and Camels too!

Hamming it up on a break at the Zoo

So they have ducks...

...and goats

Back in West Fargo, we found time for some driving around while Gma packed the car.  I think Amy was supposed to be helping too, but she was too busy taking pictures.

And we're off!

While the crew was at the Zoo - Gpa, Arnie and Kris were in a golf tournament.  They had a great time and didn't come in last.  Two very important things!  That night, Arnie and Marilyn invited us to their new lake home.  They have only lived here for about a month at the time and it looked great!  We would've had boxes surrounding us for months if it were us moving.

Karsten enjoying some Bopa time

Last night in town?  Sounds like a perfect night for Cards!

If everyone is looking at the camera, who is watching the money?

We had a pretty momentous event while we were in MN... The boys went fishing for the first time AND each caught two fish!  Was awesome to see their reactions to how cool it was to catch them and how fun to see them up close!

Is this all you do Daddy?

My First Fish!  "Can we keep it, Mommy?"

This doesn't seem so tough

Karsten's First Fish!  " This is too easy... Lets catch some Walleye!"



Ooooh Coooool!  Lets go again!

After the big fishing event, we finished up swimming over at Camp Joy (which was closed down this summer! SO sad!).

Keep going Uncle Brady, this is fun

A lake family portrait

Sandy, Amy & Karsten enjoying some lake time

Wow - I know there were TOO Many pics, but I did narrow it down from 464 pictures to just under 65.  As this is our "family photo album"; we couldn't bear to weed out any more photos.  Not our fault that we have the cutest kids in the world.  Every picture was Adorable!  What a perfect summer vacation.  We can't wait to come visit them all again ... This Christmas!!!