The Year of the Faces

At some point in a child's DNA, they figure out it is hysterical to do "Funny Faces" for the camera.  This was THE Summer of Funny Faces.  So much so, that we would take one nice picture and then follow it up with the same picture with "funny faces" upon request.  Here are a few of my favorites.  SQUIRREL!

He or She... What Will You Be?

Evidently, our family is a little busy with trips this time of year.  David tried desparately to pull together a party while we were in town, but it just wasn't working out.  That said, my disclaimer is that we were not at this actual party as we were at the MN lakes, but since this is our family photo album... this event HAD to be included!

David's friends threw them a Gender Reveal party.  The gist is that no one (not even mommy/daddy) know if it will be a boy or a girl.  They take the results to a bakery and they color the inside of the cake pink if a girl and blue if a boy.

Here they are just before finding out.  I think David looks nervous.  Did you know Cannodes historically only have boys?  Prior to finding out; they took a group vote on ideas.  They even called and asked us in MN to participate.  Amy and Karsten said "Boy" and Kris and Karsten said "Girl".  Guess we just eliminated each other's votes overall... At any rate... The Newest Member of our family will ... be..... A.....

GIRL!  Its a Girl!!!!

We are excited beyond belief and can't wait to meet this little munchkin!  She is due into this world Dec 10th.  We did warn April that Kasey was due Dec 14th and was born on Dec 23rd.  Lets see if we get another Christmas Baby!  Hurry, Hurry little one! We can't wait to meet you!!!

Lambertson/Cannode Camping Extravaganza

Another Family Camping trip has come and gone.  The kids had been so excited to tent and sleep in their sleeping bags ... we couldn't wait!  An added fun for this trip was that we had another Amazing family join us for the weekend and they brought their newly remodeled camper with them.  Not going to lie... our tent didn't look as desirable after we took a tour of their quarters.

After camp was all set up, we started our meals.  The kids were excited to eat Spaghettios out of a cup... and the adults were jazzed about their deliciously cooked steaks covered in brown sugar mushrooms!  No slumming it for us! We go all out!  Now, if only someone brought the tinfoil to help cook the potatoes!

What is a first night camping without smores?  This is a favorite for our family, but I must admit the boys like cooking them more than they do eating them.  I sure felt like my 'chefs' did a great job making me dessert.

The next day, we decided to head out on the boat.  This was Jayce and Braylon's first trip on a boat.  Um... they were less than thrilled.  Maybe next trip, boys!  It would help if Jayce was a little bit bigger and more durable.  That life vest just swallowed him up.

The rest of us enjoyed our cloud covered day by swimming in the lake.  Kasey 'swam' with his vest on for the first time.  Last summer, he would cling to the adults.  Very proud of you, Kasey!

After swimming it was time to dry off and take some naps.  So glad my boys have always fallen asleep on the water.  Nothing like the slow rock of a boat to knock you right out.

 The rest of us enjoyed catching up while we waited for the sun to come back out.

Once the sun came out, Angie and Amy decided it was time to practice for their triathlon (which is around the corner on Aug 3rd).  Little known fact... did you know it is illegal to swim from your anchored boat to shore and back?  No ticket was received, however, it was definitely threatened.  Good thing Amy is such a negotiator!

Another fun night of smores and this time we were joined by Jim, Sarah and The Krueger clan!  The next morning might have been my favorite picture.  Kasey woke up and just sat outside our tent looking rather forlorn.  He wasn't sad... just waking up, but the picture tells a thousand words.

The whole reason to do a family camping trip?  It is to watch our families interact.  Ok, so we realized this trip that there was still a rather large age difference between my youngest (3.5 yrs old) and Annie's oldest (1.5 years old).  This meant they couldn't really play the same games, but we did catch a few moments when they enjoyed each other's company.  Maybe that 2 year age difference won't be such a big deal next summer on our annual "Lambertson/Cannode Camping Extravaganza"!  * Annie: I'm talking to you.  Yes, we made this an annual thing!  Lets get it planned :-)

GG's 90th Bday

Great Grandma Myrt (Aka: "GG" to her great grandchildren) turned 90 on June 5th and we couldn't be happier to be able to celebrate with her.  Ok, so truth be told the first two photos were from her birthday lunch and the Cannodes were not in attendance, but her actual birthday fell on a Thursday this year.  No worries... we will see this birthday girl soon!

How do you push a full week's worth of fun in One Tiny Weekend??? Just invite the Cannodes to show you how!  We made a quick trip to Fargo for Grandma Myrt's 90th Bday.  That meant flying in on a Friday afternoon and out on a Sunday afternoon.  Talk about quick.  You would think with such a quick trip... there would only be a couple pics.  Oh no... not with this Crew! We did so much in that weekend and needed to document Everything!

Here we are with the Guest of Honor on Friday night ... She was celebrating Day #2 of her Birthday at this point...

Saturday was a day of activities... We watched the kiddos play softball, tag, ride 4-wheelers, went to Ribfest and ended the day with a swim lesson.

Wait - who is in that picture with Kris and Bill?  Is that Janessa??? She was the surprise guest for the weekend (although she might have spilled the beans to Amy in Napa the prior weekend).  She came in late Friday night and we looked forward to the surprise with GG, Marilyn, Corey and Erin later Saturday night.

Mid day we checked out Ribfest for lunch.  It was quite overwhelming with all the options, but we all did our best to try different locations for variety.  Kasey also ran into a friend, Thundar.  I have to giggle for so many reasons in this pic.  One, Kasey is wearing his CSU Rams shirt, however, the "Ribfest" sticker is placed just so over Cam's emblem.  Also, the poor kiddo is trying desperately to do the Bison hand gesture, but has never done it before.  Good try, Kasey... valiant effort.

Brody was pretty stoked about Hawkeye, the Fargo Redhawks mascot.  The rest of the kids were all in Bouncy Castle Heaven!  I am not kidding when I say there were around 50 different bouncy castles for the kids to run through.  It was insane!  Even the grown ups got a kick out of all the fun... Who looks toughest below? 

Future Soldiers?? Maybe!

Did I mention we finished off the day with pool time? 

The Big Surprise!  I mean really... can you beat that face?  That is a face of a mama so thrilled to see her baby girl.  Just Precious!

Now that the surprise is over... lets all collect ourselves and take a few great pictures of our evening together.  Mom whipped up a bunch of great sides and salads and Dad was the master griller for the evening.  We enjoyed having so many cousins and aunts/uncles in one place!  We even got to meet Cousin David's fiancee!

The day has come to celebrate GG's birthday (Day #4 of her celebrating in case you are counting)... Dad provided the great tunes and Amy and Karsten worked hard making the beverages.  Mom, Melissa and others were too busy to even get their picture taken.  Lots of work went into this event and I thank everyone for pitching in!

Ok, the party is ready and we still have some time to rest before our guests arrive.  That means being entertained by Corey... er... I mean Alice!  This is our first time meeting this little girl and I was instantly in Love!

A quick shot of all those who helped set up the event as well as a picture of GG prior to the party.

What is a family birthday bash without getting some Family/Generation photos with the guest of honor... Is your mouth hurting from smiling so much, GG?  Unfortunately, Andrews family arrived mid-party so we missed the photo with them, but it was great seeing how grown up their kids have gotten!

Grandma, You are such a blessing in All of our lives.  I look forward to every visit home to catch up with you and am constantly reminded how much you love us ... especially every time I dig into our freezer for a treat! Love You!