Thanksgiving Break!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Nice easy productive day at work and school for all of us.  We were all super excited for a 2 day week on the work/school front!
• Tuesday - I worked from home along with Clint since hardly any one was going to be in the office.  Clint had a massage at noon and then grabbed us some Ham's for lunch on his way home.  I then met my girlfriend Laura at Northern Tap for a quick happy hour at 430p.  While I was at Happy Hour, Clint ran Maci to her Fusion additional training.  I picked her up on my way home from Happy Hour and got to watch her take some rips on the goal before leaving.  I then came home, enjoyed a few more drinks and finished my year end review - Wahoo, let's start the holiday!

How cute!

They made pretend balloon floats with NYC in the backdrop for Macy's parade

A Connor Classic found in his Bookbag

So much to be thankful but no mention of family - mom/dad/sister/pets/grandparents etc

What a goof!

• Wednesday - Kids were off school so Clint and I took the day too!  We had CA closets come to give us some mock ups and quotes to reorganize our walk in coat closet, mud room area and laundry room.  We really liked what we saw and so made an apt to regroup/finalize on Friday afternoon.  While Andria mocked up the designs, I worked with the kids to clean their closets and drawers top to bottom.  Clint ran 4 bags to Good Will and we put 1 bag in the garbage - Yay productive day!  Maci then went to a 90 minute no school training camp at the Fusion indoor center from 130-300p.  We then enjoyed a family dinner to kick off the holiday break at Sunshine Factory.  Later that evening Clint hosted a ton of the neighbor dads and Connor's buddies' dads for Golden Tee.  I joined in at some point to hang with Sam, Louie's mom, who also joined the fun.  Around 1130p we all called it.
• Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!!!  We all got up and did the neighborhood turkey trot even though it was freezing and 730a HA.  However, it was nice to start the holiday by seeing so many of our fav people!  We then came home, cozied up to the parade while Maci and I addressed all the holiday cards and snoozed on the couches during football.  We got moving later in the afternoon and headed to Birch's on the Lake for our 430p reservation.  Yum the food was amazing, the cocktails were even better and the kids were chill enough to let us enjoy an after dinner cocktail and conversation while they played with phones.  Around 6p we had to haul out of there b/c we had 645p tickets to the new Trolls movie.  It was so stinking cute!  We came home and crashed watching some football.

Happy Thanksgiving from Birch's on the Lake

Espresso Martini & Selfies with Connor

Friday : 

• We got up and were off to the Christmas Tree Farm.  We found a beauty pretty much right away, did a little shopping in the store, road the tractor/hay ride and then were heading home.  We got home in time for Clint to have the Toledo game on while we decorated for Christmas and got the tree set up.  While decorating, we also took the opportunity to clean out and organize our finished storage area.  Some of these to dos arent fun but dang does it feel great to get 1 notable thing off the list each day during a long holiday break!  Clint did another run to Good Will while I paid bills.  
• Maci had another soccer camp from 130-300p, I took her to and from since Clint was watching his Dolphins play.
• We had a quick final zoom meeting with our Andria, CA Closets at 330p before signing contracts and paying half down - we cant wait to show the final product when installed in likely late Jan.
• We made a last minute decision as a family to head to Kobe for a hibachi dinner, yum!

Almost forgot to take a pic so snapped a fast one on the way out

This is not our tree HA

Ginger Bread House Fun

Maci's barn

Connor's Stadium

Saturday :

• Clint and I started the day with a walk and coffee before I headed to my 9a massage - amazing!
• I did a few things around the house once home but then the OSU game started.  I worked on my jigsaw puzzle throughout the game.  We were so sad with that final INT to end what we thought may be a soul crushing win by the Buckeyes!
• After the game, I became a Christmas gift ordering freak - I am surprised my CC didn't melt HAHA!  It feels great to have most items purchased and at least ideas landed for the others.
• Maci got picked up by her friend Rowan for her birthday sleep over at 4p.
• Clint worked on re-grouting our master bath shower while I shopped and got laundry going.
• We opted to order pizza while we were both getting things done.
• We kept watching college football and I did more puzzle to relax at the end of the day.
• We did a quick hot tub dip before letting Connor hang with us before bed - he was feeling pretty lonely without Maci.

