The Leadbetter Thanksgiving Stay-Cation!

If you are logging onto our site in hopes of seeing photos of great adventures through Switzerland, Italy and the Stuttgart Christmas markt - please log onto our best buddies blog - Farrah and Brain =) They made it. The Leadbetters however, stayed home sick - all weekend.

For the past three weeks, Chris was logging some extreme hours to include weekends to complete his first project since arriving here. It was quite the push. He learned quite a bit and is excited for the next project to start so he can impliment some changes. The amount of computers, LAN line, Secret lines, VTCs and HUGE flat screen TVs installed will make your head spin. It was the headquarters building for Special Forces AFRICOM so needless to say, they needed all the bells and whistles.

Monday was his final day - just in time for Thanksgiving and JUST in time to take care of his family. Nick came down with a horrible cough, fever and all around ache and didn't make it to kindergarden - Mom wasn't far behind. I thought I was helping Shane build up his immune system - but he got sick this Friday to include some vomiting Saturday night as we were all out to a nice Italian dinner in Tubigen (our only escape from the house - and it was quickly curtailed)

But we did celebrate Thanksgiving. Instead of a turkey, we had Thanksgiving Goose. Nick enjoyed saying - your goose is cooked! Its all dark meet and really juicy - YUMMY. This photo cracks me up as the pan did not fit in our apparently SMALL oven. We inprovised.

After the goose was in, I came around the corner to Chris lighting this fire - YUP, furniture - crappy wood, and too large to fit in there so he burned it in half and than we could close the doors. Needless to say, smoke detectors were installed this weekend too.

Yes, we also moved Shane outta the way.
But Shane is still growing too fast. This is him at the gym with me the other day. Lunges anyone?

He is also smiling which is VERY rewarding. I didn't capture any this weekend as we were just trying to get him to keep milk down =)

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Moments from this week

I guess we all have heartwarming moments at MOPS (mother's of preschoolers meeting). As Diane and I were leaving Wednesday morning Nick and Anna took off running together. We shouted after them on a beautiful fall morning. Than, we asked them to stop and do something cute.... This is what happened! How sweet!

Earlier that morning, Nick was signing into his class (full of 10+ munchkins around 3 years old) and within seconds he said "Anna isn't in there" of course I was quickly scanning the list to prove him wrong - but she wasn't there yet - devistating!! She showed up 5 minutes after us and was a little uncertain of heading into class. Nick gave her a hug and took her in with him. Too sweet. Who knew my mom was such a fan of frogs!

Please tell me why this toy says for ages 12 and older!?!? Its the best toy ever! There is NO WAY a 12 year old gets more entertainment from the Stomp Rocket than a 3 year old! He was loving every second. Great idea Aunt Liz and Uncle Tam.

Shane is 6 Weeks old! and St. Martin's day celebration

Time is going by way too fast. Shane is already 6 weeks old! He feels HUGE. He is starting to hold his head up better and offers up smiles if you try REALLY hard. He even smiled at dad last nightWe had our check up at the Kinderartz in our little town. I took Nick to kindergarden that morning and than walked over to the Doctor's office.

Shane weighed 10.5 lbs and was 15.5 inches tall

I just love feet pictures!

Last weekend Chris emmersed himself in work. His project is almost over - so we are all holding our breathe until than. meanwhile, I am SO thankful to have wonderful friends to cheer me up over the weekend.

This is a photo at a little fest in Farrah's town. She bakes two yummy cakes for the kindergarden bake sale. In germany, the cakes are traditionally not very sweet. So we watched as the german's sampled her Ohy, Gooey, sugar cake and Yummy pumpkin cake (of course we sampled them too - they were the best by far!!)
Shane in my favorite - "hell bent, heaven sent" shirt. A gift from hell raiser Pete Brinkerhoff back in the Nicholas Roy days!

I title this one - "beef cake"

On Wednesday and Thursday Nick participated in the St. Martin's day celebrations. First without knowing it would be so important, we made laterns at a German class on Tuesday with Tate.

On Wednesday night, we took that latern to the little fest in our town. We were 10 minutes late so Nick didn't get to stand and sing with his class (although I doubt he would have 'sung' too much yet) so he was thrilled to be able to stand with us. We figured this was our trail run, so being late was o.k. - next year it might be a little more devistating!!

Just wanted to show you how 'warm' Shane was during the fest.

On Thursday they had a church service. I joined Nick at the church. It was super cute seeing him sitting with his class.

This is a horribly blurry photo of inside the Church here at Neuhausen.

What a big dude!
Hope you all had a great week!

Nick is 3!!

Thanks to everyone that made Nick feel super special on his birthday. He was so lucky to get fun gifts, great phone calls and even facebook messages on his big day. Wow, what a man!

His birthday started with a surprise Thomas Take a long from the amazing Carson family - Oh how we miss them.....

Then it continued with some wonderful books from Grandma and Grandpa.As you can see, he dove right in. I think we all have read 'the caboose that got loose' several times by now!

Onto the birthday morning - What birthday is complete without a blueberry pancake with a 'N' in it?!?!

Of course we did some errands to include efforts to get Shane's passport. During our errands, Nick LOVED telling folks that today is his birthday... We almost has the #3 down with his fingers....

He received calls from Oma Sue, Goomba and Aunt Stosh on their way to work in the morning...

Now onto 'kid chaos' at an indoor german play yard -kiki mondo- with his best buddies Eve, Anna, and Tate (of course 3 friends when you turn 3!)

I ask myself - is it possible to capture 4 bouncing kids in one photo frame.....

Check out those sweet babes - Macy and Shane too

o.k. what play place is complete without a riding bull?? Of course we had to ride!! Adults I mean (BTW - yes, its a German place, so YES they were serving beer!)

First up - Sara (gotta make my son proud)

Diance makes it look SO graceful

Farrah is playing to her cheering crowd!

Now for some candles and singing. I just love this shot of Anna

Nick is digging for gold here....
The siblings REALLY enjoyed the party. Guess they were out partying too late last night.

So you ask yourself - what IS the best way to get over jet lag....... Come to a 3 year old party!!

No Joke, Brian landed this morning at 9AM. He had been traveling to Turkey, Isreal and the US - finally returned to his family and Farrah lugged him to the party! What a good sport =) He looks like he is loving the computer game as much as the muchkins.

Wait, maybe his eyes are closed....

Is Nick holding his hand?

The group shot =)

We got home and skyped Aunt stosh for another happy birthday call.

See you next year boys and girls! He is lights out! With love - Nick!

Killesberg train park

Its Sunday and we woke up to a BEAUTIFUL fall day. We decided to take advantage of it by heading to the Killesberg park. Today was the last day the klein train would run

Crack kills - Nick doesn't seem to notice the 'draft' but our camera cannot resist it. This photo is for my mom. I know how much she LOVED my bellie shots - just wanted to tell her I was picked up for billboard display =) Love you mom!

Ah, the train. It was the perfect way to do the initial park exploration.

We discovered this tower that you can walk to the top of. Nick and Chris were thrilled with the idea. Photos to come of that!

Nick heading down the slide with his brakes on

The stroller is earning its money again. Nick sleeping in the front......

Shane sleeping in the back (yes the photos are outta order right now.... I am working on that)

The adults are enjoying a yummy lunch

So Nick - what would you like for Dessert??

With full bellies we decided it was time to hike that tower! Nick takes after his dad and loves climbing to the top!

View of the Leadbetter men from the top

The other Leadbetter crew

View of the vinyards from the top

This is what the base of the tower looked like. An engineering marvel?? Maybe. We think that ball allows it to sway just enough (plenty if you ask me!)

Hope you all had a great weekend!