Memorial Day Weekend!!!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - My main leader was in London so I decided to work from home most of the week.  We got some carpets cleaned and I always love how great that looks afterward.  So satisfying as the kids would say.  The weather wasn’t our friend so practices were called.
• Tuesday - Our cleaning ladies came which also makes the house feel awesome!  Connor had indoor baseball training due to weather and field conditions.  We also had game 1 of the Timberwolves vs OKC - boo on a close game until the end when we lost.
• Wednesday - Back outside as things dry up!!  Connor had baseball practice and I had Maci for the Hopkins outdoor night practice.
• Thursday - Busy night for us!!  I left from work to the STEP Gala for my friend Jacey who is on the board for the charity.  Clint had to take Maci and Connor to Maci’s 6th grade choir concert.  Then they hustled to get to her soccer game a little late.  We were able to top MTA 1-0 thanks to a Neko penalty kick.  We all got home for Game 2 vs OKC which was another disappointing loss.

Friday:

• Happy Birthday Jacey!!!
• I decided I had enough work for the week and decided to take 1/2 a day off.  I got some work done in the morning and then went to get my Dysport and a birthday facial at my med spa.  It was a nice way to start my time off.  I grabbed some Chick Fil A for lunch and came home to a list of to dos around the house.  I was super productive and enjoyed the day outside - great weather!!
• That night Maci went to a personal training with her coach Julian and teammate Elliana and while she was being commuted to and from that, Clint and I got things done in the yard.

Saturday:

• I started my day with a massage at 915a and then ran to get chemicals for the hot tub as it was our 2x per year water empty/clean out/refill.
• We got a lot of to dos done around the house before Connor went to Graham’s 10th birthday in the neighborhood.
• The rest of our family then came over to join in on the family bonfire portion while watching Game 3 of the Timberwolves.  Well let’s just say they were READY for game 3 and put an ASS whooping on OKC at home!  We won by 42 and no one could believe how intense it was!!!  The kids played ghost in the graveyard while the adults enjoyed cocktails, fire and basketball - good night!!

He thought this celery was hilarious on the way home?!

Sunday:

• Another day of enjoying the weather and getting stuff done around the house.
• Clint made some buffalo chicken dip late in the afternoon as we were heading to Gena and Vinny’s for a family grill out.  Vinny made pork tenderloin and potatoes while we brought fruit and dip and Jacey brought a salad.  We sang Happy Birthday to our Jacey and even took a walk to Bass Lake.
• The kids played ghost in the graveyard while we watched the end of the Knicks vs Pacers game.
• Another fun night and we rolled home around 1030p.

Who doesn’t love a long weekend and the unofficial start to summer?!  School is on the total count down at this point with it all wrapping up on Thursday, June 5.  Let’s go summer!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Connor 1st Travel Baseball Tourney & Fully in the Soccer Swing for Maci!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Back to the office and in the swing of things or me.  Connor had a baseball game vs Bloomington and I was able to see some on Game Changer before running Maci to practice at 615p.  I then joined in on the fun and watched most of the game until I had to leave early and get Maci again.  Another nice W for our boys!!
• Tuesday - Connor’s team had to face the other Minnetonka team which had them in their heads since Minnetonka has been their only loss.  Unfortunately Connor was put in to pitch and Inning 1 was a great 2 run only and then we got that back when hitting.  However, inning 2 happened and our fielding had like some odd 8+ errors.  Connor only walked 1 so he was throwing great but the fielding did not help him - unfortunately this seems to be a theme of our team and something they have to work on.  Connor was super defeated after pitching but did well in the field and hitting but they took their 2nd loss on the season and need to learn from this.  We went with the Cody’s for Honey Mackie ice cream after and some hang time with his buddy Cal Cody (also basketball friend) helped to shake off the loss.  I was probably more irritated than anyone else b/c we are at that age where you can tell some kids really try and want to get better and others are still in dandelion picking phase even if they did try out for travel.  Oh well, onward!
• Wednesday - Clint had a conference in town but that meant I worked from home to be there when Connor gets off the bus.  I had a busy work day and then Maci had a later soccer practice that night.
• Thursday - Busy day!!  I started the morning with taking Connor to get 4 teeth extracted.  Ugh that was a bit of a dramatic experience for him, poor guy.  Then the school secretary gave me some judgemental eyes when I brought him in for the day but he wanted to do the book fair and the dentist said he is fine.  Clint had another day of conferences so I hustled home to get my work day rolling.  Clint got home a little earlier this day and then I was off to pick up Maci from school and get her to her 6p game out in St Paul.  It was a crazy windy game vs Manitou - Maci was playing aggressive and had a collision with the goalie.  This was the first “real injury” moment I have had in her career, she walked of but wasn’t putting much weight on the ankle.  However, she is tough and her coach worked with her on it before letting her back in come the 2nd half.  We had a nice 4-0 victory!  While we were out at this, Connor had baseball practice with Clint.

