MLK Jr Holiday for All, Cold Temps = No School, Maci Turns 12 & Skis for a Field Trip!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Wahooo no school or work!  Love a long weekend :) Connor did a shooting clinic for basketball from 900-1130a.  Maci did a soccer open play from 11-1.  I got a fun text from one of her former coaches who was at the clinic saying she was the only girl and was taking on some of these boys, scoring all over.  They asked if she was a leftie and she said "I use both!"  The coach said their jaws dropped haha - go M!  I got some R&R and then it was time for the National Championship!  We were so happy to see our OHIO get it done!!!  Wahoo!!!

• Tuesday - The temps were so low, school got cancelled the day before!  Due to the temps & kids off school, I decided to work from home.  It was a busy day and the kids only annoyed me towards the end of the day - they are probably going stir crazy.  At night, Maci still had her soccer practice but Connor's was cancelled due to the school being closed.  However, the high school game was still on so Connor and Clint headed up to Wayzata at 7p for their game against Hopkins which ended up being a big W for them!
• Wednesday - I headed back into the office and thankfully kids were back to school.  I left work around 330p as I had a hair cut and color at 4p.  Clint ran Connor to basketball practice at 6p and then Maci to practice at 715p.  I came in to pick up Maci because I wanted to see her giving out her birthday cupcakes to her team.  They sang and it was super cute!
• Thursday - Happy 12th Birthday Maci!  How is she 12, how have I been doing this blog for 12 years?!  She was so excited to wake up, open presents, say bye to Connor before he left to school, read all the messages coming in from her friends etc.  Maci had the best birthday ever b/c her 6th grade field trip fell on her birthday!  They went to Buck Hill and could ski or tube.  Maci tried skiing along with many of her friends and loved it!!  Such a fun birthday :) I worked from home so we could get to dinner on time for her birthday at night.  Clint had a lunch with his former coworkers at 6 smith.  I was busy working through compensation season at work.  Maci's crush brought her over the sweetest birthday gift - candy, a card, cookie making kit and a nice recipe box holder.  So thoughtful!!  We then headed to Kobe for her birthday dinner at 530p.  Afterward, Clint ran us home and he/Connor were off to Hitting Clinic at 745p.

New White Fox Sweat Set

Birthday Dessert

Friday :

• Kids had no school AGAIN this time for teacher's to grade at the end of the semester.
• I worked away and they slept in.
• Maci and I ran to her 12 year well check at 345p.  She is healthy as can be, almost 100 lbs and 5' 2".  They estimate her total height to be between 5'6" and 5'10" - she cracks me up and wants to be on the 5'10" end of things.
• Connor did a Sandlot baseball game thing with Clint that evening - I guess he had 2 awesome hits and some really nice fielding.  It was mainly 4th graders so Connor wasn't sure if he did very well but once Clint told him "dude you realize most of those kids were a year older than you" he felt great!
• While Connor did that, Maci did the Fusion open house hours from 6-8p.
• I was able to stay home and get some work cleaned up for compensation so that I could chill once they were all home!

Saturday :

• Early morning - alarm went off at 630a!
• We were off to Connor's tournament - Edina Cake Eater's Classic.  Game 1 was vs Blaine and Connor was ON FIRE!!  His defense was incredible and the team was cooking - we had a big W!
• We hung out in the lobby for our 1 hour break and then Game 2 vs Minnetonka - this was a bit more of a nail biter but once again, Connor had some insane D.  He only teared up once in this game and it was when he got hacked on a lay up and was teary during this free throws but pulled it together.  They came out on top and we were pumped!
• Then off to Pizza Luce for lunch to kill our 2 hours before our 1p Championship game!
• Championship was against a team from Jordan.  They were big and aggressive.  Connor was once again a junk yard dog on D and all the parents kept saying he was going to need an ice bath.  This game had a bit more tears.  He got fouled and hard on a lay up to the point that they called it flagrant.  From there on, Connor played great but his emotions were getting the best of him.  He kept himself in the game, didnt do stupid fouls but he was clearly upset. and the refs were calling some strange things or just missing calls so I get how little kids don't understand that.  The team all kept rallying and we ended up winning by 3.  They did it!!!!  Their first Championship win!!!  So proud of them all day long!
• Some of us ran by Luce Line Brewing for a celebratory beer.
• We had to leave pretty quick b/c we had to get a cake and set up for Maci's birthday party - girls were arriving at 430p.
• Maci had a blast with 7 of her closest pals.  They ice skated, sled, hot tub hung, ate pizza, ate cake, opened gifts and watched movies.  2 left around 11p as they had early morning activities but 5 of them plus Maci stayed the night.  They were quiet but I guess many went to bed around 2a and others until 4a - OUCH!

