Monday, December 30, 2019

Merry Christmas Round 1 & 2!!

Monday -

  • I worked from home and it was a QUIET day - after a few morning calls I slowly wrapped up the day and watched a little Home Alone 2 with Maci
  • Clint left work around 3p as he also had a slow day and our whole crew was home by about 4p - Yay Holiday Vacation!!
  • We all got ready for the big Monday night NFL game with our Vikings and dang Green Bay Packers
  • Maci and Connor really got into this game but unfortunately the Vikings lost but Fortunately Clint won his huge fantasy football league - yay!!

Tuesday - 
  • Merry Christmas Eve!!!  One of my fav days of the year!!
  • We hung out and were super lazy in the morning as a family - I introduced the family to Mighty Ducks - how Clint never saw that movie has me questioning so many things!
  • We then watched some other shows before it was time to get ready for mass and dinner
  • We hit up 5p mass at St Bart's - pretty music
  • After mass, we had our traditional Benihana Christmas Eve dinner at 630p - kids loved it per usual
  • On the way home we looked at some lights before rushing the kids to bed b/c Santa radar told me he was super close!!!
  • Clint and I had some cocktails while finishing the mommy/daddy gifts and finally crashed around 11p
 Makeup Filter Fun!
 Excitement before bed in matching Christmas jammies
 All Set!

Wednesday - 
  • Merry Christmas!!!
  • The kids made it to 6a and we were all rip ready to go!
  • We enjoyed a day full of opening gifts, watching Christmas movies, setting up toys and purging the playroom for the annual toss/donation/reorganize session!  It looks so good and I just pray we can keep it up for a few months looking like this - so organized!!!!
  • We then did laundry and packed for Ohio before heading to Park Tavern for our annual pizza, beer and bowling!
  • The kids got a little antsy as we had almost an hour wait to bowl this year but once we could bowl we had a blast!!!!
 Bowling Fun!
 Not a Holiday without Snap Chat Filters!
 Round 1 goes to Dad and Maci ties Mom
 Round 2 to Mom!!
Thursday -

  • Early wake up call for our flight to Ohio - on the road by 6a and in the air by 845a
  • Easy flight to Detroit and then all of us napped but Clint on the 1 hour drive to Toledo
  • We hung with the Mondells and enjoyed unseasonable weather which meant a fire outside while we ate chili and watched the kids chase dogs!  The kids even got to go in the paddle boat with dad for some boating around chunks of ice!
  • We had a nice Christmas gift exchange and then crashed after some football
On our way!
 Thank you Kate and Lilo for Clint and my new show addiction!
 Boating Fun at Nanny & Grandpa's!
 Fire Pit Fun
Friday -
  • We woke up and the kids bothered Nanny for a bit while we showered and packed up
  • We let nanny get back to bed and grandpa plus our crew headed to Waffle house for some late breakfast  
  • Afterward we loaded the car and headed over to the Demko's for a catch up and god child gift exchange (our Connor and their Vivian)
  • The kids had a blast and Maci landed on her 7th birthday gift idea - a guniea pig thanks to getting a sweet intro with their lil lady!
  • Around dinner time we took off for Indian Lake to spend the night at my parents
  • We got there around the kiddos bed time, chatted up both grandparents and then crashed 
Saturday - 
  • First thing in the morning my dad and I headed to the bank to finish some trust documents
  • Around 10a we were off to Mad River Mountain for family tubing!
  • Dustin's crew, Meghan's crew and Molly + Tommy met us there along with Grandma/Grandpa
  • We had lots of laughs and even though it was warm they had enough pre-made snow to make it fun!!!  We stayed our entire 3 hours before heading back to my parents for our Christmas
  • We opened gifts, ate pizza and then watched the super tense and sad ending OSU game - even with the loss it was a fun night for all involved!
Lodge Fun
 Silly Connor
 Group Shot!
 Gift Time!
Aunt Molly 💙
 Lola Bear and Maci - M learned to love scrunchies b/c of this one!
 Aidan and Aunt Molly w. her Back Brace - Requested Gift
 Aunt Tiff and M
 Uncle D and Connor man 
 Dustin and Lola w. Sophia's adorable smile in the background!
 Gilroy Grandkids
Minus Kaylen who is stationed in Japan

