Potato Bowl

For all of you not from these parts (wow, that sounds hick-ish) here is the reason we have Potato Bowl in Grand Forks:

(I took this from The Grand Forks Herald)
In September 1966, the UND Fighting Sioux football team stomped Idaho State 41-0 in the first annual Potato Bowl football game, a tradition that started as a way to prove North Dakota’s potatoes are better than Idaho’s. Now, the tradition has changed, but Potato Bowl still celebrates potato production in the Red River Valley, the world’s largest producer of red potatoes.

Anyways, the 43rd Potato Bowl celebration was last week and this past weekend. Last Thursday we went to the annual French Fry Feed with 12,000 other people. Grand Forks shattered their own world record of pounds of potatoes used to make fries. I think it was 4,900 pounds. Ben was with some buddies of his in Southern MN playing video games over the weekend. So Peter, my parents and I went to the parade on Saturday morning and met up with some friends. After the parade my parents took Peter for the day/night and my friend, Carrie & I went to Whitey's, the Sioux FB game, Joe Black's & of course The Crosstown Lounge. It was a long day but full of fun, food, friends & some adult beverages! It has been many years since I have been here for Potato Bowl. It was so much to take part as an adult. Work has been really really busy lately so it was a much-needed day to let loose.

I am enjoying Northern MN/Eastern ND more than I thought I would... :D



Peter, Berta & I at the parade





Peter wearing my sweatshirt during the parade



Peter eating a sucker at the parade



Peter doesn't like loud noises so here's him covering his ears



Carrie, Amy & I after at the end of a very fun day & night

Bruises

Last night I played softball for my Tuesday night co-ed team. As many of you know, I play first base. During the doubleheader we were playing the field looking into the setting sun. Basically I could hear the crack of the bat but there was a split second during every hit that I couldn't see where the ball was going. Well, during the first game a line drive was hit--at me--and I didn't know it until my inner thigh stopped the ball. It was an INSTANT swollen, purple, softball shaped bruise. During the second game I could see slightly better and another line drive was hit to me. This time I caught it and some old guy was off the bag. He tried to get back to first but ended up tripping and falling. Wanting to make a double play I dove on top of him and tagged him out. My left leg that has the huge purple spot now has gravel embedded into it and it's scraped and nasty. It's about 8 inches long. No complaints from me, however because I am tough. I have had extensive battle wounds (now scars) to prove my aggressive style of play. Wait, some would probably say it's just plain old clumsiness. :D

So here's the funny part...

This morning I was laying in bed and Peter hopped on the bed in his PJ's like he does every morning. He bumped his elbow on the night stand (not traumatic AT ALL) and he says "boo boo...band-aid, Mommy!", while showing me his elbow. I said "I don't think you need a band-aid honey." Then I showed him my scabby leg and he said "Daddy, 5 band-aids for Mommy!" It was so darn funny. Then I showed him the big bruise on the inside of my thigh and he said "Big purple circle!"

Ben & Peter came to watch me play last night and Peter got 5 or 6 misquito bites on his legs and face. I feel worse for that than I do for myself!! I guess that's motherhood for ya. :D

Labor Day Weekend @ Cass Lake

We went to Cass Lake with my parents, Brad, Amy & girls this past weekend. The weather was decent. It was warm all weekend but pretty windy. We went on a few boat rides for the kids and we stopped at Star Island on Sunday afternoon! We did nothing but eat, sleep & play all weekend long...isn't that what Labor Day Weekend is all about??



Peter is all geared up for his first boat ride!



Here he was totally afraid so he put on my sunglasses--it made him feel a bit better.



Here he is hiding under a towel. As you can see, I am holding his little hand.



Swimming at Star Island



Peter & Bella playing at Star Island



Avery just relaxing on the beach



Peter walking up the hill after his first boat ride



One arm in, one arm out

Both Ben & Peter acquired head colds over the weekend. This morning when we were all up and getting ready to leave the house for work and daycare I noticed Peter had a bunch of discharge coming out of his ear. So Ben stayed home to take him to the doctor. My guess is that he has an ear infection. I am waiting by the phone to hear the latest on that. I am swamped at work so I am relieved that Ben is able to be with him. Plus, Ben could use some more R&R as he doesn't feel well either. I hope I can manage to stay out of the loop!!

Hope you all enjoyed your long weekend. Come again soon for more of our adventures. :D