Wild Mountain

The boys and I went to Wild Mountain today.  We have never been there to the waterpark before.  They also have an alpine slide course, go kart racing course, and free fall area the boys LOVED!  It was fun to check out a new place.

Taking the chair lift up the alpine slide course:

Ryan raced full speed to the bottom of the course, not that that should surprise anyone!

Carter, on the other hand, had the brake on all the way down, he had 2 people lined up behind him because he went so slow.  :)

Ryan careened into the pillow at the bottom a few times...just because... ;)

After the alpine slides, Ryan checked out the go kart races:

He took it fairly easy on the course, much to my surprise:

The boys eyed up the freefall, and begged to jump off the ledge onto the giant pillow below.  Ryan went off with no hesitation:

Carter was a little more hesitant and almost decided to turn around:

He ended up doing it, though, 3 times total:

Instagram

Time for another Instagram dump - we have been busy in our house!!!

Bunker Beach for the first time this season:

Carter's buddy Caeden and his sister Avery joined us:

Carter had an amazing inning on 1st base last weekend:

Father's Day lunch with my parents:

My yard is in full bloom.  I love the vibrant colors:

I have 15 fish in my pond this year - 14 new ones and 1 old one:

We attended Evan's open house at his office.  Carter was admiring a signed Joe Mauer ball in Tim's office.  Tim passed it on to Carter and told him to take it home.  He was over the moon excited, and he tells everyone he sees about it! :)

In front of Mark's Model T at the Carl Bolander 90th Anniversary Celebration:

In Evan's newly remodeled office:

The boys and I at Bunker:

Ryan's lacrosse tournament this weekend:

Carter and I took cover in the rain this morning and cheered on Ryan and the Bengals from the sideline:

Lacrosse Tournament

Ryan played 5 games of lacrosse this weekend.  When we sat down to dinner tonight, I said I was tired from all of the running this weekend.  Ryan looked at me like I was crazy - after all, he did all of the running on the field, I just sat on the sidelines!  He was completely shot after the last game.  I think we all were!  His team is making a lot of progress.  We are a young team, with only 3 returning players (Ryan and two others), and none of them have played together previously.  We have a lot of room for improvement, but it's fun to watch them develop their skills.  Ryan played so well this weekend and earned the "Mr. Hustle" award in today's first game.  I am so proud of him!

Ryan in face off:

Cradling the ball.  I think Ryan definitely carried the ball more than any of the other Bengal players this weekend:

Coach pulled Ryan aside between games today and taught him a little "trick" for winning face offs.  Prior to this, Ryan had very few successes with face offs.  After that session with the coach, he hasn't missed one.  He catches on so quick and I am so proud of how well he is playing!!!

Coach talking to the team at half time:

Coach Luke called me on my way home from the tournament today and gave me a few tips for Ryan.  He said he was very impressed with how well he is playing and could tell Ryan was really giving it his all.  He said if he could give Ryan the hustle award every game, he would, based on how hard he is trying.  Nothing could make me happier or more proud as a parent, no matter if we win or lose, or what the score reflects. He's learning and he's having fun, and that's what it is all about!!!

Bunker Beach

The weather is finally nice enough to head to Bunker Beach and the boys and I are loving it. We went last week and this week.  We were there over 6 hours both days, soaking up the rays and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.  We try to make plans for friends to join us whenever possible, but we also go alone.  The boys read during safety breaks when their friends aren't there.  I love to read at Bunker as well - I brought my kindle and was able to knock out 57% of this month's book club book on Friday.  Score! :)

Carter in the activity pool:

Ryan in the activity pool:

Carter in the wave pool:

Carter making "mud balls" in the sand area:

Ryan relaxing during a safety break, reading his book.

Carter coming out of the waterslide for the first time this year:

Carter:

Ryan is all smiles after the slide:

Happy Father's Day!

We celebrated Father's Day today with Evan and my Dad.  I forgot my camera when we met Mom and Dad at the restaurant, but I do have an Instagram photo to share when I do my next post.  We had a great day today.  After lunch, Evan and the boys went to the park to play baseball, to the driving range to hit some balls, and then Kyle went to soccer practice and Ryan had a lacrosse game.  Never a dull moment in the summer in our house! :)

They may not be able to do this much longer - these kids are getting BIG!

There was a lot of wrestling and fun in the living room today! :)

Ryan's First Lacrosse Game

Ryan had his first lacrosse game of the season tonight.  His team is pretty 'green', only 2 other players have played lacrosse previously.  It was a tough loss for the team, 7-0 to Champlin.  Hopefully they will continue to learn and improve over the course of the season.  Ryan did a great job tonight, played really aggressive, and was right in the middle of the action the entire time he was on the field.  He was fun to watch!

Also, if his number looks familiar, it was last year's jersey he had on tonight (thankfully, they are identical to this year's).  You might have a lot on your plate if you send your child to his first game in last year's jersey.  Oops!