Touring the country side

Every morning - Nick, Pauli and I gear up and hit the streets. I try to do a long walk in the morning and Pauli has her nose on the ground the whole time. Everything smells So different! This is a VERY typical country side. They are tilling the ground for furture sunflowers (at least that is what I remember)
When germans plant a tree, they are VERY serious about its survival. Check out that bracing. guess I didn't realize we were in a hurricane zone =)
I still am amused by how much germans love our music (that and who they love) they are HUGe fans or Bon jovi which is great for me. But I just came across this Pink advertisement. She will be in Stuttgart in November 2009. they are so pumped that they are advertizing now!
Here is the leadbetter mode of transportation. Its an Opel hatchback. Rather convient and pretty good with the gas. All the cars out here are super small. matter of fact, I think the passat will feel HUGE. Gas is 1 EURO/litter. Yikes! Last night we put in 10 euro and got lost in Stuttgart. Great investment right?? This weekend we are using the train to get into the city Zentrum (center) MUCH easier and nick will LOVE it.
just about every night we try to find a different Gasthaus. We alway worry about nick since we rarley took him out to eat in the states. But the germans LOVE him. He is pretty well behaved, so we are thrilled. Last night we were at the 'Eddy V's' of Deutschland. He got his own silverware, plate and napkin. He hammed it up with the waitress and LOVED the spatzela.

Aunt Stosh taught him this. Thought it was appropriate =)

My Iphone works 80% of the time for emails. So feel free to write at saraleadbetter@gmail.com. Our phone are not quite set up yet.

our mailing address is
CMR 423 Box 1260
APO AE 09107.

Much love from the leadbetters in Germany!

The initial days in Stuttgart (the temporary apartment!)

Its time to figure out our temporary living situation. Its a two story apartment that starts on the second floor. We were hoping it had some form of kitchenette, but initially it didn't. Yesterday we were thrilled to receive a microwave and mini fridge from MC Dean. (before that we were storing Milk and lunch meat outside - not a bad plan....but looked kind of ghetto)
The upstairs that has the 'master bed'. To the right is the bathroom that has the only sink, toilet and tub shower. (also has Caymen's bathroom) Needless to say by this photo, the pets are getting along and Nick is enjoying some german cartoons in the morning =)
Here is the spiral staircase I was telling everyone about. Pauli is scared to death about going down it... But when you gotta go, you gotta go. You can see Nick in his yellow jacket showing us his skills as he scales the staircase. Every evening Chris and I have a 'rock, paper, scissors' game to see who has to take Pauli for her final walk. I have lost twice in a row now.... maybe I need to re-evaluate the game! (or my stragegy)
This is the 1st floor of our apartment. Nick likes to look out the window and watch for 'da da' Pauli just wants to be in every picture. The bottom left is a space heater. Kicks out quite a bit of warmth!
So german really do love their spiral staircases! Here is the second one that we have learned to navigate. Nick has only had one fall and now he askes for help 80% of the time. Again, Pauli wanted to be in the picture.
This is our lunch table/train table. The couch is cayman's hiding spot (meaning behind it) We have two of the largest fake plants I have ever seen in my life. Since I am NOT a huge fake plant person, they drive me nuts - but this is temporary right?
This is one more shot before bed time. Nick didn't want to share the one Chocolate chip cookie with dad. I LOVE the comforter covers. Very german and one of the things I looked forward too. They are like mini duvets - super soft and fluffy. I wrapped one around nick's pack and play base so he could enjoy the same luxury.
In typical Sara fashion - our appartment is directly across from a construction site. Every morning when nick wakes up he asks if the 'hook is up' meaning the huge crane that they use to navigate the sight. Thankfully they can not start work until 7AM. But as soon as those Church bells ring (did I mention the bells - yes, I am certain there are 10 churches that ALL ring their bells every hour) but the 7AM ring is the loudest. no need for an alarm clock here! But as soon as it sounds, I hear the hammers start. I will be sure to grab a few photos or taht for my fellow construction lovers!

The Long flight to Stuttgart

How many bags does it take to fly the Leadbetters to Germany?
We took 5 bags,
3 carry ons
2 animals
It took two cars to get us to the airport. Thanks to my dad and Mr. Brinkerhoff we were there with plenty of time.
Nick wanted to help the nice delta man to make sure his 'woof woof' and 'kitty kat' were properly tagged and ready for the trip.
This is Chris trying to take our picture. Granted its shakey, but my favorite part is the two Germans behind us that were obviously laughing. Needless to say, this wasn't 'take one' maybe take 52..... This photo was taken at the beginning of the Atlanta to Stuttgart flight.
The Flight departs Atlanta at 6PM. they served dinners (yummy pasta) and a complimentary alcoholic beverage! The movie was the Secret of Bees (Chris was thrilled). Nick watched the Fox and Hound (curosy of the Carson family) Around 9Pm they turned off the light in hopes that folks would get some sleep.

