Rudolph Play, Basketball & Early Birthday Celebrations for Connor!

Last Sunday: Maci and her team pulled out a big W last Sunday night - 6-0 Shut Out!

Goals were made by: Isla, Annie, Maci & 3 by Neko!!

Due to Neko's hat trick, they got to draw on Coach Julian's face! 

Weekdays:

• Monday - Worked from home all this week just to avoid the chaos that is our office post CEO murder.  Maci had practice at 5p so Clint picked her up from school, dropped her off and then I ran to get her at pick up time before we hustled home for the Bengals/Cowboys game - Big W!  Yay!
• Tuesday - Maci had her 6th grade choir concert - a nice brief 3 songs - at 7p in the evening.  I went and met up with Tena Harty while Clint and Connor had to miss due to Basketball practice.  Maci did very nice, I could hear her voice a few times and she was one of the front row gals :)

• Wednesday - Maci had training at Infiniti from 630-830p and then Clint ran her to Target for some last minute gifts afterward.
• Thursday - Another early soccer practice for Maci.  Clint picked her up and dropped her off and I was the usual pick up.  Maci and I ran to Target for her to buy her Clint gifts afterward.  Connor and Clint headed to Connor’s pitching clinic at 745p.

Friday:

• Our Honda Pilot had to get serviced in the morning.  That car is sturdy but getting older and the repair bills show it - yay 1k bill.
• However, Clint being out at the Honda place meant he was near Ham’s Sandwich shop to pick up our lunch, Yum!
• Maci and I were off to dinner and our Rudolph play right after she got off the bus at 5p.
• Clint and Connor skipped the play b/c Connor had a conflicting basketball practice and he chose that over the play.  They went to practice and then had pizza with the team afterward at Oskar’s house.
• We all met back up at home after the play and caught up on some Law & Order before bed.

Selfie Pre-Play

Saturday:

• We had to wake up to 8a alarms b/c Connor’s basketball games were 10 and 11a in St Paul.  They played great and won both!  Connor was lights out with shooting and defense in game 1.  Game 2 was rough as he went up for a lay up and came down wrong on this ankle.  While it got better as the game went on with ice, he never came back in but was a FAB teammate and cheerleader on the bench.  We won that game by 3!
• We headed home, let the dogs out and went up to Medina Ballroom to have lunch in their Jingle Bell Lounge (decorated for holidays).
• Afterward, I came home for a nap, Maci and Connor baked birthday cupcakes and cookies and Clint cleaned the fridge for me!
• We got up and moving around for Connor’s Kobe hibachi early birthday dinner!  Maci gave Connor her gift, a warmie Reindeer bear and we told Connor we are going to get him a Justin Jefferson jersey when we go to the game with Cousin Joe in a few weeks.
• Once home, we got the kids to settle down and the Hartys + Herness families came over for some cocktails, basketball games and Golden Tee/Photo Hunt.
• Around 1145p I called it and the rest of the group was shortly behind me.

Basketball

Icing the ankle but cheering them on

Jingle Lunch Fun

Kobe Dinner

Sunday:

• Nice slow paced morning of breakfast, coffee and getting things done.
• We shifted to ensuring the Ice Rink was ready across the street for Connor’s birthday party.
• We started to watch our noon games - Yeah Bengals!  Sorry Dolphins!
• Connor’s closest 7 buddies came over at 130p to ice skate and then enjoy some cupcakes and hot cocoa.  They did great out on the rink and Connor was impressed by how well all his hockey pals skate.
• They came in around 315p, did cupcakes, gifts and goodie bags.  I was then ready to say goodbye HA!
• Connor and I finished watching some afternoon football games while Clint ran Maci to her 5p soccer practice.  Connor even snoozed on the couch for a bit - busy weekend buddy!
• We wrapped dinner and now are watching Sunday night football, preparing for the last week of school/work for the year and getting everyone showered/ready for bed.

The 9th Bday Crew!

Chuck

Anna

Hendrix

Louie

Oliver

Graham

Anders

We hope you are having a super holly/jolly holiday season!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

WWE, Basketball, Slumber Party & Late Soccer Game!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Busy work day for both of us being back in the swing post holiday.  Maci had practice at 5p again so Clint had to pick her up from school.  I grabbed her from the dome on my way home from work.  Then Clint and Connor were off to Connor's basketball practice from 645-815p.
• Tuesday - Good productive day followed by Happy Hour/Dinner with two of my dear friends/former co-workers Megan and Lisa.  Lisa had just gotten laid off from Cargill so now none of us work there after ~20 years.  We had a lot of good laughs around the table!  I then hustled out of there to get Maci from her Infiniti soccer & performance training.  Clint had taken her at 630p and I got her at 830p.  While we were doing soccer, Clint and Connor went to the Wayzata first home basketball varsity game - a nice W!

