The adventures of The Leadbetter Family: 2009

Salzburg

We planned a two night excursion to Salzburg Austria right before the holidays. Chris and I were thrilled to find a great apartment right downtown for the entire crew. It was beautiful, modern and the perfect location for walking everywhere.

The first night we enjoyed yet another Christmas market.

Don't they look so cozy!

I am very impressed with my father's photography skills. He captures the moon, the fortress and this interesting sculpture. Can you pick out the guy ontop of the gold ball. Its Jason! Just kidding, we thought it was real as well, but when we got closer we discovered it was a statue

Check mate stroller

Chris researched this amazing restaraunt - established 803! It has the most striking ombiance

Each room was decorated differently. It felt like there was history everywhere

The next morning was a bit dreary - but perfect as we were uplifted by the Sound of Music tour!

I am 16 going on 17........

This is where the wedding scene was filmed

Doe a deer, a female deer -

our family touring shot

Back at home stretching the legs

As the munchkins where rolling around, Chris, Jason and Nick hiked up to the fortress overlooking the city.

Nick is checking out the well inside the fortress.

The view from the top

These are photos from the Augustiner Brewery. Its self serve, grab a mug, pay the cashier, fill'er up.

Riley thinks the beer iw pretty darn good!

The beautiful sklyine on the walk home.

Here's our little signer =) Wouldn't Julie Andrews be proud!

Medival Market

I sent the boys out to the Medival market again. It was a bitter cold day so they stayed extra warm with additional Gluvine. (make you wonder how many of those cups came back home! - too many!)

Check out the medival garb.

Here are some of the games.

Target practice for Jason.

What do you think?

And now Chris.

Paging Steve Madray... do you approve? No bad!

See what I mean about the Gluvine consumption?

Nice dreads

Santa's visit

My family arrived and the house just felt - well - more like home. Of course we are busting at the seems, but that is what the holidays are for. Jason, Riley and my dad arrived Friday morning. My mom and sister flew a day later to make sure tthey logged some quality teaching hours. They had a bit of a delay in Logan and were thankful that Riley was already settled once they arrived.

The second night they were here, we hosted a Christmas party.

Ladies playing on the floor. Macy and Riley are less than 72 hours apart.

As the party was in full swing, you will never guess who arrived!! The Jolly Guy himself!

Anna stole all of our hearts (to include Santa's) as she raced up to give the jolly man a heart felt hug and kiss.

Tate was a little more reserved so Macy had to show him how its done.

Riley was checking out those curls

Nick was a bit more confident this year. Shane has a bit to learn and Riley is just too cute.

Now what do all your beautiful ladies want for Christmas?

Sweeties

With Santa back on his sleigh, we decided to entertain the munchkins with a little film. Appears to have worked for now!

Monday morning Nick went off to Kindergarden - he wanted to show Oma Sue were is was.

That and he didn't want to come in from the snow. he made tons of snow angels.

Germany Christmas markets

Its Christmas time in Germany (and yes, I am just now finally getting around to posting new stuff - so get ready!)

Here is a quick shot of the Christmas markets here in Stuttgart. We spent so much of the month going from one Christmas market to the next. They are all so beautiful and very unique.

After walking around, we stopped for a quick bite of Sushi - judging by the photo, it looks like Shane ate all of it!

Later on that week - Nick and I made ornaments for the birds... (you will see later that Pauli enjoyed most of them...)

Nick got his fair share too.

Sunday was the Medival Fest in Esslingen. Obviously very unique. This was the ferris wheel that I just loved. Tate and Nick rode for a bit but they were so like, the folks had to add sand bags to distribute the weight.