Slumber Parties, Birthday Parties & Women's World Cup

Weekdays:

• Monday - Connor had another football camp this week. They moved it up from 12-2p to 1030-1230p because we were having a crazy heat wave come through this week.  Connor says it was still sweltering but he loved it!  I had my annual dermatology appointment.  Thankfully no moles that he needed to take so I get another year before heading back!  That night Maci and I went to a Fusion high school girl soccer match that determined who won the championship for the league.  We had a great showing of younger fusion girls to cheer them on and they won 3-0!!!  Maci had fun with a handful of her teammates while Clint was home hitting baseballs with Connor.

Quinn E, Maci and Kennedy at the Game

Violet was also there but left at half after being stung by a wasp :(

• Tuesday -  Connor had football camp again and another hot day of chilling in the AC in the evening.
• Wednesday - Connor got sealants on his molars at the dentist then showed up to football camp a little late.  That night, we ate dinner at Rock Elm and enjoyed a watch party for the US Women's World Cup game with all the Fusion families.  The girls were so into it and they each picked a player on the field that they wanted to pretend to be.  Maci was Trinity Rodman, aka Dennis Rodman's daughter - HA!

Nanny Steph Summer Fun!

McDonald's Bike Ride for Ice Cream

USA!! 

We were ready!

Great Show Up Fusion!!

U11 A2 Present Players

Quinn S, Lucy Violet, Reagan, Maci and Quinn E

• Thursday - Busy day for us!  Maci had gymnastics then Steph dropped Connor off at his last day of football camp.   Steph had to leave at 2p for the airport to visit a friend in Chicago for the weekend. Clint then got the house ready for a happy hour he was hosting of former Cargill security friends.  While he did this, I was off to my own happy hour in St Louis Park with my own former coworkers turned friends, John and Megan.  Once I got home, I was ready to crash but Clint had our neighbor Zac over for a few drinks in the basement.

This is how I always think of Rosie!

Friday - 

• Productive Friday working from home.  Clint and I enjoyed catching up on the deck over coffees to start the day.  I got ready just in time for my 830a team call and then got lots done throughout the day.  
• At 3p, Clint went to pick up Maci's buddy Taylor from soccer to have a sleepover.
• Then at 430p, Clint ran Connor to Chuck's house for swimming and playing.
• I crushed some critical work to dos and by the time Clint got home, I was ready to enjoy pizza with him and the gals.
• I got some more to dos checked off the list and then it was time for Clint to pick up Connor.
• Once he was home and settled and the girls were watching a movie, Clint and I took a nice long walk to end the evening.
• All of us crashed around 1030p, including the slumber party gals!

These 3 are thick as thieves - Anna, Chuck and Connor!

Connor told us that they plan to be roommates when they are old 😹

Saturday - 

• Clint picked up donuts for the girls
• I got Connor up and ready for golf lessons at 9a followed by Anna (yes his best friend's) birthday party at 1030a
• Maci got picked up around 2p to go to her friend Rowan's for a slumber party - note to self, back to back slumber party nights equals one exhausted Maci by Sunday evening.
• I took a nap once Maci was gone and Connor got back from our neighbor Oliver's house
• That night, Connor, Clint and I enjoyed River Inn for dinner and watched the Twins on TV lose embarrassingly to the horrible Royals
• Clint and I went to the Herness house (neighbors) for a fire around 930p and called it by midnight.

Sunday - 

• A day with no plans on the schedule!!!
• I got a text in the morning from Rowan's mom that Maci and her wanted to swim at her sister's house so I could pick her up later this afternoon.
• After a morning walk and some breakfast, Clint got right on yard work and I tackled laundry, groceries etc.
• Connor was pretty bored all day b/c Maci was gone, no friends around and Clint/I were trying to get house things done.
• I grabbed Maci at 2p and she was a zombie in the car but after a shower at home started to come back to life.
• We got a lot accomplished today and will likely have early bedtimes across the board.

Here's to another week of summer and hopefully beating the heat!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

15 Year Anniversary, Soccer Tryouts & Mommy/Me Grill Out!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Last day at the WI Dells.  We slept in, got packed up, went to breakfast at Mr Pancake and then came back to the hotel to do the ropes course and the playground.  While the kids did those activities, it allowed Clint and I time for a final cocktail and to order groceries, prep for the week etc.  We then did the drive home and arrived around dinner time and time to get laundry rocking.

• Tuesday - Lots of things accomplished on the home front: Clint got a crack in his windshield fixed, we had the internet company out to switch out our routers and we had the AC serviced for the year (better late than never, they kept rescheduling) That night, Maci had night 1 of soccer tryouts.  She was proud of herself and smiled the whole ride home.
• Wednesday - Happy 15 Years of Marriage Clint!!!  Our nanny was awesome and stayed late this night so we could enjoy dinner at 6 Smith.  YUM!  We had a great cocktail, good steaks and fun conversation.  Even with a busy week at work, this was a nice break in the week to enjoy each other.

