Connor's 7th Birthday Party!

Weekdays:

• Monday - I had an early morning calibration for end of year performance reviews.  Our team decided to head to an early happy hour to celebrate the end of this busy timeframe!
• Tuesday - Another day of work and what not with some snow.  A quiet night at home.
• Wednesday - I had a work holiday happy hour to end the day.  Clint ran Maci to soccer and Connor to religion.  I left in time to pick up Maci from Soccer and Clint grabbed Connor from religion.  He was super sad b/c he was 1 sticker shy of being able to purchase a yo yo at the sticker store.  He is now asking Santa for a yo yo via our elf :)
• Thursday - We had a calibration on our own people team ratings.  In the evening Maci had soccer practice which Clint kindly ran her to and from.

It's like she has boots on HAHA

Friday :

• The kids were off to school on the bus and Clint and I started our day with bagels and coffee.
• I got a lot of work done before heading to Juut for my hair coloring and cut at 2p
• I cleaned email and took a few phone calls while enjoying my "me time"
• The kids came home on the bus and Maci was excited to show Clint her secret Santa exchange with her pals on the bus.
• I got home around dinner time to eat some pizza.
• We told the kids Maci was in charge and by 7p we were off to our neighbors holiday party at the Jonas home.
• We had a lot of laughs and catch ups before finally calling it at midnight!

Boomer was able to get up on the couch & 

Rosie had to ensure she was closest to Clint

Saturday :

• Clint and Connor had basketball practice at 940a
• While they were gone, Maci and I picked up Connor's cupcakes for his party 
• Connor got home from basketball all upset - turns out he got slammed in the mouth and now had a wiggly bloody tooth.  However, it wasn't wiggly enough for Clint to pull but wiggly enough that Connor didnt want to eat and was in a bad mood
• I got him to take a quick nap with me on the couch and then we were off.
• We dropped Maci at the Bryant's b/c they were kindly taking her to and from soccer practice while we had the party
• Connor was in good spirits at first but about 1/2 way through the party his mouth was really bugging him, I think he was hungry and moody and tired.  So he started pouting which was not super fun!
• He did ok through cupcakes and singing and finally popped up a bit during the gifts.  No fun feeling like pooh at your own birthday!
• We came home and he played with some toys while I got him to eat some liquids - the dentist on call wanted us to just Tylenol and try to leave it alone
• Connor and I ended up falling asleep together on the couch watching football which was so sweet!
• At 5p, Maci's pal Penny came over for a slumber party - thankfully they are great kids and quiet together b/c we were all exhausted from the day and emotions!
• Clint and I called it at 11p and the girls finally crashed at 1230a!!

Smiling through the pain pre-party

Maci having Pizza with her pal Mikah

Mouth is starting to be a little sore waiting on buddies to arrive

Presents with Pals

Anders (neighborhood, basketball & school pal)

The infamous Anna - his best pal since pre-K

Grady - A preK pal that plays all sorts of sports with C man

Elliott - Same kind of pal like Grady

Chuck - They first met at daycare and then were Pre-K Pals

Hendrix - He lives behind us and was also a Pre-K pal!

Fletcher, AKA the smiliest kid around!!!  Also a pre-K buddy

Vinny - 1st Grade & Basketball Buddy

Bikram - Sweet friend in his 1st grade class

Oliver - Neighborhood, Bus & Class Pal

Colton - Neighborhood, Bus & Class Pal

Louie - Neighborhood, Bus and Pal since Pre-K

Anders - Buddy since Pre-K

Sunday :

• Slow morning for us!
• Penny got picked up at 10a after we ate some donuts.
• We all enjoyed the crazy ending to the World Cup - most of us were cheering for France so boo but a fun game for sure!!
• We got some stuff done around the house and before we knew it, it was time for the Bengals game.
• Holy ugly 1st half but then in the 2nd half we KILLED Tom Brady and the Bucs - love them Bengals!
• We got the rest of our prep for the week complete and now are getting ready to end the night with the hot tub and some wine!

We hope you are enjoying these final days before the holidays!  The kids are so pumped they only have 2 days until break starts and Connor is excited for his actual 7th birthday on Wednesday, first day of break!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

80s Rocking w Friends & Hairball!!