Sunday - 
  • Up and at 'em - no rest for the travelers!!  We packed up everything, loaded the car and got dressed before our next stop
  • We headed to see my grandparents in Wapak at 9a - so great to see them every time we make it to Ohio
  • After a quick visit there, we were off to brunch with my brother and his crew and my parents at a good greasy spoon near Dayton
  • After breakfast, we drove by our old house in Dayton for memories but the kids could care less ha
  • Then we made it to my brother's for an afternoon of beers and Bengals football + family - our texting tradition is so much better in person!!
  • Bengals WIN, Patriots LOSE/Dolphins WIN and Chiefs (Neighbors team) WIN with their oldest and them at the game - YAY!!!  Good football day
  • Right after the game we said our goodbyes and headed for the airport
  • We had a BUMPY flight home and after about 10 hail mary's and Maci saying "you will be ok mom" we got on the ground!!
  • We made it home around 8p, did some quick unpacking, watched an episode of You and CRASHED - what a fun but busy holiday week for our crew!!!
We look forward to a few light days of work this week and a nice New Years celebration in the middle of the week.  We are heading to the Children's museum NYE night for their kids celebration from 6-9p complete with a beach ball drop at 8p :)  The Mondells gifted us a 1 year membership for Christmas and we are putting that to good use right away!!!  We hope you all have a safe NYE and a happy, healthy and joyous 2020!!!  We have a good feeling about this year 💜

Lots of Love,
C, K, M & C


Sunday, December 22, 2019

Multiple Santa Visits + Connor's 4th Birthday!

Monday : 

  • I had a smooth sailing week at work which is awesome for this time of year and right before the holidays!!!
  • Maci had silent vowel week and Monday was wear rEd day
Tuesday : 
  • Maci had slIpper day at school
  • I had my 1 year Rallyversary!
Math Lesson


Wednesday : 
  • Maci had crazy sOck day at school
  • I left work around 4p to meet up with Clint at Connor's daycare for Santa pictures
  • Afterward, we had an impromptu nice dinner at Cov - kids behaved so we rewarded them by sharing one of their amazing desserts!!
 Dessert!

Thursday : 
  • Happy Birthday Gena!
  • Maci had stUffed animal day
  • Last day physically in the office for a while!
  • Finished up some good comp work and drove home around 7p but now I head into holiday slow period!
Yummy Treats from Aunt Sue and Mike

Friday : 
  • Maci dressed in super festive gear for her last day of school until Jan 2!
  • Connor wouldn't play along with "school birthday" pictures - since he has a Sat birthday this year
  • I worked from home and was also able to clean the house in prep for company Sat night
  • Clint surprised me and came home around lunch to take a nap and then help clean
  • We let M take the bus home in honor of winter break!
  • I ended the day a little early and then we all headed to gymnastics where I was blown away per usual by Maci's strength 
  • After putting kids to bed we headed over to the Harty's for our last fire of 2019 YAY!

Connor Gym
 M Gym 


Saturday :
  • Started the day with Connor's birthday presents - the big 4th birthday!
  • Clint ran to get his cake at 9a
  • By 10a we were off to Lord Fletchers for brunch with friends in honor of Christmas and Connor's birthday - we had a blast with Santa, dog sleds, reindeer and cake!
  • We came home and I took a pretty good nap (damn head cold) while the kids sledded outside
  • We all got moving around 330p to prep for Clint's office holiday party at our house
  • Kids headed to the neighbors for Maren to watch them from 600-830p while we hosted then they came home in time to go to bed
  • It was a good time at our house with Clint's co-workers - lots of apps, drinks and laughs - we ended the night with cards against humanity and the majority left around midnight 
  • A good time for sure but I was quick to pop nyquil and pass out - I had the sniffles throughout the night
Birthday Boy!!
 4 Years of Awesomeness!!
 Reindeer!
 Santa!!
 Dog Sleds!
 Batman Cake!
 Party People!!
Sunday : 
  • Ugh this damn cold!  I needed a day on the couch and that is what I got!
  • We laid around all morning and then around 1p, Clint took the kids to the neighbors - The Jonas' for a holiday open house while I slept and tried to shake this cold
  • We watched a pathetic Bengals vs Dolphins game and I picked up the house a bit
  • Now we finished dinner and I am about to take a hot bath before reclaiming my spot on the couch - some days you need a day just like this!!!
  • The kids are pumped for winter break and Christmas can't get here soon enough for them!!
We look forward to the joyous week ahead and making even more memories with our crew!  We wish each of you a Very Merry Christmas and safe travels for any that are heading out to see family/friends!

Lots of Love,
C, K, M & C