Winter Holiday Break Week 1 - Best Time of Year!

Weekdays:

• Monday - We got up and hung out with my parents until around lunch time when we left for Columbus, had a yummy lunch at Skyline, dropped off the rental car and got situated at the airport.  We had another pretty easy flight home and were eager to get back in our own beds that night.

Goodbyes always come to quickly

Everyone Happy to be Home

• Tuesday - Christmas Eve!  Connor finally agreed to a haircut and I agreed to let him keep it longer than my preference :) The lady did a lovely job and I think he even agrees to go back again!  We had a lazy rest of our afternoon watching TV and football before heading to our annual Benihana dinner YUM!  We then wrapped our night with all the traditions - driving through the lights at the hood just up from us and then some dip time in the hot tub.  We did some Santa assisting before bed for Connor's main gift and then bed time for all.

Nice Cut - He looks like a young Bieber now

Benihana Farararara Fa Ra Ra Raaaa

Maci rocking a sweater from Grandma/Grandpa Gilroy shopping

Hot Tub Tradition

• Wednesday - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!  Best day of the year 💗  Maci loved all her clothes including Ugg slippers, skincare/makeup, Beats headphones and cake turner with icing scraper plus icing tips.  Connor loved his new big kid dirt bike, sports gear, new video games and Beats headphones.  Clint loved his Bourbon Barrel for the basement wall and ice machine for the basement bar.  I loved my Dyson air straightener for my hair and puzzle + puzzle sorter.  We had a wonderful morning opening, yummy breakfast, lazy day of ice skating, riding dirt bike, napping, trying new items, picking up a bit etc.  We enjoyed having football on this year too!  Around 6p we decided to head for our bowling and pizza.  We had a blast per usual and got 3 games in and had a blast before going home to crash!

Christmas Morning

Sweet new Dirt Bike!

Gifts from Uncle DKO

Maci's Custom Baking Apron

Sport Cards from Christie

Sweet Gifts from God Mommy Christie

Bowling Fun!

• Thursday - Started the day by running Connor to his 9 year well check.  He is 75%+ for height and weight and passed all checks with flying colors.  We came home and did some things around the house the rest of the afternoon.  Maci did a gift exchange with her besties from school from about 4-6p.  Then Clint and I were off to meet some of our fav soccer families for a post Christmas dinner/drinks.  Well what was to be 1 drink turned into 3 Espresso martinis for me - OUCH the next day but so many laughs with good friends at the time!

Best Pal Gift Exchange

Livi, Isla, Livian, Harper, Maci

Game Time

Cuties

Maci with her Goods from Livi

Maci ironically also got Livi as her Secret Santa recipient

Silly Isla

Love their friendship

Oh the drinks have kicked in

Brad, Clint, Kari, Me, Kim, Mike, Kristi, Kevin

The ladies really thought this would look cool, it does not HA

Friday:

• I felt like poo but got up and moving while Clint went to pick up my cousin Joe from the airport.  He is a huge Packers fan, has been since childhood, and he works for Oakley.  Oakley sponsors Justin Jefferson (Vikings) so he got 4 tickets through work for the game and picked the one here in MN with us YAY!
• Clint and Joe grabbed some Chick Fil A lunch which really helped with my recovery that much more.
• We puzzled, watched football and then had to get up and moving for Maci's Christmas Cup soccer tournament which started at 430p.  They did great and with 1/2 their team not able to make it.  We WON the Cup!  Maci started slow but was a BEAST by game 3 and was RIPPING daggers at the net from there on.  Great hustle and effort by all - fun to get the W and rolled out of there around 8p.

Champions!!!

U12 Coerver Christmas Cup Champions & Champion Shirts

The Cute Elf Uniform these Gals Rocked

Saturday:

• Easy moving day!  I started with getting my nails done at 10a, shifting from Red snowflake nails to black and gold sparkly New Year nails.  Joe and Clint headed up to the local golf simulator for 18 holes and some food/drink.  While they did that, I took a nice nap!
• Once all were home, we went back to sports on TV, puzzling and hanging out.  So nice!
• The Bengals then played in the afternoon vs Denver and my God if that game didn't take years off my life!  Going to OT, missing a Field Goal to win it and then finally coming back and Joe B getting it done per usual with a walk off TD.
• We ate a late dinner and then the Harty's came over to play games with us and hang in the basement with Joe and us for a while.

