The McCulloughs are here

Here is the weekend I looked forward to and yet not so much at the same time.  The McCulloughs are headed out to bring Stormy to her senior living center and spend one more weekend before heading out to their next adventure.  They came straight to my folks to get a feel for where she would be  - introducing her to everyone.  My folks were excited but had never met Stormy so it was great to be able to see the perfect size she really is.  Next off on a walk.  Farrah and I are behind the leash.  Many times I teared up this weekend and this was one of them.  I would love these 2 girls to be friends and in my mind, it was the first step.  Dogs don't always follow the same friendship curve and Nora is kinda bratty...

While the weekend was about time - and spending it together.  WE had a few fall adventures planned.

A cool new brewery opened up that has mountain bike trails.  Look at us all lined up!  No joke right?  They had bikes you could demo as well.  Farrah demoed and electric bike.  it delivered just enough push on the up hills to have farrah actually loving the ride.  Bummer that they didn't have a similar size for Tate and Macy - but they manged to power through.  Drew became powered by cattails...

After the ride, they managed to take a ride.

This was a celebration weekend for the brewery - 1 year in business. So we lucked out with these great events.  The boys even borrowed Frisbee golf which was a huge hit!  They were MUCH better at it than we were.

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This was probably the sweetest dog - LOVED the attention, total pound puppy too.  He soaked up plenty from this crew.

Rock stacking with some beautiful shadows.  These 2 have often been able to play simply side by side.

A capture of the well captured.

You know how I love a good full table shot - here it is!  Lobsters for everyone.  My folks brought over the butter warmers and forgot the dishes - now we know aluminum muffin tins are almost better!!

Sunday the schedule kind of 'ran us' and we enjoyed the moments as they came.  Soccer games galore (we skipped Saturday, so Sunday felt like a must - and for what its worth, its a day in the life that we got to live together) The boys started first with Nick's game.  We had Drew and Nick with games relatively close in West Hartford.  From schedules to grabbing lunch on the fly to re-orchestrating, I couldn't have been happier to be with Farrah.

Once the games were over we needed a group ice cream stop and found the perfect one along the way.  

Last stop was Talcott mountain hike.  Something we just hadn't taken them on yet and the perfect time of year for it.  We had a little picnic with 2 bottles of champagne - hate to think of it as a send off.

More photos of the people we love.

Great place for them to be

Yup - the family photo was are thankful to have - 

Now for the hike home before it gets too dark

This is what our last night looks like.  Relaxing together, working on a puzzle, just being.  I was so worried about packing too much in.  I wanted space for us.  Loved having our favorite folks fill our house for one more 'normal' visit.

Loved seeing the kids together for one more normal visit.

Yup - one more normal kid photo

And one more normal parent photo

These guys were blessed with the opportunity to do some really great things - to expand their reach of love, intelligence and doing.  WE are thankful God is opting to send them out bravely into the big world!

Work party fun

My work had a great little party the afternoon the McCullough's arrive.  They had this amazing trampoline - this was one of MANY times I actually really miss my kids.  They would have been ALL over this with me.  I love their enthusiasm with things like this and had a 'wish they could see and be with me now' kind of moment.

I was so thankful that Colleen and Karen were willing to join me - Colleen rocked the flip too!  It was a beautiful afternoon!  Next time boys, I will find a way to get

One last summer weekend

What do you do on the last warm (or bonus) summer weekend?  Relish in the invite to a lake afternoon.

Enjoy a weekend at the cape with your Besties (yes it was warm, no I don't know why he brought the hat and proceeded to leave it there thinking it was lost)

Sunscreen anyone?

Would chalk that up as impressive!

A rocking time for a pool birthday party for Mr. Brayden and a very brave set of Keefe's

Your Fit self

May being fit always play a role in your life - for you and those that care for you.  

Our last body pump release at the zoo gym.  Tears in my ears as it comes to a close.

Goal loves all the parts and pieces

This knobby kneed guy really knows the game.  Keep the behavior in check and you will rock it buddy!

A few teams together - 

Girls vs Boys - Should I save this for Prom?

The simple things...

I vow to right this blog to capture the simple every day beautiful things.  So here is Shane waiting for the bus.  While in the rain he opted NOT to walk down to the corner.  He did opt to be outside.  And thankfully choose an umbrella. 

Nick at Winding Trails for a field trip realizing its Ramon for lunch and he couldn't be happier!

My dahlia that I thought was a weed is finally choosing to blossom.  What color will it be?

My parents taking something they enjoy and deciding to put in a natural filter system (and bigger stream) to captivate them and those that visit.

