Mondell's do Des Moines for Maci's Soccer Tourney, Connor Kills it at 1st Base & Mom Turns 40!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Such a windy day!  We let the kids come home on the bus so they could get ready in time for Maci's early soccer game - 5p kickoff!  Clint ran the kids to the field and I met them there from the office.  The girls played well but looked a little rusty as this was the first game of the season.  They pulled off a W 1-0 vs Orono but this is a team we usually beat by a lot more so rusty for sure.  We ate dinner at Birch's with the Heintz family afterward.  Yum!
• Tuesday - Clint ran Rosie to the groomer mid day, thankfully we are doing this more regularly so she isn't getting shaved any longer!  Maci had her girls on the run after school.  She then wrapped her day with soccer practice at 630p which Clint ran her to and from as I had a happy hour at Flying Dutchman with an out of town coworker 
• Wednesday - I picked up the kids a little early so we could go to the BOGO book fair to end the year.  Connor then had baseball practice which Clint can finally get back at.  While they were at baseball, I had a video catch up with my BFF Christie but we spent most of the time talking to her kiddos Andrew and Avery who wouldn't go to bed :) HA
• Thursday - Maci had Girls on the Run again and then soccer practice at night.  It was a gorgeous night!  I spent the first half of practice stuffing goodie bags (aka pillow cases) for the soccer girls for their out of state tournament.  We had posters for their hotel door, personalized pillow cases, candy, bracelets, straws, stickers, chapsticks, drinks and granola bars.  Once we were done stuffing bags, the moms that remained took a walk to enjoy the great weather!

Gift from my Parents 

This is my Grandma Garnet and her yummy potato recipe engraved in a cutting board/recipe book stand

Friday : 

• I had a super busy day that was unexpected thanks to our ER department accidentally terminating 6 employees - yep that was fun NOT
• Then I had to scramble to finish laundry and pack us up
• The kids got off the bus and we should have been on the road by 230p but given the scramble we were not off until 330p.
• I had a cocktail in the car to settle down after all the rushing!
• We then drove for 4 hours from gorgeous weather in the Twin Cities to storms in Des Moines
• We got there in time for pizza party and the family meetings at 830p
• After we put the kids down, we had a few beers in the bar before crashing in our rooms but not before seeing a sweet birthday surprise on our door.

Horse Shoe Necklace from my Sister Meghan

Road Cocktails

Hotel Door Decor

Saturday :

• Early day with a 9a game to start the tournament.  The girls fought hard but ultimately fell to a team from Nebraska 0-1.  It was so close, I swore we would tie it up!  The moms at least enjoyed some Mimosa's while we bundled under blankets.
• We then had a big gap until game 2 so we walked over to the big girl fields to say hi to the Powers (couple that went to Costa Rica with us and live in Des Moines - their freshman in high school plays soccer)
• Then we headed back towards the hotel to meet a big part of our crew for lunch at Ruby Tuesdays.  The girls had a blast and were really well behaved even though they had a group of older women glaring at them the whole time.  We even sang a nice happy birthday to Violet because it was her big 10th birthday!
• We then all headed back to our rooms for some down time.  Maci went to one of the girls rooms to do face masks and watch soccer while Clint and I napped plus Connor played on iPad.
• Before we knew it, we were up and at 'em to the 4p game.  The girls played GREAT!  Maci had a SICK goal where she burnt so many girls with her speed!  The 4th goal of the game was made by our Birthday Girl Violet!  We ultimately won 4-0.  The moms say it was all because of the Booz Balls that we drank at the field - DANG THEY WERE STRONG!  We also got some sun b/c it got HOT once the rain moved out.
• We then did a quick hotel stop to get changed and cleaned up for the evening fun.
• All the moms surprised me with Derby Hats and the girls had green and navy fascinators just like their uniforms - so cute!!!
• We had dinner and drinks at a place called Smash Park - lots of pickle ball courts, corn hole, Dave and buster type games etc.  The kids ran all over and the adults drank :)
• We then all crashed hard b/c we had an early wake up call!

That's My Girl!

