Hot Weather, Machine Pitch Baseball Games & Soccer Try Outs! Oh and a 14 Year Wedding Anniversary fit in there :)

Weekdays:

• Monday - HOT day!  In the morning we already had the cancellation for Connor's evening baseball game given a heat advisory.  At home we finally had the painters to do the touch ups around our windows and to pain the new wood trim on the outside windows.  Kristy took the kids to MOA to ride rides due to heat and hectic household.

Don't ask about Connor's clearly too big baseball t-shirt attire HAHA

• Tuesday - Happy 14 year anniversary to us!!!  Clint sent me roses to work, so sweet!  It was HOT again (just like our wedding day!) but thankfully a breeze came!  Day 2 and final day of the painters, thank goodness as they were totally in the way for the kids HA.  Maci had day 1 of tryouts which they pushed back 1 hour due to heat.  While she was at tryouts, Clint and I enjoyed Oak Eatry with Connor on his iPad then back to pick up Miss M and gossip with the mommas :)
• Wednesday - I had a 330 annual dermatologist check to have all my moles/freckles reviewed.  Thankfully I got another thumbs up for the year!  Then I headed home for the day since Connor had a 5p machine pitch game.  He had two solid hits and had some nice fielding with grounders.  I think the coaches are learning with machine pitch how to speed up the game a bit - night 1 was a bit rough but we will get the hang of it!
• Thursday - We both worked from home and I ran Maci to her 2nd/final day of tryouts at 5p.  I then swung home to grab Clint and Connor to head to Cary/Jenny's house where some of the parents had beers during the 90 min try out.  It helped with the nerves, the funny thing is we are mostly nervous about getting split up.  After tryouts we had a coach/parent 5-10 min meeting where we learned there could be more shuffling at this age than earlier and that kids you have been on the team have a total leg up since the coaches had a year of seeing them vs new kids (73 girls tried out for U10 - yes, this is competitive!  and Miss M LOVES the pressure!)  She came bouncing off the field saying - "I think I am moving up to the top team mom!"  We will see, keep reminding her that either of the top teams are great as we don't anticipate her slipping to a lower team - we find out today (Sunday!). We then headed to dinner with two of our fav soccer families - The Stengel's (they have Lucy "Legatron) and The Hintze's (they have Reagan who is a twin and at M's school).  The dinner was great and allowed the moms to dissect the tryouts HAHA but then I lost track of time and showed up 1 hour late to Gena's house.  OOPsss!  I was to be at Gena's by 8p to plan the WI Dells with my lady friends (Busy Night!)  We hung until about 1030p and then Jacey ran me home.

Friday : A nice productive day at home.  Quinn's mom (Jess) also works with me so we had a 30 min chat where we did our own tryout break down/analysis - yes, we are crazy but I won't do it near Maci!  I got a few meetings taken care of and then cleaned up a whole bunch of work to dos so I could have a relaxing weekend.  I was then in a totally productive mood and got the bills paid, laundry started, a walk in etc.  We finally chilled out and watched some All American before bed.

These two are best of buds!

Saturday : I started the day with a 9a massage then Clint headed out for a haircut.  We were going to clean the garage but a rain storm blew in with potential hail so that bumped the plans.  Instead I did a little more laundry and laid down with the TV.  While I took a nap, Maci had her neighbor buddy Livi come over for a few hours.  Clint also took a nap at one point - what a lovely chill Saturday.  Then I started to get ready around 5p as we had date night for our anniversary!!  Kaitlin came over and Clint / I went to Pittsburgh Blue for dinner.  Afterward, we hit up Momma G's for some drinks before coming home around 10p.  We watched a comedy special before hitting the hay.

14 Years - 16 Together!

Sunday : We woke up to a gorgeous summer day in the high 60s to start the morning and we got right after the garage after ordering groceries.  The garage looks AMAZING and the kids actually helped!  While doing the garage Maci yelled "WOAH What is that?!"  We look up and it is Goodyear Blimp flying over the Harty house.  We finished the garage just in time for lunch (man we have a lot of STUFF!) and the groceries arrived so that is all taken care of for the week.  Now we are finishing house hold to dos for the weekend and Clint is mowing the lawn.  We keep checking our email for Maci's tryout outcomes, will be sure to share!  Later this afternoon we are going to take the kids to a putt putt place that is new to us since it is a beautiful day!

Blimp Fun!

Dang it flies LOW!

We are so excited for this coming short week b/c it is our WI Dells weekend Th-Sun!  This year we go with the mommy and me friends to the WI Dells and it is going to be a blast!!!!

We hope you are having a wonderful summer too!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

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