Memorial Day Weekend Fun!

Weekdays :

• Monday - I went into the office, Clint was at home working with stucco people also working.  After work, Clint got the kids and I headed to Maynard's for a former Rally Human Capital happy hour.  Unfortunately it didn't end up being a great day for a lot of people so there were for us that hung for a bit but still great catching up!

Waiting on the crew - it was chilly by the water

• Tuesday - I was at the office again and picked up the kids afterward.  Maci offered to be a sub for the soccer club one level beneath her team.  She killed it - it was quite clear her talent level and she was super sweet to the other girls too!  While I was at soccer, Clint ran Connor to his baseball game and he continues to slam the ball, almost getting it over the fence - his big goal!

Living her best life

• Wednesday - I worked from home to be ready to help with Maci's soccer practice but we got some stormy weather so soccer was cancelled and we were able to have a lazy evening at home.
• Thursday - Also known as our Friday for the week!!!  I had to be at work by 7a for a talent meeting but then I cut out around 245p to meet some former Cargill pals at 6 Smith for happy hour.  I hung for a bit and then Clint dropped Maci to me at the restaurant so we could get to her game by 5p.  Maci had 2 goals and just had a great game all around!  Connor and Clint were once again at baseball without us and they beat the Reds :). Connor once again had some great hits and fielding!  We wrapped the night with the Harty's and a Hot Tub trip.

Happy Hour Fun!

Soccer Pics are in but I don't often buy sports pictures so here are the Proofs HA

Friday :

• No Work or School!  Love Long Weekends!!!
• We got some stuff down around the house and talked with the neighbors before heading to the Como Zoo
• We hung for a bit and then headed home where I took a nap
• I ran Maci to Gymnastics while Clint was doing yard work
• Clint picked Maci back up and then we put the kids down
• Clint and I then headed outside to play corn hole with the Harty's but the new neighbors had stopped by to say hi - Simon and Ali - they seem great!  No kids (yet) and just moved back to Minneapolis after spending the post graduate years in Chicago.  We ended up having beers and talking in the Harty front yard until 12a - woah!  No corn hole but that is ok!

Zoo Fun!

Saturday :

• Slept in then took a walk with coffee, my fav!
• Once again got some things done around the house before getting the kids ready for Harty swim fun!
• Clint started mulch so he missed the first few hours of the Harty swim party but joined and made up for it later
• We swam all afternoon, even adults and then wrapped the evening with BW3 delivery.  After dinner Clint and I ran to Honey & Mackie's to get their ice cream samplers (a kid surprise!). They had 24 flavors and a sample pack holds 6 so we got 4 sample packs.
• We put them all around the table and every sampled away, so fun!
• The kids then played for a bit before it was shower and bed time
• We then met back up with the Harty's for fire time.  Our new neighbors also joined and Alison + TammyLynne also popped over.  A great time was had by all and at 12a I once again called it!

Living Her Best Life

Tena is the neighborhood braider!!

Cuddles

Sunday :

• Another day of getting some stuff done around the house.
• We started swimming around 12p but Clint never joined this time b/c he had to get his mulch done and the rain was going to be sporadic later in the day and on Memorial Day.  That was ok b/c the adults also didn't swim, it was just overcast and kind of yucky after a gorgeous day before!
• The Harty's had to start getting ready for their dinner plans with friends around 330p so we headed home, got some more things done around the house and then got ready for our own dinner.  We headed to River Inn (YUM!) and caught up with some neighbors that were also there while we waited for our table.  Maci and Connor had an intense game of corn hole going while we waited.  Afterward we decided to get some Honey Mackie's before heading home to get a good night sleep!

Finally took the braids out!

We hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend too!  Here is to a wonderful summer ahead!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Clint to Texas, Practice 5k and Another Maci Soccer Tournament!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Clint left to TX in the morning.  I got to the office only to find out the window guys showed up at the house so I turned back around shortly after arriving to ensure one of us was at the house while they were there.  I picked up the kids and got Maci to soccer practice by 545p.  While there we watched some of the 6th grade girls game - WOW they are impressive.  Then we watched Maci's team scrimmage with Academy 1 and they looked great!