Sunday:

• Started the day with a hearty breakfast at Peg's Countryside Cafe, courtesy of Joe.
• Then we were quickly getting ready and off to drop Maci at Vi's house before the 4 of us (Clint, Joe, Connor and me) were off to the Vikings vs Packers game.
• Joe LOVED the stadium and the environment the Vikings create.  Clint loved a good game, Connor loved the new birthday gear and I enjoyed watching a game that didnt make me nervous HA
• Once out of there, we ran to pick up Maci and then grabbed Livi from our neighborhood to spend the night as her parents and sister went to the Timberwolves game and nicer to be around others.
• While the girls hung out, Connor crashed and Joe/Clint and I took in a good Wolves game that came down to the wire but with a W!
• Off to bed after the game as we have an early wake up for Joe's 7a flight in the morning on Monday.

Game Time!

Ran into Brooks!

So many fans (mainly older men) kept fist bumping them and telling them to keep the rivalry alive for the next generation

It was cute, the boys were confused HAHA

So good to get this time with Joey!

New Gear!!

Belated Mom & Dad Birthday Gifts - Addison Jersey, Vikings Hat, Vikings Football 

Cool waste hand warmer for being one of the first 40k fans

Meanwhile this is what Maci and Vi do HAHA

I guess there is some Tik Tok they were recreating

Love the Holiday time of year!  One more week to go!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Ohio Early Christmas & Connor 9th Birthday Fun!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Maci had practice at Champions Hall and I caught up on some Bravo TV during this visit.
• Tuesday - Today was my 6 year work anniversary with Optum/Rally.  That evening we got some Chipotle for dinner as the proceeds benefited the elementary school.  Then we took Maci to soccer training in the evening and Clint/Connor had a basketball practice.
• Wednesday - Connor's School Birthday celebration :) Another kid in the class has a Dec 19th birthday and Connor wasn't going to be at school on Friday, Dec 20th so we did it on this Wednesday.  He brought a book mark, pencil and eraser for each pal in his class.  That evening Connor had a scrimmage against the Greenwood rec basketball team and they humbled them a bit - the whole goal of the scrimmage.  We are friends with the Greenwood coach and his kids were getting a bit too cocky so he wanted them to play some travel kids and they had fun but also taught them a lesson🤣
• Thursday - Busy last day of work and school year!  Maci had a soccer practice from 500-615p, thankfully Anya's parents could drop her off at home.  Connor had a basketball practice at 6p so Clint and he went there.  I had Happy Hour at BLVD with my former Tech HR Pals - Rebecca and Nicole.  Connor and Clint were supposed to go to a pitching clinic too but there was only so much time and we still had to pack for Ohio so that got scrapped for the night.

Friday:

• Alarm went off at 4a OUCH!
• We made it easily to the airport, through the parking, to McDonald's breakfast and then we were finally off on a fairly smooth flight to Columbus.
• We caught up with my parents a bit and did a quick run to the insurance co office for "trustee" duties before heading down to the Greene shopping area in Dayton to have our kiddos shop for their bday and Christmas gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Gilroy.  Maci went with 2 sweaters at Altar'd State and some goodies at Sephora.  Connor chose 2 funko pops at the bookstore (Spider Man & Godzilla) and then some Nike/Jordan clothes at Nordstrom Rack.
• We wrapped our trip with a dinner at Panera and then headed back to my parents.
• On the drive back we watched Maci's soccer team win their last game of the season 5-0, she was bummed not to be there but loved being able to watch!

Spike Lee ahead of us at Security

Heading back to NY after Wolves Lost to the Knicks Night before

Like Father, Like Son

Kids Love Skyline even if MN at Heart

Stopped by my apartment/townhome from when I met Clint

Team Photo Post the Big W

Connor Loved Grandma's Stationary Bike

Saturday:

• Happy 9th Birthday Connor!!!
• We headed to the roller-skating rink near my parents for his birthday fun.  
• I totally forgot how fun and how decent I am at roller-skating.  Clint was pretty impressive too.  The kids proved to the grandparents how athletic they are.  Neither really knew what they were doing and by the end of our 2 hours, they were racing around the floor.
• That night we had some yummy KFC and cheered on OSU to move on over TN in the college football playoffs.  It was a good old fashion ass whooping and I am a ok with that.

9 Years with this Guy!

Baking with Grandma

Roller-skating!

