Nick is 7

The final installment for Leadbetter birthday season (and our first born)  its a great exercise in patience.  Nick was SO excited.

First gift in the morning....Oma Sue and Goomba are happy to support his LOVE for Tom Brady!

Later that afternoon, Chris and I sponsored a football party.  We played in the local field and the kids loved it (even a few other kids came up hoping it was a camp they could register for...  nope sorry - gotta be Nick's buddy!

Chris set up several 'points of training' throughout the field. (at the time I was SO thankful for his renew enthusiasm!!)

Drew listened to the instructions too in hopes of participating...

First game, Sharks and Minnows

Next, a little gift opening

the grand finale - a game between the patriots and redskins...  

The game actually ended with a last minute interception by Nick's best buddy Lucas - the final play was a pass to Nick in the end zone for a touchdown.  We couldn't have scripted it better if we tried...

Drew got to play too - 

he happened to have his own coach! 

as it got dusk, it was the perfect time for the birthday cake

Love that smile!

Drew surely got his fare share of cake!

Glad I caught this moment of suprise during the dinner time gift opening

Nice work Aunt stosh!  (he snuck it to school the next day - it was funny because as I was putting his lunch bag in his backpack he ran after me say - no I will do it....  I had no idea why he was being so proactive....  little bugger)

A birthday skype call with his best buddy from too far away

what an exhausting and filled day - I can only imagine how loved Nicholas felt as he fell asleep that night.  Funny, as by the time he laid his bed on his pillow - technically he was still 6!  

Nicholas is very thoughtful - follows the rules (until he figures out how to circumnavigate them)  Knows what needs to be done - but often takes several steps to do it.  he is a very caring and protective big brother who hopes to one day lead a football team!  I love his smile - his big heart and the look of wonder still in his eyes.  he soaks in every second you will offer him, but loves the time to himself too.

Love the day you made me a momma!

Pass the pumpkins please

We had a bonus weekend with schools closed for teacher conferences (means more momma time - just what we all want I bet!)

  Teresa and I made the most of it at Ticonderoga

massive pillow bouncing

and chicken chasing

picinic lunch time

the best - the slides.

The boys could do these for hours - the best part about them (for me) was the climb up to the slide...  Great work out and recipe for tired kids...  Only trick was - Drew would walk all the way up, by himself and than wait for me....  everytime i saw him up there again I was a bit shocked..

Juliet enjoyed most of her time with the boys - but she also realized boys were crazy and enjoyed some time to herself too.  I hear ya Juliet - 

Boys are crazy!

little wobbly bridge action.

go Drew go!

they still had some skooky spots still up from the weekend's halloween trek.

spooky skeleton!

Shane still has his halloween tatoo - those darn things never come off for us.  Its surely a reflection on how hard we scrub...

Chilly?

drew's scary face..

Good wholesome fun right?

what do you do with all the leftover pumpkins??  Pumpkin bowling...

the tumultious see-saw - wisely designed with tires under...

just about perfect

the obligatory Ice Cream and orangcile photo

When all kids are sleeping on the way home - I consider that a success - the mom's won!!  We had a great day reconnecting.  Yet another reason why I love that place

family time

With Wyland and Shannon in Quanitco these days - birthday parties get to have cousins too!!  What a treat.  We headed out on Sunday to celebrate Wyland's 8th birthday.  Yes, I do remember when Shannon was pregnant and even when they found out the little one was a boy - it was yesterday right?

Well, here was our simple 1 hour drive to link up at the on base bowling alley.

This was the first time that our boys loved more than just the airspary at the ball portion of the lane.

Nick was awesome and actually won the game getting points OVER 100!  Yeah buddy

drew made the most of the ramp and carried his own ball.

Shane too

Robbie got a kick out of it as well

Here is your birthday bowling crew.

The boys even got to sit at the head table!

Thanks party planners - it was awesome.

Ready to blow out the mummy cake?

We got to head back and enjoy a lovely dinner at Shannon and Wylands home in Quanitco.  So nice to enjoy life as they know it.  While I was sitting with Robbie at the dinner table polishing off the final bite I mentioned to him that we would see him again in a few weeks for thanksgiving... (yup, loving this proximity)  without missing a beat he responded - 'I hope we all don't throw up again like last time'  That boy has a steel trap and obviously a bit scared by last year - I hear ya buddy!  i hope so too =)

A Football way of life.

Clearly nick LOVES football - he plays all the time - outside with Aidan - on the carpet in the family room (with a game on in the background)  he LOVES the game.  

Chris and i often joke we haven't done him any favors in the genetics department.  

I also joke at times that I am raising the Manning brothers (that would put Shane as Peyton and Drew as Eli - if you follow the mannings like I tend too...)

Here are Nick, Aidan and Shane on the average fall afternoon.

See - here is your next Peyton

Yup, surely this is what Eli was doing while his oldest brother Cooper was out playing flag football...  Soaking it all in...

There is Cooper, wait, I mean Nick.

Nice hand off!!

Another successful game

Last Saturday was the final game - our coach and the team were just awesome and a fabulous group to be a part of.  Stan is just an inspiring guy for kids to be around.  He has a team of 4 other coaches on the field that often move the boys like little pawns during line-up.  

Nick came a long way this season - he is no longer interested in Quarterbacking and is setting his sights on receiving and being the teams's king blitzer.

At the last game they all got medals and saved the awards for a team party - Nick's Most improved Defense!  

Yeah buddy!

Great season Rhinos.