Kellie's Dublin Adventure, Clint's Week Solo w. Kids & Another Great Basketball Tourney!

Last Weekend's 3rd Place Finish While I Flew to Amsterdam

Weekdays:

• Monday - I arrived in Dublin around 12p their time which was early morning for me.  We powered through the afternoon on adrenaline and enjoyed some room service for dinner.  While I saw Dublin for the first time, Clint and Connor had basketball practice.

Sights of Dublin Walking at Night

• Tuesday - A full day of meetings for me and then a yummy big team dinner at Hugos in Dublin.  While I did this, Clint managed the kids and got Connor to basketball and Maci to soccer practice.

Connor got MVP of practice + 

Clint paid him $20 for 2 steals and a breakaway layup in their scrimmage

• Wednesday - Another full day of meetings for me and another smaller team dinner at Charlotte Quay.  This was my last day in Ireland - super quick trip but good team time nonetheless.  That night Connor had Brower baseball and Maci had a late soccer practice.
• Thursday - I got picked up from the hotel at 3a Dublin time for my first flight to Amsterdam.  Thankfully it was a smooth flight and I chatted with a co-worker most of the flight.  We quickly queued up for flight 2 from Amsterdam to Minneapolis.  We got settled in and I zonked out!  We took about an hour to take off due to deicing which is rare for Amsterdam.  I slept about the first 3 hours and then was up the final 4.  I got some email cleaned and enjoyed a pretty bump free/smooth flight.  Clint kindly picked me up around 2p.  I got home and hung around until Connor got home - he was so happy to see me!! :) We decided to lay down together around 330p and I ended up sleeping until 530a the next day - Damn you jet lag!!!  I only woke up here and there for some food, to say hi to Maci etc.  Clint kindly managed Maci's soccer training and practice while I zonked out.

Friday:

• I made it through the day with minimal tired moments but feeling just a bit off.
• I wisely decided to back out of the annual retreat for the board I am on as I think that would have put me over the top.
• I got a lot done in the afternoon and into the early evening.
• Unfortunately around 630p it was hitting me hard so Clint went to our neighborhood belated holiday party solo while I went to bed early yet again.
• While he was gone and I slept, Connor went with the Janko's to dome baseball training.

Saturday:

• Up and at 'em trying to get laundry moving.
• Clint went to a massage and I tidied up around the house.
• Before we know it, it was time to drop Maci at Isla's house (birthday party later in the day) and then to Prior Lake for Connor's basketball tourney.
• Game 1 was a nice blow out by us against Shakopee - Connor was on fire, great defense and at least 10 points!  He got MVP!
• Game 2 was vs Minnetonka - JD (Annie from Maci's soccer team's brother) and Connor was excited to match up.  Connor played some great defense - made a few buckets including a deep 3 pointer but unfortunately we came out flat after the half time and lost by ~15 points.
• On to the game to play for 3 or 4th.  We won a tight one over Lakeville South and took another 3rd place finish!!
• While we were at Game 2 and 3, Maci rode with her pal Isla to Nella's birthday party at Elm Creek's snow tubing hill 430-730p.
• Thankful for Isla's parents who got them to and from. 
• We rolled up at home and Maci had just gotten here a little bit prior herself.
• We got comfy and watched the Timberwolves game before calling it for the night.

Prior Lake Tournament

JD & Connor

3rd Place Rings

Snow Tubing Birthday Party Fun!

Sunday:

• Maci and I hit up Clara and Harper's FDP Fusion soccer game at 11a where they won 5-4 and we got to see a goal by each of them!  They were so excited to see Maci there.
• Afterward, she and I were off to her training in St Paul.  During the training, I got some stuff done at the Starbucks.
• While we were gone, Clint went to a bourbon raffle at the Hy-Vee with some of the guys.
• Maci and I grabbed some lunch and got home around 3p.
  
• Now we are getting all the Sunday to dos done: laundry, groceries, homework.
• Maci has 2 3v3 soccer games yet tonight at 7p & 730p - I'm excited to see them since I had to miss last week's with my flight to Dublin.