Sunday:

• Gilroy/Gohs family catch up/early Christmas day!
• We headed to TJ Chumps bar/grill in Huber Heights (near our old house) for the Bengals noon game over the Browns and to meet up with family for an early Christmas visit.
• It was so great to see my brother Dustin and family, my sister Meghan and Christian and various cousins as well as my mom's best friend Dana and her daughter Beth.
• We all enjoyed the Bengals easy W, good food and laughter before heading back to my parents house.
• Glad we made this quick trip to start our holiday break!

Cousins!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Rudolph Play, Basketball & Early Birthday Celebrations for Connor!

Last Sunday: Maci and her team pulled out a big W last Sunday night - 6-0 Shut Out!

Goals were made by: Isla, Annie, Maci & 3 by Neko!!

Due to Neko's hat trick, they got to draw on Coach Julian's face! 

Weekdays:

• Monday - Worked from home all this week just to avoid the chaos that is our office post CEO murder.  Maci had practice at 5p so Clint picked her up from school, dropped her off and then I ran to get her at pick up time before we hustled home for the Bengals/Cowboys game - Big W!  Yay!
• Tuesday - Maci had her 6th grade choir concert - a nice brief 3 songs - at 7p in the evening.  I went and met up with Tena Harty while Clint and Connor had to miss due to Basketball practice.  Maci did very nice, I could hear her voice a few times and she was one of the front row gals :)

• Wednesday - Maci had training at Infiniti from 630-830p and then Clint ran her to Target for some last minute gifts afterward.
• Thursday - Another early soccer practice for Maci.  Clint picked her up and dropped her off and I was the usual pick up.  Maci and I ran to Target for her to buy her Clint gifts afterward.  Connor and Clint headed to Connor’s pitching clinic at 745p.

Friday:

• Our Honda Pilot had to get serviced in the morning.  That car is sturdy but getting older and the repair bills show it - yay 1k bill.
• However, Clint being out at the Honda place meant he was near Ham’s Sandwich shop to pick up our lunch, Yum!
• Maci and I were off to dinner and our Rudolph play right after she got off the bus at 5p.
• Clint and Connor skipped the play b/c Connor had a conflicting basketball practice and he chose that over the play.  They went to practice and then had pizza with the team afterward at Oskar’s house.
• We all met back up at home after the play and caught up on some Law & Order before bed.

Selfie Pre-Play

Saturday:

• We had to wake up to 8a alarms b/c Connor’s basketball games were 10 and 11a in St Paul.  They played great and won both!  Connor was lights out with shooting and defense in game 1.  Game 2 was rough as he went up for a lay up and came down wrong on this ankle.  While it got better as the game went on with ice, he never came back in but was a FAB teammate and cheerleader on the bench.  We won that game by 3!
• We headed home, let the dogs out and went up to Medina Ballroom to have lunch in their Jingle Bell Lounge (decorated for holidays).
• Afterward, I came home for a nap, Maci and Connor baked birthday cupcakes and cookies and Clint cleaned the fridge for me!
• We got up and moving around for Connor’s Kobe hibachi early birthday dinner!  Maci gave Connor her gift, a warmie Reindeer bear and we told Connor we are going to get him a Justin Jefferson jersey when we go to the game with Cousin Joe in a few weeks.
• Once home, we got the kids to settle down and the Hartys + Herness families came over for some cocktails, basketball games and Golden Tee/Photo Hunt.
• Around 1145p I called it and the rest of the group was shortly behind me.

Basketball

Icing the ankle but cheering them on

Jingle Lunch Fun

Kobe Dinner

Sunday:

• Nice slow paced morning of breakfast, coffee and getting things done.
• We shifted to ensuring the Ice Rink was ready across the street for Connor’s birthday party.
• We started to watch our noon games - Yeah Bengals!  Sorry Dolphins!
• Connor’s closest 7 buddies came over at 130p to ice skate and then enjoy some cupcakes and hot cocoa.  They did great out on the rink and Connor was impressed by how well all his hockey pals skate.
• They came in around 315p, did cupcakes, gifts and goodie bags.  I was then ready to say goodbye HA!
• Connor and I finished watching some afternoon football games while Clint ran Maci to her 5p soccer practice.  Connor even snoozed on the couch for a bit - busy weekend buddy!
• We wrapped dinner and now are watching Sunday night football, preparing for the last week of school/work for the year and getting everyone showered/ready for bed.

The 9th Bday Crew!

Chuck

Anna

Hendrix

Louie

Oliver

Graham

Anders

We hope you are having a super holly/jolly holiday season!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

WWE, Basketball, Slumber Party & Late Soccer Game!

