Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Maci had practice at 5p at Minnetonka which means Clint had to pick her up from school b/c she wouldn’t be home in time if she took the bus.  I grabbed her on my way home.
• Tuesday - Work started to get a little quieter today but my team and I had a super productive day.  Then I got home around 5p so we could head down to the Timberwolves game.  Connor was invited to join his former house team for another game on the court ahead of the Timberwolves.  Unfortunately we weren’t good luck this time and our Timberwolves lost in OT.  We still had a great time.

Oh Hey Ant!

That crazy green flooring

Hanging out before their time

Ready for some D our #34

What a goof!

Love these boys!

Mr Webb - what a guy!

Hanging in our nose bleeds :)

The sisters found a cheerleader

• Wednesday - 1st day of break for our crew!  Maci did a soccer training from 11-1 so I met up with Kim and Kari (Violet and Reagan’s) moms for brunch/cocktail while the girls played.  I came home and rested ahead of a night out with the neighbors - Harty’s and Herness’ for GenX Jukebox concert at Medina Ballroom.  Good time!

She loves doing these interesting selfies

Ready to hit the town

• Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!!!  We all slept in and then got up to watch the parade followed by football.  We had our meal at Birch’s on the Lake at 530p.  The food was great and we all had a good time.  We came home and wrapped with the Dolphins loss.

Goof wanted to clear the little bit of snow

Dinner Fun!

Friday :

• Maci did another Soccer training with the same girls from 11-1.  This time the husbands also came for lunch so Connor hung with a cell phone at the end of our table.  Good convo and catch ups!
• We grabbed Maci, hustled home to get our warm gear on and then were off to get our Christmas tree at Hansen’s Tree Farm.
• It was COLD but we had a great time - even Rosie who loved all of it but the burs in her fur.
• We got home, put up the tree and decorated for Christmas while having the Chiefs game on in the background.
• That night we had some Kobe for dinner and watched Elf as a family for movie night.

Saturday :

• Another glorious day of sleeping in!
• Clint had a massage at 9a
• Then we got moving to watch the OSU vs Michigan game - what a disaster
• We left the house around 130p as Clint and Connor were going to watch “Red One” at the movie theatre and while they did that, Maci and I did some holiday shopping.  It was perfect for each of us and what we enjoy doing.  Clint and Connor enjoyed the movie and Maci and I got some awesome shopping done with some good deals.
• We met up after the movie and ate as a family at Crave.
• We got home and puzzled a bit while watching other football.
• The Hartys and Herness then came over around 830p for some cocktails, football, photo hunt and Golden Tee.  They left around 12a and we all had a great time.

Finally finished my Halloween puzzle at Thanksgiving break

Festive Mall Fun

Sunday:

• Maci and I got our nails done at 11a after finishing all our holiday card drop offs in the neighborhood.
• We got home in the early 1st quarter of the Bengals game which led to another disappointing loss.
• We spent the rest of the day getting stuff done around the house, putting away groceries, finishing laundry etc.
• Maci and I are about to run to Target for a few stocking stuffers and then I plan to puzzle during Sunday night football.

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C 

Connor’s 2nd Place Basketball Tourney, Maci Haircut & Turkey Bingo!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Rosie had a grooming appointment and had the cutest fall leaf bandana afterward.  That evening Maci had soccer practice from 700-830p.  I was able to get a lot done including my performance reflection that was due later in the week.
• Tuesday - I was supposed to go downtown for a professional event but we were really busy with some work items so I skipped that and ended up having a lovely 3 hour block of working time after skipping out.  Maci had some Infiniti Performance and Soccer training and while we were there, Connor had basketball practice from 730-900p.
• Wednesday - I had a busy work day welcoming Pharmscript to our Optum Rx family.  It is one of 2 live integrations I am working on with mergers.  Clint drove Maci to her practice for me because it is out by where I work so made sense for me to meet her there.  However, we had some stupid weather that made the roads icy.  Clint got her there but taking her and coming home took him 1.5 hours.  She and I headed home driving 25 miles per hour and got home in about that same amount of time.  Ugh I hate ice driving.
• Thursday - I worked from home as Maci had a haircut at 5p so easier if I was already at the house.  In addition, we had to have the Peloton base of the tread replaced b/c it was making a horrible noise.  Maci got her haircut, so cute!  Connor had basketball practice from 600-730p with Clint.

