Drew and the Boys

We've tried to keep it a lazy couple of days, but somehow the days seem to get packed up.  In the meantime, i am trying to snap some Drew photos along the way so his baby book as more than just a few things in it. 

This outfit was a favorite recieved from a wonderful friend Amanda - we had babies (Nick and Meredith) at about the same time.  Nick wore this outfit, Shane, and now Drew.  I intend to send it her way shortly as she is due with a sweet little boy in just a few months!

Drew is all snuggled up ready for the ride! 

An odd assortment of photos - but this explains why it tends to be a 'long' walk home from kindi....  Nick takes a break on the lawn and of course, Shane follows!

The boys are rocking so fast I can hardly snap this photo - ok, maybe I should use the cameral instead of the Iphone next time.  But could two boys be happier with cheese??

On Saturday morning, Chris knocked out a 10k with Eleanor and Chris Hoffman while I took Nick and Tyler to the soccer game.  Nick and I came back at 10:30 for a 5k.  Nick (or Captain American) biked the entire way and got tons of compliments - both on hir biking and costume selection!

Love this outfit - heidi grabbed it from the archives of Waylan's clothes as I set it to her last year.  My kids were either late (Unable to wear it) or too big when I found it again - so this time Drew was just right and wore it for 3 days!!

Almost crossed eyed - my favorite! 

I am convinced this is a smile - at least, I will take it! 

Shane was just not right today - super whiny and also super cuddly (oddly enough, not at the same time)  but I was thrilled to catch up on some over due Shane cuddle time. 

Next (to keep the whining down) was a fall stroll. 

And finally a long bath and cuddly outfits. 

And to top of a lazy Sunday - a movie with dad! 

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Two peas in a pod - or bad influence??

On Wednesday we had a little list of things to knock out for the day - one being a possible steering team meeting on Panzer. i was hoping to figure out the logistics of dropping of the kids at kindi and heading onto post. But first, I had to recycle all the wine bottles that were clogging our entry way.

And that's when I spotted it, a junk pile, broken shelves.... but in every junk pile is a treasure right? O.k. not every pile. But I saw 2 matching dressers. A closer look revealed that each dresser had 3 working drawers (I just had to find them). I instantly started the internal battle of - do i take them, or are they really trash... what would Chris say... will they fit in the mini.... Can I lift them.....

They won’t fit, so I needed to ‘regroup’ at home.  Thankfully my second opinion was awaiting me =)  I surprised Barbara who had just gotten home from dropping off Nick.  I asked her if she wanted to join me in a junking run.  She was thrilled, the perfect partner!!  Off we went.  We reconfigured the mini to fit these two dressers. 

After securing our loot and heading back home, we spotted another pile – this one contained the crème de la crème!!  We literally rushed home, off loaded our dressers and hurried back before anyone else could snag it.  As we walked up, part of me hope there was a HUGE scratch or something that would deter us (seriously, what am I going to say to Chris)  but it was perfect.  For where, I don’t know, but we had to have it!!

In our defense, we looked at a few other junking piles and determined those were just junk. Our selective taste found the diamonds =)!

Chris came home and we had him ‘discover’ our treasures… he rolled his eyes, but secretly I think he likes them all!!

Later that weekend, Barbara was out walking with Shane when they were approached by the sweetest little kitty – who even opted to ride at the bottom of the stroller for a bit. After telling Chris about this he quickly told her, she can bring home furniture – no pets!!

Thanks Barbara, we make a great team =)

First day of German Kindi!

yes yes yes, he is ONLY 2 - but off to Kindi he goes.  The kindi is literally 300 meters from our home (the perfect biking distance for the munchkin that really love to smell the roses, and look at the bug, and pull into all driveways.....  But he started a little kindi in our town.  Today I got to spend the 2 hours with him to help his adjustment.  Of course its all german (so i'm not that much help) but the cutest thing ever and I love being re-assured as to how independant my little 2 year old can be.

We had some playground time.  Its heartwarming to see him playing in the sand and see another sweet girl come to join him.  No words, just shovels, pals, and a few glances at eachother.  I about started to cry right there.  Shane seemed fine by himself, but every 10 minutes or so, I would hear a 'mom' just checking to make sure I was still there.