Maci with her Favs

Here's to hopefully warmer temps shortly!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

End of 1st Semester for the Kids, Maci Turns 13 and Kellie's off to Dublin

Weekdays:

• Monday - Happy MLK Jr Day!  We all had the day off which was so nice.  The boys got home around 1030a and I jumped all over their weekend laundry. Clint had a massage at 12p.  I was going to meet a former coworker for lunch but she was fighting a bug so we decided to reschedule.  Maci had her friend Isla come over in the afternoon to hang. I got all the house and work prep needs in a good spot which meant I was able to have some nice down time as the day went on.  No evening sports meant we could watch the College Football National Championship together.  Connor was SUPER into it and was very eager for Indiana to win.  He is really hoping the Raiders take Mendoza with the 1st round overall pick this year.

Maci's rocking some of her cutie new clothes

Boomer is really living some of his best life

This is him snuggly by the fire on a doggy bed

• Tuesday - Work got busy for me b/c our compensation tool opened.  Maci had a training from 515-6p and I grabbed her on my way home.  Connor had basketball practice from 600-730p and thankfully Clint agreed to pick Maci up from her practice that then ended at 830p down in Minnetonka.
• Wednesday - Another busy day for me and Connor had baseball training followed by Maci's late soccer practice.  I had to swing by the baseball place on my way home from work late b/c Connor and Clint left a gym shoe there - TBD on whose fault that was HA. Clint kindly did the late soccer pick up again since I had been at work until about 7p.
• Thursday - Good day of making progress on the work front.  Maci and Connor wrapped their 1st semester of school - Maci seems to have ended with all As but 2 Bs - go girl!  That night, Connor had basketball practice and Maci had soccer.  B/c Laura was the "take to practice' I had some free time so I went to the start of Connor's practice when they scrimmaged the 4-3 team.  I left once the scrimmaged ended, grabbed the crumbl cookies from home and headed to Maci's practice.  I got there in time for practice to end, the girls to sing to Maci and they all enjoyed a cookie in her honor.

Friday:

• Happy 13th Birthday Miss Maci!
• I had a busy morning of work from home. 
• Maci and Connor had no school since it was a teacher grading day.
• We ordered Starbucks for breakfast and Clint had to go pick it up, hard to get delivery given the Horribly COLD Temps!
• Connor headed over to his buddy Chuck's house in the early afternoon.
• Maci and I ran to her 13th well check around 330p.  She is 67% weight at 109 lbs & 85% height at 5 foot 4.5 inches.  They anticipate her to land between 5'7 & 5'8.  She also grew 2.5 inches in the last year - holy growth!
• We had planned to go home but learned the Hopkins vs Wayzata Varsity game got moved up to 430p vs 7p so Maci and I said screw it and went right to the high school to meet Clint.  Connor decided to stay at Chuck's house.  
• What a great game!!!  We were losing most of the 1st and then started to play more our game.  With under a minute we were up 1 and our strongest senior stepped back for a 3 and HIT IT. . . the place went nuts!  We ended up winning by 4 - such a great rivalry!
• We learned Connor was going to spend the night at Chuck's so Clint ran clothes over to him and Maci decided on Kobe delivery for her birthday meal.
• We had a fun quiet evening with our gal and then hit the hay.

Maci's Soccer Birthday Post!

My Seatmates at the BIG Game

Saturday:

• Clint had a work call at 8a for all the weather challenges across the US
• He then met up with the Wayzata baseball board for breakfast at 9a to talk about a new role for him
• I was cranking on laundry, groceries, week prep etc b/c I leave to Ireland on Sunday and we have a busy Sunday with a basketball tourney.
• Clint and Connor met back up at the Wayzata baseball dome at 10a and he got home in time to run Maci to a training at FC Pitz at 1p.
• Around 4p we were all in a good spot to take a nap before Clint and I headed out for date night with Katie & Charlie Zajek - their son CJ was on Connor's baseball team.
• Natalie was heading over for a sleepover with Maci in honor of her birthday.  Unfortunately Natalie was having a bad headache and decided she couldnt power through so she left back home around 8p.  We felt bad for Maci but she had fun with her brother and she loves her Natalie so felt bad for her feeling so icky.
• We got home around 10p and hung with the kids a bit before all hitting the hay.