Everyone gets a great airplane pillow, blanket and awesome 'eye cover' Nick couldn't quite figure it out. (The rest of the passengers did!) He was so excited to be up, he didn't want to fall asleep. He fussed a bit and finally gave in. Mom shared a row off three seats with Nick, while Dad moved across the aisle to his own two seat section. Nick slept for a good few hours - but man does he THRASH around in his sleep! Needless to say, mom's sleep wasn't as solid since she kept making sure nick wasn't thrashing himself off the seat!
At around 7:30AM (Stuttgart time - 1:30 AM Atlanta time) they woke us up to start serving breakfast. Yummy warm bagels and bannans. It was super cute when nick woke up. His first words were 'Nick still up?!' he couldn't believe it!
We went through customes rather quickly and found the 'woof woof' and 'kitty kat' safely on the other side. Nick was asking them about their up. Pauli couldn't wait to run outside. Cayman was just shivering.
One little note - before we left, Stacie and I spent COUNTLESS hours running to the Vet and the USDA office to make sure we had all the proper paper work and stamps for the animals to fly over. The Delta guy scanned it at the hartford office to make sure everything was o.k. for the Germans. Chris kept all the information in his binder. When we arrived in Germany, NO ONE asked to see the information!! I wanted to show it to EVERYONE, but no one was iterested. Guess its good piece of mind =)
Also, Cayman was the hit in the airport. All the Germans wanted to come up and say hi. They kept asking is she was mine - sounded like they wanted to claim her. Although Chris was more than willing to pass her along. Nick kept a tight hold of his 'kitty kat'
The jet lag isn't too bad. Since you basically land at 9 in the morning. You really just stay up through the rest of the day and are exhausted by the evening. Not bad really.
Chris's friend Jack met us and the crew at the airport. He packed up 50% of our gear and took Chris is get his car for the rest of us. Nick, Pauli and I stayed at the airport for a bit. Folk were so friendly and kept coming up to Nick and Pauli. I really need to learn German since I feel like sucha heal when I have to say Spreckense English?!?

Auf wiedersehen

Here's the perfect example of my blogging inexperience - I just tried to add this photo at the end and here it is at the beginning. Chris's Austin send off was completing the Austin Marathon with Andy Bury Sunday morning. Chris fininshed in under 3:45 hours, so he was thrilled.

Next on tap was to board a flight and head to CT for the week. Sara flew with Nick on SWA while Chris was scheduled with Pauli on Delta. Needless to say, when he arrived at the airport they told him Pauli's crate was unacceptable and he needed a vets note to say Pauli was o.k. to be in temperatures under 45 degrees while transferring planes.

So Chris missed his Sunday flight, rented a car to make it to Petco in time to get this crazy letter, have dinner at Wildfire with Steve and Lamarca and grab the first flight outta there on Monday morning. Thanks to Cale and Christine - Pauli now has a flight accepted crate!

On Friday the 13th, Christine, Jenny and Chelcy planned a bittersweet going away party at the Paige house in Georgetown. We were touched by all the folks that came by for hugs and a beer. It was the perfect night to let munchkins roam around outside =) Great Texas Weather.

The cleavage in this photo looks rather real..... Watch out St. Pauli girl!

All we need is the yellow mustang in the back ground.











Somebody tried to party all night long................

House under siege

Guess that attic access storage area was surely needed 6 movers arrived on Thursday morning. They took over our home, one room at a time. About 80% of our things fit. The other 20% went in the attic. Wonder if we will miss it?? They packed everything in the pantry - wasn't expecting that! Guess I will have plenty of Rotel in Germany.
This is the 40' van that was tasked to move all our crap. To include a 17' long car. Life size tetris.

They packed over 180 boxes all labeled. It will take 4-6 weeks to get to Stuttgart.

Winter Wonderland

On Saturday Chris had the itch to climb up Huebline mountain. Climb isn't the right word, skate might be better... but either way, we bundle up and actually enjoyed a little excersice.

This is a rare photo of Pauli on the lease. We let her tear it up most of the time (of course not many others were 'hiking' so we were safe) We did run into an extreme runner who was in tights with stell hook on his shoes (almost like snow tires...)

Thanks to Margaret Schuck's lederhosen and Christine Hilts Texas cowboy hat, Nick is one styling little munckin who can tear up Mad Max the wonder horse. By the way, I think my folks could find photos of Sara and Stacie on this very same horse! Yes, they do keep everything!

Gotta rest and have a drink!

Nick ordered up Snow In Simsbury and guess what he got....... Snow! Dad was teaching him to open hus mouth to catch it!
This is our little Texan showing us how you ride a horse! He never gets on without his hat!

Yes, we had to make a snowman!

While Chris was gone

So you can take the builder out of the building world, but you can't make her stop construction... Yesterday we commenced - attic access storage/future 4th bedroom. There were studs everywhere..... Well, Chris is still in Germany. The walls are up, the electrician is wiring tomorrow and the attic access stairs are installed. It was quite the project. But here's hoping it all worth it!

Nick and I stayed away most of the day. When we came back for dinner and the folks were still working he would plug his ears when the air compressor fired up. Maybe he doesn't have a future in construction!

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard flew in from Boston for Nick's bread!

Nick looked like he was having so much fun in the bucket swing that Nate (who is now 4, begged to go in the bucket swing..... He doesn't fit so well anymore. Its tough getting old!)

So Grandma - what do you think of this flock? Quite the selection. Bird watchers look out!

Nick and I were SO thankful to have Barbara visit for a long weekend. She was a breathe of sanity in a rather hectic time for us!

Master's swim team bowling night (in swimmer speak - this is what we all look like with our clothes on....)

Catch Nick in action, he is developing quite the arm. It took the birds a second to warm up. I may be holding the camera, but my other hand had Pauli!

In other news, the Tahoe is sold and we have decided to ship the Passat with us to its mother land. With the market the way it is, no need in taking such a loss. Plus, I really do love the car and it already has the Michigan M embedded on its back side. Chris is in Germany learning the ropes of his new career and scouting out the home base for our next several years of the Leadbetter Adventure!