The 2 Birthday Gals of the Weekend

Mommas with Mimosas

Kari, Julie, me, Kristi, Jess, Kim (Standing)

Brandy, Jess, Molly, Kristi (Squatting)

Just a few 80s names in this group ;-)

Tournament Sweatshirts

I think they thought they would sell tournament t-shirts but the windy/rainy morning proved otherwise

Maci, Reagan, Annalise, Kennedy

Ruby Tuesday Fun

Reagan, Violet (Bday), Annelise (Standing), Maci, Lucy, Taylor, Maddyn

Relaxation & Soccer Watching

Images of a Happy but Hot Team Post W

Quinn S, Maci, Quinn I, Annelise, Coach Maggie (Standing)

Charley, Taylor, Violet, Maisy, Kennedy, Lucy (Kneeling)

Reagan and Maddyn (Laying)

Ready for the Ponies to Run!

Maci and Maisy - Yes it is impossible to know who Coach Maggie is calling for on the field

Thankfully they often play the same position so aren't on together much HAHA

The mommas with their Derby Hats - Mine was Slipping!!

Kristi, Kristi, me, Kari, Kim, Julie and Molly

These girls are some of my fav 10 year olds ever!!!

They really have NO fun together HA

Sunday :

• Up and at 'em at 6a (yay Happy 40th to me!) for our 8a kickoff.
• All the parents were dragging but somehow the girls were not and they came out ON FIRE!!!!!
• The parents were loving it - this may be the best game we have ever seen them play together and this was a team that had been undefeated (UNTIL THEY MET US!)  Maci said they would pull off the Ws for my birthday and they didnt let me down.  A very unbalanced 4-1 win which at times felt like 15-1.
• We then decided to hang at the field and watch the other fusion team while Clint went to pick up our gear and check us out of the hotel.  A group of the soccer moms who have become great friends (Kari, Kristi and Molly) got me a Stanley mug and a weather proof quilted poncho - they called it the soccer mom survival kit - such great friends, Blessed!!!  We watched a lot of soccer, the sun came back out to get hot and it was finally our time to kick off for the last game at 1120a.  The girls once again looked solid, a bit more tired (fair!) but got the job done with a 2-0 W.
• We did a quick swing by the big girl fields to say bye to the Powers.
• Then we were off in the gorgeous weather back to Minneapolis.  I spent time in the car responding to all the sweet birthday text, social messages, emails etc.  The kids played on iPads and ate food.
• Before we knew it we were pulling into our driveway and QUICKLY changing into Connor's baseball gear for his 530p baseball game.  We got to the field about 5-10 mins late but he only missed one round in the field.  He had a solid hit every time he was up and he was a BEAST in the field.  They had him play pitcher one inning (even though coach pitch) and he scooped up 4 balls in a row (they let every kid hit) and tossed them to his 1st baseman who is also a stud on the team - OUT.  Connor had so much fun doing the arm gesture to show them they were OUT!  He then played 1st base and caught at least 5-6 throws his way to get the kid out.  I guess all that front yard tossing has helped a lot :). We were so glad we could do this for him since he had to miss Flag Football earlier in the day but the team pulled off a W in his honor :)
• We then quickly peeled out to a birthday dinner for me at Kobe (hibachi).  The kids love it and we had a chef to ourselves (yay later Sunday night dinner!) We gobbled that down and headed home as we had a family that really needed showers :) The kids got done and were in bed around 9p - we were all ready to crash in our own beds but with grateful hearts after a super fun weekend!!!

These smiles are why we get up at 6a on our Sundays!

They love playing this game!!

I adore this girl!  Uniform changed and ready for game 2

A mom on the U9 team takes amazing live shots and sent me some from our final game!

Long and Lean Maci Magoo - looks very Gilroy girl to me except for white blonde hair 💓

Maci coming to attack the Defense with her buddy Maddyn

Teammates - they actually watch and pay attention at this age

These girls love each other!

They crushed it - #2nd Place!!

Proud Parents!

Connor's face as I told him his Flag Football Team Won

3 Touchdowns to 0

The boys of summer

Connor & Brooks

Football & Baseball Buddies

We hope you are loving this time of year and the warming weather.  Here is to my 40s and hoping I continue to laugh and live life to the fullest with so many loved ones I am fortunate to have in my life!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Clint has a Surgery, Connor has a Field Trip & Maci does a Sleepover!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Maci had Gymnastics and we were once again on time - Yay us!
• Tuesday - Maci had girls on the run after school and then in the evening she had Soccer Practice.
• Wednesday - Clint had Hernia Surgery at 11a and all things went great.  While he was in surgery, I missed a step and thought I tore my ankle - we are a mess!  I got him home and he rested while I worked.  Then I got the kids from school and took Connor to a cold 1st night of baseball at 7p

Oh Rosie Girl - So Lady Like HAHA

• Thursday - We finally got our last window installed (yes, 3 years since the storm!) but they had the wrong trim so they will need to come back again this coming week - are people just horrible at their jobs these days?!  Connor and I went to his school field trip from 9a-1p.  We were at the MN History Museum and our favs were the tornado basement, D Day Plane and the mines.  I had a group of 4 boys that were crazy fun but also hard to keep track of HA!  That night I picked up the kids and got Maci to her soccer pictures followed by practice at 630p.  I took some work calls in the parking lot to kill the time then did a Target run with her afterward.
  

