Lunch Bunch and time out

On Wednesday (the second day of school) I got to go check in on life with these boys - I surprised Shane and I LOVE getting a shane smile at school.  Love seeing what he is up to as well.  What he is playing, who with.  On the second day they are still figuring things out like buddies, games, etc...

Loved seeing this big kid at recess number 2 - nothing stops him!  He was fast pace running all over the playground and no I wasn't shocked at all.

So here I have dressed up and escaped the garage de-model for just a few hours and popped over to Rebecca's  - crazy story about their house - we recently discovered  (through my mom dropping something off to them)- my old neighbor from Simsbury left Simsbury and built THIS HOUSE in Canton.  They sold it to the Briggs about 12 years ago.  I remember in passing the Briggs talking about the landscaping (and how there was LOTS to keep up with) and how they purchased from the owners and their passion for the home.  It all made sense when we figured out who they bought it from!

Loved sending this photo to the Bakers saying your home is still very loved!

And has a pool now too)!

First day of school!

Can you believe this??  First day of school and this guy is going to Canton Intermediate school - (4-6 grade)  it means lots of things, more independence, being the young grade in the school - working up - and an early bus time.  Nick was THRILLED to be moving out of the pack.  He got up with GREAT excitement.

His brothers even got up too!

Seriously  -  love these smiles!

We are all ready to Be Awesome!

Nick walked up to his bus stop (he let me walk with him just this once) and met with our other bus stop folks.  Amazing seeing him confidently make this step to the older school.

Now back to Cherry Brook where Shane is the big kid and Drew is the first timer - I actually have a flip picture of this from 2 years ago.

Love how they are working into their rolls

We had a special guest on their first day of school!  Loved that my mom could be there (as she is celebrating her 'unfits' day of school'  After over 25 years of teaching - She tells us what an amazing feeling it is to sleep through the first day of school alarm!)  Maddy is headed to Kindergarten in just a few days herself - so she got to see the fireworks too.

Shane seems ready, but it always a bit more reserved than the others - I think this captures that.

This guy was VERY enthusiastic - for many reasons!  Finally in his little world he is a big kid too - He couldn't wait to get on the bus - but honestly he really didn't know what REALLY to expect either.  Love this desire to just go for it - its day 3, 4, 5 that I wonder about...

I made bracelets like this for my kiddos - I am thankful to have time with them during the summer and during the school year I was happy to make them something they could have with them.  Just to know I love them!

Bus stop time!

Drew is behind the CIS sign, I so wanted to see his sweet little face!

3 boys, ALL IN SCHOOL - we made it and its time to celebrate!  Whoot Whoot!

Now we can sit around and eat bon Bons all day right??

Or remodel the garage......

Bet you wish you were our neighbors!!  Linas was a HUGE help and we were all amazed at how well this wall and tile were reenforced....  Crazy!  removing that tile and platform was SIGNIFICANT

Look - Garage doors!!

For the record - I am aware we are nuts - but its o.k. right??

My husband is by far the hardest worker I have ever met - his ability to stay mission focused will never seize to amaze me - 1/2 way through the day with crap everywhere and a HUGE mess I wanted to stop.  I never thought we would get it to where we want it and why bother.  We have lived with it for 2 years now....  But he kept us going.....  Love him for that -  

Canning

My sister rocks for so many reasons and right here is a big one - she makes us do cool stuff - and she loves it - I have never canned - wait, I canned dilly beans in Germay, but not sure if that really counts.  She had us canning Tomatoes and Dilly beans!

It was the coolest process. blanch the tomatoes to peal the skin, chop them, cook them a bit - can them seal them.

I loved the steps, the monotony of it - the fact that Riley Nick and Shane helped out a bit.  Something so old time in just being together and doing this art.

Of course when doing this with my father, there is no shortage of gas burners, high emphasis jobs (whichever job he is doing) last minute lid search.

and snacks, lots of snacks.

PJs time!  look at these 2 peas in a pod

Not getting wet - practicing quiet time.

This is production!

team canning!!  Success!

I am writing this blog in November and I must say, I LOVE the tomatoes - they are delicious!!  Will do this again!

Final Days of summer

These boys have enjoyed a rock star summer - trips chill days - being bored - lots of time in the pool, lots of together time.  These are the boys of summer!

