Good 'ay 'Mates! Outback steak house FIRST time for the kids.

Shane's basketball league spent LOTS of time playing in Enfield.  The mecca of chain restaurants.  Each time I drove by the Outback, the thought crossed my mind.  And than it was Shane's LAST game.  A bummer of a tournament loss.  While I have had PLENTY of Outback means having worked as a hostess there while in Michigan.  Chris and I even ate at the Würzburg Germany Outback!.  Maybe it was time to introduce the kids.

Aussie Fries to start - 

Everyone got a steak - it was a treat and delicious

That night we re-purposed the little red circle chair to Drew's room.  While he couldn't have the full sized Circle chair, he was more than happy with this one for the evening.

 

Is today really the day? The "mini" finds a new home

Chris was instrumental in helping with the mini van departure.  Dino came to test drive it a few times and made us an offer.  

It is time.

WE have LOVED this car for how is has delivered us.

We got her before we got DREW.  

WE packed her full on COUNTLESS occasions.

The memories flooding and posting on FB I was reminded of many!

The peanut incident

the lizard/pizza/full transportation

Hiding an extra person for the Disney parking

How many bike and people can you fit IN the car

We (Chris and I and her) had plenty of arguments about her battery not always functioning property and for her 170,000 miles we were truly blessed.

Yes, I cried when Dino came to pick her up.  I showed him the DVD player, the hidden, all the buttons that still work flawlessly.  Yes we could have possibly driven her for another few years.  But, it was time.  The next chapter of Leadbetter Adventures is here.

Time to celebrate on the slopes - the final day of the season at Ski Sundown - Slushy and hot

Announcement made from Mr. Bishop - Quarantine is no longer required!  Let the spring break planning begin!

 

Still going! Epic pass day #18! Mt. Snow

This kid doesn't ask for too much - he gets PLENTY of hand me downs.  I am guess his goggles where so scratched up he could barely see out of them.  When he spied the new goggles I could hardly resist.  Than the first number was $90.  He was quick to appreciate that was pricey, so when the number came in at $40 he was in!  This dude couldn't be happier - if only you could see the smile!

Getting a bit late in the season.  Kinda fun to ski around all the brown patches!

Its a sunglass kind of day today!

 

Uncle Dick's 95th Birthday

Uncle Dick cheerfully plays happy birthday via trumpet to his friends and family every year.  My mom looks forward to it.  I am pretty sure he does too.  He is such a joyful person.  You can hear the love in his voice and feel he truly does see the best in every person and every day.  Every time I talk to him or about him I oddly get tears in my eyes.  I am thankful people like him are in this world.  

So for his 95th birthday we struck up the band - COVID style.  We scheduled a time best suited for him and his family.

It was truly a blessing to be part of HIS celebration.

https://youtu.be/W6t3MAPeZ_o

At the end of the song he said - I cannot wait to hear this again for my 100th birthday!  I pray we are all that fortunate to have you on this earth for many more years!

 

Bird birds birds

While I hate that they get out as I fear for their safety, I love that they come to visit.  I due treasure this.

Thinking someone is late in filling up the food container in the coop

 

God sends us wise friends

Amen to that.  Thank you for Mary for this book recommendation.  I love the daily reads and this one resonates more than any thus far.  I am forever thankful for the friends that God has sent.

And the strawberry shortcake from Ms. Love

 

Quarantine Anniversary

One year ago we went to Toro Loco with the Briggs and the Fontaines thinking it might be the last evening out for a while.  We had NO idea what was coming....  So ONE YEAR LATER.  Here we are back out at Toro Loco.  

Tequila shots for all!

Why do I hear Shots, Shots, Shots, Shot shot still ringing in my ear.  45 not 25.....

Happy Pre-St. Patty's day

 

Bird Sitting

Somehow we were selected as responsible pet care takers.  Our neighbor employed the boys to walk their 2 dogs 3 times a day and freshen up life for the birds, Shana and Freida.  It was quite the hoot.

Shane doesn't trust Shana - can't say that I blame him.

The dogs loved the running buddies

 

Drew learns to snowboard

We said you should be 10 and a good skier - he has one of the 2 - He also might grown out of the snowboard next year?  Maybe we should try it.

He also has a sweet patient brother who's friends stopped flocking to ski sundown on Friday nights.

https://youtu.be/Akto6MpIzqo

We are the lucky recipients of Nick's time!  A very valuable comodity

Look who is coming around the bend -

https://youtu.be/NWWCTVeixY4

I took a moment from this wonderful learning to blog a recent happening at the dinner table - 

Choppy Waters..... here we go!

 

Choppy waters

 What was a normal family dinner took a bit of a turn when Shane randomly announced “we watched the puberty video today”

Really?  Where’s my cocktail?

“Shane, did you have any questions?”

Drew-“what’s puberty??”

“When your body starts changing”

Drew-“like how”

With drews curiosity and line of questioning I know Chris and I weren’t getting out of this one easily.  There were many times we looked to Shane and Nick to offer up the ‘kid approved’ explanation to Drew.  The lone of the night that I know Chris never wants to forget came from Nick as Drews line of questioning continued...

Nick, “slow down, your are headed to choppy waters” 

This only validated Drews desire for more information.  Honestly it was great.  Chris answered so much so well and we had questions for them too.  There were plenty of giggles, plenty of wide eye shock moments and even moments of too much information.  It was a pretty classic puberty talk.  So thankful for how they ALL handled, enjoyed, learned from it.

MT Holly we go to continue the ski season Epic pass 14/15? Did I get it right?

The adventure families have arrived!  Ski gear and all.  This looks oddly organized.

These 2 couldn't wait to resume their spit game.

Now to the Okemo slopes.  I am always impressed the inertia supplied to get 14 folks on the mountain in due time.  Coffee is a necessary packing item.  Even with our 1800s home with stocked condiment fridge.

There were times when yes, we encountered a line....I think it was the dancing lifties

That's more like it!

Epic Ski year capture!

Epic ski year photo - we can't even get everyone in the same frame.

We affectionately referred to this room as the orphanage.  6 beds and plenty of room for the adventure families.

Conditions weren't 5 start but lately we have enjoyed a pretty high standard.  The company is what makes it!

 

Birthday time for ME

The wonderful ways your birthday feels special.  All the feels right now!  Chocolate covered strawberries ala Diane!

A beautiful table setting

Toasting with my mom!

Can you smell the deliciousness in our home?!?!  My favorite birthday gift!!

Fill the table! and our bellies

Love the assortment here

And here!

What better than Chicken paprikash on your birthday - Chicken paprikash all week!

Love love love!

 

Final Before and Afters

Its a challenge to get the right angle to fully demonstrate the before and after of the actual space.

Not interested in bringing back the blinds for now.

Final touches with green plants

Green towels

Ready to put the shower into use - Shower glass is often the LAST thing.  It ended up arriving right before Spring Break

This bathroom FEELS so good!