Memorial Day Weekend!

This was such a wonderful and much needed weekend!  The weather was perfect at 82 & sunny all weekend long!  We also successfully wore Maci out by having activities all weekend long but this also wore out mom & dad too HA!

This past week was a very busy one for me again at work but the end is in sight with the next 2 weeks still being fairly busy but then the former comp portion of my role starts to draw to a close and life should be more balanced again.  Clint had to go to Iowa for two days this week too and Maci ran a 103 temp one day for no real visible reason.  Therefore, with all that, the week was a bit nutty.

Saturday - We started the day with some lil gym fun but not before Maci acted like a goofball while eating her morning banana.  After gym, we ran our usual Saturday errands, napped and then got ready for date night.  Our neighbor Stephen watched Maci Saturday night while Halston/John and Clint/I went out on a fun date.  We started the night at the Yard House for drinks and dinner.  Afterward, Clint wanted to see Godzilla SOOO bad.  However, I was trying anything I could to get out of this one.  Clint didn't really care if I came or not so Halston and I sat at the movie theater bar talking and next thing we know, the movie was over :)  Needless to say we had a few to drink (a total of 4 Captain/Diets for me just at the movie) and so we were feeling good when the guys got out :)  We were able to get our money back for the tickets b/c they made a whole lot more off of us drinking than seeing the movie!  Afterward, we did a night cap back at the Yard House before I passed out at home.  I have not drank like that in a  while and well Sunday am I was feeling it at first OUCH

Sunday - We started a day with lots of yard work and cleaning up the house.  We had our friends Ryan/Jaycee/Natalie and John/Halston/Harper over for a typical Memorial Day holiday BBQ.  The kids had so much fun playing together at the water table and on Maci's slide while the adults played quite a few rounds of Cornhole and ate too much.  We ended the night with Harper going to bed in our Pack N Play while Maci had her first "Slumber Party" with Natalie.  It was so funny to sit around the fire and watch Maci and Natalie on the video monitor in her crib.  They were both so tired but Miss M would NOT shut up.  =)  Maci kept babbling and talking to Natalie, offering her the pacifier, showing her the book she had etc.  However, very Gilroy girl style, Miss M then passes out and Natalie has to lay there by herself.  It was really cute and a good time for all!

Monday - We went with the same friends from Sunday to the ZOO to spend our Holiday Monday morning.  I am so glad we went at the ZOO open at 9a because it got HOT and crowded FAST!  The kids are loving the zoo more and more each time.  We got out of there around 1200p just in time for afternoon naps.  Maci/Clint and I then all took a good nap from pure exhaustion from all the weekend fun and sun!  Maci is still napping right now while I am about to do some work before we meet our good friends Trip & Lori for dinner at the Red Cow.

Fun w. a Baby Goat

 Fun in the Chicken House

The Coolest Playground!

Our Baby Birds ;-)

 Let's Pet Cows!

And Done!

What a GREAT memorial day weekend!  We hope all of you have a wonderful short week.  Those in OH, we are on the count down until our long weekend visit at the end of June.  We hope to be able to visit with as many of you as possible during our trip.

Lots of Love,
C, K & M

Beautiful Weekend!!

Let's see crazy week again at work for me but getting closer and closer to being done with compensation and fully focusing on my tax people and new gig.  On Friday I moved into my new office location which feels good to get settled and helps to shift my mind to new priorities.  The weather was somewhat cool here during the week which is on my last nerve but this weekend was GORGEOUS!

This is Maci as a "Lamb" on Dress Like a Farm Animal Day ;-)

Friday - As I said, I moved into my office in the afternoon, got unpacked and tried to get some much needed work done.  Clint was kind enough to leave at normal time and get Miss M for me and then watch her Friday night while I caught up on the 'to do' list.  While that isn't my ideal way of spending a Friday night it did feel good to get some sanity back into my life and a plan for this coming week.  While I was working, Clint and Miss M swung in her tree swing and had dinner/bedtime routine.  When I got home, I was still wide awake and highly motivated so we did some online shopping, bill paying and all sorts of other things that had to come off the home 'to do' list!  Feels so good, even though I was up until midnight - GASP!  :)

Ahh as of Friday morning I realized "she has enough hair for a ponytail!!!!"

Saturday - We had a good time at gym class even though they didn't bring out the parachute, a Maci favorite!  Afterward, we ran errands and then Clint busted his back in the yard again all day while Miss M and I played outside and she took her daily nap.  Around 1p we ran some more errands which involved Miss M getting her 2nd haircut, this time just a bang trim and picking up lunch.  We spent the rest of the day playing and working outside before finally coming indoors and watching SNL.

