Holidays in the Frigid North

Ok - so ... I realize it is the End of January... and I also realize it has been below zero temps in Colorado lately; so referring to ND as the "Frigid North" may not be fair.  At any rate, we had a fabulous (LONG) trip home and the kids had a blast hanging with each other.  Here are a few (ok - Many) of my favorite memories.

So Ready to see my Fargo Family!

Lots of our time was spent Watching the Kids Grow (Gma Sandy's favorite past time) and chatting it up with family and friends.  We even got to take everyone up to see Amy's Great Aunt Eunie for a day! Well; Melissa, Brady and Brody were unavailable, but most the crew made it!  Karsten has always been a huge fan of Eunie and likes to tell me she gives the best hugs.  Periodically through the year, we (mainly the boys, actually) will get little notes/cards from Eunie ~ so thankfully, between that and pictures ~ there is very little 'warming up time' when we visit.  You may also recognize a popular favorite spot of ours - no trip to DL is complete without a lunch at Zorbaz!

Grandma Myrt (GG to the kids) loved hanging around catching up over coffee and veggies with her Grand daughter.  Amy was impressed with the fine wait staff; who brought plenty of coffee and even blew on your coffee for you as to not have you burn your tongue.

Too hot, GG? I will Blow on it for you!

Nice Service, Karsten!

Hmm - not much to say about the hairstyling pic, but had to include it so we could remind Kasey how much he loved getting his hair done by his cousin. 

"Mom, You are Really taking a pic of this?!? Sigh..."

Although it was pretty cold out, we did get the kids out for a little sledding time.  Sledding is way more fun in ND.  In Colorado ... an adult 'slowly' pulls your sled through the neighborhood.  In ND ... Brady knows how to impress the kids by using a 4-wheeler!  Brooklyn does it often and loved to show off a bit.  Kasey was a bit more timid and Karsten was having none of it and ended up riding with Brady on the 4-wheeler.  That was much more fun in his opinion ~ he Loves cuddle time with Uncle Brady!

Brooklyn Surfing and Kasey Hanging on for Dear Life (ha)

Brooklyn, Brody and an Unsure Karsten
"You sure this is safe, Uncle Brady?"

Much Better!

Melissa also did a great job planning daily activities for the kids.  We had story time at Barnes and Nobles bookstore; where we heard two stories, colored some pictures and enjoyed snack time.  Then of course, Amy's favorite place - Yonker Farm Children's museum.  There, the kids got to paint, play dress up, play music and pretend to cook in a kitchen.

When is the story starting, Guys???
Notice Proud Grandma watching over her well behaved Grand babies

These kids are so concentrated on their Artwork!

Future Engineer like Grandpa Bill?  Maybe!

We' ll put the band back together, do a few gigs, we get some bread. Bang!

The Mattson basement is currently unfinished... what to do with an unfinished basement??? Gma and Gpa had the best idea Ever = Mattson Open Gym!  They had bikes, trikes, cars, hula-hoops, hockey, soccer, basketball, Oh My!  It was a child's dream!  The adults even had a comfy place to sit and watch the kids play!

Here you go Grandpa - you need this part next for Brody's bike

Brody's first Bike Ride on his new Christmas Present

Of course sometimes, the kids could be found cuddling and just enjoying Quiet time with each other.  Most the time was spent running around, but this moment was too precious to miss!

What starts out with a Fancy Fondue between Family and Ends up as a dance party complete with a DJ playing "Name that Artist" with the crowd?  A Perfect Family night at Home!  This was one of our favorite memories.  Kasey tried his first Artichoke and did a great job 'dragging his teeth' instead of eating the whole leaf and the fondue was delicious.  We then had a surprise visitor.  We thought Melissa was out for the night, but she came over since she saw our lights still on.  What happened next could only be remembered by those who were there.  Not easy to explain, but there was plenty of laughter, beverages, music and dancing!  I think the quote of the night was "Just one more song and then I am going home."  That summed up the evening for Everyone.  No one wanted the night to end!

Our Fancy Fondue

Dance Party USA

Our favorite late night Ice Cream Drinks!

Not all our time was spent at the Mattson household.  We were invited over for Several delicious meals at the Woodards.  While Brady and Melissa cooked... we enjoyed watching the kids play.

Ok, Everyone put your hands in the huddle!

GO Bison!

Brody on his Chariot ~ not sure how he convinced Karsten to pull it!

Chatting a bit more after dinner

We even got a Fun night out at Kobes while our kids were entertained by well Loved babysitters, Dave and Erika Carruth!  Pictures aren't the best, but you can tell between the Sushi, Teppan yaki and the Saki shots ... We had a  Blast!

It has been two years since we celebrated Christmas in Fargo and boy... what Fun! We have a few additional posts related to this trip (Kasey's birthday, Christmas and New Years), but you will have to wait to enjoy those Shenigans!

That was a Great Vacation!