Soccer Try Out Camp, Soccer End of Season Party & Loons Soccer Game - We Love Soccer in this House!!

Weekdays: 

• Monday - Maci had her first day of Soccer Tryout Camp which thankfully was fun b/c it was getting pretty hot!  Clint and I also exercised some stock options to pay for the upcoming NEW deck!!  Can't wait as this one has held on about as long as is acceptable :). In the evening, Connor had his first machine pitch practice.  He crushed it during hitting thanks to Clint taking him to the batching cages the weekend prior.  He even commented, "oh wow that comes way slower" HA such a goofy, laid back, jock!
• Tuesday - Day 2 of Tryout Camp for Maci and practice in the evening but with a fair share of random rain delays.  The girls made the best of it hanging out in various cars :)

Go Fish!

Clown Car HAHA

Thanks Coach Amy for a great pic!

Connor & I Snapped this One at Home

• Wednesday - Final Day of Tryout Camp with lots of scrimmaging fun!  I had a dinner/happy hour with my friend and former coworker Katie.  While we were there, Connor had his 2nd baseball practice and Clint said he is ready for game time this coming week!

Her Selfies

Dinner w. Katie - I always think I am tan until I meet up with her HA

• Thursday - Kids went swimming with the sitter while Clint and I both worked from home.  I headed to my hair apt at 445p and Clint ran Maci at 7p to her scrimmage.  They were playing the U8 select team that got special permission to play up at Maci's age group but a lower competition level this past year.  They are coached by the former Viking star Chad Greenway.  Well Maci scored within the first 40 seconds and the other team realized they may be good but they aren't ready to play up with our girls :). We ended up winning 5-0 and I made it right at the end from my hair apt.  Just in time to see Chad walking away realizing he wasn't going to get his way with the Fusion league :). Also, Maci was excited to see Chad Morse at the game with a notebook - he is in charge of all the girls competitive age groups.  It baffles me how intense it can be at such a young age but then also how competitive Maci is with herself at this age.  Her first comment to me "Mom, I scored right away and Chad was there with a notebook - that's a good thing" Love her Love of the game!

Clint & His Rosie Girl

• Friday - Usual work from home, no nanny day for us but I actually had several meetings for a summer Friday.  We learned our UHG 2nd quarter earnings (yay stock price climbing!) and then I had a few interviews for a role on my team.  It was a good but busy day.  Clint headed to golf around 330p with Reagan's, from Maci's soccer team, dad (Brad).  I finished up with some work, dropped Connor at the Harty's to swim and then ran Maci to Aanya's birthday party (soccer friend) at Urban Air.  I came back, took a quick call, grabbed a beer and then hung with the Harty's while the boys swam.  We called it around 545p when Connor and I had to run back and get Maci.  We then ate some Asian food for dinner and Clint got home around 730p.
• Saturday - Our crew slept in, a new summer time tradition, while Clint went for his monthly massage.  Once up & Clint was home, we started getting ready for Maci's end of year soccer party at Quinn's house.  We picked up some cupcakes, dropped Connor off at his buddy Chuck's for a swimming/play date at 11a and then we were off to the Sampson house for the party!  We enjoyed pizza, adorable decorations, cupcakes and super cute candy awards for the girls.  Maci got the Jolly Rancher award for how Jolly she is at all the games and practices - she sure does love it!  The girls swam a ton while the adults enjoyed some cold ones - it was a hot muggy day!  We left around 2p and grabbed Connor on the way home from Chuck's house.  We then did naps for all as everyone needed some down time.  We were back up and rolling by 5p and heading to the MN United FC Loons game vs DC United.  The kids loved watching the big soccer field.  Even Clint commented on the athleticism and the ball skills of #10 on MN United.  We won 2-0 and almost had a 3rd but he was offsides!  Super fun game even if we were melting for most of it.  Also, Maci got to chat with some U17 boys near us from Cayman Island's - they were in town for the USACup!  They were super sweet boys and really enjoyed the heat - one even bought a sweatshirt HAHA
• Sunday - OMG more hot!  Yep it is late July in MN - this is the one time of year where I feel like we get some of that icky humidity along with the high temps.  We have been having a super productive morning so that we may swim and/or go see Jurassic Park as a family tonight.  Clint is taking care of the yard while I get all the laundry, groceries etc done.  Maci and Connor got a little lecture this morning about helping more around the house and it seems to have sunk in so that's good.  Now to enjoy the rest of a hot sunny summer weekend!