• Tuesday - I had to go into the office for a quick ask me anything with the Optum CIO leadership team in the auditorium but then I headed home to work from there given another day of windows.  We have a few windows that seem off but for the most part they are in and look great.  We will have the clean up crew, including touch up paint etc coming in the next week or two.  In addition the stucco guys really got started which was great!  Then at night we had Connor's baseball game.  He had some great hits which I sent to Clint in TX.

Missing her Man

• Wednesday - Another work from home day b/c Maci had her 3rd grade wax museum in the morning.  I got to see her and her classmates speeches and she looked awesome as Megan Rapinoe, professional woman's soccer player and activist.  I then worked the rest of the day before picking them up and heading to my former co-workers Kerry's for happy hour with the Cargill crew/family. The kids had a blast with their dogs and player soccer in the backyard.  I was super fortunate to catch up with such great friends!  I am sure glad we decided to skip soccer practice!

The Class

• Thursday - Clint got home a little after midnight on Wednesday.  The kids woke up super happy to see him!  We all worked from home again as the kids had early activities in the evening.  First, Maci and Clint had their practice 5k for her Girls on the Run.  Unfortunately it started raining so they had to run inside which upset Maci at first but she got over it and found that running 15 times around the entire school was actually fun!!  Afterward, Clint ran Connor to his 515p baseball practice/scrimmage where Connor had a sick catch robbing a guy of a good hit and almost pulling a triple play.  I took Maci to her soccer game at 530p and they had a tough loss to Shakopee 3-1.  It was neck and neck until the final minutes.  Afterward, we met up at Oak Eatry for some dinner and then did hot tub with the Harty's after the kids were in bed.

5k Buddies

Friday : 

• I had a super busy Friday!
• Around 3p we had to call it for the day and head up to Greenwood for Maci's Sing 2 performance, so cute!
• After, we grabbed both kids and hopped in the car for Maci's first soccer tournament game out in Rosemount - 1 hour 15 min drive thanks to Friday rush hour traffic.  They won and we were all happy to get out of the wind!  A few of the families popped into a Mexican restaurant afterward for dinner and margaritas.  By the time we got home it was almost 9p and we had to get everyone down for the night.

Our 1st Date Anniversary - 16 years!

Saturday : 

• Woke up and had a nice walk with coffee.
• We got a few things done around the house and then were off to Maci's 2nd game.
• This one was a heartbreaker - they lost 2-1 against the same dang team from Thursday night!
• We came home and Clint worked on some landscape while I took a nap, I was just exhausted!
• We got going around 4p for our evening with the Verplank's and our other former St Louis Park neighbors (Greener's and Gordon Smith's) it was a great night of a taco bar dinner and dessert plus margaritas!!
• Around 9p we called it to get the kids home for bed.  Clint went to the Harty's for a few drinks but I was still feeling super sluggish and tired so I hung back.

Sunday : 

• Got up and got some to dos complete like laundry and grocery shopping before we headed to Connor's flag football game at 10a.  He was a killer with some sweet runs and grabbing flags left and right on defense.  They beat the Seahawks by a ton.
• We swung by Subway for some lunch and then home quick to get a few things done before we were back in the car.
• This time we were on our way to Maci's final soccer tournament game at 2p.
• They won 4-0!!  Go Team!  Great tournament again!
• We are now hauling back from the game and going to stop for early dinner at Broadway pizza with a chunk of the team.
• We will finish our prep for the week and then call it so we are all rested for this short week with the long holiday weekend right around the bend.

We hope you had a wonderful weekend and week ahead!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Gorgeous Weekend Weather & the Greenwood Carnival is Back!!!