Sunday :

• Dang time flies when you are having fun!
• We woke up to a light snowfall that melted shortly after the sun rose.
• Maci got dropped off at 10a from her sleep over.
• I got groceries ordered and lots of my Sunday to dos completed.
• We started to watch the Bengals game but then Maci and I headed to the nail salon for pedicures at 1p.  We both got festive nails - my toes are red and sparkly and she did every other toe as Red/sparkle and Green/sparkle.
• Maci then had soccer practice from 3-4p which is where Clint is right now picking her up.
• We are now wrapping up any remaining to dos for the weekend before a week back in the routine.
• We need to figure out our dinner plans and then we are going to do a family movie tonight, checking out the new movie Genie on peacock - looks cute!

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break!  We are so grateful for all our friends and family!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Burrow's Busted Arm, Christmas Light's Up & Almost Thanksgiving Break!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Connor had basketball practice at 6p so Clint did that with him, assistant coach, while Maci and I hung together at home.
• Tuesday - I had leadership team meetings for one of the businesses I support.  That led to a team dinner in the evening - yummy Seabass and wonderful conversation was had with a lovely group of leaders!  Back at the ranch, Maci had her first day of choir practice after school.  Thankfully 2 other girls in our hood are doing it so Harper's mom is the driver to bring the girls home on Tuesday, Livi's mom on Wednesday and Clint does Thursday's.  Also, while I was at my leadership dinner, Maci had a training session at the new Fusion soccer indoor center.
• Wednesday - I presented at a townhall for the global Optum Health tech team which means ~3k people watching (something I dont tell myself when going on stage or I may increase the nervous level HA)  The townhall went well and then we wrapped day 2 of leadership meetings.  That night I took Maci to her soccer practice and cleaned emails/listened to music while walking the track - nice to get some steps in!
• Thursday - Clint picked up Maci from school for choir practice.  That night we all got settled in for the Bengals game and then there was the arm injury - Ugh!!!  Time to cheer on other teams I like and hope we can limp into the playoffs? Blah!  Early to bed, couldnt even watch to the end.

Friday : 

• Super productive day of working from home!
• Got the call from school around lunch that Connor was crying and complaining of a headache.  We got him home, gave some Tylenol, put down for a nap and then he was up and at 'em a little after Maci got home and felt much better!
• Clint and I had a follow up call with our Financial Advisor at 3p.
• I wrapped work and we were off to Turkey Bingo at the school.
• We had a lot of fun playing 10 rounds of Bingo but no winners and not even a Raffle prize went our way, that's ok, better luck next year!

Saturday :

• Connor had a bright and early 8a basketball game, got to love waking to an alarm on Saturdays.
• He played killer D, had some nice shots and the best moment was when he had a break away, went down the left hand side and made his lay up - dang I would sometimes miss those in junior high HAHA
• Their team got the big W and we were off to get some bagels for breakfast
• Swung home quick and then were off to drop Maci at gymnastics while Clint started yard work and helping the neighbor guys put up the ice rink!
• Grabbed Maci from practice, had a little bit of down time and then she was off to Soccer practice.
• Since the practice was only an hour, I decided to bring my computer and work from there for 1 hour.
• During the practice, I caught up with my mom and dad on the phone too
• Headed home, finished getting laundry rolling, lots of to dos off the weekend list, Clint wrapped yard work and before we knew it, it was time to get ready for date night.
• Our sitter, Steph - summer nanny, came at 545p and we were off to Top Golf to meet up with Jacey/Ryan and Gena/Vinny.  I did ok at Top Golf, Clint won - of course!
• Then we went to Young Joni's for dinner at 830p - they have super random but yummy pizza creations!
• We got home around 1115, caught up with Steph and then were off to bed.

The photo booth was a hoot!!

Sunday :

• We picked up our holiday wreath from church and the Holy Name boy scout troop, fun to see it becoming that time of year!
• Clint was outside most of the day doing the holiday lights with the neighbors.
• I got all the things done inside and Maci/Connor left to their neighbor friend Harper/Colton's house to play after lunch.  It is so cool that they can now ride bikes together over to their buddies' houses.  They feel so cool doing it too!
• The kids got home around 330p and Maci quickly changed for soccer practice. 
• I ran her up to the dome for her 4p practice and then headed home to put away laundry.
• Practice wrapped at 515p and then we headed home to order some tacos for dinner.
• Kids are now showering and relaxing with tablets, we are all about to eat and Clint and I are watching all the afternoon football games.