Admiring the Picture Board I made for them

Coach Amy was like a celebrity when she arrived

Charlie & Ema

Quinn & Teagan

Taylor & Aanya

Eden & Mikah

Reagan & Lucy (AKA Legatron)

Our Maci Lou!

The Mommas!

MN United FC Loons Fun

Free Visor Night ;-)

We were within 1 person from getting the goalie to sign our visors!

We hope you have a wonderful week ahead and send some well wishes for Maci's U10 tryouts this week - it is going to be HOT!!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Rodeo Fun!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - 4th of July!  It was some weird weather - we started the day with rain so we skipped all the parades - bummer!  However, by lunch time the weather was clearing up and getting sunny but also pretty muggy.  We got all our to dos done around the house so we could then head to Delano for the 4th of July carnival.  The kids had a blast on rides, watching wrestling and some 20 year old baseball tournament.  We left around dinner time to let Rosie & Boomer out and chill until it was time for some fireworks.  The Harty's got home around 10p and we took to the streets to set off some 'crackers before calling it around 11p.  Happy 4th all!
• Tuesday - Thursday : Not much to note on our end - Kids sports were in a break this week given the holiday and with so many people out of town, no happy hours etc.  Nice to have some lazy weekday evenings. 

They can be buddies!

Hot Baseball Watching

Sparkler Fun!

Friday :

• Both Clint and I were at home working.  
• He ran the Volvo in for regular maintenance in the morning and I worked from the deck
• The kids continue to sleep in like teenagers HA
• Around 2p I left the house for a happy hour with my team members Trish and Nicole - it was a hot but gorgeous night by the lake enjoying apps and drinks with the ladies!
• While I was gone the kids swam with the Harty's and had a blast cooling off before dinner.
• Clint and I enjoyed a few more drinks on the deck before calling it for the night.

Awesome blanket arrived from Grandma & Grandpa care of Aunt Molly's move

Saturday : 

• Rodeo!!  One of my fav days of the year in Medina/Hamel area!
• We started the day with a trip to the afternoon family day show which started at 1p.  The dads got there at 11a when gates opened to get a great spot on the hill.  The kids and moms showed up around 12p to jump on the trampoline and look around at the vendors.  Maci bought a super cute hand made jean and fur purse.  Connor bought a lasso!
• We got home around 4p and we were all dripping - it had been a nice but oh so muggy and warm day sitting in the sun.  Everyone threw on a suit and jumped in the Harty pool for a cool off.
• I had to hop out 1 hour later to get ready for adult rodeo fun!
• Our sitter got here at 6p and by 630p we were all off to Charlie's BBQ for dinner.  We had the Harty's and Herness' in tow for this year's fun!
• After dinner we walked over to Inn-ka-hoots and got our positioning for the remainder of the evening. The band wasn't the best singers but they did all cover country and rock so it was super fun to sing along and dance!  
• We finally called it between 12-1a - LOVE this day every year!

Rodeo Ready

Rodeo Buddies - they may have sat still the most!

She is just Gorgeous - I know I am biased

Rodeo Kids!

Harty's - Mondell's - Herness'

The woman taking the pic said to do our best power pose - many were confused

My Selfie Buddy

Maci asked what I was doing right now

Ran into Connor's daycare teacher & our occasional sitter Mara!

Rodeo is a popular thing

Sunday :

• We all slept it and finally got moving around 10a!
• We got a ton of household to dos rolling before the Rodeo parade at 2p
• We headed up to our spot at 130p and enjoyed some overcast skies which made the parade far more bearable!
• The kids got way too much candy per usual and we saw a few neighbors, friends etc.
• After the parade we were back home to our to do list since we hadn't really touched any of it Friday or Saturday but that is what summer weekends are all about!
• We are getting ready for some dinner and early bedtimes in a short while tonight.