Friday:

• Good productive work day 
• A little before 5p we were off to Greenwood Elementary for the annual Turkey Bingo event.  We sat with our pals the Floyd’s - Connor’s good buddy Anna’s family.
• We weren’t super lucky until the 2nd to last game when Connor won BINGO!  He got $10 as the pot was $30 but 3 kids all won with the same call.  However, they also let them pick a prize off the prize table.  Anna had been eyeing a SpongeBob water bottle all night.  Connor picked it and then brought it right over and gave it to his buddy Anna - so sweet!
• Once the event wrapped, Maci and I headed home to relax while Connor and Clint were off to Trojan Madness basketball event for the High School basketball team.

Connor got his $$ and Anna got the water bottle

Saturday :

• Maci had her final Gymnastics class in the morning.
• Then we were off to a long day of basketball for Connor’s team!  They whooped Edina in Game 1, did the same to St Louis Park in game 2 and clobbered Eden Praire in game 3.
• We were able to have an early dinner with some of the team members in between game 2 and 3.
• Afterward, we headed home and rested after a fun but long day at Hopkins middle school.

Sunday:

• Thank goodness Bengals were on a bye!
• Connor’s team played at 11a based on our seeding and we met up against Edina again.  They showed up ready to play but we still topped them!
• We then watched some football and hung out as a team at a local bar/restaurant until our championship game at 2p.
• We played Rogers top team and we came out sluggish but then started to play really aggressive - Connor was crushing it, if I say so myself!  We ended up losing but only by 8.  The boys learned a ton and LOVED their 2nd place medals.
• The #1 team also was in a championship game across from us at the same time but unfortunately they also lost in the final seconds and got 2nd place.
• We got home to our to do list and worked on that up until Maci’s soccer practice at 5p.
• While she was at soccer, I turned on the Loons playoff game vs LA Galaxy but we lost 2-5 OUCH!  Goodbye MLS for a bit.

Great Group of Boys!

Back Row: Cal, Nathan, Connor, Max, Braden, Channing

Front Kneeling: Sebastian, Kieran, Rocco, Oskar

Love our Coaches!

Proud Sister!

Love this kiddo!

Team Bonding

After Day 1 - Pumped!

Killed Eden Prairie

Warming Up

We are really excited for a short holiday week ahead.

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Travel Basketball Games Start & Maci has a Scrimmage!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Connor’s Elementary did their usual Veteran’s Day celebration which was so sweet.  Then in the evening, Maci had soccer practice out in Eden Prairie at 7p.  It’s a nice location where I was able to set up shop and get some work done for 90 mins.

My Main Vets ❤

• Tuesday - Busy evening with Clint and Connor heading to Basketball pictures and then practice.  While they were there, Maci and I hung out at Infiniti soccer training.
• Wednesday - What an icky raining day.  I got out of work later than I planned, hauled home to get Maci in bad traffic, then hauled right back towards where I came from for her practice.  Unfortunately, we were 10 mins late but Maci was rolling with it.  Once home, I hopped on a video call with my Cindy 6 high school girlfriends - so fun to catch up!
• Thursday - I worked from home given Clint having a conference outside of the home around the time Connor would get home.  We had a way chiller evening with a video catch up with my BFF Christie.  Then Clint headed over to the neighbors for their bourbon tasting.  The kids and I got comfy and headed to bed at a good time.

I had to send this to the Cincy 6 b/c they saw her with heatless curler in her hair the night before

She wanted to share the final product :) 

She sends me this pic with the comment “my lashes are lashing” HA

Friday:

• Started the day with a drive and some bagels with Clint
• Good productive day on the work front
• That evening Maci went to Infiniti Soccer Training from 6-8p
• Connor had basketball practice with Clint from 700-830p
• We then had a lazy rest of our evening while attempting to watch the Tyson fight but Netflix wasnt our friend.

This girl is in love with hot cocoa! 

