Happy Thanksgiving!!

Wahoo we had a 2 day work/school week and then 5 whole days of lazy family fun!

Before we got to enjoy our time away from the stresses of work/school routine - we had to get through our Monday/Tuesday.  Connor got to celebrate the big 11 months on Monday - Ahh how is he almost a 1 year old?!  He is seriously such a happy and chill baby - something we heard from the Mondell family quite a few times over the last several days.  We are so blessed to have this little fella to complete our rock star family of 4!! 💙💙

On Tuesday - Connor got to have a pretend Thanksgiving feast with his little friends at school :)  Maci also got to have some indoor dancing fun thanks to an icky rainy/snowy mess.

Note Connor with the Spoon in His Mouth

 Gummy Bear Dancing

Wednesday - Wahoo finally the time away begins!!  A very much needed break :)  We scrubbed the house as a family, Clint ran errands with Maci which included picking up "the big" meal.  I played Christmas momma and got a LOT of online ordering complete.  What a productive Wednesday before the Mondell's arrived around 630p.  Once Kathy, Jack, Patricia and Drew got here - the boys were off to pick up some black sheep pizza while the girls played with the kiddos and caught up.

Me & My Stud Waiting on Visitors

Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving Day!  What a wonderfully lazy day!  We started with the kiddos watching the parade with me and taking funny selfies thanks to snapchat on the couch :)

We LOVE Being Silly!

After the parade and way too many laughs at these silly pictures - we were on to football games!

3 Generations Watching the Vikings!

After quite a bit of lazy lounging and football watching, Clint and I started prep for the big meal.  Lunds & Byerlys did such an amazing job and we will totally order the prepared meal from them again!  It only took us about 3 hours of prep vs an entire day of cooking and dish washing :)  My kind of Thanksgiving planning!

1st Thanksgiving!  YUMMY!

 Maci had to Smile if She Wanted Pie HA

 The Big Guy Plates

We then wound down the rest of the night with Maci crashing a little early and the adults enjoying the last football game.  A few of the adults had a late night with many festive cocktails :)

Friday - After Clint made a yummy breakfast and Connor crushed a ton of scrambled eggs, Connor then puked in his crib during a morning nap.  We chalked it up to something not sitting right and we finished getting ready to head to Mall of America as planned for a little shopping, rides and late lunch.  Unfortunately not long after arriving, Connor puked all over his stroller again and this time we noticed a rash on his chest that he couldn't stop itching.  So now we think he may have a bit of an egg allergy - this poor kid and his skin/allergy issues at times :(  He wore Easter PJs the rest of the time at the mall and Maci had a very quick trip to Santa's lap.  We did a few quick rides and Drew bought a few things before we decided best to go home for wee man and have lunch/dinner there.  We then chilled around the house the rest of the night while some recovered from their fun night the day before.

Poor Baby Riding on Mommy

Maci & Drew on the Fast Car 

 Chill & Tired Lil Dude

Yes - There is one of those Filters - he doesn't have Green Eyes ;-)

Saturday - GAME DAY!  The early morning crew headed in our OSU gear to breakfast at Hoagies while the rest of the family kept sleeping.  Once we got home we woke up Drew b/c he was in our football room :)  It was time for the BIG OSU vs that team up north game :)  My sister Molly was at the game and I can't even imagine how crazy it was to be at that game!!  What an amazing game which ended with the Buckeyes winning in double OT!!!!  Wahoo!!!!  Also a great day when Connor doesn't puke and seems to be feeling just fine - no eggs, only pancakes!

After the game I ran to Target for our weekly grocery needs, more beverages and some random Christmas decor since we would be decorating the next day.  After I got back from the store, Drew and Clint ran to Jake's for dinner - Yummy wings! Maci found my phone and asked to do a few more silly pictures - we are so in trouble with this one!!!

Sunday - The Mondell crew was off for their journey home as of 730a this morning.  Maci was the only one not awake to say farewell.  We are hopeful they have a safe drive home and are so appreciative that they made the journey to enjoy the long holiday weekend with us!  Maci and Connor will both sleep hard tonight after all the fun and entertainment the last few days.  Once they left, Clint and I started on laundry, Christmas decor, leaves out front, more Christmas shopping and bill paying.  I am now working on the blog while watching an ugly Bengals game in the background. We are finishing laundry and putting the finishing touches on the decor (need to get Connor a stocking, buy a new tree skirt and get Candy Canes - something Maci can't stop talking about).  I will do a little work this evening to ensure I am prepared for a busy week ahead and Clint will do a little packing for a 2 day trip to Colorado.  All in all, I say it was a great and very needed weekend with my family who I am so blessed to call mine!

Wish It Looked Like This Year Round :)

We wish you all a great week ahead and a joyous Christmas season!
Lots of Love,
C, K, M & C

Clean Bill of Health & Thanksgiving Preperation

Tired Buddies

The week started to feel more and more like the holiday season with temperatures going from mid 60s to 30 on Friday with rain/sleet/snow.  As much as my body has to readjust to those temperatures - I am ready for it and Maci is dying for some snow to play in.  She just may get her wish later this Thanksgiving week when we are expected to get about 3-8 inches - sled ridding fun!

