The adventures of The Leadbetter Family: June 2011

Sunday, June 26, 2011

New Friends to old friends

New friends - the ones you meet, shake their hands and immediately start wondering if they will become an 'old friend' the kind that can pop over to your house with their kids for a cocktail and gossip about life etc... go camping (leadbetter style), have a BBQ, give you a hard time about this, that and the other where no offense is taken…. Sometimes that transition can take weeks, months, or years. Or sometimes you can be sitting around a BBQ table and get razzed about a face book acceptance or a blog reference and realize you are no longer dealing with ‘new friends’ they are already old friends =) Thanks for a great night – to those old and new. You all know who you are!!

Iphone Photos

I didn't realize how many photos I had on my Iphone that I have just never transfered to my PC (someday it will do that without my thinking right?? Keep me posted Apple!) So its kind of fun to look over them as a refresher.

Here is house #2 being built behind us. The two homes will be connected, however not built at the same time (one family just moved in, just in time for construction to start!) This one's structure was put together totally different than the previous cinder block construction.

Here are the precast concrete panels coming down for placement. I know you all are loving the hard hats that are not needed. I mean, really how heavy is this wall??

I was fascinated on the little adjustments of tapping the corners, pushing here and connecting there that they did as the panel was coming into place

See how it has to come over those dowels? Check out the connection to the other house too... Construction minds what to know right?

Later that day we headed to Killesburg park with the McCulloughs. One of my favorite parks with my favorite family. It was the first day of the movers for them and their first night with us. Farrah popped over and we hit the train. (not this train - this was later) but I had been to the park twice on the train and it was really one simple transfer... until they changed the route in December 2010 (which I was told by the train conductor that the end of the line....as if December 2010 was SO long ago...) well, thankfully farrah was prepared to go with the flow that day and we finally found the park! Thanks Diane for helping us out.

See that familiar face waving to us??

Just some meal time shots..... During meals I often sit between Nick and Shane (for obvious reasons) but I find myself prepping a folk full for nick and making sure Shane makes his mouth, sometimes I get a bite or two. But i am amzined as to how well my left hand works!

Yum, Spagettios - who says Shane doesn't know how to operate a spoon?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJEUjOXxOyo

The next stage of construction - pouring the floor...

An evening at the cafe. It was such a warm night - we (Me, Farrah, Brian and the muchkins as Chris was in Afganistan - I remember Farrah and I discussing who was the wife and who was the nanny..... She won the nanny position as i was clearly carrying baby #5 - ha! wait, the arnold schwarzenegger story was just released, so maybe I angle of discussion!)

Anyway, I loved watching Tate and Shane play together. He was always such a good big brother to Shane and Shane loved his attention!

Just a little more in the video department. I love how the video ends with a shot of matching cars cups, one in pink and one in blue. Macy, we miss you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIA-lly2DSg

Can you believe it was 7 at night in this photo. They loved the fountains so much they were warming up on the concrete..

Macy does have a thing for Nick's stuff - even his underpants!!

She is one potty trained girl right now, so I am thinking those super hero underpants are traded in for some princess types - go Macy - you are one smart lady!

Pool time!

Prepping the cooler for Macy's birthday. Yes, Macy, we will take you, and no its not THAT hot!

This is days later at a bike shop. An Amazing Bike shop I might add... I cannot belive it was our first time there. Its only 10 minnutes from our home. Nick could have played for hours! can you imagine how FAST he is going on this go cart??

This is father's day morning at our luxembourg camp. Nick and Shane shared a room and they did great together. I came in to snuggle with nick and Chris popped his head in. I love the photo of my three boys!

We couldn't resist a little flip flop talk from Shane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzmg69qRWyc

Flip flop

Breakfast plate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV7QYORdpcg

Or modeling school?? I really just love the T-Shirt, its one of my favorites =)

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Never knew I was really that close to home...

Home can be many things defined many different ways. For over four years, Ann Arbor was my home and if truly a treasure place in my heart for countless reasons. When I found out one of our favorite cities here (Tubingen - an awesome college town) was a sister city to one of the greatest cities in my book, I thought it was true Kismet.

Can't say as it makes me want to visit the other cities.... But surely makes this one a notch more special =)!

The adventure continues in luxembourg with our birthday man and father's day!