The joy and art of rock stacking as inspired by Shane's 5th grade teach Mrs. Magarian

His reluctant self portrait that I asked to take and send to his teacher

The answer to how the chicken gets BACK into the coop after roaming the yard.

The Leadbetter Super Bowl

Could you name it anything else?  A few years ago when looking at the football schedules, we realize Army (West Point) would be coming to the big house to play Michigan in Sept 2019.  Who knew what our live would look like than, but we knew we would regret it if we didn't go - 

ALL OF US

Somehow we managed to make 'all of us' include my folks too!  Thrilled to appreciate they would come, now where to stay?  My uncle is a saint!

What does packing look like for the ROTC Michigan Girl.  I think I nailed is.  I flew out to Houston for work leaving Chris to fly with the boys as my folks went early to enjoy life at the lake before it got hectic.

We all landed in Detroit on Thursday night.  Chris was on the same flight with Rib, Waylan and Madelyn as Heidi was flying in from Chicago.  My dad drove in with Uncle Russ as he loves a good airport pick up orchestration.  It was late before we all made it home and to bed.  I cannot believe we are all in the same beautiful home!

Friday morning - lets go explore the campus.  First up, North Campus.  Love that one of the many aspects of 'proof I graduated' still hangs on the walls of the Chemical Engineering department.

Commence I remember when....  as we observe the clock tower that was built while I was attending school.

Love the touch of the engineered swings

We moved on from here to fins a spot right in front of South Quad allowing us to walk to good time charlies for lunch.  There we met Shane and Nicole and later uncle Russ and Raela.  The food was as remembered especially the Count Twists and Georgia Rubens.  May I never forget that on my dad's diet he had a Cesar salad and didn't eat a single crouton!  I almost gulped them down, but rather thought better and left them for trash - amazing dad!

How I do'nt have a photo on the Michigan M, at Steve and Berries where Nicole patiently waited for me, or running into cheerleader Dan and Nick Offredi, I have no idea.  The beer at Ashley's was delicious - 

From there we linked with Shane and Vito for a game of Euchre, minor help in setting up and purchasing as Shane almost insisted in doing it all.  Delicious dinner at a Shane and Vito favorite by the water with ducks.  Nick was a sport and joined us for the night.  

Now for Saturday.  Early chilly morning - here is the first wave in the VERY large car my father relished in renting.

Find the only green tent along the green and there you will find the greatest tailgate.

Yes, along the golf course with plenty of games to play

Football included.  Cool to see my kiddos playing with a crew they were meeting for the first time.  Yes, it was chilly but your won't know by looking at Shane and Drew.

Here is the tailgate - Heidi orchestrates year after year and this year we were ALL thankful to be there!

Thankful my folks got to experience this weekend and the tailgate on their terms (AKA, going to the lake whenever they want to 'get out')

If I do Christmas Cards this year - this one is in the running

Kids - lines up for a brief moment.

IN a round about way, Joe Oderizzi should take a slice of credit for Chris Leadbetter being the man in my life =)  never had us all in one frame together - to include photo bomb from Heidi!

Some say we may have missed the pre-game fly over.  I would say we got it

Almost inside

It should be a tradition to capture the Shanes.

I always want to remember Nick telling me how he kept his head down until he walked into the stadium and than looked up to be in awe of how huge is really is.  The sounds, the numbers.  its an experience

The stands were packed, yet it will never cease to amaze me how the Army people find each other.  Here is Chris and Matt Rogers.  Neither knew each other was here.  and yet....

We were surrounded by Army fans - which was rather nice.  One was a mom of a player (and 4 other boys #mynewhero)

Another Christmas Card Candidate in my book

Lots of glow here

Kept snapping photos!

A little series history?

So Michigan had to tie up the series right?  The game was awesome.  Double overtime and Army played great!  WE all would have loved a win for the Black nights but somehow Michigan stayed alive.  

Lets hope tradition of the game continues - similar to this tradition right here.

With a noon game there was time for tailgating and catching up after.  Than home to the lake.  We took a BEAUTIFUL pontoon cruise that needed with the boys launching off an island neighbors rope swim.  Would love to put it together onto a You Tube video and link.  Some day right?  Until kids - remind me to show you.  Nick took the first leap, Shane never really held on all the way through and Drew spent more time getting encouraged until finally launching.

waking up to this every morning is my idea of paradise.

Shane was in fluffy dog heaven with these girls.

The weekend was perfect in every way.  Family, Football and fun.  I hope it is forever etched in our hearts and minds!