MSgt Woodard comes to Denver!

We were lucky recently when the Air Guard chose to host their annual convention in Downtown Denver.  Melissa got to come out for training for a week and of course, we tried to extend that trip slightly to get some cuddle time for the boys.  She came out early Sunday morning, where we decided it might be fun to take the boys to her hotel for some swimming.  Swimming would not be complete without a few swim toys, compliments of Auntie Lelissa.  The boys got cold (and hungry) pretty quick so we didn't stay in there long, but it was a lot of fun!  We decided to take the boys to Cheesecake factory, where we ended up watching them be comatose most of dinner due to their tough swimming lessons.

The Super K's enjoying pool time with Mommy & Aunt Lelissa.

Aunt Lelissa teaching Kasey to swim.

Monday night most of us rested up (I heard a rumor that Melissa 'may' have gone out on the town with her co-workers... stories to be shared off-line ~ ha).  Tuesday was Valentines day and what a better way to spend it then running a muck around Auntie's hotel room while we ate pizza and the sisters shared a bottle of wine.  Kasey and Karsten were pleased that Auntie brought her I-Pad so they could watch an episode of "Go Diego, Go" while the sisters caught up on their gossip.  Poor Kris had his class for his Master's program on Tuesday, so he was unable to join in the fun.

Look at Diego go, Kasey!

First, some Tickle Time...

Then, enjoy cuddle time with Auntie Lelissa.

Amy and Melissa were quite lucky that Kris wanted some One-on-One time with the boys and were able to go out for a couple of girl's nights on Thursday and Friday.  Thursday started with about two hours of torture, where Amy and Melissa took a Body Pump Weight Lifting class followed by a Zumba dance class at the gym.  To reward themselves, they stopped and grabbed some Hapa Sushi on their way back to the hotel.  At first, we thought we had too much food, but working out that long... We Earned It! :-)

Friday, We met up with long time friend, Kari Barnes and went to Comedy Works to watch a couple of comedians.  I thought we were going to call it an early night, but after three more bars... we realized we had closed down the last place and needed to head to bed.  There was so much laughter that night ~ It was great therapy for our souls!

We also got to spend an hour or so on Saturday at JumpStreet with the boys.  This is one of their favorite places to visit and the adults love it cause it tuckers out the kids so fast = Good Naps in the future (most of the time).  I say most of the time as we now have a crib climber (not a Vaulter, like Brooklyn was).  Kasey has been in a big boy bed at night since last August, but we continue to nap in a crib to ensure lots of sleep.  Twice this past weekend, he decided to climb out and play.  Guess we will have to take the crib down and focus on training him to nap in his big boy bed too.

If Aunt Melissa and Amy are here, where are the boys?

Oh!  There they are.

You have to bounce like this Karsten!

The rest of our time with Melissa was spent trying to relax and recoup from all the On the Go Fun we were having.  We enjoyed having her visit us (even if she was unable to bring out the rest of the fam).  Next time, I think Cousins are a Must!!!

Karsten's First trip to the Dentist!

Karsten recently got to visit our favorite dentist, Dr Porter.  We were worried about whether he would even sit still long enough for them to count his teeth.  He did Great!  The hygenist got to brush his teeth, count them and of course Karsten got to 'ride' in the chair up and down a couple times.  Dad got to enjoy this ride too since Karsten wouldn't let Kris put him in the chair by himself.  Guess next time Karsten goes - we will have to have Kasey go too!  Kasey isn't quite sure he wants anyone messing around with his mouth, so maybe watching his brother would be a good influence!

Superbowl XLVI

Boy, our parties sure have changed... but one thing that hasn't changed is the great time that we have when our friends come out to Parker to hang out with us.  We had 9 children playing in the playroom, while the 17 adults hung out watching football and grazing on some amazing food.  I couldn't believe the amount of food we had.  Our friends are all amazing, bringing yummy items like seven layer salad, zucchini bread, lasagna rolls, meatballs, chili... just to name a few!

Game time is starting soon ~ who has their seat picked out?

Sarah, Jim, Karsten, Todd and Allison

Lindsay, Tyson, Lillian, Jason, Alisa, Josie, Jim, Sarah and Geoff

For those who didn't get seats in the living room ..

there is standing room in the kitchen.

Kyle, Geoff and Amy chatting about Geoff's Home Brews

Long lost friends.  Glad you moved back to CO, Todd!

Julie having some dinner, while Kris and Jackie catch up

Who's Ready for some Foot-ball!!!