Love this Team & This Boy!

The Crew!

Isla, Livi, Maci, Livian, Natalie

Harper, Lilian, Kate

Hot Tub Fun!

Sunday :

• A day of get stuff done around the house.
• The girls all left around 930a and then I picked up the house, ran laundry, groceries etc.
• Connor went to his b-ball buddies house (Channing) and hung with him and 2 other b-ball buddies (Kieran and Calvin).  I guess they played basketball for 3 hours over there - CUTE!  They also played on their Nintendo Switches.
• Maci had a Finishing Training for soccer from 330-430p.
• Clint then picked up Connor from Channing's and they were off to Dick's - Maci needed new cleats and Connor needed some new school gym shoes.
• They snacked on Auntie Anne's and then were off to drop Maci at her team practice at 615p.
• This afternoon / evening is all about football - we are bummed Philly won and are crossing every thing that the Chiefs do not win again!!!

Maci's New Ivy & Lights from Livi

Got these from Amazon just in time with Connor's new trophy

Maci & Connor

As we wrap the week, I am now preparing for a week with travel to DC and another busy one on the home front due to kids' activities.  

We hope all of you are staying warm during these winter months.

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

COLD, Soccer Practices, Basketball Games & a Long Weekend!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Normal work/school day.  Maci had Infiniti Training and Performance in the evening.  The rest of us watched the Vikings playoff game and their thumping against the Rams - ugh 1 and done!  Maybe next year for all our teams!
• Tuesday - Happy Birthday to Rachelle! Maci had soccer practice which Clint and Connor ran her to and then they were off to the Wayzata High School game at 7p.  The Wayzata boys had a hard one against Eden Prairie but came out the victors by ~11 points.  I had my monthly catch up video chat with Christie where we finalized plans for our Arizona trip.  I was then off to pick up Maci from her practice.  It is so gosh darn cold out that I went in to meet her and got to see some sweet moments of her end of practice before we ran out to the car together.
• Wednesday - Wrapped my day with a walk and talk with a mentee who was in town for some meetings, nice way to wrap the day.  Clint and Connor had basketball practice at 6p.  Maci and I were then off to her practice at Providence.  I then was to drive Clint and his neighbor buddy, Josh, to Brick and Bourbon for some bourbon sampling / then they would Uber home.  Well I got us all in the car (Connor riding along) and we get to Brick and Bourbon and they were closed!  Some piping issue occurred so now I am driving these fellas to Providence b/c we had to pick up Maci by 830p.  They ended up deciding to hang in our basement and sip bourbon there.
• Thursday - I worked from home and listened in to our Q4 earnings and ‘24 results.  Normal work day and then we headed to Redstone for dinner to meet up with our former neighbor Karoline.  We hadn’t seen her in so long and it was so great to see her and catch up!  We then hustled out of dinner to run Connor and Clint to the middle school dome for hitting clinic with baseball.  We dropped the boys and they hitched a ride home with our neighbors the Pinkerton’s who were also doing this camp.

