Holiday Weekend at Chatfield

What better way to celebrate a Thursday July 4th?  Take off Friday, create a 4 day weekend and go camping.  Since Amy could not take off, we decided to go camping with our favorite camp hosts at Chatfield to make it a 3.5 day weekend.  Once we finished work on Wednesday, we grabbed the loaded up truck, hooked up the boat and headed to Chatfield.  Unfortunately, we didn't get there as early as we wanted to and had to setup our tent as the sun was fading (thank goodness we had plenty of help).  We also had a surprise visit from Geoff and Josie Suk, who stopped by after enjoying some lake time on their boat. 

Karsten & Kasey helping put the tent up

Geoff and Josie Suk lending a hand as well

Karsten & Kasey setting up everything in the tent

After all that hard work it's time for a bedtime story...

...or maybe not, let's have giggle time first

After getting the tent setup and enjoying some relaxation on Wednesday night, it was time to celebrate our nation's Independence Day on Thursday.  That means BBQ's, family and of course fireworks.  Amy started out the day by enjoying a bike ride with Alisa, then it was on to the BBQ portion of the day. 

Karsten watching an early morning balloon over the lake

Enjoying a wonderful Independence Day BBQ

"OK Grandpa, the hot dogs are ready"

Once are stomachs were full, it was time enjoy some fireworks.  Unfortunately since most of Colorado was under a fire ban, due to forest fires, personal fireworks show were out of the question and many cities in the metro area had cancelled their professional shows.  Lucky for us, the Colorado Rockies were going to have a show and we happened to know a great place that oversees Coors Field.  So we loaded up and headed downtown to the Molson Coors tavern and we were not disappointed.  From our vantage point on the 32nd floor, we were able to see not only Coors Field, but the Mile High and Six Flags Elitch Gardens fireworks show also.  The Cannode's were also joined by the Freas', Kyle, Lee and Rick (Kyle's dad).

Looking out over city from the 32nd Tavern

Grandma and Grandpa enjoying a beverage, while Karsten waits for fireworks

"What do you mean the fireworks aren't starting yet?"

"Your right it should be darker"

Mason & Karsten coloring to pass the time

Lee, Amy and Elizabeth enjoying some adult beverages

The view of Coors Field from 32 floors up

At eye level with the Elitch Gardens fireworks

After all of the Independence Day festivities, it was hard to believe that we still had a full weekend to enjoy.  The rest of the weekend was pretty low key, spending most of the time hanging around the camp site.  One highlight of the weekend was the boys playing with some night crawlers that Kris was going to use for fishing and of course some dancing.

The boys showing off their dance moves for everyone

"Let's shake our booty, Karsten"



"Here Karsten, you can have this worm"

"Look at my worm, Mommy"

"Look how squirmy these 2 are"

The best moment of the weekend was the whole family taking an evening cruise on the lake.  The best times in life are always spent with family and this one was no different.

Amy and David having fun on the boat

Karsten informing everyone he is ready to go for a boat ride

Amy and George enjoying the water

Does it get any better than this?

Yes it does!

Tri for a Cure 2013

I'm going a little out of order on my blogs today.  Last weekend, I did a triathlon with three very good friends of mine.  I wanted to share this blog today in memory of a very special lady, Betty, who has had a significant impact on myself and my Family.

At the start of the race, we were all smiles.  Some of us Actually trained for this, but All of us were ready and excited for the big day.  We even had an Awesome cheer squad!  The boys were once again famous this year for their T-shirt choices.  We were just glad they all got up extra early to support us!

Yup - We are Tough and Ready!

We were excited this year as three of us started together and the fourth was only 2 minutes behind.  The first leg of the race was the swim - we all came in pretty much around the same time.  This time, we all knew there were FOUR Bouys to swim around and didn't try to skip one.  I was especially proud that I swam so straight this year!

Amy's happy about the outcome of her 1/2 mile swim

Then there was the bike.  I got ready by putting on my Lucky Socks (from the Hard Charge Obstacle Course with my sister).  It was a beautiful ride, but we all got a little wet with one of the roads flooding from the prior day's rain storm.

Sarah Looks Pumped Up for the 11.4 Mile Bike!

The run has Always been the most challenging.  The whole first half is uphill as you run up the Dam Road next to Cherry Creek State Park.  Incredibly tough and this year was tougher as Amy's training schedule was a little sporatic this year.

Alisa is Way too Happy and has too much Energy

High Fives All Around!

Want some Water, Mommy??

Angie is just cruisin' along.  Such a Strong Runner!

I did get to see all the girls throughout the course, which is always fun to cheer for each other and was especially pleased to have ran with Angie for a bit of the 5K portion.  Here I am running over the finish line after two big high fives from my boys.  Overall, I was just glad the Run was Over!

Four Very Proud Ladies to have been able to finish this race.  It was a beautiful day for it and the company was even better.  Thanks, Ladies, for joining me in our race.  I look forward to Next Year (Might Even Train This Time!)