So many memories with these gals!

Top Left was Tuesday but you can see pics of us as babies over the years in the other squares

• Wednesday - I was dialing in to our Investor Conference on my way into work when I got a text that will forever stick with me.  Our company was about to launch into our annual conference when our UHC CEO had been assassinated outside his hotel in NYC.  I was shocked and numb but hauled in to the office to be with others.  It was a day of sadness, shock, surprise and disgust.  The entire plan for the day was scrapped and we all supported each other in whatever that looked like.  The rest of the week was a bit off as well, especially as the court of popular opinion was stating massive lies about our company in social media etc.  A man's life was taken, his kids lost a father - tragic!  I went to have some drinks with a few colleagues afterward as we all needed to take our mind off the crazy day.  Maci hung at home and Clint/Connor went to Basketball practice from 630-800p.
• Thursday - Connor had his annual book fair at school - got a book, poster and book mark! Maci had another 5p soccer practice so Clint got her from school and I grabbed her on the way home.  It was another odd day so I went to bed early to sleep it off.  Connor and Clint headed to a pitching clinic for Connor at the middle school dome at 8p.

Friday : 

• Got caught up on some work after a crazy few days.
• I met up with a former colleague/friend, Lauren, for lunch and that was a wonderful distraction.
• That night, Clint and Connor headed to a suite with buddies for the WWE event - Connor loved it.  Clint didnt take any pics, even with my request, so I am waiting on the few moms that went to send me some.  Even without pics, I have heard from Connor how awesome it was!
• While they were off doing that, Maci did the 2 hour Friday night open soccer fun.  I dropped her off, got some work/home planning/gift wrapping done and then went back to get her.
• Clint and Connor got home a little after 10p while Maci and I were each watching our own TV shows.

Saturday :

• I started my day with a 8a massage - while I hate waking up to an alarm, it was a nice way to start my day.
• I hustled home and we were off to Connor's first basketball game in St Paul - 11a.  Game 1 was against a team that hadnt lost yet but we gave them a 2 point L which our boys had to fight back into the game to secure!
• We ate at Wild Boar as a team and the boys played claw machine.
• We then hustled back for Game 2 at 2p.  We held our own all game but unfortunately lost the lead by 1 point with about 45 seconds left.  We had an inbound play, Connor got the ball, put it up and it bounced bounced bounced but rattled out.  Our tall guy rebounded but passed it out to a friend.  That friend threw it up but missed and the time ran out - we lost by 1 UGH!  We went from the high to the low.
• Connor played so tough, he ripped 3 holes in his tights under his uniform shorts from rolling on the ground for loose balls.
• We headed home and all ran to our beds for naps once home.  It was already 4p when we got home and Maci's pal Kate was coming over at 5p for a sleep over.
• Clint and I were going to go out to eat at 6p but I was dead!  We cancelled our reservation and hung at home with college football instead.

My Fav Gym Rat Pal

Sunday :

• I ordered donuts for breakfast 
• Kate left around 945a - they are so great with their sleepovers, barely notice they are here.
• We got some more wrapping complete.
• I got caught up on any news updates for our UHC situation.
• Kids got homework done, we ate some lunch and Maci was off to her friend Harper's house for a Secret Santa name swap.  She hung there from 1-4p while we watched Clint's Dolphins pull out the W in OT.
• Clint picked up Maci while I folded laundry.
• Now we have put away groceries, are finishing laundry and getting ready to leave the house around 630p for Maci's 8p soccer game tonight.  We are playing Park Valley and hope to pull out a W.

We are getting super excited for the holiday season, down time together and a quick trip to Ohio.  We hope you are also finding the joy in the holiday timeframe.

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Maci had practice at 5p at Minnetonka which means Clint had to pick her up from school b/c she wouldn’t be home in time if she took the bus.  I grabbed her on my way home.
• Tuesday - Work started to get a little quieter today but my team and I had a super productive day.  Then I got home around 5p so we could head down to the Timberwolves game.  Connor was invited to join his former house team for another game on the court ahead of the Timberwolves.  Unfortunately we weren’t good luck this time and our Timberwolves lost in OT.  We still had a great time.

Oh Hey Ant!

That crazy green flooring

Hanging out before their time

Ready for some D our #34

What a goof!

Love these boys!

Mr Webb - what a guy!

Hanging in our nose bleeds :)

The sisters found a cheerleader

• Wednesday - 1st day of break for our crew!  Maci did a soccer training from 11-1 so I met up with Kim and Kari (Violet and Reagan’s) moms for brunch/cocktail while the girls played.  I came home and rested ahead of a night out with the neighbors - Harty’s and Herness’ for GenX Jukebox concert at Medina Ballroom.  Good time!

