Connor is 5 and Christmas 2020!

Monday : Connor Turned 5 - how is he 5?!  We will tackle that topic another day!  He had a great day at school and we ordered Pizza Hut for dinner (his pick) followed by cake with the Harty's.  After every one went home, Mom enjoyed the Bengals beating the Steelers, in honor of Connor of course, even if he does say the Bengals are now his 3rd fav team after Vikings and Raiders 🤦

The big 5 - a whole hand!

Tuesday : We had our Gilroy Secret Santa exchange with my siblings and all their kiddos at night.  Half of us didn't have our gifts as the post office seems to be on a major struggle bus this year!  It was still nice to see everyone virtually and to hang with my mom too!

Wednesday : Last day of school and work before an 11 day break!  Clint picked up Connor pretty early because a blizzard started around 11a and didn't wrap until about midnight.  We ended up getting close to 8 inches and I am just so shocked b/c we had no snow in the forecast and just in the knick of time we got a white Christmas!  Unfortunately, our zoo lights were cancelled as a result of the blizzard so we didn't get to have that fun before the holiday.

Silly Connor, So Ready for Break!!

Thursday : Merry Christmas Eve!!  We started the day by doing some things around the house, including the kids taking a hot tub dip, and then watching a Hallmark movie with my mom via FaceTime.  We then watched a whole lot of Crown before we finally put in our Benihana carry out order (no restaurant this year given the Virus).  After dinner, which the kids say was more fun at home 🤷, we drove to this one neighborhood near us which has CRAZY lights.  We then wrapped up the evening by having a family dip in the hot tub and laying out reindeer food etc.

Snowy Morning Start Post Blizzard!

Maci Showing our Drifts & Clint clearing Harty driveway, love our 'hood!

I took the kids out in the snow with me, just a TITCH Chilly, -23 feeling temps

Toasty Hot Tub Dips for Our Kiddos

Movie Fun w. Grandma on FaceTime

Family Hot Tub Evening Dip and Silly Snapchat

Friday : Merry Christmas!!  The kids stayed in bed and their rooms until 7a but Maci says she woke up around 2a and never really went back to bed 😬 They were so excited to open presents!  We all got lots of wonderful goodies and spent the day putting together toys and playing.  We text and chatted with family/friends near and far.  Clint smoked some amazing New York strips for dinner.  We put the kids to bed earlier than usual given they were exhausted and slept like poo the night before.  Clint and I watched some more Crown before calling it a night ourselves.

Good Morning - Merry Christmas!!

God Mommy Christie - A famous gift giver in this house 💜

Both of them busy and enjoying new toys!

This is what happens at 5p on Christmas when you may have woken up around 2a

🤣

Saturday : We finished cleaning the house from all the paper, toys, boxes etc.  We all snuck in some naps after getting the annual playroom cleaning underway - it was so bad this year that we got through the whole room but kicked the closet to Sunday.  While I wrapped up the playroom, Clint worked with our neighbor to get the snowmobile running!  Clint took the kid for some rides as I cleaned up the pitch/donate piles.  I decided to take a nice quiet drive to pick up a late lunch/early dinner while the kids and Clint played in the snow.  We then enjoyed the Dolphins/Raiders game come night time - what a crazy game!

Goofballs the Day after Christmas Morning

Sunday : We finished the playroom clean up with a family closet deep clean today.  Both kids say they love the playroom like this and I am trying to help them realize that if they pick up as they go it stays nice and they can find all their things.  So far I feel like Maci is my best shot at an organized person, Connor just stares blankly - I feel like Clint gives similar looks when I try to explain overly organized parts of the house 🤷I guess I will take one!  We then enjoyed the final Crown episode - wow that binging of 4 seasons took a bit and now I am sad it is done, hoping a season 5 comes!  Then the Bengals decided to be amazing for the 2nd game in a row, who are these guys with so many star players hurt?!  I then got a turn on the snowmobile and I get the hype, it is pretty fun!!!  Maci tells me I don't go fast enough but we both enjoy it!  Now we are enjoying football on the couch and feeling grateful for another 7 days away from school/work and having fun as a family!

Pretty Snowy Views from our Back Windows

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas week and are looking forward to a new year, BYE 2020!!

Lots of Love, 

C, K, M & C

Ice Rink Almost Frozen & Count Down to Holiday Fun!