For years Chris has celebrated birthday at school, in the field, being deployed, we are still making the most of his big day in the sense of what he enjoys most-Travel.

Here is part one of Chris's 35th birthday celebration. We packed our bags and headed camping in Luxembourg. Remember, the Leadbetters know how to camp right?

We were fortunate to be able to share the weekend with some new friends. No one will replace the crew that is now stretching their legs in the states and enjoying lunch at chick-fil-a. We are thankful to modern technology that will allow Tate to Skype with nick and me to chat with farrah as she was next door as we are still getting used to the fact that they are not down the street or in our time zone for that matter.

Our new buddies are still living in a temporary home waiting to really move in out here (yup, this could mean almost 3 years of traveling with them right?!). So I most give them kudos for their flexibility as it's hard enough living in a temporary hotel, only to pack your bags and head out camping!

They even opted to share their cabin with some cool buddies who also live in then hotel and were thrilled to get out. Talk about flexible! Krissy and Chris split a room with their son Sean, Ben used his new tent on the porch with his son Tyler, while Eleanor slept in the other room (and some mornings on the kitchen seat) with her other little boy Travis. They surely taught us they were game for anything!! Gosh, and we thought we were flexible!!

We managed to split meals and enjoy a little exploration without kids;). In the morning, the boys went to WWII battlefield of basogne (battle of the bulge location). The museum was sadly closed for renovation, but somehow they managed to find some yummy Belguim beer, priorities right?

This is Saturday morning with the kids. Nick, Tyler and Shane were trying out the tramoline (yes, it was a bit chilly)

As it was about to rain, we took cover in a tent filled with fun kids games. We think it was prep for kids club later that day - but hey, lets play! I loved the stuff made out of wood!

later that afternoon was rainy chill time. The little ones took a nap while Tyler and Nick enjoy Alladin. I loved that movie years ago and say along to the songs while prepping shish-ka-bobs for dinner.

When they returned, the ladies headed out for an enjoyable lunch and coffee in the cute town of Larchotte.

This is the perfect reflction of the weather. The clouds would roll in, it was rain, than they would roll out again.

Saturday night we had a yummy pastry to celebrate Chris's birthday. So good that nick consumed 3 pieces and he doesn't have much of a sweet tooth...

Saturday night was filled with a tremendous game of Trivia pursuit. It was girls vs. boys and I am quite thankful to have krissy and eleanor on my team as i am horrible at trivia pursuit these days!! If you can believe it, we ended in a tie!!

Saturday night was a bit rainy (as was much of the weekend - great excuse to get away.... so we roasted marshmellows on the stove top. S'mores are great anyway you shake it!

Sunday morning we packed up and headed home. One week until birthday party celebration part 2!!

Congratulations mom!

After over 25 years of teaching my mother has finally decided to retire. She told the administration few weeks ago and has been showered with hugs cards, and words of true appreciation. Its wonderful to hear about all the celebration that surrounds her years of devotion to a high school system. She enjoyed several retirement parties this weekend with a finale being her closest friends in simsbury on Friday night. She toasted her career. Not only will she wake up Monday morning without school plans to think about, but she will be able to walk the beach on a late august evening with a glass of wine in her hand and be proud of her career.

My sister will be carrying the torch and moms dedication as she returns to the school system, but not as an honors 8th grade math teacher, but as a biology teacher, a position that she set her sights on during her first year of teaching. My sisters love for animals was something we experienced throughout childhood. Whether it was lop eared bunnies (thanks grandpa Roy) gerbil (yes, my sister loved every animal) snakes, butterflies, horses cats, dogs, etc. I thank my parents for their patience and encouragement as that surely influenced and allowed this amazing teacher to continue her own growth. Thank you Stacie for the time you invest in yourself to become a teacher and all your do for the children you will influence.

See, she has always been crazy!

I look forward to my children having wonderful teachers to enhance their lives. Thankfully two of the greatest ones are already apart of their life!!

Cheers mom!

Friday, June 3, 2011

22 weeks and counting

Nick is getting to be a great photographer right?? here's that bellie shot I know you are all looking for. 22 Weeks and feeling rather pregnant in my book. This is me on my way off to teach body pump this morning. The little baby is not totally in my way yet and I hope to teach at least until I head to the states at the end of July. Things are getting a bit cramped on the bike for spin - but other than that, minimal complaints. Just trying to slow down and remind myself to enjoy this final pregnancy.