Sunday:

• I set an alarm to get up around 730a.  We have to leave the house by 10a for Connor's tournament and I still had to pack for Ireland, finish putting away some laundry etc.
• We got out of the house on time with all my baggage and I was eager for the basketball games.
• Game 1 was vs a tough St Michaels team and we went back and forth, the boys played so hyped!  Unfortunately we ended up losing by 3 but Connor got MVP after giving it his all and hustling throughout the game!
• Game 2 was vs an annoying Champlin team who we have beat 2 other times.  They wanted to beat us bad!  Fortunately our boys get the heads out of their rears and ended up winning by about 5.
• Game 3 isn't until 5p so Clint ran me to the airport while Maci and Connor went with the Bradley's to the team late lunch/early dinner.
• I'm now watching football and chilling in the Delta lounge while the kids eat and Clint heads back to meet up with them.
• I will get to watch Game 3 for 3rd place while I board the team and start to take off.

Connor looks exhausted!!!  MVP

It's a super quick trip to Ireland.  I land late morning Monday their time and head right into the office and then I fly home around 5a their time on Thursday which given the time difference gets me home in the afternoon.  The jet lag is going to have me not knowing where I am HA but eager to have team time & see a new country! Check in on Clint to make sure he is managing even though I gave a detailed kid plan day by day and he has Maci who is like a 2nd mom ;-)

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Long Holiday Weekend for All - Birthday Shopping & Soccer for M & K + Snowmobile Fun for C & C!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Maci had training right after school and I picked her up on the way home from work.
• Tuesday - I had an early start to my day with an MBR starting at 730a.  Connor had basketball practice at 6p with Clint and Maci had soccer practice from 700-830p.  Thankfully Clint agreed to pick up the girls so I could rest after a long / early day.
• Wednesday - Connor had his baseball training and Maci had soccer practice which I ran her to but Clint kindly picked her up.
• Thursday - I wrapped my day with a nail appointment at 630p.  Connor and Clint had a late basketball practice and Maci had soccer practice but I was the pick up of the carpool at 830p so went after my nail apt.

Friday:

• Connor and Clint were off to Sandlot baseball at 530p and from there they were heading up to the Janko’s cabin for the weekend.
• We said our farewells and then Maci and I headed up to the high school to watch Wayzata take on St Michael in basketball. Wayzata CRUSHED them - we won like 116 to 61. Yikes!!
• Shortly after getting home, Clint text to say they made it safely to the Jankowiak house and are eager to get to snowmobiling the next day.

Saturday:

• Maci and I both slept in until some time after 9a.  We slowly got ready and by 11a we were ready to leave to the mall for a day of shopping for Maci’s 13th birthday!!
• We stopped at Starbucks on the way and used up some gift cards I had.
• We got to Mall of America around 12p and we had a ball.  We did the entire 1st floor, took a break for a way too late lunch at Chipotle, did a good chunk of floor 2 but more so what we wanted to find vs every store and then wrapped at Nordstrom Rack on floor 3.  Maci came back to life in Nordstrom Rack when she found a new pair of Uggs that are super cute and on sale for $85!!!  I got some new cute but comfortable work dress shoes which was my personal goal of the trip.
• We got home around 645p just in time to see the Bills lose to Denver - SAD!
• We put away our new clothes and then relaxed in bed the rest of the evening, we were spent!
• We heard from the boys a few times throughout the day.  Lots of snowmobiling, hot cocoa, Mountain Dew, Zorbaz and lots of other food/snack stops.  Glad they are having fun boy time!!