My Field Trip Group (Lucas, Anders, Phillip & Connor)

Getting an Old Model T Started & Sleeping in an Old Fashioned House

Friday - We dropped off the Honda for repairs in the morning and then ran back later in the morning to get Clint a rental since it will be in the shop until Wednesday.  I then had a productive morning before heading to a hair apt at 1p.  I got home, wrapped work for the day and Clint ran to get us some Punch Pizza and Salad.  I got a lot done that evening while we watched the draft continue.

Our Neighbor Dog Moss (Named after Vikings Randy Moss) is Turning 1

This is his party invite to the neighbors HAHAHA

Saturday - Started the day by Clint and Connor heading to get haircuts.  Clint then went to his monthly massage at 10a.  Once done we were quickly getting Maci to her soccer practice at the high school.  This wrapped around 115p and was cold due to the wind!  We then had Connor's baseball pictures at 215p which Clint managed.  Around 430p I woke up from a brief nap and ran Maci to her pal Rowan's for a sleep over.  We watched the end of the draft and then got ready for a dinner with the 3 of us at River Inn.  After River Inn, I was super tired and we had a chill night at home watching TV

Sunday - Another chilly windy day!  We got a lot done around the house and then Clint and Connor were off to the football field for pictures and practice at 1130a.  Maci was dropped off at home shortly after this from her slumber party.  I then got us both ready to meet them at the fields for Connor's flag game.  They unfortunately lost by 1 TD.  However, I saw Connor have a great run and he stopped a last second TD by pulling the flag.  He also had another great flag pull and after he got goldfish and Prime drink for snack, he only remembered having fun!  We then came home to Connor heading outside to play with Harty boys and Maci has been hanging out on her iPad in her room/napping thanks to a late night at the party.  We are so ready for warmer temps and no more wind this week!!

Cold Bench!

We hope you are turning the bend and staying turned to warmer weather!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Spring Sports are Back!!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Normal day back in the swing of things and Maci had gymnastics in the evening, she sure loves tumbling!
• Tuesday - I worked from home as Maci had to have 2 teeth pulled around lunch.  She was so brave and only teared up a bit during the anesthesia in the gums.  They took out her bite plate to help get the one molar out and that was the best part!  The ortho came back in and said "you know what, I dont need to put it back in, your bite looks great!"  Maci was so happy as that thing has been in her way and annoying since getting her braces.  She went back to school a bit loopy but happy to be with friends.  She walked during girls on the run and had to miss soccer practice.  I headed into the office in the afternoon and then joined the ETSE leadership team for happy hour at Scoreboard.
• Wednesday - Busy day for me at the office but got to enjoy a mid day lunch break with several team members.  Connor had what should have been the first night of baseball cancelled thanks to stupid cold temps and rain coming back!  
• Thursday - The kids got a fun surprise while at the bus stop!  We got a call from their principal that the school had some flooding and they had to cancel school to get it under control.  Clint was working from home thankfully so back in the house they came.  Because of this, Maci didnt have girls on the run.  However, she did have Soccer Practice which always makes her happy!

Friday : 

• I had a super productive day at home
• Around 4p Clint came home to be with the kids who were off school again, dang flood!
• I was then off to happy hour with my buddy and coworker Nicole.
• The fam ate pizza and I got home around 8p ready to watch TV and chill

So silly but also so gorgeous!!!

Saturday :

• Maci had practice at 8a on the turf and it was COLD!!!!
• I got a massage at 9a which felt great b/c I was feeling a little off from my happy hour
• We then had a nice lazy day until it was time to get ready for date night with Clint's former co-worker Tony and his wife Natalie.
• We went to St Paul for a great dinner and then to Bull Dog for one more beer

This dog is OBSESSED!