It is different knowing we will have a boy. We have starting thinking about the room, names etc... I am enjoying the early connection. I am fortunate to have been able to experience it both ways. Now I am excited to meet this little boy and so are my other boys!! Keep praying for a healthy little one!!

The Good Life

As we say goodbye to our wonderful friends - of course we feel that painful void in our bellies.

Thankfully Wednesday morning was the one rainy day we have endured in several months. It gave me validation of my sad emotions.

I am thankful that I was so crushed with their departure. You don't meet many friends in life that can be so indispensable. The kind of friends that make a boring afternoon exciting. The kind of friends that make saying goodbye impossible because you know the moment you travel to a closer location, they will pack their bags and meet up with you. The McCulloughs are headed to California and will be part of our family that now lives there. We are excited to visit them!

It really doesn't look like we are taking them to the airport - maybe to a plumbing job...... But it does look like the dogs are ready to travel

Making that Mini work!

are you ready boys??

We all spent a little extra time at the ticket counter. Originally the agent told them no to flying with dogs. miraculously they were re-routed on KLM through Amsterdam on that same day (and all together - to included another mother who was traveling solo with her 14 month old and 2 year old dog) Sadly it put their arrival in Atlanta much later - their heads did not finally rest on a pillow until 3:30 AM. Surely made for a long day when you woke up at 5AM the previous morning

The KLM agent was able to 'speed' them through the security line - however Ms. Farrah got pulled aside for an extra screening!! Better make that flight!! Run Run!!

It was a very teary eyed goodbye - but hey, that's what we excepted. The rain continued to come down the rest of the day.

Many of Chris's office mates were sick that day and he was feeling a bit under the weather too - so in the early afternoon when I saw the door open to see my husband on the other side it was the greatest gift on a sad day. The four of us quietly curled up on the couch and enjoyed a kids movie together.

I am very much a music person - it motivates me at spin, it brings back memories, it captures a moment in time, it even makes me cry. Lately I haven't been able to stay dry eyed through the song 'good life' by One Republic. Daringly I added it to my recent spin mix. I taught the mix on the Wednesday morning of their departure. I did get a bit choked up, but I can blame that on the endorphins right?

The song reminds me that we are living the good life and really, what is there to complain about?? Sure, our wonderful friend will be miles away - but won't you rather have wonderful friends?? Every time I hear the song I will remember the commotion in my kitchen before dinner (the part that almost makes me lose my mind) I will remember Farrah trying to get Macy to eat one more bite, or hoping Tate will eventually swallow the ten bites of chicken in his mouth. I will remember Brian and Chris coming home exhausted but immediately helping out with the kids and getting the party supplies out. I will remember Nick and Tate playing legos and cover orange at 6AM and I will remember Farrah giving me that one last hug saying - now have that baby and figure out how to get back home. I will also remember quietly watching that afternoon movie together as a family. We surely are living the good life and there is nothing to complain about!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

BIrthday girl

I still cannot believe I have known her through her entire live. Ms. Macy is 2! We were thrilled to be able to celebrate with her. Love the bow - but the cute smile is the real treat.

We had a simple celebration at the Kleine Gardner park near our home on the Monday or memorial day weekend. Farrah put together a cooler of goodies ranging from popsicles, to fudge sandwhiches, toasted almond strawberry ice cream bars (that I swear I hadn't seen since high school!) and of course prosecco and wine =) The perfect Memorial day birthday celebration.

Cassey didn't want to miss a drop - even if it was coming down her hand. I love her festive dress

Here is the celebrating family - can you find Tate??

even Blake got a little play time

Love the birthday girl mixed in there - the birthday hat fits right in =)

We planned a little munchkin activity, the little ones wrote their names on T-Shirts that said 'with hugs from....' so when their friends are miles away they can always get a hug. 10 shirts! Nick got some good practice

Seriously blake, 41/2 months old already?! Don't you want to kiss those cheeks!!

My favorite part of the evening was just sitting around listening to the little ones sing happy birthday to macy. She just sat in the circle enjoying the song for her. The sound of the kids voices still resonates with me as it was just simple sweet.