Rams vs the Stinky Buffs

What makes the end of boating season a little less sad? Rammie Games of Course!  The Cannodes have historically hosted the CU/CSU game at our house each year and we were super excited this year.  We had tickets to the game, but sold them and used the profits for Qdoba bar and beverages.  Made getting ready for a party super easy since I didnt' have to make anything!  Those with a little more creativity put their talent to work and created some lovely CSU cupcakes!


CSU Cupcakes by the Froistads

We had a quick showing from Mom and Dad, but they decided they don't like kids other then their perfect grandbabies and chose to leave before the house was infested with little people.

One picture for the road

Don't we have the Cutest Cheer Squad around?  Carlie (Kyle's sister) was a CSU cheer just a few short years ago and we think Bosler might have been too.  Either that, or his daughter would not take a picture without him in it. 

Future CSU Cheerleaders

Before the game started, we all got to enjoy the lovely weather.  The adults had to share the cornhole game with the kids, but all decided it was a lot of fun.  The kids also got to play on the playground equipment and sandbox.  Seriously, life doesn't get better than having so many friends to run amok with!

A riveting game of cornhole before the game begins...

...And maybe a quick 9 holes



Todd and Amy running amok

Game Time was Exciting! We started out looking pretty good.  There was a lot of cheering and positive energy flowing.  Even the Sivahops cheered for CSU this year (some years they chose to go to the dark side).

The Half Time Show Proved Entertaining!  No, I am not talking about the band that played on the TV.  I am talking about our very own gymnastics group!  These kids had such lovely spotters.  A good athlete always needs a strong assistant!

Who wants see me do a flip?

Headstands all around, except Karsen since his mommy is the photographer



Is this the floor exercise portion of the event?

So, back to the game.  Was the 2nd half interesting? Yes.  Were we happy with the ending? NO.  Where did it go awry?  Well; I can only bring it back to this point.  We have always had our mascots during each of the CU/CSU rivalry games.  Gotta have Cam, our Cheerleader and the Sonny Lubick bobble head doll.  They are just a little bit of needed good luck. ... Until ... Someone (who happens to be a CU grad) touched Sonny.  The game spiraled out of control and CU won.

The CSU good luck charms



Jackie decapitating Sonny, while Lee panics

Oh well, at least we had a great day with Friends!

Win or lose we always have fun



Fantastic Fargo!

We headed into town for a very special reason.  Brooklyn, was starting Kindergarten!  Seriously!  I know!  Time Flies!!!  Here is a picture of Brooklyn after her first day.  She did Very well and enjoyed her new school very much.  Fun Trivia Point:  Melissa and Amy attended Washington Elementary just a few years prior to Brooklyn (please don't do the math on how long ago).

In celebration of her big day, we had Grandma over for a fun dinner (Kabobs by Chef Bill! YUM)

Of course, you can't start dinner without a scavenger hunt and a tour on the 4wheeler!

Check out the new construction project behind Gma and Gpa's home.  What project you ask?  Well, Melissa and Brady felt that living across the street from Gma and Gpa's house was too far away and a bit risky for the kids to cross the road with such busy traffic.  So, it only made sense to buy the lot Directly behind Gma and Gpa's house to eliminate the risk. ;-)  All jokes aside, we are really excited for the layout of their new home.  It was fun to see the basement footers being delivered and installed by all those big trucks.  The boys really loved it and Amy was excited to see this stage of the project.  Hopefully, her room will be finished and ready for visitors on our next arrival!

Hard to get four kids to all behave and smile together, but I think we did ok.  Always fun to have GG join us!

One of our perks of having lunch during the week is to enjoy lunch with one of the Country's Finest.  Melissa has been a member of the Air guard for years and Amy continually gets a kick out of seeing her dressed to the nine's in her camo.  So proud of my military family!

Summer at the MN Lakes

Off to MN We GO!  OK, so our trip actually was the week of Aug 19th (behind on posting as per usual).  Kris didn't have the vacation this year, so it was just Amy and the boys.  She was slightly terrified getting the boys through the airport by herself, but shouldn't have been worried one bit.  Look at her great helpers!