Friday:

• Busy day for me with our compensation process launching!
• I was supposed to be at a happy hour with my former team by 430p but all of us were slammed with compensation needs.
• Clint and Connor had to head to basketball practice at 715p.  Maci and I debated going to the basketball game vs Edina but I felt bad not making it to the happy hour.  
• I convinced Maci to come with me to Kanika’s apartment and we ended up socializing and having a nice enough time that we gave up on the basketball game.  Wayzata didn’t need us there anyway, they thumped Edina by like 40 points.
• After Kanika’s we stopped by the Crumbl cookies next to her apartment and got a box to take home - YUM!
• Once home, the boys were on their way back from basketball practice.  We all crashed and caught up on more Law & Order SVU.

Gorgeous Sun Rise

Saturday:

• Happy 4th Birthday to our favorite floofy, Rosie!!!  We celebrated her all day long!
• Connor had to miss his baseball session prep due to the time of his basketball games.
• We had a 11a and 12p in St Anthony area.  We had a nice W in Game 1 and then played a scrappy team in Game 2 and got a Loss.
• We came home and I took a nice afternoon nap.
• Once up, I helped Maci re-arrange her room a bit.  
• Ate some noodles for dinner while we watched NFL football, Timberwolves basketball and caught up on coloring/puzzling.

Sunday:

• Connor headed to Brook’s 9th birthday party at an indoor putting place at 11a.  Clint ran errands during the party while Maci and I got stuff done around the house.
• Maci headed to Target to shop with her friends Harper and Kate and then hang at Harper’s house from about 2-4p
• Maci then had practice at 5p which I ran her to and Clint is now picking her up.
• Once they are home, we are having Skyline for dinner and enjoying the Bills/Ravens game - Go Bills!
• Excited to have another day to this weekend, we are all off tomorrow!  I need another day of rest - the cold is making us all feel a little off :(

We hope you are handling the cold and planning for warm getaways in the near future!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

O-H-I-O doing their thing, Sickness for Connor and BIG Goals for Maci's Team!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Connor was star student this week which meant he took in a poster today and got to be line leader all week.  After school in the evening Connor had basketball practice with Clint and Maci and I went to Infiniti soccer and performance training.
• Tuesday - Connor got to present his Star Student poster and it went really well so he says :)  I had to get some work done so Clint ran Maci to and from her practice at Minnetonka while Connor and I chilled at home.
• Wednesday - Another full day with Connor having basketball practice with Clint in the evening and then Maci and I headed to Providence for her practice at 715p.  I hung in the car talking to my mom for most of it but then went in and walked/watched the final parts of the scrimmage.
• Thursday - I decided to work from home which was a good thing b/c at 2p we got a call from the nurse that Connor was running a 100.3 fever - ugh poor buddy.  I ran to get him and he was so pale and felt so poopy as all his buddies were leaving to the bus to head home for the day.  He laid right down to rest and watch a movie.  This means he missed his hitting clinic at night but we all just got some necessary rest.

Friday:

• Connor had to stay home since he wasnt fever free for 24 hours.  He slept in well and took a few naps.  His cough was louder but he was feeling far more himself and fever free!
• I had a super busy day with everyone now being off to the races in the new year so Clint ran Maci up to her Infiniti soccer open play event from 6-8p.  We all ate some pizza, started watching OSU and then I did pick up for Maci.
• Right when I got home I saw Henderson sprinting down the field for that crazy Touchdown!  What a fun game and we all went NUTS when Jack Sawyer had that strip sack fumble that was returned for a TD!!!  O - H . . . 

Saturday:

• I started my day with a nice massage at 915a
• While I was wrapping up there, Clint and Connor went to a baseball pre-season clinic.  Connor did well through this since not too much cardio.  Thankfully no basketball this weekend.
• I got some stuff done around the house and then ran Maci up to her performance training at Infiniti.  Clint kindly picked her up while I got some laundry rolling.
• I took a shower and an hour nap on the couch before getting up and ready for Date Night with Clint.
• We headed to BLVD for a yummy dinner and while we waited for a table we watched the Texans upset the Chargers.
• During dinner we planned out our activities for Spring Break in San Diego after Maci's soccer tournament - wahoo!
• Once home, we caught up with the kiddos, who were playing games with the dogs, and then we all settled in to watch the Twolves NBA game. . . unfortunately they lost by 2 to the Grizzlies after ANT missed his buzzer 3 pointer.