Weekdays:

• Monday - Busy work day for both of us being back in the swing post holiday.  Maci had practice at 5p again so Clint had to pick her up from school.  I grabbed her from the dome on my way home from work.  Then Clint and Connor were off to Connor's basketball practice from 645-815p.
• Tuesday - Good productive day followed by Happy Hour/Dinner with two of my dear friends/former co-workers Megan and Lisa.  Lisa had just gotten laid off from Cargill so now none of us work there after ~20 years.  We had a lot of good laughs around the table!  I then hustled out of there to get Maci from her Infiniti soccer & performance training.  Clint had taken her at 630p and I got her at 830p.  While we were doing soccer, Clint and Connor went to the Wayzata first home basketball varsity game - a nice W!

So many memories with these gals!

Top Left was Tuesday but you can see pics of us as babies over the years in the other squares

• Wednesday - I was dialing in to our Investor Conference on my way into work when I got a text that will forever stick with me.  Our company was about to launch into our annual conference when our UHC CEO had been assassinated outside his hotel in NYC.  I was shocked and numb but hauled in to the office to be with others.  It was a day of sadness, shock, surprise and disgust.  The entire plan for the day was scrapped and we all supported each other in whatever that looked like.  The rest of the week was a bit off as well, especially as the court of popular opinion was stating massive lies about our company in social media etc.  A man's life was taken, his kids lost a father - tragic!  I went to have some drinks with a few colleagues afterward as we all needed to take our mind off the crazy day.  Maci hung at home and Clint/Connor went to Basketball practice from 630-800p.
• Thursday - Connor had his annual book fair at school - got a book, poster and book mark! Maci had another 5p soccer practice so Clint got her from school and I grabbed her on the way home.  It was another odd day so I went to bed early to sleep it off.  Connor and Clint headed to a pitching clinic for Connor at the middle school dome at 8p.

Friday : 

• Got caught up on some work after a crazy few days.
• I met up with a former colleague/friend, Lauren, for lunch and that was a wonderful distraction.
• That night, Clint and Connor headed to a suite with buddies for the WWE event - Connor loved it.  Clint didnt take any pics, even with my request, so I am waiting on the few moms that went to send me some.  Even without pics, I have heard from Connor how awesome it was!
• While they were off doing that, Maci did the 2 hour Friday night open soccer fun.  I dropped her off, got some work/home planning/gift wrapping done and then went back to get her.
• Clint and Connor got home a little after 10p while Maci and I were each watching our own TV shows.

Saturday :

• I started my day with a 8a massage - while I hate waking up to an alarm, it was a nice way to start my day.
• I hustled home and we were off to Connor's first basketball game in St Paul - 11a.  Game 1 was against a team that hadnt lost yet but we gave them a 2 point L which our boys had to fight back into the game to secure!
• We ate at Wild Boar as a team and the boys played claw machine.
• We then hustled back for Game 2 at 2p.  We held our own all game but unfortunately lost the lead by 1 point with about 45 seconds left.  We had an inbound play, Connor got the ball, put it up and it bounced bounced bounced but rattled out.  Our tall guy rebounded but passed it out to a friend.  That friend threw it up but missed and the time ran out - we lost by 1 UGH!  We went from the high to the low.
• Connor played so tough, he ripped 3 holes in his tights under his uniform shorts from rolling on the ground for loose balls.
• We headed home and all ran to our beds for naps once home.  It was already 4p when we got home and Maci's pal Kate was coming over at 5p for a sleep over.
• Clint and I were going to go out to eat at 6p but I was dead!  We cancelled our reservation and hung at home with college football instead.

My Fav Gym Rat Pal

Sunday :

• I ordered donuts for breakfast 
• Kate left around 945a - they are so great with their sleepovers, barely notice they are here.
• We got some more wrapping complete.
• I got caught up on any news updates for our UHC situation.
• Kids got homework done, we ate some lunch and Maci was off to her friend Harper's house for a Secret Santa name swap.  She hung there from 1-4p while we watched Clint's Dolphins pull out the W in OT.
• Clint picked up Maci while I folded laundry.
• Now we have put away groceries, are finishing laundry and getting ready to leave the house around 630p for Maci's 8p soccer game tonight.  We are playing Park Valley and hope to pull out a W.

We are getting super excited for the holiday season, down time together and a quick trip to Ohio.  We hope you are also finding the joy in the holiday timeframe.

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C