She loves doing these interesting selfies

Ready to hit the town

• Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!!!  We all slept in and then got up to watch the parade followed by football.  We had our meal at Birch’s on the Lake at 530p.  The food was great and we all had a good time.  We came home and wrapped with the Dolphins loss.

Goof wanted to clear the little bit of snow

Dinner Fun!

Friday :

• Maci did another Soccer training with the same girls from 11-1.  This time the husbands also came for lunch so Connor hung with a cell phone at the end of our table.  Good convo and catch ups!
• We grabbed Maci, hustled home to get our warm gear on and then were off to get our Christmas tree at Hansen’s Tree Farm.
• It was COLD but we had a great time - even Rosie who loved all of it but the burs in her fur.
• We got home, put up the tree and decorated for Christmas while having the Chiefs game on in the background.
• That night we had some Kobe for dinner and watched Elf as a family for movie night.

Saturday :

• Another glorious day of sleeping in!
• Clint had a massage at 9a
• Then we got moving to watch the OSU vs Michigan game - what a disaster
• We left the house around 130p as Clint and Connor were going to watch “Red One” at the movie theatre and while they did that, Maci and I did some holiday shopping.  It was perfect for each of us and what we enjoy doing.  Clint and Connor enjoyed the movie and Maci and I got some awesome shopping done with some good deals.
• We met up after the movie and ate as a family at Crave.
• We got home and puzzled a bit while watching other football.
• The Hartys and Herness then came over around 830p for some cocktails, football, photo hunt and Golden Tee.  They left around 12a and we all had a great time.

Finally finished my Halloween puzzle at Thanksgiving break

Festive Mall Fun

Sunday:

• Maci and I got our nails done at 11a after finishing all our holiday card drop offs in the neighborhood.
• We got home in the early 1st quarter of the Bengals game which led to another disappointing loss.
• We spent the rest of the day getting stuff done around the house, putting away groceries, finishing laundry etc.
• Maci and I are about to run to Target for a few stocking stuffers and then I plan to puzzle during Sunday night football.

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C 

Connor’s 2nd Place Basketball Tourney, Maci Haircut & Turkey Bingo!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Rosie had a grooming appointment and had the cutest fall leaf bandana afterward.  That evening Maci had soccer practice from 700-830p.  I was able to get a lot done including my performance reflection that was due later in the week.
• Tuesday - I was supposed to go downtown for a professional event but we were really busy with some work items so I skipped that and ended up having a lovely 3 hour block of working time after skipping out.  Maci had some Infiniti Performance and Soccer training and while we were there, Connor had basketball practice from 730-900p.
• Wednesday - I had a busy work day welcoming Pharmscript to our Optum Rx family.  It is one of 2 live integrations I am working on with mergers.  Clint drove Maci to her practice for me because it is out by where I work so made sense for me to meet her there.  However, we had some stupid weather that made the roads icy.  Clint got her there but taking her and coming home took him 1.5 hours.  She and I headed home driving 25 miles per hour and got home in about that same amount of time.  Ugh I hate ice driving.
• Thursday - I worked from home as Maci had a haircut at 5p so easier if I was already at the house.  In addition, we had to have the Peloton base of the tread replaced b/c it was making a horrible noise.  Maci got her haircut, so cute!  Connor had basketball practice from 600-730p with Clint.

Friday:

• Good productive work day 
• A little before 5p we were off to Greenwood Elementary for the annual Turkey Bingo event.  We sat with our pals the Floyd’s - Connor’s good buddy Anna’s family.
• We weren’t super lucky until the 2nd to last game when Connor won BINGO!  He got $10 as the pot was $30 but 3 kids all won with the same call.  However, they also let them pick a prize off the prize table.  Anna had been eyeing a SpongeBob water bottle all night.  Connor picked it and then brought it right over and gave it to his buddy Anna - so sweet!
• Once the event wrapped, Maci and I headed home to relax while Connor and Clint were off to Trojan Madness basketball event for the High School basketball team.

Connor got his $$ and Anna got the water bottle

Saturday :

• Maci had her final Gymnastics class in the morning.
• Then we were off to a long day of basketball for Connor’s team!  They whooped Edina in Game 1, did the same to St Louis Park in game 2 and clobbered Eden Praire in game 3.
• We were able to have an early dinner with some of the team members in between game 2 and 3.
• Afterward, we headed home and rested after a fun but long day at Hopkins middle school.