Sunday:

• Our whole house slept in until at least 930a - yay!
• Maci and I headed up to Diamond Nails for a nail appointment - she tried a Dip and I got a new full set put on.
• We got home to get laundry finished and other to dos around the house including ordering our groceries.
• Clint ran Maci up to Providence so she was there in time for her soccer game warm up.  The rest of us came up and joined right at game time.  Maci had a big surprise with 3 girls from her former team coming to watch - Vi, Lucy and Kennedy 💗Our girls got down 0-1 but were firing and then we broke in and just kept our foot on the gas pedal.  We ended up winning 12-1.  Miss M had 2 goals of her own - sweet follow ups from a corner kick and a pretty cross from Savannah!  She almost had a 3rd b/c the goalie tackled her when she was trying to put in a 3rd.  So she got the penalty kick and chose to fire it (Pretty and in) before the ref blew the whistle.  She had to do a redo and this time missed barely wide to the left but so dang close!  It was also her teammate Elliana's 12th birthday so they had some cupcakes afterward - Yum and fun!
• We got home, finished our prep for the week, started watching football, had some lasagna for dinner and now are getting ready to call it for a weekend.

Charley, Maci, Lucy & Kennedy

Missing Vi - She had to leave right after the game

The temps are FREEZING here - we are in that period where we question why we live in the frozen tundra 🤣 We hope you are staying warm wherever you are.

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Happy New Year, Back to School & Cold Temps!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Joe left early in the AM - 715a flight.  Thankful for Clint who drove him but I still got up to say my goodbyes.  I was up and moving though by 8a b/c Connor had a basketball camp from 9-1130a with several of his buddies.  He then hung at home for a bit before heading up to the high school for some scrimmaging with his team and the A team.  Clint went up to help the coaches so they were there from 200-330p.  Once home, Connor started watching college football and fell asleep on the floor cuddling the dog bed.  He was exhausted!!

Tired boy!

• Tuesday - Happy NYE!!  Another 8a day with another basketball camp from 900-1130a.  This time Connor's basketball buddy, Seb - short for Sebastian, came over for a playdate afterward until about 3p.  During the play date, Maci ran up to Fusion Infiniti for a TFE training session - 1200-130p.  She was happy that she had something to do during the majority of Connor's play date, even though she is a Seb fan.  Once Seb left, we chilled a bit, watched some TV - finished the new season of Virgin River and ate some Tortilla soup from the crock pot.  We played NFLopoly, watched law and orders, puzzled and colored right up until the ball drop.  A super chill and cozy ringing in of '25!

The TFE Crew at Training

• Wednesday - Happy '25!!  We all slept in and Clint and I took a SUPER COLD walk to start the year.  Connor went over to Anna's house for some NY ice skating on her neighborhood pound so he was gone most of the afternoon.  Once home, we all settled in for the OSU butt whooping over the Oregon ducks! Them buckeyes are looking real good :)

Somehow they don't notice the cold the way we do!

• Thursday - The kids headed back to school and Clint and I to work.  However, most people we work with took off the rest of the week.  Therefore, I worked from home and it was a pretty light schedule.  Trying to remember where we left things off, catching up with those co-workers who were back around etc.  Maci did a soccer training at Infiniti from 630-730p, I took her to and from.  Then Clint and Connor headed to the launch of his hitting clinic for baseball from 745-900p.