Long day at school!

Dad’s Ice Routine

Friday:

• Started my day with an annual mammogram.  All clear!
• Then I got a few things done around the house before heading out in the rain to meet up with my former leader Judy and my peers for a belated retirement luncheon!
• Once home, Connor got off the bus and headed to his buddy from basketball, Oscar’s house, where they went to the local community center to play some basketball.
• I picked him up shortly around dinner time, ran home for our own pizza dinner and Clint was up at Medina Ballroom for a “safety meeting” with the baseball coaches ahead of their first weekend tournament.

Saturday:

• What a day for the Mondell Kids!!!
• Game 1 for Connor was against Chisago Lakes at 8a - it was a cold icky not nice spring weekend in general.  We should easily beat this team but let them back in.  We were up 1 run and had to get them out to win the game.  Connor was sent in to pitch.  I was pacing for my buddy but he has ice veins!!!  Strike out!!!!  Then a great rip to 3rd base but that is another weapon Brooks who scooped it up and wiped it to our stud 1st baseman Oliver.  Out 2!!!  Come on C Man!!!  The next batter hit a dribbler to Connor who took a deep breathe, scooped it up and softly lobed it to Oliver - OUT 3!!!!  The entire team was chanting Connor’s name and the coach gave him the game ball. . . It was adorable!!!
• Maci and I then went to Target to warm up and pick up some coffees for parents.
• We were back in time for game 2 vs the Milers who are a strong team and ended up going on to win it all. . . We served them only their 2nd loss of the season and won by 1 again!!!
• Maci and I had to leave a little before the end of the game to hustle to her own game back in Minnetonka.
• Miss M ticked me off b/c we got in the car and she says “ohhhhh where is my white jersey?!”  UGH MACI!!!!  So we had to rush home, then fly to the field.  I got her there only 15 mins late into warm ups.   Well she made up for it!  That girl scored 2 of our teams’s 3 goals.  She was on fire!!!  She also got the game ball for her 3rd time - go M!
• While we were playing our soccer game, Connor and his team had their 3rd game of the tourney - another close W against Maple Grove.  Great day kiddos!!  
• We met up with the Cody’s for dinner at Sunshine Factory which was a perfect end to the day!

Super Proud Sister with the Game’s MVP!!

2 Studs

Connor & Brooks

Connor’s Pitching Stats for Relief!!

The Bros

Kid loves to Pitch

Sunday:

• Connor had the semi finals in the morning but Maci and I couldn’t make it b/c it conflicted with her own soccer game.
• Connor’s team completely forgot to show up and got their but beat by Zimmerman - dang it!  They then went on to the 3rd place game at 4p.
• Maci’s team was in a dog fight at 1p against a team from WI and fortunately tied it 2-2.
• We then hustled up to Connor’s final game and got there about an inning late.  We ended up SMOKING this team and got 3rd place which really means nothing - no trophy, no ticket punched for state but they see what it’s like in the tournaments and the coaches learned how to think about our pitching limits for the upcoming tourneys.
• We did a super quick team pizza and beer stop to celebrate the strong finish before hustling home to drop off Maci and change for 3v3 basketball.
• Connor and team beat some 4th graders in game 1 but then got taken by some other 4th graders in game 2.  We were all ready to crash after a fun but long weekend!!