The kids sit at the table, say a prayer and enjoy snack (what they all brought)  no one tried to snag another kids snack.  They all sat there until they were excused.  Once they were excused, they all took their plates to the sick etc.. (shane included.... when in Rome!) 

I loved this little welcome sign for Shane.

it was only 2 hours, but I felt fortunate to have that time with just Shane.  It was nice being that presence that helped him through the morning.  Tomorrow he will be solo for a few hours and we will see how that goes.  But I love all the simple nurturing they do at the school.  It promotes indepedance (Shane will be tying his shoes in a week - hehehe - o.k., maybe not, but he will be putting on his shoes, his jacket etc...)  its sad we will only be there a few months, but I figured its best to enjoy and make the most of every moment!

What a BIG boy!!  We are so proud.  Thanks Chris for coming home for lunch to make Shane feel even more special - just watned to note that Shane about fell asleep at the lunch table....  Thanks to Barbara for staying home with Drew.  it makes doing this so much more enjoyable!

Tschuss Oma Sue

What a wonderful time we enjoyed with Oma Sue.  She arrived and there were 4 leadbetters in our family, she left and now we have 5!  She went from helping a crabby overly pregnant daughter in the tail end of summer to craddling a newborn in the cripsness of fall.  What a wonderful time and I am forever thankful to have my mother apart of our final leadbetter installment.  Nick loved racing her to the top of his kindergarden hill.  Shane enjoyed getting out of his 'last bite' with help from 'sue' (apparently Shane is on a first name basis!)  and Drew just loved to snuggle.  Thanks mom for taking the time for us.  You made what couldn't have been a difficult and hectic time become manageable and memorable.  We are so lucky and love you very much.  Hugs from ALL 5 Leadbetters. 

Barbara arrived on Wednesday and we put her to work instantly.  She is seamlessly picking up the pieces and helping out as we get used to life here before we pack up and head out.  Looking back, I planned this quite well as Barbara is an expert 'mover' so I need her help to sell and purge!!  Lets clean out the freezer!

France for a day

On Sunday Chris's sense of adventure took over as he wanted to take the family to Strasbourg France.  It was a BEAUTIFUL fall day and a great reason to explore. 

Drew and I opted to stay home (for many reasons)  We knocked out 5 loads of laundry, some insurance claims and the final episode of Army Wives, but surely the other crew had more fun!! 

Here are the tales of their travels.  The mom's headed out on a beautiful boat ride

Two peas in a traveling pod!

Can you find Nick in his flourescent hat?

Great photo - apparently this is the part of the day where Chris told Shane it was time to take a nap.  if only he minded this well on every suggestion!

It really does look like a beautiful city, but man, I bet that water is cold!

They came home loving the weather and their adventure.  It was wonderful for them to get a bit of travel in with all the help they were doing for us!

Capturing eyes wide open!

We are already entering week 2 with baby Drew and with that comes times with eyes wide open. We enjoy how he seems to take in his surroundings and put our voices with our faces. Its as if he cant wait to get to know all of us. And some of us he seems to already know.

Sweet Drew







On Saturday we sent the mom's on a USO trip to a wine making farm. Crazy right? They had a fabulous time wine tasting, hiking around the farm and coming back with a few goodies. Looks like they enjoyed a day out. WE cannot thank them enough for all their help. Today they are off with Chris and the big boys for a day in France. I stayed home with Drew and am loving the time to catch up on life.



Reason 1 million and 1 why its awesome to have a great big brother like Nick

 

Hey Oma Sue, I missed you today.

One last photo op that I couldn't resist. I was driving to Nick's Soccer practice Friday Night when Barbara noticed this. Some folks commute on train, car, even bike. But in Germany, I guess horseback is possible too



Just lucky I had my camera at the ready!! What a beautiful way to enjoy your trip home!



Love it here!

Drew's Love

I may have forgotten how wonderful it feels to be loved by an infant. Its true that a baby is truly happy just to be with you, its not the cozy blanket, the cute onesie or the well decorated room. He just wants you. To lay on you, to feel your warmth, heartbeat, smell. I love hearing his sounds, stretching, and sweet cuddles. Right now I am enjoying it.... And trying to share;)

A trip down memory lane

It started as a chandelier shopping trip...... My mom, drew and I packed up and hit the road. I coordinated for the boys to be busy all day and enjoy an evening with daddy, so we were off!! 4 hours in the car and drew was fabulous! Love newborns!!