Sunday :

• We started the day with a morning walk in the sun with coffee even if it was still cold 
• Then we were getting Connor ready for his first day as a Viking for this seasons Spring Flag Football.
• This was just a practice so Maci and I stayed home getting to dos done around the house 
• Clint brought home a late lunch around 130p and then we were getting ready for Maci's soccer scrimmage at 330p
• We all froze except the girls!  Maci looked AWESOME!  She hustled, played aggressive, was constantly defending the best girl on the other team, stayed patient so the girl couldnt get a shot off and when Maci was mid she attacked a goal kick, dribbled around the defender and hit a corner goal!!!!!  She LOVES playing on the pitch with her pals and we LOVE watching her!
• We grabbed some KFC for dinner, not the same as the Savannah fried chicken but hit the spot nonetheless.  

We Love this Griddy Loving Fool!!!

The coach is pretty great too ;)

We hope you are also seeing signs of spring and enjoying the change of activities!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Kids Head Back to School & Mom Ships Off to Savannah!!

Weekdays:

• Monday was our final day in Denver!  So pretty and so hungover on the adults end - yikes!  We got breakfast, checked out and headed to Molly's.  We walked to a park and hung there for a bit then drove to another park.  Shortly after that visit we were off to the airport to eat and let Molly have some peace and quiet.  We flew home on a super uneventful flight and were in our car before we knew it.  We got home in time to unpack a bit and get the kids to bed.  While they aren't excited to head back to school per say, they are excited to share about their trip, see friends and enjoy the great weather - 70s and 80s!!
• Tuesday was a gorgeous day!!  Maci got to have her first turf practice for the spring season and it was awesome!  We want this weather here to stay but it is Minneapolis so just enjoy while it lasts!
• Wednesday Another amazing day of weather, hit 90!!  I got to work from home as I headed to Connor's class to be the guest reader.  Connor loved seeing me there and Mr Meyer said I read with great expression!!  :)  It was such a great time.  Then at night we kept Connor home from religion class because too good of weather and time for neighborhood play outside.
• Thursday Clint had a quick outpatient preop for his upcoming hernia surgery.  Then he picked me up and took me to the airport to fly to Savannah for my 40th b-day trip with my girl Christie (BFF since Freshman year of college)!  My flights were on time and uneventful as I had to go from MSP to Atlanta and then Atlanta to Savannah.  Super smooth travel day and before I knew it, I was hugging my gal at the baggage claim.  We got to the hotel and then were off for a late dinner at Trailer Park - a quick cocktail and some yummy loaded nachos.  We called it early and enjoyed a great sleep in our own queen beds with out kiddos screaming at the wonderful Marshall House.  While we were there, Clint got Maci to another successful outdoor turf soccer practice.

Friday - 

• Savannah Gals
• We got some coffee at a local shop
• We got pedicures late morning at Spa Blue - So great!!!
• We then walked to Forsyth Park to see the fountain and eat lunch at the restaurant there. 
• We shopped up and down Bull St but came up a bit empty handed.
• That evening we went to dinner at a nice restaurant on the River where Christie had a steak and I had Scallops
• We explored the River area a bit, grabbed some cocktails on the walk home, allowed to have open containers in Savannah as long as they are plastic cups

Forsyth Park Fountain

We need a new sun umbrella at home and I was digging this blue color

Our Cocktails at Lunch in Frosyth Park

Dinner on the River

Random Guy Gave me a Rose 

We Laughed b/c I just shared how awful my hair was doing with the humidity

• Home Front
• Clint worked from home and the kids enjoyed fab weather for another day!
• They all hung out and enjoyed the weather and a few neighbors came over for Golden Tee at night.

Maci & Tyce - These 2 both enjoying playing outside

Saturday - 

• Savannah Gals
• Started the day with a coffee shop again but only some light food as we knew we had a big lunch coming
• We walked to the Forsyth park again to explore the Farmers Market
• We then went shopping in the City Market, along the River Walk Way and at a few boutiques we missed the day prior as well as Anthropology and the souvenir type stores for our kiddos.  Today was far more successful on the purchasing front! 
• Somewhere in this mix, we ate an amazing lunch at the Old Pink House - I got the famous Fried Chicken - best I have ever had!  We also had a Video Chat with our good pal Neil who now lives in CA.
• We finally came back to our hotel around 530p for a rest of our feet and a change for dinner - we were a bit sweaty from a HOT day outside (low 80s but humid)
• Our hotel offered a wine hour every evening from 500-630p so we decided to have a glass and enjoy some live music.  Then we showered, changed and hit the town for another dinner out.
• This time we ate at the Grove on their roof top bar.  I got a super fun cocktail called the Capri and it came in a bag that looked like an adult Capri Sun!
• We took some pictures, walked back to get the famous Leopold ice cream but the line was 1 hour 30 mins long - WOAH!  So we skipped that and took pictures in the lobby before calling it a night.

