Wisconsin Dells - Much Needed Bubble from Reality

Given the news we got last week, we were so ready to pack up the house and get away from reality!  In addition to our adorable little fan coming, my mom and sister Molly were meeting us at the resort. We couldn't wait to get there Friday morning.  We left our house around 8a, grabbed bagels and then we were off.  We beat my mom/Molly to the Dells so we scoped out the joint and before long we were all there, checked in and finding our Villa.  Molly kept telling my mom how this villa was nicer than their house HA.  It was an awesome destination, thank you Sodahl for the advice!

Before long we were in our first indoor water park.  It rained a bit Friday afternoon so this was our only day spending time indoors.  Maci loved having endless swim buddies and I enjoyed time sitting with Connor alone in a chair.

 I quickly found the bar and these gems

$25 and then refills for $16 - YUM!

 It didn't take long for all of us to be laughing!

Clint had to point out that this chimney had an odd shape . . . 

making Maci's shower seem not so innocent! ;-)

After a few hours of swimming, my mom and I ran to the grocery for some essentials and breakfast items and grabbed lazy KFC on the way home.  Almost every fell asleep on the couch while watching Olympics after a long day of travel.

Saturday - Sun was finally coming out!  The highlights of our day were Original Duck Tours, Moosejaw for lunch and hours of outdoor swimming fun!

Siblings ready for a walk

 Maci and her buddy Molly on the Duck Boat

 Daddy & M by the Duck Boat

 Moose Hat Fun!

 He could model for them!

 My crazy girl

Note the makeup on the table. . .UGH

 Mommy's Studs

 Connor Styling by the Pool

Brave Aunt Molly and Clint tackled that crazy slide

Sunday - Another awesome day in the sun and I got better with remembering to use the camera!
Highlights included : LONG time of outdoor swimming and Tommy Bartley free boat show.

Bathing Beauty 

The Best Weekend Crew!

 Maci & her lifeguard

 Mom Enjoy Sun 

ALONE

Not for Long. . .  

 So Many Pictures of Connor's Water Fun

 Best of Buds

 Family at the Water Show

 Mom & Molly

Mom looks like she is crying b/c well. . . she is!

That woman couldn't get in or out of that chair :-)

 So excited b/c the show started in 1953 and 

she began in 1953 HA

 Cuties!

 That darn clown Aqua - All Maci cared about

 Chuckles the Beaver - so random

 Her Fav Whack a Martian Game

 Rainbow on the walk back from dinner

Maybe this was a nice sign of good things to come!

The Babes Bathing in a Jet Tub

They drive us crazy but are our world!

Monday - Woke up and had to pack up and head back to reality.  I received so many nice notes over the weekend from family, co-workers and friends who have us in their thoughts/prayers.  Those notes are so appreciated but also reminded me of what we are heading home to face, ready or not.  We all packed up, said our teary goodbyes and were off.  We pulled into the twin cities around 130p and have spent the afternoon doing the usual Sunday errands - grocery, laundry, daycare prep etc.  I need to tackle some email soon since my schedule is a little crazy this week.  However, I actually welcome a busy week to keep me distracted and focused on things I am able to control.  Maci just was heard saying "Dad, can we go back to the Dells right now?!" Ahh from the mouths of babes.

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Nothing Prepares You for the "C" Word

The week started off normal enough.  After work/school, we headed to Kerry's house as a family for a bon voyage party for Bjorn and his family who return to Belgium after a few years in MN as expats.  It was a great time catching up with some great co-workers and former co-workers.  Maci loved running around with the big girls!

 She Keeps Me Busy

Good People!

On Tuesday we celebrated summer with Maci and Connor's daycare pals with the summer carnival after work.  It was HOT so we didn't stay too long but Maci sure has a gaggle of friends and Connor is loved by all his teachers :)

Look who poses for her teacher 

 Playing with Olympic Rings or so they say. . . 

Wednesday was a scary day for Clint.  He had a biopsy for a lump he found on his neck about a month ago.  Initially the Dr thought was an inflamed lymph node and told him to give it a week.  Last week, he had a CT and ultrasound which both came back in conclusive so they decided to progress to biopsy.  Clint and I had a hard time the night before with all the unknown that comes with the word biopsy but I told him he will be fine because I truly felt comfortable that he would be.  Clint said the biopsy was not too painful even though he had needles put into his neck.  He also really appreciated a nurse that helped him talk through "the worst case" situations and how even those are "worst case" since if you were to get the "C" word, this is the one you want.  I can't even wrap my mind around that concept at this point.  While we worried about adult problems, Connor enjoyed some painting at school - this is what keeps us smiling.