3rd Place Finish

Bros Chilling at the Pizza Bar

Sisters of Baseball

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Mom to DC, Great Baseball Game for Connor, Gidget RIP & Mom’s Birthday + Mother’s Day!!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Happy Birthday to Emily!!  I had a normal day in the office getting to see my employment attorney in person since she was in from Virginia.  Connor had baseball practice at night and Maci had soccer practice where I watched random TV in the car since I was tired!
• Tuesday - Worked from home.  Flor came and cleaned the house.  Clint had a Dr apt in the morning.  After lunch, Clint drove me to the airport for my flight to DC - session 2 of the leadership development program.  It was an easy flight to DC.  Dropped my bags, had a quick dinner while also watching Connor’s Big W in Baseball and then watched the Timberwolves unfortunately lose game 1 to the Warriors.

Maci sent me this so I could hold her hand while flying ❤

Connor’s Baseball Game

They got DQ afterward

GameChanger is so cool!  

It highlights an article afterward and of course I miss the game where it is all about C man!

• Wednesday - Happy Birthday to me!  I was tired all day b/c I never sleep great in a hotel on night 1.  The leadership training was fine and everyone was super sweet about the birthday but by the end of the day all I wanted to do was crash.  I went to my hotel room, ordered room service, watched Connor crush it in his baseball game - big W and then binged some junk tv before going to bed early - kind of a perfect way to kick off year 42.  Thank you for all the kind wishes, it made me smile throughout the day!

• Thursday - Day 2 of the program went better, likely b/c I wasn’t so tired.  That night a group of us went out to eat which was some nice bonding.  Clint got tickets to the Wolves game 2 - lucky!  Liz Sullivan came over to hang with the kids so they wouldn’t be alone so late.  Thankfully the Wolves did what we knew they could and got the W!!!  I watched in the hotel room after dinner.

Clint’s Pre-Game Shot

Friday:

• 1/2 day of the program in the morning then to the airport for lunch and heading home.  Thankfully I had smooth flights both ways.
• I landed and was about to order a Lyft when I realized I left my purse on the plane - UGH!!!  Thankfully a nice Delta worker ran back to the gate for me b/c they confirmed they had it and then brought it to me.  Stupid 30 min detour in my plans and then I was in a car heading home.  
• While I was doing this, Clint and Connor headed up to the Greenwood carnival with Anna and her family.  
• I got home just in time to drop my bags and then run Maci up to Wayzata high school for a TFE soccer ID Camp.  I got home and kept going by unpacking, completing some to dos on the home front and then it was time to go pick up Maci.  
• Shortly after we got home, Clint and Connor came back from the carnival.  
• Clint and I hopped in the hot tub to catch up and wind down from the week.

Saturday:

• Clint was up and at ‘em for a 915a massage but first we had some coffee together on the deck - we are having insanely good/warm weather!
• Right as Clint was leaving, I went in the playroom to find Gidget the Guinea Pig restfully laying and as I got closer, I realized she was no longer with us.  She lived a great 5.5 years.  Maci did ok with it and Connor took it pretty hard.  She is laid to rest in a grave at the top of our hill.  Clint even planted some day lilies on her plot.
• After all the sadness, I ran Connor to his 10a-12p baseball pitching clinic. 
• After the massage, Clint met up with Connor and the team at the fields.
• I scooted Maci up to a haircut at 1130a and while she got a haircut, I found way too many good spring/summer outfits in the boutique (happy birthday/Mother’s Day to me!)
• Once home, Clint was ready to take Maci to SkyZone trampoline park for a “date” with her boyfriend Hans.  His parents were kind and drove Maci home afterward.
• I went to get my nails done at 130p and I got my fav gal Hannah with a fun hot pink color for the warm weather!
• While I was wrapping up there, Connor had Anna come over to play and make friendship bracelets at the park from 200-430p.
• Once back from my nail apt, I finally crashed and took a nice nap and Clint cut the grass.
• We got around and left the house around 5p for a night out with Jacey/Ryan and Gena/Vinny.  We started at a brewery and then to a bar/restaurant for dinner, cocktails, trivia and the Timberwolves.
• Wahoooo the Twolves WON game 3 in CA!!  Gena didn’t love that we were so into the game but good times were had by all :)

Cute hair after haircut and on the way to her first “date”

Maci and Hans after jumping

I love these gals!!!