Friday:

• Pretty chill day on the work front for both of us.
• Rosie got groomed and looks so awesome and fluffy!
• Connor and Clint headed to his basketball practice at 6p.
• Maci and I went up to the High School basketball game at 7p and Clint/Connor met us at halftime after practice ended.
• The Wayzata team was on fire and won by over 40 OUCH!  But fun to watch.

Saturday:

• So freaking cold!
• Clint started the day with an 8a massage.
• He and Connor then headed to the baseball preseason clinic for his age from 1000-1130a
• Maci and I got ourselves moving so we were ready once they were home as we had to hustle out to St Paul for Connor's basketball games at 1 & 2p.
• Game 1 - L against the scrappy street ball team we had beat by 1 point last time
• Game 2 - W and our boys took out all aggression from game 1 on this team - won by at least 15
• Headed home for a quick cat nap and then off to the Cassem's for our mommy & me holiday family party.
• The girls loved their skincare gifts and Connor/Emmitt loved the flashy chains they got HAHA
• We enjoyed a good meal and then everyone watched my Bengals get their final W.
• We all headed home around 10p but Maci stayed behind to spend the night with Natalie. I crashed with a smile after a great team W/winning season & wonderful dear friend time.

Love these people!

The best ladies

Fun kiddos

Silly Boys with Chains

Sweet/Pretty Gals

Cute Girlies

Love this crew!

Sunday:

• Nice cozy day at home in freezing temps!
• We all slept in until about 1030a - LOVELY!
• Maci/Natalie did the same so Clint didn't go to pick her up until about 1130a.
• Shortly after getting home, Maci went over to her pal Harper's house to hang out.
• Connor played with some Christmas gifts (seek and find books) before heading out to ice skate on the rink with neighbor boys most of the afternoon.
• I got all Christmas put away and cleaned up the house/did laundry/ordered groceries etc.
• Everyone got home around dinner time, we ate, prepared for the week ahead and are now cheering on the Vikings against the Lions.  Clint's 'phins lost and were out and the stupid Chiefs couldn't beat the Broncos to let my Bengals in so now it is all Viking fun the rest of the season!

Ready to head back into a full week of routine and ideally temps start to warm up a bit!

Lots of Love, 

C, K, M & C

Winter Holiday Break Week 1 - Best Time of Year!

Weekdays:

• Monday - We got up and hung out with my parents until around lunch time when we left for Columbus, had a yummy lunch at Skyline, dropped off the rental car and got situated at the airport.  We had another pretty easy flight home and were eager to get back in our own beds that night.

Goodbyes always come to quickly

Everyone Happy to be Home

• Tuesday - Christmas Eve!  Connor finally agreed to a haircut and I agreed to let him keep it longer than my preference :) The lady did a lovely job and I think he even agrees to go back again!  We had a lazy rest of our afternoon watching TV and football before heading to our annual Benihana dinner YUM!  We then wrapped our night with all the traditions - driving through the lights at the hood just up from us and then some dip time in the hot tub.  We did some Santa assisting before bed for Connor's main gift and then bed time for all.

Nice Cut - He looks like a young Bieber now

Benihana Farararara Fa Ra Ra Raaaa

Maci rocking a sweater from Grandma/Grandpa Gilroy shopping

Hot Tub Tradition

• Wednesday - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!  Best day of the year 💗  Maci loved all her clothes including Ugg slippers, skincare/makeup, Beats headphones and cake turner with icing scraper plus icing tips.  Connor loved his new big kid dirt bike, sports gear, new video games and Beats headphones.  Clint loved his Bourbon Barrel for the basement wall and ice machine for the basement bar.  I loved my Dyson air straightener for my hair and puzzle + puzzle sorter.  We had a wonderful morning opening, yummy breakfast, lazy day of ice skating, riding dirt bike, napping, trying new items, picking up a bit etc.  We enjoyed having football on this year too!  Around 6p we decided to head for our bowling and pizza.  We had a blast per usual and got 3 games in and had a blast before going home to crash!

Christmas Morning

Sweet new Dirt Bike!