Saturday:

• Maci and I hit up the Wayzata high school craft fair to start our day.
• We then came home and all got ready for Connor’s first travel B-ball tournament.
• The whole family got to be at game 1 but ouch was that a tough one - we played Wright County and they look like they have played together for a while. We took a tough Loss but move on to game 2
• Our family ran out to R Social for Lunch and got to watch most of the OSU game while eating 
• We then headed back to the gym where Connor chilled with his team and Maci got ready for her soccer scrimmage.  We were then off to the Brooklyn Park Dome while Connor headed into game 2.
• I got to the field and while Maci warmed up, I was able to watch Connor’s game on the GameChanger app.
• They totally got back to themselves and had an easy win in game 2!
• Then I had to switch my focus to Maci’s scrimmage.  She played a lot of minutes and almost had a few goals.  Unfortunately, they lost 1-2 but it is just a scrimmage and the other team goals were pretty lame.
• We then hustled back to the gym for Connor’s final game.  Man what a close one, it was so back and forth.  Ultimately we were down 3 points with a few seconds left - our coach drew up a 3 point play and our guy ALMOST hit it but alas did not so we lost game 3.  This was GREAT learning for the boys as their first games together let alone tournament.  We are all already so excited for next weekend’s tournament.
• We headed home to let the dogs out and order some dinner from Kobe.
• I was ready to hit the hay, long but fun day. Clint was happy to head to a fire at the Harty house.

Our Loot from the Craft Fair

Travel B-Ball

Maci Scrimmage

Isla’s mom took some nice pics

Sunday:

• Slower Day for us but lots of to dos around the house.
• Clint started the day by getting outside and hanging our Christmas lights with the Harty’s and Herrness’ as we all share a lift together to do this each year.
• After he got the lights up, he was off to Northern Tap House to watch the 12p games with some of the soccer dads - Mike, Brad and Dusty.
• I kept cracking away at the to do list at home.  Finished the laundry, helped Connor head out to the Domes for some baseball practice with Chuck and his dad, planned meals, prepared for work etc.
• I am now wrapping up all the to dos and ready to dial into the Bengals game - ugh please get a W!

We hope you have a great week ahead!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Middle School Dance, Lazy Weekend & Harper Birthday Party!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Started our week with a financial advisor appointment where we landed all of our '25 Open Enrollment plans, sold some RSUs and were looking at our selling plan for some stocks as well.  We are so grateful for a patient and bright financial advisor.  I then got to have 2 different walk and talk moments in the day which always feels nice to get some steps.  That night, Connor had basketball practice and Maci did some soccer training at Fusion.
• Tuesday - Election day but thankfully Clint and I already did early voting.  Maci had training again in the evening and then we all sat up watching election results until it was clearly bedtime.
• Wednesday - I had a big QBR meeting most of the afternoon at work but was some great learning.  In the evening it was a carbon copy of Monday with Connor having basketball practice and Maci had training again.
• Thursday - Connor had the day off school, we dont really know why - something about in service teacher learning.  I was going to head into the office but took several morning calls and just needed to get on with my day so sat down and worked from here.  Maci had a school dance immediately after school and she said it was a blast - she did the worm and her friends cheered - sounds like a great time!  We then watched the heart breaking Bengals vs Ravens game in the evening. Urgh what a rough year it has been.

Friday:

• Productive work from home day even though I was super tired.
• Maci also had the day off along with Connor again, nice long weekend for them!
• Anna came over to play in the afternoon so Connor had a pal.  They even went to the park with Maci at one point, still loving these fairly mild temps.
• Once Anna was picked up at 5p, Clint and I got ready to head out for dinner just the 2 of us.  We enjoyed some River Inn with a few cocktails while we waited and then yummy bites for dinner.
• We got home and crashed with games on the tv.

Saturday:

• Clint and I started the day with a nice walk - pretty day!
• Clint was then off to his 10a massage appointment.
• Maci was supposed to go to Gymnastics at 11a but she has been fighting a cough and begged me to let her stay home and hang out.
• We watched the OSU game, got some work done, did some things around the house and rested.
• Before we knew it, it was 5p and Maci was off to her pal Harper's 12th birthday party.  They made soaps, perfume and lip balm.  What a fab group of friends!  We then picked up at 830p.
• We finally called it after too many college games and headed to bed around 11.

Harper’s Party!!