Loving the new record player and record stand in our dining room

Listened all morning while doing chores and drinking coffee in the kitchen

We are all so excited for our 2 day work/school weeks!!!  Just got to make it through Mon/Tues and then we get 5 days off with just us!  We will miss family this year but will make the most of it!  We have a list of productive and fun things we plan to do all through the long weekend!

We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving week!  Love and miss you all!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Billy Joel & Stevie Nicks + Long Weekend for the Kids!

Weekdays:

• Monday - I worked from home along with Clint b/c he had a happy hour with former Cargill colleagues so it made it easier to be here already for the kiddos.  Late in the afternoon we had our annual financial planning meeting which is always good to do but for some reason makes me so anxious because so many decisions to make and things to consider.
• Tuesday - Busy day at work but thankfully no activities in the evening which made things a bit easier.

Tough Day

• Wednesday - The last day of school for the kids this week, no idea why they have Th/Fri off, so many random days off.  B/c it was their last day for the week, they had their Veterans Day program in the morning, so cute!  Later in the day, Clint ran Rosie to the groomer so she looks extra fluffy.  I had a work happy hour b/c Sarah from my team was in town from CT so a reason to get together and have some fun.  While I was there, Clint ran Maci to her pal Harper's 11th birthday at a hotel/indoor pool.  He then ran Connor to religion class.  Once I was done at Happy Hour, I went to pick up Maci from the party and Connor hitched a ride home with a neighbor from religion.  Woah busy day!

Veteran's Day Card Maci made Uncle Dustin

• Thursday - Clint was the lone one home with the kids but they did pretty good.  We had a team performance rating calibration which took up most of the day.  Then I went to our office's Diwali celebration.  My colleague Nicole and I decided to stop at a bar on the way home and enjoy a beer, apps and catch up time.  Connor and Clint had basketball practice at 7p so I headed home around then to be with Maci girl.

Friday : 

• Kids home again but I signed Maci up for an adhoc 90 min training at the new indoor soccer arena.  She did this from 100-230p but said it was so fun that it only felt like 30 mins.
• I showered around 4p as I had to get ready for our big night out at Stevie Nicks and Billy Joel concert.
• The sitter showed up at 5p and we were off to downtown!
• We met up with my pal/coworker Nicole, her friend Kari (hubby had to stay home with a puking kid) and then Alyssa and her husband Brian (I used to work with her at Rally and Nicole is a good friend through hockey - small world).  We had dinner at JD Hoyts super club, yum!
• We then took an Uber XL to the concert and only missed the first song or two of Stevie Nicks.  Ironically our seats were nearby, only 2 rows apart in the same section even though we bought these completely separately!  
• Many drinks later (WOOF) we were buying matching t shirts, dancing to Uptown Girl and walking to a bar after the concert ended.
• We didnt get home until 1a - Yowzers!  And we crashed hard but so fun!!

Matching Shirts at the Bar After

Oh and a Random New Friend

More Selfies

The guys are here somewhere HA

Saturday :

• OUCH!  I started to open by eyes around 8a and then thought better of it and tried to go back to bed.
• Clint ran Maci to Gymnastics at 10a while I slept.  He kindly brought home some McDonald's which helped but then I moved from bed to couch.
• I tried to sleep it off but dang the headache was bad!  Clint ran Maci to soccer at 1p and I was still nursing the couch.  He brought home Chick Fil A - still helped but didnt end it.
• I was the one to pick up Maci at 2p while he worked in the yard but once home, I was back on the couch.  Ugh I hate wasting a day but felt like a slug!
• I watched a LOT of college football and finally by dinner was feeling myself from food, water and tylenol.
• I did snooze again on the couch while Clint went over to the neighbors for a fire around 9p.  I woke up feeling amazing around 1030p, did a few emails, watched some Bravo TV and finally went to bed with Clint around 1130p.

Sunday :

• Far more productive day!  I woke up feeling great and by 830a, Clint and I were outside with the dogs for a walk - pretty day too!
• We had some breakfast, got groceries, launched into laundry etc.
• Clint was outside working in the yard and taking down some trees while I got all the to dos in the house complete.
• The kids watched the Bengals game with me which had a super disappointing outcome - Boo!
• I ran Maci to her soccer practice at 4p and hung for a bit to complete her player evaluation with her coach, dang we are proud of her!
• Completed some more laundry and then ran back to get her at 515p.
• We had dinner, got everyone ready for a week of being back at school/work and now are finishing up a few to dos before bed time!