Weekdays:

• Tuesday - The kids and I hit up their school book fair at pick up and each of them picked out 2 new books and a poster for their room.  Maci picks a cute puppy (of course) and Connor picked out an NBA poster (also of course). HA
• Wednesday - I had to get into work by 7a (yowlers that was early!) We had Connor skip his religion class b/c I was running late out of work.  Clint took Maci to and from soccer finishing camp.
• Thursday - Maci had practice in the evening and Clint took her so he could hang out with the dads.  We didnt do hot tub party as I was tired and wanted to watch the end of the Love is Blind Season 3 :)

Friday :

• A lovely open calendar to get a lot of work done and things around the house!
• Clint and I started the day with a bagel and coffee run 
• I had one meeting to help finalize our calibration prep for Monday with our tech leader
• The rest of the day I got things done, helped people out at work and got some to dos around our home complete.
• At 4p, Connor's buddy Anna came over for a playdate
• We had pizza for dinner, they sled in our backyard in the dark and had fun in the basement before her parents picked her up around 7p
• Once she left, we all made some sugar cookie dough and then went to bed

Saturday :

• Connor and Clint had basketball at 850a and then pictures afterward
• I had a massage at 915, rescheduled from last week 
• Maci was a big girl and hung at the house for 1 hour by herself
• Maci and I then went to get some breakfast together while Clint and Connor wrapped pictures
• We then baked and decorated the cookies with the dough we made the day before
• After doing cookies, Maci and I were off to her soccer practice.  We picked up her buddy/teammate Mikah and then dropped them at the dome.
• Clint and I took a nap for the one hour practice and then he went to pick her up while I started to wake up
• We did some stuff around the house like building a TV console in the playroom
• Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for the night and hit the town with our neighbors and friends the Cassem's.
• We all had tickets to Hairball at the Medina Ballroom.  Hairball is an awesome 80s rock hairband cover band.
• We had so much fun and got home a little after 12a as they played from 10-12 and the opening act was on from 815-930p.

Ready for a fun night HAHA

The Neighbor Gals

Me & Clint

Jacey

Woah a total super fan

Cassems and Mondells

Sunday :

• Lazy get stuff done day at home!
• We got a lot of errands complete in the morning including final touches/plans for Connor's birthday party this coming weekend.
• We enjoyed cheering the Bengals to victory over the Browns!
• We then finished preparing for the week and now we are waiting on some pizzas in the oven, watching football and ready for early bed times before our last "full" week of the year!!

My Bestie Christie Sends Ornaments Each Year

Cookie Maci made me for "once the Bengals Win"

We hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Awesome Weekend of Football!!

Weekdays:

• Busy week for all of us after the nice short Thanksgiving week!  I'm busy with year end, Clint is busy with picking up duties at work and the kids are cranking on last minute work before holiday break!!

Call the Tooth Fairy - We lost a big front tooth!

Look at this sweet thing!

Friday:

• Maci had a field trip to the Bakken museum (innovation and electricity etc) from 9-2 and I was picked as one of the chaperones
• We had a great time together and then I got home to get a few calls done and then took a shower and went to bed - I think I was getting some of Clint's head cold
• While I slept, Maci played on iPad and Clint/Connor went to the Wayzata High School Basketball team open house.  Connor loved watching the dunk contest, taking a big group picture and getting a new Wayzata shirt and hat.

Maci & Mom Time

Look at My Red Nose, Ugh Colds!!

Maci & Museum Fun

Maci's 4th Grade Class Post Field Trip & Pre Bus

Basketball Group Pic

Saturday :

• Clint had a massage at 8a and I was supposed to have one at 915a but I rescheduled given how I was feeling 
• Connor then had basketball practice with Clint at 1030a
• Maci had Soccer practice from 100-215p
• We then rested a bit before getting ready for our annual mommy and me holiday party.
• We hosted this year and hosted the Fike's and Cassem's for pizza, drinks and dessert.
• The girls played in my shoes, Maci can basically fit my shoes!!! And the boys played video games.  All the kids played with Gidget our Guniea Pig.
• What a great night with great friends!

So Big!!

