Back in February the boys had their second tournament and they took home first place!  They played a Byron team in the championship game and won by 5 points.  One of the boys from Byron was Kade's teammate last spring on the AAU team.  They still talk regularly and although Kade likes the kid, he didn't want to lose to him.  Kade really turned it on the last game and it was so fun to see him, and the rest of the team, take themselves to the next level of play.  After all the hard work parent/coaches have put in, it's FINALLY starting to show!!  They were all very proud of themselves.

There were enough medals for the #1 Brother to get one too!!

The next day Erik took Mason ice fishing.  They've gone a few times and it's basically just been them drilling holes in the ice and enjoying the outdoors 😆

However, this time they went for "The Night Bite".  They went later afternoon and it finally paid off!!  Erik said they were getting into the truck to go home and he saw Mason taking a BIG sniff of his hands.  He looks over and Erik and says, "Aaaaah...I LOVE THAT SMELL!"

And finally.....

BRACES!!!!!

 

This post has nothing to do with the boys.  

Super Bowl weekend we took our annual trip to Duluth with 2/3 of Erik's siblings.  We left the boys and the dogs with Grandma and Grandpa and spent 3 luxurious days and nights sitting around doing nothing but eating junk food and drinking adult beverages 😆

We spent most of the time on the beach, sitting by a fire, playing bean bags and drinking and laughing.

The sun was shining and it was actually pretty warm!  I even took my coat and boots off and sat barefoot in the sun.  

Counting down the days til next year!

 

Basketball Recognition Night

A few weeks ago the boys' teams had their recognition night.  Mason's 3rd and 4th grade team ran out with JV, did their warm ups and sat behind their bench during the game.  Kade's 5th and 6th grade team did the same with varsity.  Both boys found some new role models to look up to!

Mason in front with gray shorts

Going in for a layup

Kade at the back of the line across the court.

Going in for his layup

Kade's team got to line up for the National Anthem as well

The highlight of the night might've been watching Mason slooooooowly (and very sneaky) make his way down to sit on the varsity bench 😆

The 2 players standing were a bit confused and tried to move him but quickly gave up and just scootched him down.

Kade's also playing with a more competitive (and much smaller numbers!) traveling team.

They didn't do so hot at this tournament but they still managed to kinda smile for pictures.

 

Mason's Golden Birthday

Before time gets too far away from me (I'm already weeks behind on posts), I have to post about Mason's Golden birthday!  The big boy turned 9 this month!!  We had a lot going on the weekends around his birthday so he had a friend's party at the end of January.  We spent a couple hours with Mason's favorite kiddos playing arcade games and laser tag.

He also wanted to go out to eat "at a salt water restaurant", so Erik and I took him to Red Lobster.  Then on his actual birthday, he requested the annual "Na Night Cake".  

All in all I'd say he had a memorable birthday!!

Mason and Brayden playing a VR game.

Charlie, Gunnar and Isaac

Violet and Kade

Mason and Charlie

The Crazy 3rd grade boys!

Mason, Charlie, Gunnar and Brayden

Kade and Charlie

Mason with his 2 favorite Charlie's!

This sequence of pictures cracks me up.

All is good

Mason oblivious to Gunnar getting tagged team

Aaaaaand Gunnar's down--Mason: still oblivious

Poor Kade getting taken out by the 3rd graders

They played 3 games of laser tag.  I have no idea who won.

The perfect cookie cake for our fisherman!

Mason and Erik before their seafood feast

Na Night Cake!

Happy Birthday Mason David!