Hanging at the Brewery on a nice night!

Sunday:

• Happy Mother’s Day!!!
• I slept in and then enjoyed coffee on the deck.  The kids and Clint got me this cute puzzle that is a cartoon of me, Maci and Connor all in super hero capes with our names.
• We had a slow morning but then left to brunch at Gold Nugget - Yum!  We had 11a reservations.
• Afterward, I told them I wanted to drop some donation items at Goodwill, followed by Starbucks and then to Lowe’s for flowers.  Clint kindly planted them all when we got home and the kids helped me with laundry.
• I didn’t have the most restful day but that is b/c I had a lot to do but all of them kept offering to help out which was nice.  It was a HOT day but I tried to enjoy as much of it from the deck as possible.
• We are now waiting to head to Connor’s LATE 3v3 basketball games at 750 and 820p tonight.  I will probably do a little email reading in a few to keep me going until it is time to leave.  Once we get home from that, I am going to CRASH!

So Sweet and Sad

This is Connor having a moment by Gidget’s Grave

Brunch Fools

I hope all the Mother’s had a wonderful day!!! 

Enjoy the warm weather - we sure will in the week ahead!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

NSC Spring Cup Championship for Maci, Middle School Dance for Maci and Gorgeous Weather!!

Sweet Shots of Maci from Milwaukee Last Sunday

Breaking away for her Goal

Airplane Celebration after Goal

Weekdays:

• Monday - A full week of working from home for me which felt so strange but worked well.  I worked from home Monday after a crazy busy weekend so that I could get caught back up on all the things.  The day was a nasty rainy storm filled day.  There was talk of bad weather than never came.  That caused Connor's practice to be cancelled.  Maci still had her soccer game as they had moved us indoors.  They beat their rivals MTA 4-3 and Maci netted a goal with an assist from Isla.
• Tuesday - Clint headed to Toledo early in the morning to visit his parents.  I helped get the kids off to school and then worked from home to be there for bus drop offs.  Connor had a baseball practice indoors at a batting center since the fields were still drying out.  While he was at his practice, M and I ran to Target to get her all the gear for her middle school dance.  We found out the day before that she can in fact go b/c her Friday tournament game is at 415p so I could get her there about 15 mins late - yay!  She chose a cute blue dress with some sandals and clear purse.

Dressing Room Shots

• Wednesday - Another day shipping kids to school and meeting them from the bus.  Clint didnt get home until late so Connor and I hauled Maci to and from her practice at Hopkins High School from 645-815p.  Lots of work for the Thursday game and weekend tournament up ahead.  Thankfully M loves it!
• Thursday - Another day at home but this time Clint was here and I did it b/c of Soccer.  We had to be in St Paul by 530p which is a disaster b/c traffic is always a mess at rush hour.  We picked up M from school at 410p and hauled right there arriving just in time for the 530p warm ups.  It was a gross day to play soccer as the rain started to roll in so all the parents and girls were getting cold and wet.  It was also a bumpy grass field.  Thankfully we pulled out a 2-1 W in UGLY conditions.  It was not our teams best but onward.  We stopped for a late but yummy Canes dinner on the way home and then crashed.