Clockwise : Harper in Blue Chair, Livi, Isla, Hazel, Livian, Lillian, Maci

Kate & Sophie couldn’t make it

This is 12!!!

Sunday:

• Slow lazy morning - I slept in so well!
• Clint was motivated to clean in the morning while I was super slow moving.
• Maci and I went to get our nails done at 12p and it was the first time it wasn't slammed busy - we learned that they aren't super crazy during Vikings games - good to know!  Maci was super happy with her jelly pink color and I went with more of a nude beige/gray shade this time.  They do such a nice job!
• Back at the house and I was getting things done until the power went out - again!  This time it went out around 2p and was out until a little after 330p - some van hit a pole again - crazy!
• I have now been cramming all the to dos in once power was back so that I can rest the remainder of the night.
• Maci and Connor enjoyed their long weekend but they are back to it tomorrow!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Snowy Happy Halloween & Headaches Over the Weekend!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Connor had basketball in the evening and Maci had gymnastics makeup class.  She was supposed to have had soccer after gymnastics but they had to cancel due to lights not working at the field.
• Tuesday - I did a happy hour with my former coworker/friend Laura.  I then picked up Maci from her Infiniti training after Clint had dropped her off.
• Wednesday - I had a hair appointment at 4p so finished working for my day from the salon.  Maci had her last outdoor practice for the season and I picked her up on my way home.  While we hung at the house, Connor and Clint had a 7p basketball practice.
• Thursday - Happy Halloween!! I worked from home to make trick o treat easier.  Some rain turned into snow late morning and it was crazy thick heavy snow with crazy winds.  It look like blizzard conditions.  Then at 12p our power went out - turns out a utility van smacked into a power pole and took out power including the high school.  Clint and I ran to a coffee shop in this mess so I could get 2 of my critical calls complete.  We got home around 2p and the power was back right around 230p thank goodness.  Finally around 4p the snow and wind stopped.  Everything started to melt and so our trick o treating was chilly but really wet.  The kids still had a blast and we did our usual riding on the trailer with the neighborhood crew.  Maci was pretty quiet and said her head hurt but she hung with it.

Halloween Festive

Taylor Swift

Scream Guy

Livi, Maci and Harper

Anders, Colton & Connor

Sorting Post Walking

 

Friday :

• I had a productive day until a crazy migraine came on around 3p so I crawled into bed trying to shake it.
• While I was napping, Connor got to walk home to Anna’s house with Anna and Chuck after school.  They were going to do some Halloween Candy trading.  Clint had ran his bag of candy over to their house around lunch time.
• I could not shake the damn headache and Maci came home feeling like poo too.  
• Clint and I had to cancel our Halloween plans, Jack and Jill will be seen next year!
• Maci and I both took meds and hit the hay.

Saturday : 

• Woke up feeling ok as did Maci so we went and got their flu shots at 830a.
• We grabbed some breakfast and came home before I headed out to my 10a massage.
• Clint ran Maci to Gymnastics at 11a.
• I came home and took down Halloween, put up Thanksgiving and started watching the OSU game with Clint before running to get Maci at 1230p from her Gymnastics.
• Maci said her head started really hurting again and mine kind of did too. 
• We came home and curled up in my bed to watch Now and Then - love that movie and so did Maci!
• We kept chilling while Clint and Connor went to the dome to do some baseball practice with Chuck, his brother and dad.  They then went to BW3 while Maci took meds and went to bed.
• We were supposed to head to the Theis house for a bonfire and tree lighting BUT Maci felt like poo and I wasn’t going to leave her alone so Clint went on behalf of our family while Maci and I went to bed early.

All the kiddos but minus the Mondells - stupid sickness

Pretty Tree

Love our ‘hood - great neighbors

Sunday : 

• I do love gaining an hour!
• I woke up feeling like a million bucks and thank goodness my Bengals made me feel great too!
• Maci is still feeling a bit rough so she is on a DayQuil & Tylenol rotation.
• Thankfully we have a chill day with no plans.  That means lots of house to dos, football and cozy!
• Hoping Maci turns the corner before school tomorrow and Connor is enjoying the down time for some video games.

Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween!  Here is to a November full of gratefulness!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C