Sunday:

• Thank goodness Bengals were on a bye!
• Connor’s team played at 11a based on our seeding and we met up against Edina again.  They showed up ready to play but we still topped them!
• We then watched some football and hung out as a team at a local bar/restaurant until our championship game at 2p.
• We played Rogers top team and we came out sluggish but then started to play really aggressive - Connor was crushing it, if I say so myself!  We ended up losing but only by 8.  The boys learned a ton and LOVED their 2nd place medals.
• The #1 team also was in a championship game across from us at the same time but unfortunately they also lost in the final seconds and got 2nd place.
• We got home to our to do list and worked on that up until Maci’s soccer practice at 5p.
• While she was at soccer, I turned on the Loons playoff game vs LA Galaxy but we lost 2-5 OUCH!  Goodbye MLS for a bit.

Great Group of Boys!

Back Row: Cal, Nathan, Connor, Max, Braden, Channing

Front Kneeling: Sebastian, Kieran, Rocco, Oskar

Love our Coaches!

Proud Sister!

Love this kiddo!

Team Bonding

After Day 1 - Pumped!

Killed Eden Prairie

Warming Up

We are really excited for a short holiday week ahead.

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Travel Basketball Games Start & Maci has a Scrimmage!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Connor’s Elementary did their usual Veteran’s Day celebration which was so sweet.  Then in the evening, Maci had soccer practice out in Eden Prairie at 7p.  It’s a nice location where I was able to set up shop and get some work done for 90 mins.

My Main Vets ❤

• Tuesday - Busy evening with Clint and Connor heading to Basketball pictures and then practice.  While they were there, Maci and I hung out at Infiniti soccer training.
• Wednesday - What an icky raining day.  I got out of work later than I planned, hauled home to get Maci in bad traffic, then hauled right back towards where I came from for her practice.  Unfortunately, we were 10 mins late but Maci was rolling with it.  Once home, I hopped on a video call with my Cindy 6 high school girlfriends - so fun to catch up!
• Thursday - I worked from home given Clint having a conference outside of the home around the time Connor would get home.  We had a way chiller evening with a video catch up with my BFF Christie.  Then Clint headed over to the neighbors for their bourbon tasting.  The kids and I got comfy and headed to bed at a good time.

I had to send this to the Cincy 6 b/c they saw her with heatless curler in her hair the night before

She wanted to share the final product :) 

She sends me this pic with the comment “my lashes are lashing” HA

Friday:

• Started the day with a drive and some bagels with Clint
• Good productive day on the work front
• That evening Maci went to Infiniti Soccer Training from 6-8p
• Connor had basketball practice with Clint from 700-830p
• We then had a lazy rest of our evening while attempting to watch the Tyson fight but Netflix wasnt our friend.

This girl is in love with hot cocoa! 

Saturday:

• Maci and I hit up the Wayzata high school craft fair to start our day.
• We then came home and all got ready for Connor’s first travel B-ball tournament.
• The whole family got to be at game 1 but ouch was that a tough one - we played Wright County and they look like they have played together for a while. We took a tough Loss but move on to game 2
• Our family ran out to R Social for Lunch and got to watch most of the OSU game while eating 
• We then headed back to the gym where Connor chilled with his team and Maci got ready for her soccer scrimmage.  We were then off to the Brooklyn Park Dome while Connor headed into game 2.
• I got to the field and while Maci warmed up, I was able to watch Connor’s game on the GameChanger app.
• They totally got back to themselves and had an easy win in game 2!
• Then I had to switch my focus to Maci’s scrimmage.  She played a lot of minutes and almost had a few goals.  Unfortunately, they lost 1-2 but it is just a scrimmage and the other team goals were pretty lame.
• We then hustled back to the gym for Connor’s final game.  Man what a close one, it was so back and forth.  Ultimately we were down 3 points with a few seconds left - our coach drew up a 3 point play and our guy ALMOST hit it but alas did not so we lost game 3.  This was GREAT learning for the boys as their first games together let alone tournament.  We are all already so excited for next weekend’s tournament.
• We headed home to let the dogs out and order some dinner from Kobe.
• I was ready to hit the hay, long but fun day. Clint was happy to head to a fire at the Harty house.

Our Loot from the Craft Fair

Travel B-Ball

Maci Scrimmage

Isla’s mom took some nice pics

Sunday:

• Slower Day for us but lots of to dos around the house.
• Clint started the day by getting outside and hanging our Christmas lights with the Harty’s and Herrness’ as we all share a lift together to do this each year.
• After he got the lights up, he was off to Northern Tap House to watch the 12p games with some of the soccer dads - Mike, Brad and Dusty.
• I kept cracking away at the to do list at home.  Finished the laundry, helped Connor head out to the Domes for some baseball practice with Chuck and his dad, planned meals, prepared for work etc.
• I am now wrapping up all the to dos and ready to dial into the Bengals game - ugh please get a W!

We hope you have a great week ahead!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C