MN was filled with Family Fun time on Steroids the first weekend.  We were blessed to have additional family members present for a last minute family reunion.  Amy's 2nd cousin Kim Graber, Kim's family (Tim, Brett and Brady) and Kim's mom, Julie, all came up for two days in the sun.  We lucked out with beautiful days (albeit a little windy).  It was a blast, none-the-less.  We also had Janessa in town from Cali; which meant we got to see Janessa, meet her boyfriend and also see Arnie and Marilyn!

The whole week was filled with awesome meals and this weekend was no exception.  I am always amazed at what Brady can do with that huge griddle.  Thank goodness for good Chefs!

Of course there is always time for swimming!  The boys loved jumping off the dock together.  As you look at this picture, you can just hear them counting down till they all jump!

Ha - ha.  We didn't really mean jump!

I WIN!  I am the Last Man Standing!

What is summer if there is no Lemonade stand?  The kids did a great job mixing up the lemonade, and booking the sales, but sometimes took your money and then got distracted before following through with the transaction. 

What to do when the sun goes down?  Cards of course!

Brooklyn has moved into some pretty serious gymnastic classes lately and couldn't wait to show out her moves.  And as always - whatever Brooklyn can do ... so can All of the boys!

There was also a few games of football.  This was my favorite pic.  Not only cause Brooklyn's form is so fierce, but because Karsten is Destroyed that she got the ball first.  Gotta be quicker little one.  Next time!

Uncle Brady and Auntie Lee-sa are always in charge of the fun.  This time that meant coming up with some snappers to play with.  The kids enjoyed their "fireworks" and we enjoyed all the giggling.

What is a Mini-Family Reunion if we don't take the generation pics!  First and foremost, we gotta get all the cousins together on the lake.  Doesn't it look just like the days of Sacajawea!  Ok, maybe we have aged a teeny-tiny bit.

Here we tried to get the kids and grand kids shot... not all wanted to cooperate (ahem, Kasey!).  I think we did pretty good though.  The kids were pretty patient and we even got an entire Mattson crew shot before losing everyone's attention!

After the crazy weekend, it was some more downtime in the water.  This time, we got to take the pontoon over to the other side of the lake to swim.  Amy was AMAZED that Melissa's kids already were swimming by themselves.  Brooklyn has for awhile, but Brody was new!  Amy's boys still cling on her like it is life or death situation.  Working on that with swim classes this winter.  Hopefully, we will have independent swimmers by next summer!

Papa took his turn trying to show Karsten how much fun swimming is... do you see the Kung Fu grip with Karsten's legs?  Ha.  Melissa also gave it a shot.  Amy tried too, but with little luck.  I asked Melissa how to get Karsten to go under water.  She said 'Easy.  Just say 'One -Two - Three - Blow'.  So, that is what I did.  After I said Blow; I dunked him under water and he freaked out.  Melissa then clarified - "NOO... after three you blow in his face.  You don't tell him to blow!"  Yup - clarification is Key!  Sorry, Karsten!

We also got in some fishing time with the boy's new fishing rods.  Do you know how I know they belong to the boys?  Cause they each have their picture on them!  Great idea, Grandma and Papa!!  We didn't even get a bite, but maybe next time!

Grandma was nice enough to watch All Four Kids while we played a few holes of golf.  I can't remember the last time I played since the kids were born!  What a great morning out!

More time spent exploring at the lake.  We found out that Kasey tends to like to 'wear sand' as an accessory and the kids enjoy capturing bugs in the name of science.

We also had our little engineer come up with a way to tie the umbrella up so that they could play around it.  Brady found out how to keep them entertained after that.

And don't forget about time to make a fort.  You aren't a kid until you learn to make a fort!  And until these kids get too heavy - they continually LOVE playing Horsie with Papa!

Nearing the end of the trip (well, kinda the whole time...) Karsten wasn't feeling well.  It got so bad that we wouldn't go 12 hours without him getting sick and he was getting pretty dehydrated.  We ended up taking him into DL to get him checked out.  This is what he looked like just before leaving urgent care. 

Right after our Urgent care visit, we went to Jimmy Johns to grab a quick lunch.  This is what Karsten looked like Ten Tiny Minutes later.  I think we have been played - this kid looks healty to me!

Amy's only request for the trip?  Plenty of Corn!  There is honestly nothing better than MN corn.  It is Amazing and We ALL Love it!  Kasey got to go help Grandpa pick it out at a local Farm.

What a fun time at the lake.... Off to North Dakota for Fabulous Fargo Fun!