Thanksgiving Break!!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Why is it the short weeks some times feel the longest?  I was sooo ready for break as were the kids.  I started my day by doing an Infusion Ride along with one of our nurses.  It is always so great to see what we do for the care of others first hand.  I then worked a busy day at the office before heading to the dentist for a filling that night.  Thankfully the dentist was as swift and gentle as possible.  I got done and came home to crash!
• Tuesday - I worked from home to ensure I got stuff done before the long holiday break.  We started to get some snow as the day went on so Maci’s soccer practice was cancelled due to a concern on the roads.  Connor still had basketball and scrimmaged the 4-3 team so Maci and I ran up to the gym to see the scrimmage fun.
• Wednesday - Wahooo break!!!  Maci did some soccer training from 11-1 and while she did that, Clint and I ran errands for Thanksgiving food, poinsettia plant, stamps for Christmas cards and some lunch.  We came to watch M for a bit and she was the only girl playing HA but she didn’t seem to mind.  We got home and had some lazy time before Clint and I ran up to the high school to get our bibs for the Turkey Trot the next morning.  We had a chill evening of watching sports to wrap the day.

Playing Games in the AM to Start Break

• Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!!!  We got up at 730a and bundled up big time for the COLD turkey trot at Wayzata High School.  We walked with Lindsey, John and Harper and finished around an hour.  I stayed warm but my face, we were all freezing with the wind.  We headed home, warmed up and took some R&R before getting ready to head to the Janko’s cabin for Thanksgiving fun.  We left the house around 1p and got up to their place around 230p.  We ate around 4p and then enjoyed cocktails, games and football on TV.  I was proud to show them my Bengals who were super ready to be good for once!!!  We crashed around 11p and we were super thankful for their kindness to include us in their Thanksgiving fun!

Thanksgiving Fun Up North w. Janko's

Friday:

• We got up and left their house around 10a so we could pick up our Rosie gal who was at the groomer.
• We got home and had a lot of rest time which was much needed after a lot of food and drinks.
• I watched a lot of Law & Order SVU and napped.
• That afternoon we decided to go get our tree so we didn’t have to rush for the OH game the next day.  We picked a TALL one this year and then came home to some decorating and Christmas music.
• At night, we decided to order some Mexican food and play Monopoly as a family.

Picking a Winner

A little tall but I love her

Saturday:

• I got some Christmas shopping for the kids completed online.
• I got a lot of the to dos around the house done as I had a long list.
• We also had some down time while watching the Buckeyes crush that team up north!!
• I started to prep some work that I am going to knock out today.
• The kids started to play more Monopoly together (love the amount of board game fun they are having) and they also sled outside together as we have about 6 inches of snow now.
• At 7p, Clint and I headed up to Medina ballroom to meet up with some of our fav Fusion soccer parents.  We had some food, cocktails and a lot of laughter.  So great to reconnect with these friends!
• We got home around midnight and put the kids to bed before we crashed as well.

Too Much Fun w. Fusion Fams

Love these Mommas

Kristi, Kim, Kari

Sunday:

• Today is the final day of break - boo!
• We are having a lazy football watching Sunday while I finish laundry and crank on some work.
• Clint and Connor are heading out to the community center to get some exercise in and shoot hoops.
• Maci has been laying around but she has her 3v3 soccer tonight at 730 and 8p so she will get some movement too.
• While we are sad break is over, it was some really nice and needed R&R for our team and in 3 short weeks we are back on break for the remainder of the year!!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Mom & Connor weekend at home and Dad & Maci weekend in KC!

Weekdays:

• Monday - I hurried home and met up with Alyssa our neighbor that we have been using for some design ideas.  She was going to give me tips on how to reorganize the kids bedrooms as we are looking to get them each new beds and mattresses for their birthdays this year.  After we wrapped, I ran Maci up to the nail salon to get a 7p pedicure as her feet had been blistered and aching from so much soccer.
• Tuesday - Maci had practice outside still at Wayzata high school until 7p and I picked her up on my way home from work.  While I did that, Clint and Connor were at basketball practice.
• Wednesday - Painful as I had a 6 hour virtual learning each day W-F this week.  At night, I ran Maci to her practice at Minnetonka High School and worked from the car and during that same time, Clint and Connor did some Brower baseball training.
• Thursday - Clint got the Volvos brakes updated in the morning. That night Maci had early training and practice that I picked her up from on my way home.  Then Clint and Connor went to a later basketball practice.

This Year's Button

Friday:

• Final day of training but still so painful and I started doing more work on the side and multi tasking.
• Around 1030a Maci and Clint were off for their drive to Kansas City.  Maci's team had 2 games on the weekend - KC Union and Kansas Rush.  I gave them big hugs goodbye and then got back to work.
• That evening, Connor and I met up with the Cody's and Bradley's at Medina Ballroom for dinner/drinks before heading to the high school for Trojan Madness - aka kickoff to the high school basketball season.  Connor really enjoyed the dunk contest but got a little twitchy during the 3 point contest.