Cutie

 Concentrating on His Work

Thursday will be a day engraved in our memory.  We started the day with Clint heading to an ENT specialist.  This specialist said that the CT made her believe it was thyroid related but without the results, she wouldn't know what she was dealing with.  However, again Clint took comfort in talking with an expert who has years of experience with these matters.  Then I got a call in the afternoon from Clint.  He confirmed he was told it was Thyroid cancer.  As I write this about a 1/2 week later it is harder to type those words.  When he told me that day I was stoic.  I am not sure if I knew I had to be strong for him or if I was just in a daze.  I spoke to a few co-workers, still very much clueless as to what I was saying or experiencing.  Finally around 345p I realized I was getting nothing accomplished, I felt for my husband who by then had shared he was crying at home talking to relatives and I wanted to go focus on something that meant far more than my growing inbox.  Clint and I had a good hug and talked for a bit before picking up the kids.  We have decided to not say anything to either child.  Obviously Connor would be clueless but Maci wouldn't fully understand and no reason to worry a 3.5 year old about her dad's health.  We will determine how to explain his surgery to her when that ultimately occurs - HOW IS THIS HAPPENING?!  Ahh sorry, I have that moment every so often when I get so focused on planning next steps and then realize - How did we get told he has Cancer.  Yes, from what we hear it is the one you want to get - if that makes any sense but still it is a word I want no where near my loved ones!!  We spent the rest of the evening hugging, playing and packing for a now perfectly timed trip to Wisconsin Dells for a long weekend of R&R.

We appreciate all of the kind words and offers to assist!  We know we will be leaning on this support system in the coming weeks/months.  We truly do know Clint will be OK, he knows nothing else!  We feel the warmth from all our friends and family and we know that will get us through the toughest moments.  This coming Wednesday we will have his consultation and hopefully schedule surgery to remove the lump/thyroid before proceeding with Iodine treatments.  We will be sure to keep loved ones updated through this blog and of course cute kid pictures will continue seeing as that is what keeps a smile on everyone's faces, ours included!

Lots of Love,
C, K, M & C

Productive Weekend!

We had a very busy week with lots of fun things after work hours.  Made for a fun summer week and also had me thinking "how is it already August!?"

Monday - Connor was rocking his new do in the morning - I mean seriously how cute is he?!

Maci had a blast making her own lake at school

Tuesday - I finally got my haircut after work and Clint decided to bath both kids together for the first time.  How sweet?!  I loved getting this text at the end of my haircut - made me want to hurry home to my honeys!

Wednesday - After work I had a team event via a dinner cruise on Lake Minnetonka.  It was such a beautiful night and good company.

Maci Got to Paint

Thursday - Maci broke my working momma heart.  I got to daycare way later than I intended and ran in right at the 630p mark which is when they close.  Maci and Connor were the last kids and Maci had tear covered eyes because "I thought you might have too much work and would forget to come get me!"  Of course I kept saying over and over how I would NEVER forget them.  UGH big win for momma!  I then no sooner got home and had to leave again.  I was having a late dinner/happy hour with two of my favorite momma's (Megan & Lisa).  We hadn't hung out in a long time and I really needed this catch up but of course felt like the worse momma ever leaving yet again.

Awesome Momma's Who Make Me Feel Like a Good Mom

Even with my kid worrying I won't pick her up URGH

Friday - Wahoo we made it!  Got quite a few things done at work and had some good brainstorms.  After we got home, we ordered pizza and enjoyed the Olympic opening ceremony - I love the summer Olympics!

Talks a LOT to his Teachers

 My Cuddler

 More Paint!

Saturday - We had no weekend plans and instead of our usual "fill it with lots of fun stuff out and about" we decided to stick close to home.  This was an awesome weekend in the sense that we got so much done around the house, I was able to start selling little baby stuff, outgrown clothes etc again and we had the Olympics on in the background all along the day!

At night, I had more momma plans (see fun but hectic week) and I went to see the movie "Bad Moms" with my mommy and me friends.  We then had dinner/drinks while Clint took our kids over to the Cassem's house for Maci/Natalie to play together.  It was so fun connecting with my girls and starting to plan our weekend cabin trip in a few weeks - Wahoo!

Sunday - More Olympics and accomplishments around the house!  I sold a ton of the stuff I listed yesterday already and Maci got to paint in the backyard while Clint did some yard work.  We love our busy weekends but it was also nice to have this one to feel like we put life in order :)  Also, it helped me to realize our kids also like time just playing in their own home with their own toys (however, I need to still take pictures of what they are doing or the blog is lacking HA)  I needed a good weekend of time with my kiddos after a busy week.

This coming week is a short one for us as we meet my mom and sister at the Wisconsin Dells for a long weekend of water parks and family summer fun!!!  We can't wait!!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C