We hope you are all having a warm yet enjoyable summer!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Grandma's Memorial & 4th of July Holiday Weekend!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - I spent the day in Ohio seeing family that I hadn't seen in way too long and honoring the best Grandma in the world, Peggy!  We were all feeling a little rough Monday morning after hanging out with my amazing siblings, parents and aunt Susie the night before!  We started the celebration at the cemetery where it was a lovely but sunny day.  The comments were touching and the day was beautiful!  After the service, we headed to the VFW for a luncheon with the family/friends.  Some of them headed to my grandfather's senior home afterward but I was ready for a nap like my mom.  Molly dropped me off and then she was on her way to Columbus to finish packing b/c she was leaving to Denver the next day to start a new life chapter!  After naps, my dad and I fed their pond fish before heading to a late lunch/early dinner with my mom and dad at Woody's.  After food, my mom and I were off to Columbus for the airport.  I got there just in time for boarding and had a very smooth flight home.  My crew was there to pick me up and we all crashed shortly after getting home.  What a great quick visit to honor one of the best :)

The ladies on the lake last Sunday night

Kendall, Molly, Mom

Me, Tiffany and Meghan 

Aunt Sue, Siblings (me, Molly, Dustin & Meghan) + Grandpa Ted

Gilroy Crew Minus a Few

• Tuesday - Maci and Connor had Dentist appointments to start the day.  Clint kindly ran them this go around since I had just been off work the day before and needed to get caught up.  Well surprise, after over a year of having the Ortho pop in on Maci they decided now is the time to get rolling with braces.  She will be getting her first round of braces in a few weeks (July 26) along with a bite plate and they will be on for 8-12 months.  Then we will see when round 2 come on given how her mouth grows, teeth shift etc.  Connor thankfully was less dramatic with only a few wiggly teeth and no cavities - finally wiggling teeth!!  He had yet to lose one HA.  Then I wrapped the day with my own 6p Dentist apt for my bi-annual cleaning, all good!  While I was there, Maci had her soccer practice.

These pics are all over my phone as Maci is trying to decide on her first braces colors  

OMG!!

• Wednesday - A normal day all in all with both Clint and I at the office and a low key evening.  Clint hosted some of the neighbor guys for a Golden Tee night for the first time in a while - more a fall/winter activity :)
• Thursday - Clint and I both worked from home and I enjoyed some outside working time before it got too hot.  Kristy took Connor and Maci to a hotel she works out that has a simulator where you can play golf, baseball, soccer etc and the kids thought it was the most amazing thing ever!!  They got home just in time to get Maci in her uniform for her final spring/summer season game.  They played a tough Minnetonka team who they have lost to and then beat by 1 each time.  Maci had a wonderful game - so fast, aggressive and in it to win it.  She got warned about almost getting a yellow card after getting a bit into a goal saving play and she had a beautiful assist on their only goal.  They ended in a tie 1-1 but what a CRAZY good game - these girls have grown leaps and bounds since first forming almost a year ago.  Now on to our last few practices, try out camp and then tryouts in mid July - prayers for keeping some of the mojo of our team together :). After the game, many of the families headed to Ike's for a team dinner on the patio.  It was a great meal, kids were good and then we waited for 2 hours for our checks HAHA not quite that bad but it was a lil nutty!  Once home, Clint and I were over to the Harty's for some corn hole and cocktails - LOVE SUMMER!

The Team!

Teams that do hair together, stay together HA

More sports pics I don't pay for so you see the watermark proof

🤣

Friday : 

• We both worked from home but dang with over 1/2 our teams taking the day off to start the holiday weekend it was pretty quiet.  I got a lot done working outside and Clint would move around the house quite a bit.  Around 3p I called it for the day and took a cat nap on the couch.
• Once I got up, we ate some take n bake pizza and then took a family walk.  Stopping at Louie's house to catch up with his parents and talk about the upcoming machine pitch baseball season.

Saturday :

• Started the day with a lovely walk with dogs and coffee.  
• Once home, I made the mistake of laying down on the couch and I was back out for a nap while it rained outside.  I continued to enjoy some random TV re-runs and Candy Crush on the phone while the kids played on iPads.
• We finally got up and moving a bit as the weather improved - Clint did some yard work and I filled bird feeders before we did our annual Christmas tree bonfire.  This time some field mice ran out of the trees and fire pit and scurried up a tree.  There was a lot of screaming because (1) mice (2) I never knew they would climb trees - OMG!  The kids continued to watch the mice in the trees while I ordered us some dinner - Taco Teresa's YUM!
• We chilled a bit after dinner before heading to the Harty's for a fire with the Harty's and Pinkerton's.
• Love our Neighbors!