Our only shopping picture

This was a crazy puffer you could try on at Aritzia 

Snowmobile Breaks

Sunday:

• Happy 5th Birthday Rosie Girl!!!  What a wonderful pup she is, we love her dearly!! 
• Maci and I got to sleep until about 9a again but then got a movin b/c she had a scrimmage at 1130a with a 1030a arrival time.
• I dropped her at the dome and then met up with some of the parents at Pizza Luce for a morning bevi before heading back to the dome for the game.
• We came out strong with a 1-0 lead.  Maci had a lot of good playing time and worked hard.  Unfortunately with about 15 mins left, the other team had a corner kick and one of our defenders went to clear it and accidentally touched it wrong which caused it to hit the post and bounce in.  She felt awful and the team was great to rally around her.  We ended with a 1-1 tie which is just fine for a scrimmage.
• We headed home and hung there the rest of the day!  I got laundry done, picked up the house, watched football and ordered groceries.  Maci had some different phone chats with friends and had fun showing them her birthday haul from the mall.
• I’m now watching the end of the Bears/Rams game while Maci chats with her friend Isla who is going to come over and hang out for a bit tomorrow.
• The boys had another day of snowmobiling, pinball, brewery hangs, foosball and watching football themselves.  They come home tomorrow and we are excited to see them again!!!

Birthday Girl!!

More Snowmobile Breaks

Their Rides

Clint & Andrew

We are all so grateful to have the day off tomorrow to keep the weekend going!

While it is crazy cold, we hope you are all having a great start to 2026!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

1st Week of the New Year!!

Connor's Awesome 4th Grade Class

Connor Back Right Standing in Black Coat, Vikings Hat & Next to Anna

Weekdays:

• Monday - Good 1st day back for all to school and work.  At 915p we had a team meeting with Maci's soccer team as they are making a coaching change.  It was a bit awkward but we made it through :)
• Tuesday - Connor had an ortho apt and got his bottom brackets put on and wires tightened.  At first, this was not welcomed by Connor, poor buddy had sore teeth.  That night Connor had basketball practice and Maci had Soccer Practice.  Always running somewhere :)
• Wednesday - Wrapped the day by heading around 4p to get my hair cut and colored. While I was there, Clint ran Connor to his baseball training.  Thankfully a family friend was able to run him home b/c Clint had a baseball board meeting.  Maci had soccer practice but one of the mom took the girls there and then I was able to pick them up after my hair appointment.  On the way home, Maci's friend on the team showed me where Naz Reid from the NBA Timberwolves team lived - it was a fun little detor.
• Thursday - Busy evening! On my way home from work I picked up Maci's glasses which thankfully she really likes.  I then hustled to get her from her soccer training by 6p.  While I was doing this, Connor had his 3 point shooting contest against 8th grade through 3rd graders.  He hit 8 in a minute again but unfortunately just missed the top 6 to shoot at a varsity game half time.  Then we all got home for a bit, ate and Maci was back off to soccer practice and Connor had basketball practice.

Friday:

• Rosie had a grooming in the morning and came home so fluffy!
• I then got a lot of work done before the kids came home from school.
• Maci was off to a babysitting job in the neighborhood at 5p 
• At 7p, Clint, Connor and I went up to the high school basketball game vs Edina.  We Won!
• Maci hung back at home as she also had a virtual soccer team meeting at 715p.

Saturday:

• Up and at 'em early!
• Connor had a basketball tournament starting with game 1 at 8a in Blaine which is a 30 min drive and they wanted us there by 730a UGH!
• Game 1 was a mess b/c the kids were so tired and we lost a game we should not have.
• Game 2 was some how even worse and we went from a team that usually finishes in 1, 2, or 3 and instead headed into the game for last place.
• We had a break in action so went to eat and have some adult drinks after the nasty first few games.
• That seemed to help the boys as they got back to it and won game 3 vs Edina.
• We got home around 430p and were all exhausted.  I went to take a nap and never climbed out of my bed again the rest of the night.

Sunday:

• Nice slow Sunday morning!
• Maci had a training at 1230p which Clint ran her to while I got stuff done around the house.
• We had a productive day at home and watched a lot of the playoff football.
• At 5p the Webbs and Jankos came over our house.  Maci was watching the Janko kids (John and Harper) at our place while the 3 couples went to the Timberwolves game.  Andrew had his work's suite.  The first 3 quarters were really bad basketball.  But then in the 4th quarter things started to turn around and in super dramatic and fun fashion, we won by 1 point after the Spurs missed their last second shots and time expired!!
• We all left home jazzed and arrived around 930p, just in time for kids bed times and to get ready for a week ahead.