Friday:

• Busy evening for our crew!  I logged off for work at 2p to pick Maci up early from school.  While I was picking her up, Clint ran Rosie to the groomer.
• Maci and I were off to Blaine for her 1st tournament game.  We had enough time to get some Starbucks and while they warmed up, I went with the parents to a "safety" meeting at the local bar.
• It was a chilly game 1 but our girls mounted a 5-0 W and Maci had a goal and assist - she is on fire!
• Maci then changed in the car as we hauled back down to Wayzata for her dance, I got her there only 15 mins late and she was SOOoooo excited!
• I then hustled over to Connor's baseball game in Minnetonka where they unfortunately got in a 0-8 hole in the first inning.  Connor pitched 2 innings and did great but too big of a hole to climb out of so 4-12 loss and a good reminder that you wont win all 32-3.
• I pumped Connor up who was down on the loss.  The boys headed to get malts from Snuffy's while I ran to get Maci from her dance.  She was on a high.  Her date, Hans, bought her an Izzie and gave her a hug goodbye.  She had so much fun with her friends and got many compliments on her dress.

Running in 15 Mins Late

This pic was post dancing so the tomato face is either from dancing or blushing HA

Her date, Hans

He bought her that Izzie drink from the concessions 💓

Cuties

They had a blast!

Saturday:

• We drove separate to Maci's game 2 which was a gorgeous sunny Saturday morning - 915a game time.  I took a walk during the warm up time and Clint/Connor arrived at game time.
• Another great game with a 5-0 W against St Paul and another game with a goal by our Maci.
• Clint and Connor left to be at their 12-2 baseball practice while Maci and I headed to her team event at "The Ball Park" - we had great food, nice drinks and laughs watching our soccer girls try to hit baseballs HAHA
• Maci and I headed home around 1p and I napped while Clint cut the grass.
• Once I was up, our family watched the horses run - dang ours lost again!  Then we went to River Inn for a yummy Saturday night meal in the gorgeous weather.

Maci attracts all the littles 💕

She was playing tag with her teammates but instead started carting Ruby's lil sis, Mae, around

How many soccer players does it take to figure out a batting cage HA

Maci and a subset of her offensive pals

Neko, Lauren, Maci and Annie

Former Fusion Gals - Mac, Addie and Maci

Sunday:

• Semi Finals for Maci at 1045a and they COOKED with a commanding 9-0 W.  Maci had 2 goals in this one.  A right spot right time touch with her foot and then an impressive break away run where she RIPPED it with her left foot into the back of the net with a shaking keeper waiting.
• Maci's former Fusion coach watched from the shade and saw both her goals - So Proud!!!
• We took Connor and JD with us to Panera for lunch after the game and to cool off - now it is HOT and on the turf it feels like you are cooking.
• Once done with lunch and getting some ice cream, he headed to Tavern to meet up with other parents for drinks.  The girls did some walks around Target and then time for the Championship game.
• Back to a HOT field against Park Valley - remember we are playing up in u13 when we are u12.  While they played physical we had the better touches and moves.  We won a commanding 3-0.  That means we scored 22 goals over 4 days and ran a complete shut out with 0 scored on us!  These girls are stars!!!
• We got our medals, shaved their coaches head - a bet he made HAHA and then we got in the car with AC to head home.
• Maci jumped in the shower and to relax while we got Connor changed for 3v3 basketball - we were all dragging HA
• Connor's team won the first one against a good squad and then played some of their Wayzata A1 boys in the 2nd game.  It was so cute to see them laughing and talking smack.  Unfortunately we dropped that one but all good.  
• Connor got home, showered and we all crashed as we watched the Warriors win game 7 - now we know they are who our Twolves will take on.

Fusion Celeb - Coach Maggie

She coached all 3 on the Academy 2 Team : Aanya, Charley & Maci

The Lil bro crew - JD & Connor

Same age, same obsession with sports and both think they are fly 

They did it!

Coach Julian - Beloved by the girls!

He made a bet that he would shave his head if they won

Well he lived up and these girls SUCK with clippers HAHA

Before Pic

During

After - They left this weird patch at the front

That medal just hits different when it's HOT

Back to work and school came too quick this morning!  We love this kind of weather and are looking forward to a stretch of warm temps and sunshine. We hope you are also enjoying your spring!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C