• Thursday - Maci had gymnastics in the morning.  In the evening it was night 2 of tryouts which Clint ran her to because I was hosting some former Cargill finance pals for Happy Hour.  However, they left in time for me to pick her up and attend the parent meeting.  Maci was beaming! She felt like she worked so hard and had 2 goals!  She even cheered up some anxious teammates after the team meeting.  Now we start the waiting game!

Friday :

• We both had nice slow but productive days at home on the work front.  I totally got it wrong that Maci was to have a slumber party but that is NEXT Saturday not this Friday.  Thankfully Maci was quite understanding and played with the friend online instead.
• Connor had a friend Chuck over for a play date in the late afternoon/early evening and we ordered pizza for dinner.  
• Our whole family cheered on the Women's US soccer team to victory.  Maci was so excited with Megan R was brought in off the bench even though she didnt look super on point. 
• Clint and I wrapped the night with a walk and some New Girl.

Saturday :

• Clint had his massage at 8a
• I then had mine at 915a while Clint and Connor got haircuts
• Afterward, Clint ran Connor over to Chuck's house to swim and play from 1030a to 230p - Nice!
• I got home and napped on the couch for a bit before ordering our groceries
• We had a pretty chill afternoon in general but then got the place ready for our Mommy & Me Friends - Fikes and Cassems
• They all came over around 5p.  We had cocktails, grilled out, listened to a live DJ spin for about 90 mins on Tik Tok that I have been following, booked our cabin trip for next summer and laughed.  While we did this, the kids played inside, kicked soccer balls outside, jumped on the neighbors trampoline and went to the big park together.
• After they all left, we put the kids to bed and joined the Harty's at their fire for a night cap.

Sunday :

• Nice morning of sleeping in!
• Clint made breakfast while we cleaned up the house, emptied dishwasher etc.
• We got a lot done around the house including the kids passport paperwork and apt at the post office so they are ready to roll to Bahamas come spring break!
• We headed to the Barbie movie at 230p as a fun thing to do as a family on a HOT day.
• Once home, I checked email and there it was - Maci made A2 again!  After several texts and phone calls, we learned everyone from her team in the spring made A2 again, no one shifted teams!!!  We are going to crush it this coming year with so much continuity including our coach, Maggie!!!  Maci was so excited to have all her teammates together :)
• To celebrate, we headed to Applebees - Maci's choice for dinner and now they are enjoying some dessert while Clint and I prep for the week and get ready for an evening walk.

It is going to be a SCORCHER here this week!  We hope you are all staying cool and enjoying these dog days of Summer!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C 

WI Dells Annual Fun!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - I had my team's onsite meeting all day long which ended with a volunteer event and then happy hour on a super WARM patio!  Maci had her soccer tryout camp start today and she was sooo excited that she was named one of the Gatorade hard working players of the day on day 1!!  She amazes us!
• Tuesday - Maci had another day of tryout camp in the morning.  I wrapped my team onsite also in the morning.  We enjoyed an evening with NO plans!!

• Wednesday - Maci's last day of tryout camp ended strong!  That evening we had Connor's last baseball practice, dang we are going to miss this team and the boys of summer!!!  The dads finished practice with some kick ball and Connor was pretty ticked at Clint who held his shirt so that he could guarantee an out - Connor says its because he is too slow if he doesn't cheat HA!

Art Project Maci & Steph Crafted!

• Thursday - Kids had their 6 month dental cleaning in the morning that Steph kindly ran them to, no cavities!!  Then Maci had her gymnastics class for the week.  In the afternoon our nanny Steph met up with Anna & Noah's nanny, Bri, for an afternoon at a local pool.  Connor LOVES any time with Anna and Maci is the same age as her older brother Noah, they have been baseball game pals all summer.  That night the Jonas kids came over to learn how to take care of our dogs.  I got some stuff done around the house including laundry and finalizing work for the week.

Friday :

• Up and at 'em at 730a to pack for the Dells since I was too tired to do the night before
• We were out of the house by 920a and on the road after a quick McDonald's breakfast stop at 930a.
• Connor wasn't feeling great on the drive so we stopped at a gas station for some Tylenol to help his headache
• Both kids slept most of the way and we pulled into the WI Dells around 1230p with the Harty's just a few minutes before us
• We got all checked in and pulled around to our room just in time for Connor to get out of the car and puke in the parking lot - Yikes!  Thankfully that seemed to do the trick though and we changed, hit the pool, he ate something and then was killing it with his buddies!!  Kids!
• We swam most of Friday afternoon and then headed to dinner at The Patio.  A cool place with fun cocktails and a huge patio with family games.
• It started to rain when we were done eating so time to head to the hotel for sleep.