Sunday :

• What a fun weekend!!  We were up and at 'em to the Vikings game!  We had great seats and they were free through our Credit Union!
• We watched a great W and Connor got to see the Griddy a few times live!
• On the way home we started to listen to the Bengals v Chiefs game.
• We got home in time to watch over half the game and to cheer on those Bengals to another W over the Chiefs - dang we have their number and I love it!!

Thank Goodness we have an indoor stadium!

Enjoying our Seats!

Looking for Dip N Dots & Found a Prince Lounge

We were so tired after all the football that I couldn't get around to doing this blog hence why it is a week late :) We hope you had a great week post Thanksgiving!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Happy Thanksgiving 2022!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - I worked from home due to a 7a call and an airport pick up for our first visitor, my baby sister Molly.  I ran by Greenwood Elementary around 4p as Maci really wanted to come with for the pick up.  She ended up falling asleep shortly after picking up Molly.  We then met the boys back at home and went out to Oak Eatry for some dinner.  All crashed at early times as we had work the next day.
• Tuesday - I headed to the office while Clint and Molly worked from our house.  I had a productive day and was excited to turn on that out of office message!  After Ravioli for dinner, Molly and I were off to Innkahoots for some beers and darts.  We had so much fun playing and it kept us out until 11p which is when my brother was pulling into town with his crew.  We headed back to my house and Maci woke back up to say HI - we chatted for a bit but then all crashed around midnight.

Darts - Don't mind my hand telling you how many wins I had at that point HAHA

• Wednesday - Day before Thanksgiving!  We were all sleeping in as it was the first day of break but then my sister Meghan and her husband arrived around 830a after their 730a arrival at the airport.  We all enjoyed some breakfast and World Cup soccer.  We were super lazy all morning and around 1p Clint and Christian headed out to pick up all our catering and pies etc.  While he was gone the rest of us were still super lazy :) We worked on a jigsaw puzzle but that was about it.  We finally had some Mac n cheese and wings for dinner before the adults headed out for the night before Thanksgiving bar fun!  So much dancing with a great DJ at Stanchion!

Siblings!

Car Ride Home

• Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!  We enjoyed a day of family and laughter!  Lots of cuddles on the couch with World Cup, Parade, Football, Snacks, Beautiful Sunshine, Beers, Deep Frying Turkey and Catering Warming.  We loved our meal, had many a naps afterward and then enjoyed some cocktails and games afterward.  The kids most enjoyed the Pictionary game while some of the guys and I caught the AWESOME Vikings game finish!  

Kids built Gingerbread Houses

Maci being the great babysitter for her 2nd cousin Matthew

Deep Frying Turkey and Hanging Out

Someone living his best life waiting on food

Here is how the others killed time before food - Photo Hunt!

The spread!

Pictionary to End the Night

Friday :

• Lazy morning again!
• Molly was off to the airport with Clint and Meghan along for the ride for her 1p flight.
• They got back to the house just in time for the US World Cup game.  Maci, Dustin, Christian and I were really into it while many of the others napped or came in and out of the room.
• Many of us then took real naps after the US game and once up decided to have some reheats.  I also ordered some pizza to go with the reheats.
• We then made an outdoor fire and had a blast playing guess the year this 90s rap song came out around the fire pit.  We called it around 11p as many have to leave the next day.

Bye to Aunt Molly!  First to Arrive & First to Leave

Pizza Time with Cousins!

Maci and Clint at the Fire

Saturday :

• Had some quick breakfast, lots of showers and then before we knew it we were off from our house at 10a heading for mall of America.
• Meghan and Christian had a 330p flight so we hung out at the mall from 10-12 then had a family lunch at Cowboy Jacks before walking around the mall a bit more.  We then ran Meghan and Christian to the airport and Dustin's family started their 12 hour drive home from the mall.
• My crew got home and CRASHED!  We all took some naps and enjoyed the quiet time.  Once we got up and moving, I did a lot of cleaning up, started laundry and taking down Thanksgiving decor.
• Clint went to bed really early as he is fighting a nasty cough/cold.  I watched some episodes of the Crown before crashing myself.