Weekdays: 

• We had a pretty uneventful but busy week!  We are so ready for our holiday pause and rest!
• Clint spent a good part of his week making post office runs as we would receive/wrap/ship gifts to our friends/family back home in Ohio 
• Connor spent his week counting down to his birthday which is tomorrow - Mon, Dec 21 oh and doing an intentional belly flop from the playground equipment on Friday so that resulted in a nice busted lip and scratched face
• Maci got to enjoy the ice rink for 2 days but then we realized we haven't let it fully freeze so there were cracks forming and we are keeping everyone off the ice for about 5 days until we have some really good 10 degree days and know it is good for all the winter fun
• I spent my week cramming in all the remaining to dos we hope to execute on at work before things start to settle for may - quite a few are taking off Dec 21 - Jan 3 so I should have a pretty quiet 3 days this week before holiday fun!  I really need to focus to getting back on the bike after my tailbone issue so I am going to work at that during our break!

Friday : 

• Clint picked up Connor a little early and he got to walk around on the ice while Maci skated - that was until we saw the big crack and decided to give it some more time until we all play out there.
• Clint ran to get us some McDonald's (fancy dinner) while I wrapped things up for the day and then we had a nice lazy evening on the couch before falling asleep to some Crown

Saturday : 

• Maci got a cute haircut Saturday morning with me while Clint and Connor ran another post office drop 
• Afterward, Maci and I finished our last few gift card purchasing needs at Target and then met the boys at home for some Chicken Place (AKA Peg's) carryout breakfast
• We then had a pretty chill day around the house taking naps, hanging with the kids etc. 
• We enjoyed Sunshine Factory dinner carry out and after kids were in bed, had a Harty party fire outside

Cutie Haircut

Sunday :

• We picked up Connor's cake for his birthday tomorrow, super cool Transformers - how is he 5?!
• We are now watching some football, debating lunch and continuing a bit of our lazy weekend theme
• We are pretty excited for 3 fairly quiet work days and holiday fun in each of our evenings followed by 11 days of quiet family restful fun!

We hope you are all staying safe, healthy and enjoying this "different" holiday season!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Ice Rink Fill Up + Chiefs vs 'Phins

Weekdays : 

• Clint had to take a work trip for the first time since before March - he left Monday morning early so it was a week for me and the kids
• Kids had their 6 month dental check up on Tuesday morning - thankfully no cavities for the entire crew!
• Wednesday was a good night as I got a ton of Christmas wrapping done while the kids were in bed 
• Clint got home Thursday night and we were excited to have him do bedtime while I wrapped up some late work 

Outdoor Fun 

FaceTime Chats with Dad

Thank goodness the kiddos were good for me!!

Classroom Table Buddies

Friday : 

• After work wrapped for the day, Clint ran to Lunds & Byerly's to get me some cookies and wine for the exchange the next day
• Afterwards, Clint and I watched some Crown - I am obsessed with the show!

Saturday : 

• After getting up, I headed over to Tena's for our neighborhood cookie and wine exchange with our best neighborhood momma pals 
• I then left from the party to get a monthly massage which was awesome other than my tailbone injury started acting up while laying on my back.
• When I got home, I checked in on the boys filling up the ice skating rink - it sure is coming along!
• Around 330p, Clint and I headed our on a day date to run some final Christmas errands - we were able to find some great deals at Disney for Connor's birthday and at various places for stocking stuffers.
• Once we were home, we got kids ready for bed and joined our weekly bonfire.

Sunday : 

• I slept like a log and we woke up around 9a with our groceries getting delivered.
• We did a ton of stuff around the house like finishing laundry, preparing for the week, getting ready for the day - around 12p our neighbors the Harty's came over for the big Chiefs and Dolphins game
• Unfortunately Clint's team lost (only by 6) but we all had a good time
• We are going to order some BW3 early dinner with them before doing our work/school prep for the week 

We are so excited that this is our last full work/school week before holiday breaks!!!  We are so ready for some good downtime with our family 💖and to say goodbye to 2020!

We hope you are having some festive holiday fun even in this strange year.  We hope to see you all in the new year!

Lots of Love, 

C, K, M & C

Tree Climbing, Falling Down Stairs and Ice Rink Set Up

New Advent Wreath and Tom the Tree in his new home

Monday : 

• Day 1 of Maci full distance learning and quickly realized since it is all zoom, she can stay home on Mon/Wed and get her work done and not need too much help 
• Did our Elfster gift exchange secret Santa drafting with the Gilroy family so now I need to start shopping!!
• I had a dentist appointment at 6p and thankfully got a clean bill of health

Tuesday : 

• What a crazy long day!
• To end the crazy day I got some great news from my boss and a much appreciate total rewards message 😊makes the crazy moments and long hours worth it, at times HA

Wednesday :

• Maci had monthly religion class and Clint took her since he is heading on a work trip next week, I appreciate him attempting to carry his load since he knows what it can be like with the kids solo for the week 
• Later that night, we made the difficult decision to stay in MN for Christmas and New Years this year and avoid all the hustle bustle and COVID concerns
• Afterward, I spoke with my mom while Clint started boys golden tee night

