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!