Weekdays : 

• Monday - Happy Birthday to the amazing Trish on my team!  At night Maci had soccer practice and Clint kindly ran her while Connor and I hung out.
• Tuesday - Clint took the day off to do yard work and burn a vacation day before they re-set in June.  Maci had her girls on the Run and Connor had some Baseball Practice in the evening - always fun watching him hit!
• Wednesday - Warm weather but storms rolled in.  Maci got her soccer practice in but then around 9p we had Tornado sirens going off and had to hang in the basement until about our bed time.  Thankfully it didn't end up as bad as it could have been.
• Thursday - Super hot!!!  Almost 90 degrees!!  Clint took a 1/2 day to golf with our neighbor.  Maci had girls on the run again.  Her soccer game for that evening got cancelled due to the wet fields from all the rain Wednesday night.  However, Connor still had his baseball game so we all went to that and cheered him on!

Kindergarten does a super cute school countdown with the ABCs for the final 26 days

This was "G" Day where they could bring in their own Games to Play

Tomorrow is J and it is Joke Day!

I don't usually buy the sports photos 

so this is the best you will see of his Eagles pictures HA

Friday : 

• Darn stucco repairs and windows were supposed to be finished getting installed but due to weather they had to back it up a few days and now will finish on Tuesday - we are ready for this to be DONE!
• Clint and I both worked from home on a gorgeous day!
• I picked the kids up a little after 4p so we could get home and get ready for the big return of the Greenwood Carnival!!  We headed up there right at 5p when it started (missed gymnastics) and enjoyed an evening of catching up with some neighbors, the kids running wild outside, food trucks for dinner and winning some really special prizes (see slap bracelets and pirate eye patches HA)
• Such a fun evening - got home a little after 8p, put the kids down and took a walk with a beer to end a beautiful day!
• We also finished the Americans so now we have to find our new binge worthy show!!!

Maci with one of her best pals and neighborhood friend - Livi

They both did the crazy hair booth with Livi getting red spray and Maci pink :)

This is 100% each of their personalities HAHA

Saturday : 

• A gorgeous Saturday with 0 plans!!!!
• Clint and I started the day with a walk and coffee - my fav!
• Clint then went and got his monthly massage, ok one thing on the calendar.
• We then spent the rest of the day outside - Clint working on relaying rock in one of our flower beds and I did laundry and other activities but on the deck or in the driveway :)
• We called it around 530p after groceries came and decided to head to River Inn for a yummy dinner!
• We enjoyed our food and watched the Twins play baseball on TV while eating - Connor was so into the rules and understanding how to read the various stats on the screen.
• We popped by Honey & Mackie's (Best Ice Cream!) on our way home for a quick scoop and saw some of the kids on their way to the Wayzata Prom!!
• Our neighbor Otto (senior) went to prom with our other neighbor (Mary - also senior) and they have been best pals since birth - both growing up in this neighborhood as original builders back here!!  It was so cute and it had me thinking maybe Maci and Tyce will end up at Prom together after all one day - even if just as good pals!!  
• After getting the kids down, tough job on nice days with the sun out, we headed to the Harty's for a small fire and Cornhole.
• What a perfect day!

Look at these goofballs!!!

They put their matching Christmas Jammie pants on like a 1 sleeve dress

They were super hyper post ice cream before bed last night

Sunday : 

• None of us wanted to get up today even though it was another beautiful day!  We were all a bit too sleepy but alas had to get moving by 810a as Connor had flag football starting at 9a.
• We grabbed some quick McDonald's breakfast and surprisingly got there only about 15 mins late for the practice part before the game :)
• Unfortunately the Eagles suffered their first loss to the Packers but Connor had a good game with a TD, several good defensive moves and a sweet 2 point conversion catch!  He really enjoys playing!
• We headed home and Clint got right back to yard work and I have parked a chair in the driveway where I did week prep for our family, paid some bills and now finishing the blog.  I am hoping to be able to do any remaining to do items outside today and may even take a little snooze on the back deck at some point.
• We have 0 plans the rest of the day today as well other than enjoying the great weather and getting some stuff done around the house.  Love days like this!!!