Saturday:

• We got up and watched for updates from Clint during Maci's 9a game.  Fortunately they pulled away and had a good 6-3 W.
• We then went to Perkins for brunch, a Connor request, and afterward took some naps before his basketball game.
• Around 230p we drove out to Rosemount for Connor's 4p game.  It was a tight game and Connor was FRUSTRATED - he could not seem to get his layups to fall.  He was hitting a few free throws but not the layups.  We ended up losing by 3 and he was not in the best mood.
• I took him to Carbones nearby for a pizza dinner, college football on the tv and a game room.  Before I knew it, he was back to smiling and shaking off the bad mood.
• We got home and he worked on a lego set while I colored in bed.

Happy Team Post a 6-3 W

Team Bonding - Tie Blankets for Charity

BBQ

Top Golf Fun

Our Own Fun at Carbones

Sunday:

• Another morning of getting some things done and listening for text updates on Maci's game - this was a tougher team but we pulled off the 2-1 W!!!
• They got on the road and will get home tonight around 830p.
• I watched the Bengals and got more done around the house and before I knew it, we were off again for more basketball.  Connor and I left the house again at 230p for his 4p and 5p games.
• Connor was on FIRE in the first game.  Great defense, lots of layups, jumpers and free throws!  He was doing so great!
• We went on to the consolation championship and I have no clue what we saw - 1 ref had 0 clue about basketball and the other was wearing a mask, like he was sick BUT you couldn't hear his whistle EVER!  It was such a frustrating game.  Connor played well again as did our starters but we had some sloppy mistakes and we couldn't quite dig out with a 3 point loss.
• Connor was in good spirits as he knew he did what he could there!
• We drove home, stopped for some potbelly sandwiches and now are watching the night football game, getting Connor ready for a shower and waiting on Maci/Clint to get home.

Breakfast with my buddy 

Nice showing ladies

Thank goodness we all only have a 2 day "work/school" week as we all are ready for a break!!

We hope you enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday week up ahead!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Nice Fall Weather, Braces for C Man, another Basketball Tourney!

Weekdays:

Monday - I worked from home after the crazy late arrival back home.  That was so welcomed as I had a really busy calendar.  Clint drove Maci in to school so she could sleep in a bit too.  I was supposed to have a filling that evening but there was no way I wanted to stay up and then do that at night so I rescheduled for 2 weeks later.  We got new internet installed in the evening and then all went to bed at a nice early time.

• Tuesday - Connor got his braces and expander put on at 1p.  He came home and napped and then made it to basketball practice in the evening followed by basketball pictures.  He looks so big with the braces!  I had Maci at soccer practice but right at the high school which was super convenient.

• Wednesday - Connor had his baseball training in the evening and I ran Maci to and from the Minnetonka dome for her practice.
• Thursday - Maci had a field trip but she said it was boring. Clint had to get Maci from school and take her to the IDP training and then on to the high school for regular practice.  I picked Maci up from practice and we grabbed a dinner. While we were doing that, Clint and Connor had their basketball practice.

Friday:

• We got a whole home purifier installed as I am hoping that helps with dry skin, brittle hair etc.
• At night, Clint and Connor went to Turkey Bingo together.
• I stayed home to run Maci to her birthday party for Harper.
• I then got a lot of things done on the home front while they were all gone.
• We watched the Timberwolves game and Clint picked up Maci from Harper's at 930p.

Saturday:

• Busy Day!
• I started with an 8a massage, aaahhhh!
• Then hustled home to get the kids and run Maci to her haircut at 10a.
• I dropped them at Target to do some browsing while I went to my nail appointment at 11a.
• I picked the kids back up, had some lunch and then needed to change for Connor's basketball tourney.
• We had almost an hour drive out to Forest Lake. Game 1 was a big easy W then game 2 was a bit of a dog fight but we pulled away at the end and won by 6. Time for the championship and we were back and forth but to start the final 5 mins, we put in our studs and Connor was guarding their sharp shooter. As the kid shuffled, Connor bent back 3 of his fingers and was in immediate pain.  Ugh, he came out and the EMT onsite wrapped his hand in ice. We went on to lose by about 10 and got 2nd place. We will get them next time!  Cool medals and ready to head home.
• We got home around 8p and we were supposed to go to the Verplank's for John's 50th birthday but we were spent!  We sent our apologies and Clint is running by some bourbon today.  We then cuddled all 4 of us on the couch with popcorn and watched the Timberwolves lose a close one vs the Nuggets.

Sunday:

• Clint got the rest of the leaves done today and he/Nate hung the Christmas lights - yay!
• While he did that, I got the laundry and household to dos done.
• We watched his Dolphins somehow pull out a W and my Bengals poop the bed, again!
• I then ran Maci to her Sunday training at 330 and Clint is now picking her up.
• I got some more to dos done around the house and then we will take Maci to her 3v3 soccer games tonight at 8 and 830p.