Love the relaxed evenings - the friends, the drinks - to think we have known this beautiful lady forever 20 years!  imagine what she got to see us through...  her own 2 daughters too.

Yes, our summer had some great together time - GREAT!!

I can say, this momma is kinda ready for school!

How about a little tubing on the river with the Briggs??

After this adventure Shane literally 'supermaned' down the steps and was LUCKY to come away with a puncture right at his knee.  It won't stop bleeding.  He went to the ER to get it glued while the rest of us went onto the concert - Pour Shane man - he was VERY thankful they opted NOT to do staples +)!

Somethings never go away

My sweet shane came RACING down the steps at Frankie's lake house today - he was LUCKy he only scored a gash on his knee.  After the color drained from his face when we mentioned he may need stitches the clinic opted to use glue (which Shane was fascinated by and willing to help)

Fast forward a bit as it was HIS night to stay at my folks - worked out perfectly as we were headed to the last canton concert to meet up with Molly and Anthony.  Nick and Drew could run with Jonah while Shane got some cuddle time with Oma Sue - we had a REALLY late night at the concert and my glow sticks finally got some good use!

At 9:45 - we got a call from my mom - Shane wants HIS mom - He couldn't get comfortable, he couldn't sleep and he wanted ME - I was honestly SO touched I was happy to get in the car to go comfort him (this was on the heels for Drew being mad at me and tell me he wanted Oma Sue to be his momma - who wouldn't right?)

So I went to be with Shane  - after many tears and a stiff walk to the car we got him in (only to have to get back out and pee at the corner)  but his dreary eyes could barely stay open on the way home and he wanted me to drive faster.  He wanted to sleep right next to me and tried so hard to get comfortable (advil helped with that)

Fast forward to the morning when I got to wake up to that sweet face - He was still sleeping and when he woke up and realized he was snuggled with us - he reached around my neck for the signature Shane hug - The Hug Chris and I remember from the days of picking him up out of his crib every morning - the hug where just in a hug shane says - I slept so goo and feel awesome and I love you - all in one hug -

Love that hug and love this sweet boy and cannot believe that was 6 years ago!

Lobster Dinner but first....

We must run!! - all of us - the Canton Lobster Loop 5K - Thats right - we all got BACK together on Saturday - enjoyed some leftovers on the back deck and chatted about the Maine expiration after camp - we did laundry, we unpacked, we had lamb curry and we went running

after being gone all summer it was cute seeing Nick and Ryan run into each other - love that he even remembered meeting Tate over the winter.

These guys were great and sprinted out of the gate - oops.

love how motivating Macy was - initially to Drew and than to Shane.

They made it, running off and on throughout

A little post race Farmer's market - looks like Gertie's Brother - (not interested in Roosters!)

But I happily brought these flowers home!

We sent the big boys off on a father son golf tournament and had a chill afternoon.

That evening, even Wyland and Barbara joined us for LOBSTER Dinner!  

Delicious!

It was an epic trip and no one better to enjoy it with!

Time to settle into the serenity of Lobster lake

In a way its nice some time as passed as I love looking back at our favorite photos and putting it all together in my mind - Things I want to remember

The night we rolled in, it was overcast and really about to rain - As we came in I showed Chris, Brian and Farrah spuddy's camp - as I had forgotten how large it was - who knows if we will all have to stay there.....

Well, Wyland was on a mission to have all the kiddos stay together in Potarock - and guess what, it just might work.  We had a few extra cots, a separate room for the girls and a willing and crazy sister in law staying in the side room...  It actually happened!!  

7 Boys in the this room!

Somehow Farrah, Brian, Chris and I scored Spuddy's just the 4 of us (we kept the kiddos clothing in there as you can imagine that would be crazy) but since we didn't mind sharing a cabin we had a great spot.  The first 2 nights Chris and I got the bed and than swapped them for cots for the following nights - but it was so great to walk back with them and have a mini vacation there too.

Onto the week up there.  First day was rainy so we actually had a fire in the stove behind Macy and had some indoor games.  The girls LOVED to craft and I honestly soaked up every minute of that!

The boys played twister of course.

