Final Days of Miami & Merry Christmas!!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - A beautiful full day of pool and beach fun!  We got to relax and enjoy the sunshine.  I read my book and cleaned some email, the kids found ways to entertain themselves at the pool etc.  We took a late afternoon nap/chill time and then got ready to head out for some dinner and shopping.  What a great day in sunny FL!

Coffee Pool Side

Beach Fun

Shopping Fun

• Tuesday - Our last day but we didnt fly out until almost 7p ET so we were able to tidy the room, pack up and head back out to the pool until about 2p.  We then changed and headed back to the airport.  We had a decent flight home, I felt super anxious on it but eventually settled down and enjoyed some TV/coloring.  We got home late but dang if it didnt feel good to sleep in our own beds and be home.
• Wednesday - Merry Christmas Eve!  We all slept in and then enjoyed some hang time before it was time to get ready for Mass and our annual Benihana dinner.  We did our usual hot tub family time before calling it a night and all crashing!

Benihana

Hot Tub Gals

• Thursday - Santa came!  We enjoyed a morning of opening thoughtful gifts - so fun to see the kids getting as excited for others to open the gifts they picked out as they are for opening their own.  Connor loved his Lola blanket and Maci was pumped with the TV for her room.  We had a lazy day around the house and I got some laundry going before we headed to our usual bowling and pizza at Park Tavern.  The Cassems joined us which made it extra fun for Maci and ok for Connor :)

Bowling Fun!

Friday:

• Ahhh love the pace of winter break!
• We got up for Connor's 10 year well check at 9a.  He rocked it and is 80% height and 70% weight. .  .his BMI dropped a bit but that has to do with him shooting up so fast.
• While we were there, Clint ran Boomer to the vet for a check up to ensure we can order more heart meds.
• Connor headed up to Wayzata High School around 1215p for some pick up basketball which was a nice way to burn those lazy holiday calories :)
• The boys then met Maci and I at the nail salon where all 4 of us got pedicures and then I got a fill of my nails. 
• That night we had Elf the Musical Jr to go to so we ate at Pub 819 in Hopkins and then hit up the show - we all actually really enjoyed it and said they did a good job.

Saturday:

• I had a massage at 915a - nice way to start the weekend!
• We then had a pretty lazy day around the house which was so nice after a busy Friday!
• Connor went to a basketball training with Troy Hudson and it was 3 14 year olds and 1 16 year old plus Connor.  Clint said he was so proud b/c Connor worked hard and kept up the whole time.
• We then had a lazy night of watching sports and hanging out.

Sunday:

• We got a crazy winter storm coming through but Connor's 3v3 Basketball didnt cancel so off to Maple Grove we went.  Maci hung at home for the day and was able to put away groceries for us.
• The tournament started at 1220p and we easily won game 1, game 2 was a nail biter but Connor subbed back in, went up strong for a layup and got fouled, easily sunk his free throw and put us up by 2.  He then got an awesome rebound and dribbled all around until they fouled one of his buddies to try and stop the clock.  We hung in and won by like 4!!
• Those 2 wins meant we got to have a bye so we hung around and watched other games for almost 2 hours.  Then we played Rush in the semi-finals.  Another back and forth game but fortunately we were able to pull out the W by like 1!
• On to the finals vs the other Wayzata team.  The other team was all #1 team kids and we were 3 #2 team kids and 1 from the #1 team.  Needless to say our boys really wanted to win!  They came out firing - Connor was hitting 3 pointers and rebounding really well.  They were playing tough D and moving the ball well.  We ended up winning by like 5 and the boys were pumped!!  They kept saying "I dont know if we have ever won a 3v3 tourney - always close but first championship!"  They loved their winning Tshirts - Connor is worried about getting it dirty HA
• My Bengals also looked like a good team again which always makes me smile.
• We hustled home to Maci and hung out the rest of the evening!

We hope you are also enjoying this wonderful time between Christmas and New Year!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

End of Work / School for 2025 and Off to Miami for Connor's 10th Birthday!!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - I wrapped up some performance review calibrations at work and Clint got the golden tee reboot reinstalled - such a happy boy!
• Tuesday - Connor had a field trip.  I started my work day at 7a, everyone is trying to squeeze in the last minutes of work this year. I had a team dinner with my pharmacy colleagues.  Connor and Clint went to basketball while I was there and my car pool took M to her soccer secret Santa/pizza party followed by soccer practice.  After dinner, I headed to the high school to work from the lot and then take the girls home.

MVP of Practice

• Wednesday - It was my 7th year Rally/Optum work anniversary.  I participated in a meeting with the pharmacy leadership before being in a townhall session. I got some more work done and then had a holiday cocktail with my coworker Jillian.  Connor and Clint had a scrimmage vs the 4-1 team - Clint said Connor played well but the 1st team beat our 2nd team.  Maci had practice but it was again later at night.
• Thursday - Last day in the office for 2025 and I drove home early thanks to warning of icy roads.  I got work done in the afternoon and then ran Connor to his 5p haircut.  He then had basketball practice later in the night and Maci had soccer.  I picked the girls up and ran them home from practice.

Friday:

• Last day of work and school for the year!!!!
• I had a very busy morning of work but then was able to get things in order come the afternoon.
• That night, Connor and Clint ran up to Brower to get some baseball in before he ran Maci out to her FC Pitz training.
• I was able to get laundry done and relax a bit.  We called it an early night and decided to get up and pack in the morning.

Saturday:

• Up and at 'em packing for Miami at 7a.  The kids joined us in packing around 8a and we were out the door by 930a.
• We got to the airport and ate in the Delta lounge before taking our wonderfully smooth flight down to Miami at 1245p.
• We got our car, drove to the hotel and checked in as quick as possible before heading to look for food.  We landed at a local bar and had some awesome fish tacos.  We then did a little shopping before calling it a night.

Airport Fun

Lounge Fun

Almost 10 - last night as 9

Sunday:

• HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY CONNOR!!!
• We got up and at 'em, had some breakfast, swung by a Walgreens to get markers and poster board and then were off to the Dolphin's stadium.
• We made our sign, walked around and then got in as soon as gates opened at 11a.
• It was HOT but our seats were awesome!!!
• Lots of nods and pictures of our Bengals players warming up in front of us.
• The game started and it was a good back and forth battle until the 3rd quarter and the Bengals turned it on!!!!  Connor's fav was a "head tap" moment by Chase on 2 Dolphins defenders.
• We stayed until the bitter end, hoping to get some Joey B nods but he is all biz.
• We headed back to the hotel in time for Clint/Connor to hit up the beach while Maci and I did a little shopping.  We then met back up at the Sushi bar in our hotel for Connor's big and yummy birthday dinner!!!  The chef went all out for us and Connor learned he likes mocktails as well as all types of fish.

Rocking Joe Burrow's High School Jersey

Dual Sided Sign

Stadium Pics

Cool Dude

All the Players

Frying!

TD #1 to Tee

Clint did not like the 3rd takeaway in the 3rd quarter HAHA

Post Game Fun!

Dan the Man

Maci Loves Flamingos - Image while Shopping

Special Birthday Dinner

The Chef made this on the house!

We love this special kid!

What a wonderful place to spend your birthday and we have a few more days to go before heading home and enjoying the remainder of holiday break!!

Lots of Love,
C, K, M & C