What a busy but wonderful life we are blessed to live!

Lots of Love, 

C, K, M & C

Big showcase weekend in FL for M and Connor’s Team Won 1st Place in a B-Ball Tourney

Weekdays:

• Monday - Clint picked up Connor's basketball uniforms in the evening and ran Maci to and from practice while Connor and I went to get his haircut at 8p.
• Tuesday - House got cleaned and Alyssa (our designer in the 'hood) came to lay out our picture wall for the living room.  Connor had basketball practice and Maci had soccer practice in the evening.
• Wednesday - Clint had to pick up Maci from school to get her to practice on time. Then I picked her up after work, ran Connor to baseball training, did a Target run for Maci ahead of our trip to FL and then came back to pick up Connor.  While we were doing this, Clint was at his Baseball Board meeting.
  
• Thursday - Connor had no school for teacher report card planning. I held Maci home and worked in the morning/packed before Clint drove Maci and me to the airport at 1030a.  We hung in the Delta lounge and had some lunch before we took off at 1p.  We had a nice easy smooth flight into Tampa, got the car and drove with Jess/Annie to Sarasota (1 hour), ate a dinner at a Bistro and then got into the hotel in time to chill for the evening.  While we were getting settled into FL, Connor and Clint headed to basketball practice.

On Our Way

Clint Sent Me a Proof of Life Pic of Connor HAHA

May we never forget Aziz, the oddest Bistro Dinner Waiter

Friday:

• Nice Friday morning of work in the hotel for me
• Maci had breakfast and a walk with her team while I worked
• We had game 1 at 1p ET against a top New Jersey team - it was a hard fought battle but we lost 3-1
• We went back to the hotel to hang for a bit then headed out to beach fun/team pictures/dinner.
• The adults wrapped the night in the hotel bar while the girls swam.
• Back home, Clint and Connor enjoyed an early start to the weekend with another no day of school for C Man and Clint played some hooky to go to a movie with him in the afternoon.  They then went to the Theis house for their annual Christmas tree lighting and booze for the adults/dark tag for the kids.

Recovery Time After a Tough Loss

Beach Fun & Sunset w. Teammates

Saturday:

• We started the day watching Connor's 1st b-ball tourney game and a big W
• I then watched game 2 as we were heading to brunch on the beach with Maci's soccer team. Thankfully another W!
• I watched the championship on our way to Maci's 2nd game - fortunately they did it again and pulled off the Win - 1st place in tournament 1!!!
• Game 2 for Maci was against a Virginia team.  We had a great showing and a 4-0 W!  The goals went Annie, Maci, Maci and Lauren.  Maci's 1st goal was a CRAZY good boot with her right foot.
• Maci got player of the game, so proud of her and we were off to figure out dinner.
• We ended up deciding to do Dominos and let the girls swim at the pool.
• The adults hung by the pool laughing and having some drinks before calling it around 10p.

Exploring Before Game 2

TFE - 3 Teams of Gals

Love this Team

Game Ball Cutie

Sweet Boy Napping before the Championship Game

Champions

Sunday:

• We got up, packed up, ate breakfast and then headed to the fields for Game 3 vs a FL team.  It was a total slug fest and we got down 0-1. Maci was on fire this game, maybe even more so than game 2.  There was a great set play from Lauren to Quinn to Maci for a GOAL!!!!  Maci had 3 of the 6 goals on the weekend!!!  Then there was another moment where it was 1v1 breakaway, the other player stumbles on her own, Maci is wide open with the net and they call a foul!!!  Our sideline lost their minds!!!  I was screaming bullshit and our coach was yelling at the ref in Spanish.  It was such a clear goal scoring moment and would have been 2-1 UGH! So is life.
• After the game, we hustled to the IMG store to get some swag for the girls and brothers back home. Then we were on the drive to the Tampa airport.
• Fortunately our flight was only 15 mins delayed so Jess and I hung in the lounge and let the girls go get Potbelly, snacks, Starbucks etc.
• We board and then SIT and SIT and SIT.  We ended up being on the plane waiting on a Tarmac for 2 hours and 45 mins.  If it had made it to 3 hours, they would have had to go back to the gate and deplaned us!  Thank you Govt shutdown and insane delays with air traffic control.  We got home safe and sound, landing at 12a instead of 830p UGH UGH UGH

Shopping Before the Trip Home

Maci Loved this Flamingo in the Tampa Airport

Airport Hangs w. Friends

All Smiles Boarding the Plane

Losing Our Minds at the 2 Hour 30 Min Mark

What a wonderful trip with my Maci girl, her teammates and some awesome parents + a wonderful tournament weekend for Connor/Clint but what a trashy way to end it with the flight home.

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C