Clint had his full body scan on Wednesday and he got some amazing news!  The Dr shared that all initial signs are showing very positive results and she won't need to see him again until May WAHOO!!!  We have even more things to be thankful for this coming week!

Maci had jersey day on Thursday at school and while she has lots of sports team shirts, no real jersey.  I found the University of Minnesota Gophers sweatshirt in her closet and was so excited to see it fit.  Scott, my former manager who is now retired, gave this to us when Maci was born and we laughed so hard that it was a 4t and now it fits!

Someone was Tired for this Picture :)

Friday - So it was an ugly day outside with pouring rain which turned to sleet/snow in the afternoon.      However, no matter the weather, I was not going to miss my much needed massage.  So at 6p I headed over to the Marsh and enjoyed every minute of it.  I then came home, hung with the family, ate pizza and headed to bed - what a wonderful evening provided to me!!

3 to 4 Year Olds Watching Snow

Saturday - We had the usual dance fun in the morning followed by some breakfast.  Clint then took Boomer to his annual vet apt while Connor/I took a nap on the couch and Maci played.  We then did a family grocery trip to prep all the food for the long Thanksgiving weekend and our visitors - The Mondell's : Jack, Kathy, Trish and Drew.  Clint and I then started prep for our much needed date night.  We had a yummy dinner at Benihana followed by bowling and drinks at Tuttles.  I won the first game, which was probably the first time I ever beat Clint in bowling :)  What a fun night out with my main man!

Sunday - We have had a fairly lazy day around here.  Clint ran some errands in the morning while I managed a fussy/sick 11 month old.  Once Clint was back home, I started to work on Christmas cards and watched my Bengals look like poo!!  Trip and Lori popped by about an hour ago for some football and a quick catch up before heading on for their dinner plans.  We will spend the rest of the evening getting prepared for our short work/school week ahead - all while watching football of course!

"Daddy, give me a makeover" 💙💙💜💜

We are very excited to host the Mondell's for a long Thanksgiving weekend!  We have so much to be thankful for this year and can't wait to spend the long weekend with my hubby and kiddos who mean so much to me!  We hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving week ahead!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Clint's Radioactive Week

This was a long and tiring week/weekend for me with Clint being gone since Wednesday.  Clint hasn't had the most thrilling week/weekend either by spending his days in isolation thanks to his radioactive iodine treatment.  Thankfully he has felt fine, returns home tomorrow and this blip in life should be behind us!  Connor also started saying "MOMMA" this week which made my heart skip a beat and a great reminder that while they are exhausting, they really are our everything!

Since it has been a totally exhausting week/weekend, I am going to keep this update brief.

Cutie Sleeping in Daddy's Car with Puppy after Tuesday's Dermatologist Check Up

Pumpkin Seed Fun

Amazing Surprise Visit from SVO (former/retired boss)

Perfect Timing this Week

More Pumpkin Fun

Friday - After work I grabbed my kiddos, ordered a pizza and headed home.  I got us to bed ASAP as we were all dragging after the last few long work/school days.  Thankfully everyone slept well and I got some much needed rest!

M Sleeps with Mom When Daddy is Gone

She Asked for the Doll in My Closet HAHA

Saturday - Crazy rushed/stressful morning.  Running late for dance, cranky baby with a cold, quick McD breakfast in the car, change Maci's clothes out of tutu and into play clothes, off to Stella's 2nd birthday party - WHEW!  That was all within 1.5 hours - I am tired reliving it.  However, it was great to have the 2nd birthday party - Maci played with her older friends, Connor people watched and I enjoyed adult conversation.  We then spent the rest of the day doing chores around the house, coloring and playing with M's toys.  I also caught up on some junk TV :)

Sunday - I had to get caught up on some work so in between Maci dress up requests and during Connor naps, I got some work done which makes me feel better about the impending week.  Even with the need to work, we did have some fun today!  Maci and I headed to the Troll Movie at 3p with her pal Natalie and Natalie's momma, Jacey.  Ryan was kind enough to hang with Stella and Connor while we enjoyed popcorn, candy and drinks :)  It was such a cute movie and HOLY COW are our girls getting big!

Best Friends

Posed Like this Themselves 💜💜

We then wrapped up the evening with dinner, baths and prep for the week ahead.  I am oh so thankful Clint will be back home tomorrow - I say it all the time but I don't know how single parents do it!  Once I make it through another crazy work week, I get some TLC for me!  I am hitting up a massage Friday night and then Clint said I can come straight home to bed - Best Thing I have Ever Heard!  Saturday night we finally have some time for the two of us with a much needed date night.

We wish you all a speedy and peaceful week ahead and wonderful upcoming weekend!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C