Bubbles & Buckles

10/02/2026

We are happy to have joined this group and learn more around how are youth is giving back.

We will also be sponsoring the Youth United shirts!

Stay tuned 👀

United Way’s YOUTH UNITED group hosted a gathering today at the Maverick Innovation Gateway, Powered by Nidec. Anyone interested in learning about the group and becoming even more involved with our organization was encouraged to join.

Attendees heard from several people with an overall focus on volunteering and engaging in the community including ways to give back alongside Greater Mankato Area United Way! Several inspiring stories were shared about why giving, advocating, and volunteering is not only meaningful, but vital.

Thanks to our speakers:
• Kayla Olsen (Stifel) - 2027 Campaign Chair
• Emily Schanbacher (Taylor Corporation) - Kato Fun Run
• Rachel McGregor: True Real Estate/The Sota Group & United Way
• Klaire Hicks (Mankato West) - YOUTH UNITED Junior Co-Chair
• Sydney Cusick (Mankato East) - YOUTH UNITED Senior Co-Chair

To learn more about United Way’s YOUTH UNITED group, visit www.mankatounitedway.org/youth-united

Email [email protected] to sign up to be involved. Thank you!

Thanks 2025 & 2026 YOUTH UNITED Hospitality Sponsor - Matt Norland
CFP® and Wealth Advisor with Meyer & Norland Financial Group.

09/29/2026

Today, Bubbles & Buckles™ had the opportunity to join Radio Mankato KTOE FM 98.7 / AM 1420 to share more about who we are, why we started, and the work we’re doing to help protect children and support families throughout our community.

The timing couldn’t be better as we prepare to present at 1 Million Cups Mankato on Wednesday October 7, where we’ll have the opportunity to connect with an incredible group of community leaders, business owners, and organizations.

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunities, support, encouragement, and connections we continue to receive. What started with a simple mission to make a difference continues to grow into something much bigger, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.

We look forward to continuing to grow, build meaningful partnerships, and become an even stronger resource and leader within our community.

Thanks for having us, Seth!

Protecting Children Through Education. 🫧

09/18/2026

🫧While we’re enjoying some downtime with our newborn son, our commitment to educating parents and caregivers hasn’t slowed down!

Stay tuned as we gear up for Child Passenger Safety Week next week! We’re excited to share valuable information to help families keep their little ones safe, one ride at a time. 🫧

09/11/2026

“Now that my daddy installed my car seat base, moved my sister’s seat, and double-checked to make sure I’m safe and secure, I’m ready for my first adventure!

I finally get to go home with Mommy and Daddy and see my sister and brothers!

Let’s roll! ”

-JJ

09/11/2026

As we prepare to get discharged, I went down to get our new car seat installed and figured I’d take the opportunity to turn it into a teaching lesson.

If you have more than one child riding in a car seat, where you place each seat depends on several factors—including the vehicle you drive, the car seats you’re using, and which seating positions allow for a correct installation. What works for one family, vehicle, or car seat may not work for another.

There are three common types of rear-facing car seats:
• Infant-only car seats
• Convertible car seats
• All-in-one (or 3-in-1) car seats

Start with your vehicle owner’s manual. Find the child-restraint section and identify the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) locations. This will show you which seating positions are equipped with lower anchors and/or tether anchors, along with any restrictions provided by your vehicle manufacturer.

In our case, Addison is currently riding in a convertible car seat, while JJ will be riding in an infant-only car seat.

Our GMC Yukon allows us to arrange the seats so Addison is in the center and JJ is behind the driver. Your family’s day-to-day needs can also play a role when choosing between appropriate seating positions—school drop-offs, activities, loading and unloading, and which side of the vehicle provides safer access.

Next comes understanding how your specific car seat is designed to be installed.

JJ’s seat has lower anchor connectors (in my hand) and a snug lockoff (pointing to it). Depending on the car seat and vehicle, you may have more than one approved installation method. One isn’t automatically safer than the other when both are permitted and installed correctly.

Be sure your lower anchor connectors are routed through the proper belt path by following the directions on the car seat/base and in the manual. If installing with the vehicle seat belt, make sure the seat belt is properly routed through the SnugLock lock-off as instructed by the manufacturer.

The important part is choosing an approved installation method, following both your car seat and vehicle manuals, and making sure you can achieve a secure installation every single time.

Never assume that because something worked with your last car seat—or in your last vehicle—it’ll work the same way with the next one.

Different seat. Different vehicle. Different situation. Check both manuals.

And at any point, reach out with questions! We’re always happy to help families better understand how to keep their little ones riding safely!

—Jonny

09/10/2026

🫧Family Update!!

Jonah James “JJ” Trevino made his debut at 8:30am today 9/10/26.

He weighed in at 8.7lbs and was 21.5” in length.

Mama did awesome, and both mama and baby boy are happy and healthy.

We truly appreciate all the love, support, kind words, and most importantly, everyone’s patience as we soak in these first moments together as a family.

Thank you all! 🫧

09/02/2026

🫧 Our little owner needed her car seat washed, so we took advantage of the opportunity to fit-test her before reinstalling it in the vehicle. She’s growing fast, and proper fit matters at every stage!

Now she’s happy happy happy 🙂

08/25/2026

We can’t thank the Anderson's Cove staff for the beautiful spot they have and their hospitality!!

Our kid, Charlie, papa James, and our family made the video!!

This is our second year going and already booked for next year. This will be an annual thing we do and we can’t wait to watch our kids grow loving this place as much as we did when we found it.

Thank you again to the team and look forward to seeing you all next year!

08/24/2026

Traveling across North America for work, I’ve had the opportunity to eat at A LOT of restaurants—and, for the sake of efficiency, probably more fast food than I’d like to admit. 😅

One thing I learned quickly: Southerners love their biscuits and fried chicken. And when you combine the two, you get one hell of a breakfast sandwich. (Pro tip: add the strawberry jelly. Trust me.)

While traveling in Alabama, I was introduced to Chick-fil-A, and I made it a point to stop whenever I could. For whatever reason, I had it in my head that this masterpiece was something I could only get down South.

Then I learned Chick-fil-A serves them everywhere.

The problem? We didn’t have one near us.

Until now. 👀

Meet John Weaver, Owner/Operator of Chick-fil-A Mankato. Amanda and I had the opportunity to meet John before the grand opening, and after stopping in today, I’m glad we did.

As both a corporate leader and business owner, there are a few things I pride myself on: being hands-on, recognizing employees, engaging with people, and never asking someone to do something I wouldn’t do myself.

Standing in line today, I found myself watching John do many of the same things I try to do when I travel to facilities across the country.

In corporate life, you sometimes see the “suits” walk into a facility, shake a few hands, observe from a distance, and leave.

Not John.

This man was in a suit, sweating, running around delivering orders, talking with customers, helping wherever he was needed—and what stood out to me most was hearing him consistently give his team members positive recognition and feedback for their performance.

That says a lot about a leader.

John isn’t just another person with a title. He’s a leader who genuinely cares, and you don’t need him to tell you that—you can see it through his actions.

Today didn’t feel like stopping at another fast-food restaurant. It felt like somewhere I’d bring my family, sit down, and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Congratulations to John and the entire Chick-fil-A Mankato team on the opening. You’ve built something special, and I’m excited to have you in the community.

Now I just need to figure out what excuse I’m going to give my boss when I’m late because I drove from St. Peter down to Mankato before heading to Lakeville just to get my chicken biscuit with strawberry jelly…

Maybe I’ll just bring him one.

That should buy me some time. 🤣