Cool Suite Set Up

Me & Andrew

Me & Lyndsay

Clint photo bomb

The person in the fur coat courtside was Justin Jefferson

Post Win!!!

We Love ANT!

We hope your 2026 is off to a great start!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Happy 2026 & Remaining Days of Winter Break!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Maci had a NSC winter holiday soccer tournament.  It was a 5v5 and we only had 6 girls so we knew it would be a long day.  Maci's team crushed the first 2 teams like 16-0.  The 3rd team was a solid NSSC team and we fought so hard to win 4-2.  Our girls were exhausted after and their reward, playing on in the championship against the other half of our TFE team but they had 3 subs.  We stayed tied until half but then just completely lost any energy etc.  2nd place is not bad!

The 2 teams with TFE gals!

Leandra snapped some pics of our M

• Tuesday - Eye exams to start the day.  I am still rocking my 20/20 and Connor passed with flying colors as well.  However, our poor Maci needs glasses for nearsighted.  She noted it is hard to see the board in class and well that checks out.  We are going to try a few soccer trainings with the glasses on to see if it helps and if so, we will get her some contacts too.  Afterward, Connor hustled to a Brower baseball camp through the late morning to early afternoon.  Maci and I went to her 3v3 soccer tournament at Fusion.  Her team did great and got 3rd - they lost only to the 2 teams a year older than her and they lost by 1 and 2.  Great play girlies!

The 2 TFE teams - 2012 and 2013

• Wednesday - Happy NYE!!!  We had a lot of families over from Connor's baseball team.  The kids loved sledding and skating but also made a mess of the house :) I had fun hanging with the adults and Clint loved serving bourbon and playing golden tee/pool.  The last family left at 2a and the Cody's stayed the night.  Connor not only got to have Cal spend the night for his first sleepover but Oliver stayed too.  They hung until 5a - thankfully we learned that the next day not from hearing them until that time.  What a great way to start 2026!

Connor made up to 999 baskets on each side and wanted a pic

Rosie wanted to go outside and inside then outside all day long

It was like having a toddler

This is her begging to go out!

NYE Party Fun!

• Thursday - 2026 Welcome!!  We laid around on the couches all day with the Cody's and watched football.  The kids skated again throughout the day and the Cody's left around 5p after Maci skated her brother in the knee with her blade.  Thankfully a butterfly band aid worked but they may be having a bit too much sibling time.  We all went to bed early.

Signs of a good 10 year old boy party

Sleds all over the yard the next day

Sleepover kids

1 in a bed, 1 on a floor, 1 in a pile of stuffed animals

This is when they woke up - yes almost noon!

Friday:

• I started my day with a facial and eyebrow wax and tint.  Ahhhh so nice!!!
• Maci did Fusion soccer open training from 11-1
• Connor had pick up basketball from 1215-145p
• Afterward, his pal Chuck came over for a play date and ice skating.
• I got some stuff done around the house and then it was time to head up to Medina ballroom for some basketball family hanging and bowling.  Connor LOVES bowling now!

Maci and Kenna

Basketball Bros!

Saturday:

• Connor & Clint started the day with a baseball preseason clinic
• We went as a family to the Wayzata varsity basketball game at 1p - good win over Shakopee
• At 5p we hosted our mommy and me friends for the annual holiday get together - enjoyed pizza/salad/dessert and the older girls put makeup on Emmitt while the younger kids played pop a shot.
• Always nice to have a good catch up with dear friends in a nice casual setting.

The Crew

She Smiles the Biggest when Natalie is Around

The oldest baking. . . 

Poor Emmitt HAHA

Sunday:

• Connor headed over to his pal Anna's house for skating and playing from 10-2
• Maci went to a soccer training at FC Pitz from 1230-2p
• I'm watching my Bengals while getting some to dos done around the house.
• We have a lazy rest of the day here just getting all of us mentally ready for getting back into the swing of things with work and school starting tomorrow.

We hope you all had a wonderful holiday break and are off to an awesome start in 2026!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C