We hope you also had a fab weekend and a wonderful week ahead!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Happy Mother's Day & Kellie's 39th Birthday!

Weekdays : 

• Monday - Both Clint and I worked from home and enjoyed a quiet evening with no running for any kid activities.
• Tuesday - Maci had her girls on the run after school and then Clint picked the kids up a bit early as we had a busy night!  Maci had a soccer game at 530p and they won 2-0!  Then we flew to Connor's first baseball practice at 645p.  Connor was so excited to be back to hitting the ball!
• Wednesday - I picked the kids up a little early so we could do a quick run through the book fair.  Then we got home to eat dinner and Clint ran Maci to and from soccer practice at 545p
• Thursday - A super busy day!  Maci had girls on the run, Clint went to get them right when that ended.  I hosted a virtual happy hour for our extended Tech Human Capital team which ended at 5p.  While I was doing that, Clint had to run Connor to the neighbors so they could take him to baseball at 515p along with their son Oliver who is also on the team.  Then Clint ran Maci to her 530p soccer game.  As soon as my call ended, I flew over to Maci's game so Clint could then head to baseball.  Connor had a great practice and Maci's team won 2-0 again!  It was even sweeter b/c this was the team they had lost to in the tournament 1-2.  YAY girls!!!

Friday : 

• A lovely day!  Both Clint and I worked from home and after the kids got on the bus ran to get bagels to start the day.
• We both had productive days and then after work I sat on the deck and got some to dos done so I could enjoy the entire weekend while Clint ran Maci to her gymnastics at 630.
• Maci came home at 8p and we had a quiet night of TV

Saturday :

• It's my birthday and the Derby!
• I slept in a bit and then ate breakfast with the family
• Clint and I took a walk with coffee, it was a gorgeous 70 degree day!
• I sat outside almost all day long and my slightly burnt neck provides the reminder ;-)
• At 12p Maci's buddy from soccer (Aanya) came over to play until about 330p
• I hung outside with Tena for a bit and enjoyed a beer before Aanya got picked back up
• Clint got all sorts of yard work done
• I then took a nap after Aanya left and got up in time to get ready for the night out
• Clint kindly put together a super fun night with friends for my birthday.  The Harty's, Markovich's, Cassem's and Fike's all joined us at 6 Smith for a super yummy dinner, drinks and dessert.  Before we ate, we watched the horses run and one of the ones we put money on was in the lead for 3/4 of the race (Summer is Tomorrow) but our other horse (Pioneers of Medina was no where to be found).  After dinner, we headed to Stanchion for drinking, dancing and pull tabs!  We got home around 130a and that is about where my memory ends (Yikes!) I even forgot to pay the babysitter via Venmo until Sunday morning but yay birthday fun!

Sunday : 

• Happy Mother's Day!
• We slept in and as I woke up I realized my head was pounding - UGH!
• I made it down to the couch by around 10a was not feeling great by 11a and finally got my butt moving in time for Connor's Football game.
• Thank goodness for fresh air and Diet Coke!  As we watched his practice, I started to feel better just tired.  I was a full on cheering momma for the game and Connor had 1 sweet run, 1 touchdown long run and a few great "tackles - aka flag pulls"
• We grabbed some lunch, came home and ordered groceries, changed over some laundry and curled up in bed for a nap.  
• We took a quick family walk, ordered pizza for dinner and watched some TV.
• We are getting the kids ready for bed and then will likely crash ourselves!

We are really looking forward to the coming week's weather with some 80s in the forecast - YAY warmer weather and sunshine!  We hope all the Mother's enjoyed a very special weekend!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Mom Spends the Week in DC & Maci has a Soccer Tournament in the Rain!