We hope you had a super fun weekend as well!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

First Snow & Halloween!

Weekdays:

• Monday - I had a work happy hour/dinner so Clint helped to manage the kids.  Thankfully we are in a bit of a gap between crazy sports evening calendars.
• Tuesday - Happy Halloween!  I worked from home so I could be here in time for trick or treating fun!  I struggled with the home WiFi most of the morning but finally figured it out and made the joke that I could join our helpdesk team.  The kids got off the bus and were almost ready to put on costumes ASAP.  We ate an early take and bake pizza for dinner and then were off to Livi's house in the neighborhood to ride on their trailer this year.  Maci was Eleven from Stranger Things and Connor was something from Mandalorian.  Maci's buddy was Taylor Swift.  We also saw lots of Barbie and Ken's this year :)  While it was cold, we made it quite a while and called it around 8p after a little over 2 hours of going!  Once home, I got ready for bed as I had a dull headache but Clint watched the Toledo Rockets football game.

Halloween Fun!

Maci - Always in Character

Connor - Goof Ball given the Finger Guns

Eleven & Ms Taylor Swift

Some of the early crew before riding the trailer

• Wednesday - I caught up on a video chat with my former coworker and friend Row.  While we did that, Clint and Connor had 6p basketball practice.  Thankfully there was no religion class due to All Saints day so we didnt have to pick between the two.  It was great hearing from Row and Connor came home all sweaty from working hard!
• Thursday - I was supposed to have a happy hour with another former co-worker/friend, Laura but we had to reschedule.  I had a bit of a nutty day at work given a high profile investigation.  Those always take your day a bit upside down.  I took a few calls in the evening as well while we watched the TNF game.

Friday : 

• We both had productive days working at home.
• The kids got home and were super excited for a Friday!
• Connor somehow lost his boots between school and home - UGH so I will be talking to the bus driver on Monday!
• I wrapped my work day around 530p after sending some final updates on the investigation
• We were off to River Inn for a yummy family dinner.  We had about a 1 1/2 hour wait but enjoyed drinks, fire pit and conversation with a couple we met from the Buffalo area.
• After dinner we all came home and got comfy/ready for bed.

Saturday:

• Super productive day!
• Started with Clint getting a haircut and buzzing it all the way around.  I think it looks really nice and I think he feels relieved that it didnt look crazy or even that terribly different.
• Clint then drove Maci to Gymnastics at 10a while I continued to get laundry rolling and things done around the house.
• I went to pick up Maci at 1130a while Clint and Connor got rolling for Basketball Practice at 12p
• Shortly after we all got home, we were off again but this time for early voting (Yes on Wayzata Tech Levy Renewal!) and then a late lunch at Chick Fil A.
• Got some more things done around the house and then Connor got picked up for a birthday party at a Gymnastics center by his buddy Chuck's dad.
• At the same time, I loaded Maci in the car for her slumber party at her buddy Isla's house.
• Clint and I had a quiet house to watch college football and get things done for about 1 hour before it was time for him to go pick the boys from the birthday party.
• Connor kept asking where Maci was and clearly was missing his partner in crime being at the house.
• However, Connor got to do some fun on his own with us.  We let him be the first one in the new hot tub water (Clint changed it on Friday) with Mom and Dad all by himself.  We watched some of the LSU v Alabama game in the tub.
• We changed clocks and then headed up for the night to watch some Parks & Rec episodes in bed.

Maci and Her Buddy Isla, Always Dancing

Sunday :

• What a lovely night of sleep!  I love when we gain an hour!
• Clint and I got up around 8a and put on our Dolphin gear.  Unfortunately they had too many mistakes and couldnt pull it out against those Chiefs.
• I picked Maci up from her slumber party at 11a and it seems they got ok sleep so she is cheerful!
• I started getting things done around the house and Clint is taking care of the leaves outside.
• Connor just headed to a buddy's house for a 2 hour playdate.
• Maci is waiting on our neighbor Tena to make icing with her for her cupcakes.  She has to be filled icing them for a "how to" project with school.
• I am getting some work done for the week before my Bengals play this evening!

We hope you are having a wonderful wrap to the Fall!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C