Our Kids Crash in the Car

Dinner Fun w. Dad

Saturday :

• We had breakfast at the hotel buffet and then met the Harty's at an outdoor pool at 10a.  We swam, read and chatted all day - it was lovely!
• Around 4p we called it to get ready for the night.
• We did the Duck boats, must do!
• After Ducks, we headed to a Mexican restaurant Clint and I enjoy.
• We tried to walk around a bit but the gosh darn rain came again!

Pool Fun

The Original WI Ducks

+ Drama Free this Year!

Tena Enjoyed the Margs

Waiting for Harty's

Sunday :

• Harty's last day! :(
• We once again met at a pool but were moving a little slower so we didnt get there until 11a
• We swam and explored until about 2p and then the kids did go carts with Clint and Tena needing to drive Connor and Nash (stupid height requirements)
• After go carts, each Harty picked one more slide to do and then they were changing in our room and off on their drive home.
• Once they left, we headed downtown at Maci's request for shopping and Carmel apples
• We got apples but no real shopping so headed to putt putt golf
• Clint won, I got 2nd, Connor was 3rd and Maci last but all within 10 points of each other.
• We had oodles of laughs and this is quickly becoming a Mondell family tradition!
• Once golf was over we headed to the Grateful Shed for dinner and we were quickly asking why we had never stopped here before!  It is an awesome collection of food trucks with live music and yard games.  It opened in 2019 and we must have missed it in the mix of the pandemic disaster.  Maci asked the girl singer do a Taylor Swift song and she was pumped to find her ideal souvenir cropped sweatshirt here!
• We swung by the next-door candy shop for some candy cigarettes and then we were heading back home for a good night sleep before we head home on Monday.

Go Cart Fun

When Did He Grow?!

Shopping Fun

Family Golf Highlights

Hole in 1 Pals

Grateful Shed 

Candy Store Fun

We hope you are also loving all the traditions of Summer Fun!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

4th of July & Rodeo Weekend!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - last day at Detroit Lakes!  It was a gorgeous day so we boated and hung out until 2p and then headed home in time for dinner.  We unpacked a bit, started laundry and crashed!!  What a wonderful long weekend with even better friends!!

• Tuesday - Happy 4th of July!!  We started the day with a walk and then headed to the Delano parade.  Unfortunately some weather rolled in so we waited in our cars for about 45 mins before walking in some light rain to our spot for the parade.  It was an awesome parade and huge!!  It brags to be the oldest and largest MN 4th parade!  We then spent the afternoon swimming at the Hartys before enjoying a yummy dinner of BW3 wings!  We then did some sparklers before calling it for bedtimes since we are back to work the next day.

Been working on her bubble blowing!

Matching at the parade!

Swimming Fun!

Sparklers at Dusk

• Wednesday - I went into the office while Clint worked from home wrapping up his time with Cargill.  Maci was to have soccer practice but they canceled for how few kids were around with the holiday.  Connor and Clint had baseball practice at 7p and did some fun dads vs kids.  Connor’s pretty proud of pulling a double play on Clint. 

Milk Shakes w. Nanny Stef

• Thursday - I worked from home like Clint and then headed up to stanchion for their mega yeti and purse bingo under the big tent with Francois, Rebecca and Nicole from work.  No one won but we had lots of laughs, great weather and some yummy drinks.

Friday

• I slept in a bit due to bingo fun 🤩 but then had a team call at 830a
• I got a lot of work done and then headed to a hair Apt at 1:15p 
• Once home, we ordered some Casey’s taco pizza for dinner. 
• We threw baseballs ⚾️ back and forth until I came in for a late nap but the kids kept playing
• Connor and Clint ended the day with an episode of Mandalorian

Wrapping up their show

Saturday 

• Clint ran the Honda in for an oil change in the morning
• Shortly after getting home, Clint was off to the rodeo with the first car to get seats on the hill 
• The kids and I went in car 2 at 1130a and we had fun walking around the various vendors, bull ride etc
• It was a nice 75 degree day but dang was that hot in full Sun 
• We got home, all showered the first and sweat off and then we took quick naps 
• Our sitter arrived at 6p and we were off to the VFW for BBQ and then innkahoots for the rodeo after party 
• We got home around 12 after lots of people watching, cocktails and dancing to the live band!!

Soccer Pal Lucy!

Enjoying the Show!

Showing off some new earrings :)

Rodeo at Night!

The cocktails are kicking in HAHA

Just a few hundred friends at Innkahoots

Sunday 

• We took a nice walk to start the day 
• Ordered some breakfast during the walk 
• I got to dos done around the house and Clint worked in the yard
• At 130p we were off to the Hamel rodeo parade 
• After too much candy and sunshine we rolled back home got a few more things done including a late lunch 
• Once finished we were off to the Hartys pool for some cooling off 
• We wrapped around 530 in time for Connor’s 630p baseball game 
• We are on our way home from that and are going to enjoy a late dinner on the deck

Clint starts his new job tomorrow and will completely work from home.  This should be a nice transition for all involved and are excited for the fun still yet to come this summer!!!

Lots of Love

C, K, M & C