Gifts from Uncle DKO

Maci's Custom Baking Apron

Sport Cards from Christie

Sweet Gifts from God Mommy Christie

Bowling Fun!

• Thursday - Started the day by running Connor to his 9 year well check.  He is 75%+ for height and weight and passed all checks with flying colors.  We came home and did some things around the house the rest of the afternoon.  Maci did a gift exchange with her besties from school from about 4-6p.  Then Clint and I were off to meet some of our fav soccer families for a post Christmas dinner/drinks.  Well what was to be 1 drink turned into 3 Espresso martinis for me - OUCH the next day but so many laughs with good friends at the time!

Best Pal Gift Exchange

Livi, Isla, Livian, Harper, Maci

Game Time

Cuties

Maci with her Goods from Livi

Maci ironically also got Livi as her Secret Santa recipient

Silly Isla

Love their friendship

Oh the drinks have kicked in

Brad, Clint, Kari, Me, Kim, Mike, Kristi, Kevin

The ladies really thought this would look cool, it does not HA

Friday:

• I felt like poo but got up and moving while Clint went to pick up my cousin Joe from the airport.  He is a huge Packers fan, has been since childhood, and he works for Oakley.  Oakley sponsors Justin Jefferson (Vikings) so he got 4 tickets through work for the game and picked the one here in MN with us YAY!
• Clint and Joe grabbed some Chick Fil A lunch which really helped with my recovery that much more.
• We puzzled, watched football and then had to get up and moving for Maci's Christmas Cup soccer tournament which started at 430p.  They did great and with 1/2 their team not able to make it.  We WON the Cup!  Maci started slow but was a BEAST by game 3 and was RIPPING daggers at the net from there on.  Great hustle and effort by all - fun to get the W and rolled out of there around 8p.

Champions!!!

U12 Coerver Christmas Cup Champions & Champion Shirts

The Cute Elf Uniform these Gals Rocked

Saturday:

• Easy moving day!  I started with getting my nails done at 10a, shifting from Red snowflake nails to black and gold sparkly New Year nails.  Joe and Clint headed up to the local golf simulator for 18 holes and some food/drink.  While they did that, I took a nice nap!
• Once all were home, we went back to sports on TV, puzzling and hanging out.  So nice!
• The Bengals then played in the afternoon vs Denver and my God if that game didn't take years off my life!  Going to OT, missing a Field Goal to win it and then finally coming back and Joe B getting it done per usual with a walk off TD.
• We ate a late dinner and then the Harty's came over to play games with us and hang in the basement with Joe and us for a while.

Sunday:

• Started the day with a hearty breakfast at Peg's Countryside Cafe, courtesy of Joe.
• Then we were quickly getting ready and off to drop Maci at Vi's house before the 4 of us (Clint, Joe, Connor and me) were off to the Vikings vs Packers game.
• Joe LOVED the stadium and the environment the Vikings create.  Clint loved a good game, Connor loved the new birthday gear and I enjoyed watching a game that didnt make me nervous HA
• Once out of there, we ran to pick up Maci and then grabbed Livi from our neighborhood to spend the night as her parents and sister went to the Timberwolves game and nicer to be around others.
• While the girls hung out, Connor crashed and Joe/Clint and I took in a good Wolves game that came down to the wire but with a W!
• Off to bed after the game as we have an early wake up for Joe's 7a flight in the morning on Monday.

Game Time!

Ran into Brooks!

So many fans (mainly older men) kept fist bumping them and telling them to keep the rivalry alive for the next generation

It was cute, the boys were confused HAHA

So good to get this time with Joey!

New Gear!!

Belated Mom & Dad Birthday Gifts - Addison Jersey, Vikings Hat, Vikings Football 

Cool waste hand warmer for being one of the first 40k fans

Meanwhile this is what Maci and Vi do HAHA

I guess there is some Tik Tok they were recreating

Love the Holiday time of year!  One more week to go!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C