Weekdays : 

• Monday - I worked for a bit from home along with Clint but then he drove me to the airport around lunch time.  I was off to DC until Thursday evening for quarterly business reviews.  Connor enjoyed builders club after school.  The 3 of them then had a relaxing evening thanks to Maci's soccer practice getting cancelled due to weather (WHERE IS SPRING?!) while I got settled in my hotel, grabbed a few drinks with co-workers and had a fabulous dinner!
• Tuesday - Maci had her girls on the run after school and then soccer pictures in the evening.  A huge thanks to Tena who gave her an awesome French braid for her pictures!  I presented at our townhall as a part of the QBR and then road a bus with the leadership team to Hernden VA to meet up with some of our broader team for a happy hour.  We then road the bus back to our dinner spot in DC.

FaceTime with Momma!

• Wednesday - Another pretty chill day for Clint and the kids.  I had another full day of meetings followed by an office tour and happy hour at the new DC spot and then another team dinner before crashing for the night.

Catching up with Adrianna who is leaving Optum to go work for Row!!

• Thursday - Maci had another day of Girls on the Run after school and then soccer practice in the evening.  I wrapped up our meetings around noon DC time, took a few quick calls and grabbed lunch with the team before scooting to the airport around 2p.  We had so much time to kill that we sat and grabbed a drink and just caught up - 3 of us were on the same flight home.  Thankfully it was a smooth flight and I got a lot of work done.  When we landed, the kids and Clint were on their way to get me after having just wrapped Maci's soccer practice at 730p.  We all got home around 830p and were ready to climb into bed!  Always good to be home!!

Friday - 

• Clint and I both worked from home and started our day by grabbing some bagels - yum!
• After work, Clint picked up the kiddos and we had some pizza delivered.
• Maci had her first night with the Level 1 competitive gymnastics team which means she didn't start until 630p.
• Her soccer pal Teagan is in the same Level 1 class and given her sister had a hockey tourney, we helped by taking Teagan to gymnastics.  Christina, her mom, then repaid the favor by bringing Maci home for us when it ended at 8p
• Clint and I enjoyed watching the draft while I got some things caught up around the house and waited for her to get home.

Saturday - 

• Such an ugly rainy day!
• Clint and I got a lot of things done around the house b/c we have a super busy kids sports weekend!
• By 130p we were off to Blaine, 30 mins from home, for Maci's first soccer game.  While it was wet and cold and all around nasty - the girls played amazing in the first game and won 12-0!  Maci had 2 goals and several assists - they were awesome!  We had a brief break where we wandered around Target and got some snacks.  Then in game two it was a tougher match up but they pulled out a 3-2 win and Maci had the 3rd goal with a SWEET shot!  Thankfully some parents got it on video so I was able to post it on Facebook/Instagram!
• We got home, all tried to warm up, ran laundry for the next days uniforms (shocked the white ones turned out white again!) and watched some TV before calling it a night.

Ready to be back at it in the great outdoors!

Sunday - 

• Another rainy cold day! UGH!
• Got up and got some more things done around the house.
• Clint and Connor were off to his Flag Football pictures, practice and game by 1030a
• Maci and I put away groceries and then were off to Blaine again around 12p
• Connor's Flag Football team WON and he had a touchdown, 2 point conversion and several amazing flag grabs - Clint who is very hard to impress said that Connor was a beast on defense!!
• Maci's team froze in freezing rain for game 3 of the weekend and had a heart breaking loss of 1-2. We had a quick break where we enjoyed some 5 Guys.  Then game 4 was on the muddiest field with legit pools of water forming.  It was comical but we also felt awful for these girls.  However, they worked their tales off and won 2-0.  Maci played goalie for the first time all weekend but didn't mind it b/c she got to stand in a dry spot on the field AND she never had to touch the ball HAHA!  The girls showed so much fight and resiliency in just the nastiest conditions for 2 straight days!  We are so proud of them and their 3-1 record this weekend and are pumped for the season ahead.

Boys before pictures & Connor all ready for his!

The Muddy Gals!

We start to get super busy starting this week with Connor's baseball starting, Maci's soccer really ramping up and Connor continuing to have Flag Football on Sundays.  However, this is our favorite time of year. We love watching our athletes grow in their abilities and teaming!  Oh and it helps that this week is supposed to be in the high 50s and 60s and DRY!

We hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C