Miss Brianna, Holding Court with her Leapster.
(Notice Karsten swiping some poor unsuspecting kid's sippy)

Lillian and Colten (Lindsay's kids) hiding from their mommy

Seemed to be the thing to do!

It was most certainly a successful afternoon and we were all tired when the party ended.  We decided we should do this Every night!  The kids went directly to sleep!  No complaining, no games... just wonderful, blissful sleep had by all!!

SNOW DAY!

Beautiful Snowy Day in Colorado!

(just a few inches of snow.. or was it closer to a couple Feet!)

What fun! We recently had a snow day where we got to stay home from work and and the kids from school! Although, we had to be responsible and 'work' a bit... there was time for fun too! I think the kids really liked our day together!

Building very TALL Towers is so fun!

Teamwork makes it happen!
I think we have two architechs in our future!!

 After the snow was done falling, it was time to shovel.  And boy... was there tons to shovel!  Kasey even wanted to help!

Mom, Why won't this cut the snow like it does the grass?

After the driveway was done - it was time to work on our path to the hot tub, which would be much needed after all this shoveling.

See, if you chop the snow up... it is easier to shovel

Lets get this deck clear so Mommy and Daddy can hot tub
later tonight after all that shoveling

What a fun day with our kiddos.  Snow day in February??? What do you think God will bring us in March?!?! Can't wait to find out!

Drive by Trip by the Mattsons

Baby Bear, Momma Bear and Pappa Bear...
Hmm... Shouldn't the baby bear have the Smallest glass??

Grandma and Papa Mattson have chosen to be snowbirds yet again this year.  In the past, they have chosen to play in the sun in Phoenix and then Florida and again this year chose to enjoy the month of Feb playing in Florida with their good friends, Al and Sonjia Sjurseth.  As anyone can see who owns a map... Colorado is Not Necessarily on their way to Florida, but we have one thing Florida Does Not... The Double K's!!  So, with bribery of yummy meals, fun chatter, laughter and of course entertainment by our dynamic duo... Gma and Papa decided to swing over in our direction (adding a very Long time to their already long trip).

We have been talking up the visit with Kasey and Karsten for weeks and mentioned it each time we would skype Gma and Papa Mattson.  Soon enough ~ they were on our doorstep ready for some Hugs!  Good thing Kasey and Karsten were on board with that plan!!  Ok, well... Kasey was ready to play with them and Karsten loved to cuddle.

Gma, Look at my hat!

You might notice that I keep referring to Gpa Bill as "Papa".  This was something that came out of the trip.  Kasey tried to say 'Grandpa', but it kept coming out 'Grandma'.  So, he decided to refer to Bill as he does his other Grandpa and started calling Grandpa Bill by the name of "George".  We then settled on Papa for Grandpa Bill.

Karsten wasn't quite ready to holler off names to people, but he was incredibly excited to say "HI!" whenever anyone entered a room.  It really made you want to leave the room often just to get an exciting "HI" upon your arrival back in the room.

Kasey and Karsten both showed off their skills to Gma and Papa during the visit.  Kasey was big on chatter, telling Gma "This is Hard" for everything he was doing.  Karsten was big on cuddles, chasing games and playing Ball.  The rest of our weekend was spent playing with our little men and watching them grow.  As you can see by the pics we were having too much fun!

Touchdown!

Story time at the Cannode house... Must be time for bed

 We did get a day to play as adults while the kids were in school.  Amy and Sandy decided to go shopping (shocker - ha) and Bill and Kris decided to work on some home projects (I finally got my chair rail finished in my Dining Room!!).  No pics of the Actual Labor, but darn... my kids are cute!

Are we done picking out chair rail yet, Dad?

Look, Mom!  How did we get inside the Mirror?!?!

Later that day we got to enjoy, what else, ... PF Changs! (Yum!) and then split up so Amy and Sandy could get pampered at the Salon and Bill and Kris could go meet up with 'the boys'.   In fact, we had Plenty of special meals while they were visiting.

Although Amy got the credit for the ribs,
it was a group effort!

Kasey LOVES Mexican!

A visit wouldn't be complete without a wonderful yummy steak dinner
(Steaks provided by a very good friend who works at JBS)

Kris - Holding Court after dinner

Thanks again to Mom and Dad for coming to visit our family on the way to Florida.  We had a Great time and are on countdown till we get to come to MN for some Fun in the Sun this summer! (We are So Over this Winter stuff ALREADY... Although, it did give us a fun Snow Day off work Today! ~ yeah!)

Miss you guys ALREADY!!