This morning was a special memory for me - we woke up and took kayaks out - 6 of us!  Winslow, Drew, Shane and Macy had the mini ones (which we absolutely loved!!  I was AMAZED at how well they could maneuver them by themselves)  Nick and I had the big ones.  We literally went all the way to the other beach front  - I had to ask Winslow and Macy to slow down!  

Nick did great on the big kayak, but wanted to try the smaller one - so of course Shane wanted to see if he could make the bigger one better - do I really need to tell you how this went down??  Shockingly the big Kayak was too challenging so him.  Who came to his rescue???  MACY!!  (how many times can I tell you I love this girl?)  she offered to switch with him (and probably secretly wanted a shot at the big one too)  She got in and realized it was a bit harder - yet preserved home with the rest of us.

Love watching adventures unfold - this looks like a fishing one.

Drew learned how to cast quite well - he was the definition of determination

Hiking up lobster mountain - I must admit - the bigs were HORRID - kids got gobbled up, we did too - it was the rain and not enough wind.  lots of long sleeved clothing for the hike up Lobster.

Back of the boat is where all the good conversations happen.

A little "girl time"

Winslow soaks in the one on one time and is the only granddaughter - unless you consider Pauli in that mix - she get plenty of attention too.

Loved compiling all our photos and picking my favs.  this is between Potarock and Uncle Charlie's Cabin

Another adventure is launched - up river I believe.

Now this is a BEAUTIFUL day!

The kitchen time stare down.

Cannot believe these guys made it into a paddle board - impressive balance!

Loved getting a grand kid photo!

Even snuck the bigs in there.

Lamb Curry night?!?!  Loved having so many adults we filled the table - I must admit, cooking for 21 is pretty daunting.  Every one did it so well!  I am say NONE of us went hungry - 

Evening bliss

Now that is a toad! found while hiking up Lobster mountain.

Love watching Drew get along so well with Winslow and Macy - its as it he finally found his place.

All the kiddos together

The original Leadbetter family

Looks like another adventure to me - especially if Drew is steering.

See?!?!  You just can't get enough...

Love this photo on the top of Lobster mountain

This is what the way down looks like after a long walk UP! - Glad Drew snagged some sleeping time here and there - he sure needed it!  Its hard work when EVERYONE is much older than you!

So that is your happy face!  Right??!

Everyone has some weird faces

Thinking this was the day Farrah and I skipped the adventure - opted for a little Hammock time with a book.

....I know these guys had fun  - judging by the beer cans that came back.... empty - I am pretty sure I would choose hammock time again =)

Lets not forget time in the tahini - its this huge inflatable structure we all scoffed at when we first got there - until we tired it - and actually really like it.

We even had an Uber Driver there and back - Seb is rather skilled in row boating

Not sure I would trust Shane yet - but he is trying!

Drew was a rock star in the Kayak - loving thinking this picture was serine =)!

Macy's first fish - IS A BIG ONE!!  It actually scared her quite a bit

Oddly enough it didn't pull her tooth out - she did!  The tooth fairy had to make a couple trips out to camp - Robbie was first - Macy next - 

check out this snuggle tooth =)!

Fun pushing over trees - rather boy activity

so many things to love about this photo

Bits of serenity

Pretty sure this one didn't want to come home - Maine is her happy place too

I know this one could stay for a while.

Now this one got trapped in the smartest trap ever.  A beer can suspended over a bucket - he walks across the line, spins on the beer can and just like that - he is trapped in the bucket.  We heard a mouse in the house one night - the next morning someone asked what the bucket was for - once we looked in, it was quite obvious - it works!  The kids released him back to the wild to do it all again.!  he spent a few hours in there with his relatives....

Love the morning time photo opts before everyone heads their separate ways 

The 3 Wylands - 

camp is such a special place - nothing like it - its where kids play like kids, adults can actually find time to untether, talk, read, play too.  We had a different game each night that folks were willing to try.  We had plenty of beer but barely enough bug spray - the kids were great all together and we loved seeking away each night to Spuds cabin -  our own mini vacation.  There isn't anything easy about getting there - but once you are there - you are really there.

Love this time with Family - loved sharing it with such wonderful friends - 

Thanks to everyone for making this possible!!  The Leadbetters for keeping up with the day to day tasks and boat - all the amazing food everyone brought - and really the time together was the biggest value - 

Another year in the memory books for us