Here is the store. I will safe all the photos as the one I liked was $3400. So I saved $3300 by purchasing a bohemian garnet ring instead. Sweet.


Now to Vilseck where my adventure as a young army officer began.

This was my favorite restaurant. First because it was walking distance from my house.


Second because they served the best garlic creme soup. I sat at this table MANY times, with my dad, Chris, Meghan Ederle (girl where r u?), my mom... But never with a carseat;)


Rainy dreary vilseck.... Guess it's fitting. We stayed at the on post hotel to be immersed in memory lane. Just walking into the hotel, the scent of the entry way brought back memories of being alone in a foreign country, but having the excitement of the potential adventures to come. It was in vilseck I met some of the most amazing and influential folks in my life-most importantly my husband (who ironically worked 2 hours away)


At 6:30, reveille played (almost right outside of our window) and several units ran by calling cadence. A smile spread across my face as my mom was shocked, but I snuggled drew and went back to sleep.

I loved 'reliving' the memories.

Here's the formation sight for bravo company, 94th engineers.


And here was our company headquarters location (B co and HSC) The unit is different now as the engineers were relocated to ft.lewis. But that didn't change the buildings, the red doors, or the soldiers in the gazebo;)


Next stop, the town. We had a train station in my town-fabulous! Direct shot to nurenburg. Used it plenty! Picked up my family here as they were such savvy travelers. (my mom remembered it!)


Next, to my old house...... I drove down blumenstrasse and was crushed when it didn't jump out at me. I swore it was #3. Why did it not instantly feel like my old home? Well let me tell you, this is what it looked like when I moved in circa 1999.


This is what it looked like today! They spent the passed 3 YEARS renovating it.


I walked up to the door to investigate, as I did, I spotted my old landlady and instantly knew I was in the right place. So, I rang the door bell. Now I had anticipated seeing her for a while, but I'm quite certain she was rather shocked to see me! Thankfully I brought a photo of my family to leave with her. It was fun telling her about Chris. I asked her if she remembered the boy that was always visiting me, cause I married him!! We have 3 boys! I put all our names on the back and a swear she must be looking at it right now.

This photo was taken in my old kitchen (this is my landlady and her grand daughter)


However this is what it (and me) looked like in 1999.


Her husband was there to and I loved giving him a hug. They asked me about the motorcycle (long story if your haven't already heard it) about my mom, said the dryer i bought it still awesome. (keep in mind, this is them speaking in German, I in English)

I was so glad I went. What a truly meaningful visit that bridged time, travel, culture and family.

So as I was scanning the old photos I came up with these gems..... This was my car in 1999. It was awesome! Nothing was automatic. I remember one day trying to get to PT on time and the muffler fell off, yes, fell off, so I grabbed it, threw it in my sunroof and headed to PT... I wasn't even late (loud, but not late). My dad helped me fix a taillight by grabbing one from the junkyard (windshield wipers were bonus)! $500. I wish I still had it. Sort of


Looks at these Christmas beauties.


Oh wait, look at these Christmas beauties;)


A true Charlie brown Christmas. What a great tree;)

Another smile, and ANOTHER GOAL!

Its Fall and its BEAUTIFUL out here this weekend.  We are taking advantage and getting some great vitamin D.  Saturday started with a soccer game.  I captured this photo as i LOVE the smile on both of their faces.

Right after that I got TOTALLY lucky as I captured Nick's GOAL.  well done little Beckem =)

We had a celebratory lunch at a beer garden with the Duelleys - Great job for the dads =)

Here is Drew, trying to open his eyes.

Nick is always looking for the oppurtunity to hold his little brother.  Here is one of his atempts. 

Finally a little funny photo.  I got to purchase some 'girly' things for our little Chloe who turned 3 on Friday (yes, I am late but that's not shocking!)  The boys were enamered but the combs and curlers so I had to snap this photo.  Chloe, your gifts come tried and true!

Hope you all had a great fall weekend!