Each Kid got to Pick One Thing Under $25 at the Mall

Connor chooses Legos and wanted Aidan to see he already built it :)

Sunday :

• Clint had a super rough night sleeping due to the cough so he got up at 630a and went to urgent care - it is only a bad cold and they gave him some codeine to help with sleeping and the cough.
• We got up and slowly moving, I was up most of the night with his coughing too, but wanted to get our Christmas tree. 
• We got a good tree and were able to get home in time for the Bengals game - YAY a great W!!
• Our awesome neighbors, Harty's, helped Clint to hang the Christmas lights quickly today since he felt like poo.
• Clint then napped while I wrapped up laundry, preparing for the week and decorating for Christmas.

Christmas Tree Farm

Our eyes are tired and bodies worn out but our hearts are so full from a great long break with family!  We will shake this crud and be enjoying the holiday season in no time!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Mom Heads to Nashville!

Weekdays:

• Monday - I worked from home which was probably for the better as we got some snow and roads were way more slick than one may expect.  Around 11a I had to head to a CIO luncheon at Mall of America for work.  After the luncheon, I was off to the airport for our 330p flight to Nashville for the CTO quarterly offsite.  Thankfully it was a super smooth flight and before I knew it, we were eating some tasty BBQ across the street from our hotel.  We wrapped the night with some beers at the hotel bar and there was a Bengals fan so you know who I had to talk to :). Back at the home front Clint had a nice evening of no kids activities 

The one person that is super happy when I am away b/c she gets Clint all to herself

• Tuesday - Day 1 of meetings.  Ended the day with dinner at Modell's which is this yummy southern cooking/homestyle place.  Afterward we went to downtown Nashville bars and had a blast dancing at Tootsies.  I headed back to the hotel with the first group at 1130p, it made for a rough morning for all the next day but so fun in the moment!  Once again, Clint and the kids had a quiet night at home.

Me, Bree, Kelly and Melissa having some dancing fun at Tootsies

This was before the crowd showed and made it impossible to move

• Wednesday - Day 2 of meetings.  Many left to the airport after we wrapped but those of us that stayed got some Nashville hot chicken and then headed to our rooms by 830p.  So tired!!  Clint juggled Connor's religion class and Maci's finishing camp in the evening but then he had the guys over for some Golden Tee fun!
• Thursday - I was to fly home on a 1030a flight but we got delayed by 1 hour and 30 mins.  Thankfully we finally got out of there and I was home by 230p.  I wrapped my calls from home and then picked up the kids who were happy to see me :). Maci had soccer practice at 7p and Clint ran her while I got some things done on the home front.

Friday 

• Productive day working from home for me and Clint headed into the office.
• The kids got off the bus and Connor was sad to hear his play date got rescheduled b/c his buddy Anna had a nasty cough/cold.  Turns out Connor also started to show signs of a cough/cold so we got him to start resting.  
• After we were all home for the day, we ordered some Mexican for dinner and had a fairly lazy night at home.

Saturday 

• Connor woke up sounding rough so we skipped basketball practice
• We got a lot done around the house and started to put together the playroom with the bookshelf, bean bag chairs, rug, posters etc.  We also had a crazy busy Costco run where Connor fell asleep in the cart - oh my goodness!
• I got laundry pretty well done with all the bedding getting a good wash before company starts to arrive this week.
• Maci had to head to soccer practice at 3p and I did drop off but then Clint picked up at 415p while I got ready for date night.
• By 530p we were off in our Uber to downtown for a Manny's steak dinner with John and Sarah Verplank.  We had a wonderful dinner we had and some super strong cocktails :) 
• Afterward we went to the Verplank's home for some final drinks and Shuffle board in the house.
• We finally got in our own Uber heading home around 12a - Long but Fun night with good friends!

Sunday 

• Clint and I were both feeling pretty rough today!  A little too much fun and lack of sleep.
• Connor is still hacking but feeling better, I think it is moving.  We still got him to take a nap and rest inside.  Maci on the other hand did all her studying, read for her homework and then sled outside wit the neighbors for a few hours.
• We got the house totally cleaned for the family coming this Thanksgiving!  Watched football and are ready for an early bedtime for all tonight!!

We are so excited for this week and seeing so many loved ones in our home!  We wish you all a Super Happy Thanksgiving!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C