This year was especially emotional for me.  My Mom's Best Friend, Betty Dotzenrod, passed away the day before my triathlon.  I have been doing 5K and Triathlons celebrating her survival for over 14 years.  She was an Amazing woman with an infectious laugh and a twinkle in her eye.  She was a friend to everyone she met and I know was a strong confidante for my mother over the years.  It is incredibly important to have that "Go To Gal" and for my Mom; it was Always Betty.  Sometimes a Friend is the Best Therapy one can get.  She had a beautiful heart and lived for her family every day.  She will be incredibly missed and we are All Incredibly Blessed to have met her.  I will continue to race in her honor until my legs no longer let me.  Here's to hoping we find a Cure so no more Beautiful souls are taken from us too early.

National Kasey Day

What? You have Never heard of "National Kasey Day"??? Are you insane? It is only the coolest Holiday this side of the mountains!  We have been talking to Kasey's Birth Mother, Mallory, quite a bit lately.  One of her concerns is that this poor kid has his birthday SO close to Christmas and she never wants him to feel "lost in the Holiday spirit".  Completely Agree.  We also celebrate the 16th of July each year as that is the day we were no longer "Foster Parents" and Kasey was officially "Kasey Cannode".  I'm not sure how many other parents were smiling at the 'Robert A Christensen Justice Center' on July 16, 2010... but We All Were!!

The day Kasey officially became a Cannode

Couldn't have done it without the support of our family

Back to the Present... Mallory, Kris and I decided it would be fun to celebrate National Kasey Day to ensure he doesn't get "lost in the shuffle of the holidays'.  And there you have it ~ National Kasey Day was born!  We arrived a little early to Chatfield and as you can see - Gma and Gpa were still working.  In fact; we had to employ the kids' help in cleaning a few sites before the fun began.

The boys helping Gpa clean up a site

"See Grandpa this is how you do it"

"What else can we do?"

Whew - that was Tough Work!  You guys do all that Every Day?  Who needs a gym?  Ok, time to cool off and start the festivities.  We started out with some good ol' fashioned sprinkler and pool time.  Yes, we have a lake within spitting distance, but Gma and Gpa decided it was nice to have a pool too.

The only way to relax after hard work

"So what is supposed to come out of here?"

"Watch out ~ it's water!"

"You can't catch me, Karsten"

"See, all you have to do is run through it"

"The water won't stop getting me"

"Maybe if I hit it with the bat, it will miss me"

Grandpa looks a little concerned in the background

Banzai!

Kasey's Turn!

After we thought we were done swimming, we decided a "Cannode Baptism" was in order.

 

 

Then there is Always room for Ice Cream Cake!!

 

Our Family would definitely not be the same without you, Mr Kasey.  We love your inquisitive, comical and yes, sometime tenacious personality.  You make us giggle and my favorite part of every day is listening to you and your brother talk about your day at school on the way home.  In fact; when you aren't in the car... Karsten just looks longingly at the seat wondering where you should be.  You were meant for our family and we are blessed every day with you in our lives.

3.5 years later and still a perfect family

Mallory sent a little package to our house to help celebrate.  It was funny because I told Kasey he had a package on our front step.  He squealed and asked "Is it from Miss Mallory?"  The first item he pulled out was a stuffed dinosaur that he had met last time we skyped with Mallory.  He recognized it right away.  This has become a required sleeping toy each and every night.  No going to bed without Lamby and his T-Rex.

Kasey getting ready to open his gift from Mallory

You can see the excitement in Kasey's eyes

We have been trying to do an Art Exchange Program with Mallory.  We recently sent pics Kasey drew to her and she painted him a picture for Kasey Day.  Currently, it is in our living room as the colors look great there and we can all enjoy her artwork.  Maybe eventually I will stop being selfish and put it in his room so he can stare at it as he falls asleep each night.

Kasey could not wait to display his new artwork

And who can forget Spiderman.  This dude has made it to show and tell at school at least Three times.  Each time, he tells his class that he got it from "My Miss Mallory".

"It's Spider-man,  Mommy"

S.S. Saturday

Welcome to Scooter and Sandbox Saturday!  Recently, Amy spent a morning with just herself, a cup of coffee and a Community Garage Sale! Whoo hoo!  While she was browsing; she found two scooters for sale.  Now, she wasn't sure if the kids were ready for scooters, but for $1 each - it's worth a try!  Well; she brought them home thinking the three wheeler would be for Karsten and the two wheeler for Kasey, but once Kasey heard that the three wheeler made Harley Davison motor cycle noises... change of plans!  Kasey attempted the two wheeler, but wasn't very balanced.  Good thing Karsten liked them Both!

We also had a sandbox last year (that never got filled).  We felt the kids were not quite ready to both enjoy it ... oh ... and we were too lazy to fill it ~ Ha.  This year; it had to be done!  The kids Love It!

Hmm... Do we play like this?

Yup, I think they have the hang of it now...

And LOVE IT!

Oh how we Love the Summer!  I think every night after work/school is spent in our driveway or backyard.  Looking forward to many more months of Sun!

* I also have to point out... Three Different Days of pics ... and each day one of the boys is wearing the Monster's University shirts.  I have mentioned before in an earlier blog, but these kids are obsessed.  In fact; as I type this... Karsten is sporting his Mike Wazowski shirt at school today!  Good thing I do a lot of laundry so they can keep wearing them!