Sight Words with a Friend

Thursday : 

• Hair Appointment at 5p which made me feel so pretty and got some good work done while waiting
• Came home and got ready for hot tub fun with the Harty's - no football so we talked Christmas plans, ice rink ideas and played good music

Friday : 

• We dropped our gift exchange gifts at the Cassem house in the evening and then drove around to see some lights
• Clint and I then watched the Family Stone which made me cry and Clint say "what is this movie"

Playground fun at School - Connor has the stripped hat

Clint Grabbed Connor a little early and so he played outside with Maci and the Harty's

Tena sends me this pic of Connor up in a tree - OMG

Thankfully he was already down by the time she sent the picture - Oh Connor!

Saturday : 

• Ugh so we get up and start to walk down the stairs at about 830a and I slip my heel on a step and fall down 5 stairs with my tailbone taking a huge hit
• I proceeded to ice and lay around all day UGH!  I started the show the Crown and attempted to do some laundry and stuff like that here and there 
• We ordered some Grizzly's for dinner and I ordered for delivery from CVS an inner tube to sit on UGH
• After dinner, we joined our New Momma and Friend Zoom Christmas - all the kiddos loved their gifts and it was fun to see our friends, even if hard to hear over all the kid noise 
• Then it was bedtime and Clint and I went to neighborhood outdoor fire - I drank water, popped pain meds and headed home around 1030p to lay down and enjoy The Crown but Clint drank bourbon and hung till midnight

Sunday : 

• A true miracle, I woke up feeling far less stiff than I had feared!  I still couldn't Peloton b/c well you sit on a bike seat - OUCH!
• The kids headed outside with Clint and the other neighborhood dads to start on the Ice Rink - the men bought all the wood for the boards on Saturday 
• While they were out, I was able to put away laundry, order groceries, wrap gifts, order remaining Christmas gifts etc.  Such a productive day after laying on the couch like an invalid all day yesterday HA
• A few moments ago, I went out to see the rink, wait for future pictures!  Boards are almost all up and then they will start the liner/water process to make ice.  Needless to say all Mondells are getting skates as an early Christmas present!  It should be a great option for us to survive this COVID winter and enjoy the outdoors!
• Now we are about to eat some pasta dinner, finish watching football and do work prep for the week.

We hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season and hopefully finding ways to be festive even if it is completely different this year! 🎄🎄

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Going to do a quick post today so I can get back to Holiday decorating with my crew and enjoying the end of a wonderful holiday weekend!!

Connor school fun

Monday : Maci experienced her 1st reconciliation at church, we are so proud of her!

Tuesday : Last day of work for the week and my brother and family arrived for the holiday!  Aunt Sue and Mike also got in town but are staying at a hotel.

Wednesday : In the morning we picked up our catering and pies.  Molly/Tommy also arrived and Sue/Mike brought them from the airport.  We took a neighborhood walk, started drinking with snacks and then ate some smoked pulled pork for dinner.  Everyone had fun catching up and drinking some cocktails.  A late night for all!

Thursday : Happy Thanksgiving!!  We watched some parade and then football along with lots of touch screen games in the basement.  Guys smoked a turkey and deep fried another turkey while the ladies helped to cook all the sides from the catering.  We ate dinner around 5p and then enjoyed more games, cocktails and a bonfire outside.

Friday : After lunch, Aunt Sue and Mike headed for the airport.  We took another family walk, played more games and had a reheat turkey/Thanksgiving dinner before taking Molly and Tommy to the airport.  We then ended the night watching a movie on Hulu about the holidays.

Holiday Photos

Saturday : Dustin and family hit the road around 7a and our crew said bye before heading back to bed.  Clint and I finally arose around 10a, we all needed some rest after late nights and busy days.  Connor then slept until about 1045a (he also needed sleep!)  Once up, we cleaned the house, started some laundry and headed out for our Christmas tree - it was a gorgeous sunny and 50 degree day!  We got a good tree that Connor named Tom before heading home.  We then put up the tree but were too tired to do any more.  We skipped neighborhood fire outside b/c we were so tired and instead watched a movie and hit the hay around 10p.  Ahhhh what a great holiday but nice to be super lazy!

Sunday : Finishing up house stuff and weekday prep.  About to ride the bike after the Bengals game.  We got the house all decorated including the tree.  We had such a nice long weekend and now ready to wrap up 2020 before some more downtime with family come Christmas 🎄💖

Maci is into selfies - check these out HAHA I have 100s of them

We will now spend the rest of the day preparing for the week ahead with full distance learning kicking in.  We hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving and are finding ways to find the bright spots in this crazy 2020.

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C