Sunday : 

• Our whole house slept in like crazy for us - I didn't wake up until 945a and I don't think we saw the first kid until almost noon - woah we are loving summer!
• We got a ton of stuff done around the house in the morning: laundry, groceries ordered, nails painted, dog bathed etc. before getting ourselves ready for the Harty's swimming 4th fun!
• We sipped Blueberry Vodka Lemonades and even the adults got in for a bit to cool off.  The Pinkerton's left to the St Paul Saints game but the Harty's and Mondell's kept floating.
• Finally we had the great idea to leave all the kids' home together while we went out for an adult dinner and drinks - yay to Cael being 13!
• After getting cleaned up we were off to Birch's on the Lake for a lovely lakeside dinner!  Afterward, we were surprised to learn all the local bars were closed b/c yes it was a Sunday but it is the Sunday of 4th of July!  Random so we headed home, put kids to bed and then enjoyed a beer on our deck with the Harty's while watching fireworks behind our house.  

We hope you are also having a wonderful summer as well as a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Maci Invention Camp, CraZy Sports Weekend & Mom to Ohio!

Weekdays :

• Monday - Nice chill day with nothing out of the ordinary just super HOT!
• Tuesday - Maci had day 1 of her invention camp with her neighborhood pal Livi while Connor hung with Kristy.  Connor had a Baseball game at 515p and had some great hits and a nice out!
• Wednesday - Clint headed to Milwaukee in the morning.  Maci had another day of camp and Connor had a blast with Kristy.  Maci had soccer practice at 545p and Connor and I hung in the AC car while I got some work completed.
• Thursday - I worked from home, Clint was still in Milwaukee.  Maci had a soccer game at 715p and Clint was able to land/meet up with us by half time.  They had a great game and got another W!

The newest puppy in the 'hood - Simon & Ally's dog Moss

Friday : 

• Last day of camp for Maci so we dropped her off as a family after having some bagels.
• I picked her up at 345p and we grabbed some fruit on the way home for our evening party.
• At 5p we headed to my co-worker KK's house for some yummy food and conversation with other co-workers and their kiddos.  It was a hot evening but the kids had a blast.  We headed home around 8p and got the kids settled before taking a nice evening walk with a drink.

Saturday :

• Busy Day!  
• Connor had his Hamel baseball Jamboree which meant a double header with the national anthem and their names being announced when they came out to bat.  Clint had to take Connor b/c I was with Maci soccer.  Thankfully Clint took a video of him being called out "Connor the Chainsaw Mondell!"  HAHA. He had a great time!
• Maci had her 4v4 Fusion Fest tournament.  They were the Skittles until they changed their name to the Zittles b/c Maci said I did bad S's with the electric tape.  Either way they were adorable.  They had 0 subs and played so amazing - we were so proud!!
• Game 1 - They played the Red Pandas - part of the Academy 1 team with the best players on there and they held them to a 2-2 tie.  Went through a 2 minute OT and kept it 2-2 and then went to shoot outs where they unfortunately lost BUT holy cow!!!
• Game 2 - They played the other half of their own team "the Minions" and again no subs for our girls and they got down 0-3 at one point.  Maci clicked into killer mode and made 2 goals back to back and started screaming - LETS GO!!  She is my daughter HA!  They ended up taking it to 4-4, all the parents were having a blast watching our girls battle!  They took it to a 2 min OT where the other team scored and then the rain poured having the game called with 1:15 left in OT.  Unfortunately that means they lost again BUT again HOLY COW!
• Game 3 - They played 1/2 of the Academy 1 u10 so an age up!!!  They got crushed but we were so proud of them and told them how great they hung after 3 games, no subs, hot and rain, and playing the top team of an age older!!! 
• We came home to rest and enjoy the afternoon!
• Our whole crew got up and rolling and headed to River Inn for a lovely dinner and then home to chill for the evening!

The Zittle's

Maci, Ema, Taylor & Reagan!

All the Girls from Academy 2

Academy 1 U10 and Academy 2 U9

National Anthem Respect!

Sunday:

• I am writing this quick b/c I am off to the airport.  I head to Ohio today for my Grandma Peggy's Celebration of Life.
• We spent the morning getting all the to dos done around the house - groceries, laundry etc and packing for my super quick trip.
• After they drop me, Clint and the kids have plans to do yard work, eat dinner at Applebee's and watch the new Buzz Lightyear movie at the theatre - FUN!
• I come back tomorrow evening after the celebration/luncheon.  I am going to hit some Indian Lake bars with my family this late afternoon evening so will be good to have quality time with all of them.

We hope you are also having a great summer!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C