Forsyth Park Fountain - Again!

Obsessed with the Spanish Moss Trees!!!

The Trees and the Row Houses - So flipping cool!

Fried Chicken Lunch at the Old Pink House

This is where the Forest Gump Bench was during the movie while he waited for the bus and told his story 

The bus is now in a museum but this is the spot :)

Cool Squares Everywhere

Wine Time in the Library

Off to Dinner

Grove Dinner

Cool Dinner Drinks at the Grove

Photo Session in the Hotel Library

We Stayed at the Marshall House - Historic Hotel in Savannah

Also found out after checking in that it is #3 most haunted on the US haunted hotel list - Cool cool cool

The Hotel - 2nd Floor had rocking chairs on that balcony

• Home Front
• Maci had soccer practice outside in the morning but the lovely weather is now gone and was replaced by rainy wintery mix and 40s - YUCK!  She played goalie and dove for a ball at one point and then had soaked pants afterward.  No fun!  However, Maci says she still had a great practice - Crazy!
• Clint then took the kids to the Super Mario movie at the theatre for an afternoon show.  The kids loved it and Clint said it was ok.  :)
• For night time, Clint made old fashioneds and smoked them using a new Cocktail Smoker that I got him for his birthday.  I hear the neighbors loved them and Tena who doesn't like Bourbon even had a 2nd.  Nice job Clint and glad he had a fun night with the 'hood.

They have grown so much this year!

Sunday - 

• Savannah Gals 
• Ugh last day!
• We got up and headed to Goose Feathers Cafe for breakfast - yum!
• We then headed back to the room to check out before hitting the town a bit.
• We found a new cute shop on our way to do some tours of historic homes and I made a few final purchases - how it all fit, I do not know!
• We enjoyed the Leopold's ice cream that we missed out on the night before - yummy!
• Then we did 1 really historic thing on our entire trip, we went through the Owens-Thomas house.  It was actually quite interesting and sad/dark.  This was a home of some rich people that had links to the government etc but they were also huge in the slave exporting business.  There were excerpts of some letters between the wife and husband where they spoke about their slaves like they were animals.  A very raw but important experience.
• Once done with our tour it was 1245p and we were ready to call our Uber for the airport.  Christie's first flight was at 3p ET and my flight wasn't until 625p ET but what else was I really going to do so I came with.
• We arrived and then ate at a PGA club in the airport.  I helped Christie pick out some new glasses at the sunglass hut and find a bottle of Bourbon for Chester from Savannah - Clint didnt want any - then we took one last selfie and started crying!  We were both blubbering messes - it had been way too long and was so good for the soul!  I miss her dearly and this trip helped to realize that.  We have made a new effort to do monthly video chats and to do these kind of trips more than once every 10 or so years.  Christie is a wonderful friend and I am so grateful to have her in my life!  
• Once I talked to Clint and then dried my eyes, I booted up my computers and got to work ordering groceries, paying bills, preparing for the work week ahead etc.  Fortunately that really passed the time.  Unfortunately my flight was delayed by 1 hour so I was there until 8p ET.  Thankfully this is a direct flight so once landed I am home!!  Also, I have wonderful wifi on the plane which is allowing me to get this post complete.  I head home with a full heart and big smile!

Owen-Thomas House

Awesome Molding in Every Room

The Drawing Room

Yuck our final selfie right before the tears kicked in!

• Home Front
• The crew got some snow over night - yes snow, F**king snow!!!!  After we hit 90 last week!
• Thankfully it melted but sick not a fun Sunday at home.
• They had nothing going on today so lots of hanging out and relaxing.  
• Maci went to her pal Penny's house for a bit.  Clint put away groceries after I ordered them and they all went out to eat.
• Clint's got the kids in jammies and he will drive out to pick me up at 930p thanks to the delayed flight.  Thankfully the kids are good car sleepers and I am really excited to see them!

We hope you also had a wonderful weekend and got to experience some of this summer teasing weather.

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C