I sent these pictures to my mom with the caption "Granddaughter or Grandson?!"

This Kid LOVES Dirt!!  Oh and Sticking Rubber Fish in Her Mouth!

Sunday - Today was amazing weather wise!  It was 72 sunny and just perfect!  Maci and I met my friends Halston & Jaycee at Lake Calhoun with their kids Harper & Natalie for a walk around the lake and some play time on the kiddie playground.  Maci and the kids loved this playground so it is a definite spot to revisit throughout the summer.  For those on Facebook, I posted a cute video of Maci saying "weeeee" while she rode on a turtle toy.  While we were at the lake, Clint was back to the yard (yes we should win awards on it soon HA) and once we got home Maci was happy to join him back on her slide and other outdoor toys.  Around 3p, we had our fill will party where everyone came over to sign their wills that we completed with the attorney a few weeks ago (feels good to get that done too!)  We wrapped up the day by heading to Coopers in the West End near our home to eat dinner outside and enjoy the scenery.  Miss M wasn't feeling quite herself at dinner, believe she is tired from all the sun, so she hit the hay early at 6p and Clint and I are now enjoying ice cream on our front porch (AKA stoop party) =)  It feels so nice to be able to be back outside writing these updates from our weekend!

Weeee this is the Turtle Ride 

Daddy & Daughter Time @ Dinner - This Kid Loves Her Pops!

Enjoy pictures from this week and we look forward to catching you up again next weekend!

Lots of Love,
C, K & M

Happy Birthday to Me & Mother's Day!

We had a busy but fun week for our lil Mondell Family.

Work - I have eluded to work changes over the last few updates and more info is coming together at this point.  As of May 16th, I will be taking on the HR manager responsibilities for Cargill's Corporate Center Executives.  In addition, I will retain my HR responsibilities with Global Tax & Customs.  I also will now have the leadership for our functions HR team's core process initiatives.  This is usually my crazy time of year for work since our fiscal year end concludes May 31st and lots of the comp processes wrap up now.  Well this year will be a little bit crazier since I take on my new role as of May 16th but I also have to see out this Finance compensation process since we are in the midst of the process and my boss is getting prepared to back fill my role.  However, even though it will be crazy I am very excited about the new opportunity and to transition out of compensation.  I truly enjoyed my past 3 years and learning in compensation but it is time to move on so this is great timing!

Becoming such a BIG Girl!

Birthday - My big 31st landed on Wednesday of this past week.  Everyone was super kind about my birthday at work and Clint was a great husband.  He did whatever I wanted for the day and one of those tasks included picking up Maci and ordering Pizza while I stayed at work until 645p (yep busy time).  We then had some wonderful pizza oh and Clint gave me the best gift ever!  My grandmother Garnet (mom's mom) had a ring with a Garnet stone which also happens to be Maci's birthstone.  Clint knew I didn't like the ring's current setting and I never wore the ring but I really cherished it so he took the ring to a jeweler and had them take the stone and set it in a really pretty white gold chain. I can now have a wonderful memory of my grandmother and daughter around my neck every day, such a thoughtful gift!

Daycare Fun - The Pig hat plus chubby face view is not a flattering look for Maci!

Weekend -
Friday I got to go to happy hour with my mom friends for some ladies night fun.  We have so much fun laughing with each other and of course we talk about the lil boogers and compare toddler tantrums at this point :)  Clint and Miss M had a great daddy/daughter night at home and she was sound asleep when I got home!

Saturday - After gym, Maci and I took a nap while Clint worked in the yard.  Our yard is really coming together which is such a relief because Miss M LOVES to be outside.  We just have to finish some landscaping pieces on the left side of the backyard as well as finishing parts of the fence.  The grass is starting to grow on the hill and all the hard work is paying off.  After we woke from our nap, Maci and I joined dad outside and she had so much fun going up and down the slide our neighbor gave us as well as playing in her water table & daddy's water table.  Needless to say she was a mess when he wrapped up around 3p so we all got cleaned up and then headed out for some errands/food for the rest of our evening.

Playing at the Mall Indoor Play Area

Sunday - Happy Mother's Day!  Maci & Clint gave me the cutest card that Miss M picked out.  They also gave me a sweet gift of 5 different gift cards for 15 min chair massages at our gym at work.  Clint knew this was going to be a crazy next few months at work for me so he thought it would be the perfect way to take a brief break in the day and to get some tension rubbed out of my neck/back.  I am so excited to use these.  I then got to take another nap and enjoy hanging out with my family the rest of the day!

Playing at the Park After Dinner

Off to bed before another busy week!  I hope all the Mothers had a very Happy Mother's Day!
Lots of Love,
C, K & M