Saranac Lake with the Leadbetter and Ly family!

Our vacation surely feels 'non-stop'.  We had Sunday in CT to rest and relax. Monday morning, we packed our bags (a little lighter this time) and headed north to Lake Saranac. In 5 hours we landed at Liz & Tam's home. We were greeted by our cousins Sebastian, Wyn and Brooke. Barbara and Wyland were another special addition as they were coming down from time up at Lobster Lake.

Here is Liz's office - its the Trudeau Institute.  I am going to Wikipedia a quick blurb for you =) 

It was founded in 1876 by Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau as he arrived to treat his own tuberculosis.  In 1884 he founded his Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium,

starting with a small cottage, called "Little Red", the first "cure cottage", The Trudeau Institute, an independent medical research center, evolved from the Trudeau's work for the sanitarium. In 1964, the Trudeau Institute began researching the functions of the immune system and how it guards against many infectious diseases, including tuberculosis.

Among all the smart stuff.....  We had some awesome cousin time.  Wyn and Shane are only a few months apart and were both thrilled to have another 'young one' in town.  Shane was fascinated with Wynn's pacificer.  At one point he even grabbed it from her month to see what the fuss was about.  He is still quite happy without one.

Our first day was just beautiful.  We toured the ski slopes, sledding trails and ski jump - gosh you would've thought it was winter!!  It was surely the Ly's giving us the full court press for a return visit in the winter time.  Smart folks!!  Beautiful beginners hill behind. 

The boys loved a little bike time by the train station.

We call this a 'Yankee' BBQ

A little boat time - Shane spent his in a straight jacket.  He was so uncomfortable that he went to sleep.

So did Nick - but grandpa proved to be a favorite sleep spot.

Our lovely lady Winslow

The area reminded us very much of Maine, beautiful trees, chilly water, rustic conditions.

A little lake playing time - even for our Future world cup player.

Picnic at the lake - beautiful night

Onto Day #2 - a stroll around Lake placid and the Olympic facilities.  Any Leadbetters in the Winter Olympics?  Time will tell, but now we know where to train.

And where to eat - this place was amazing!

We even found the moose

Anyone remember the Movie?  Miracle right?  Well the game was played here!

Ah - beautiful

Thank you to Liz and Tam for a beautiful weekend.  They had wonderful dinners and amazing days planned for all excitement levels.  We were so fortunate to be able to spend the time with you and have a feeling for what your life is like.  Thank you for welcoming us in your home.

London - the beginning of our summer adventure

Here is the beginning of our travels.  We walked from our house, grabbed the bus to the train to the airport.  Easy peasy right?  Well I had the stroller and Chris had our 4 bags and 3 carryons...  Who wins?

We chilled here for a drink and to gear up.

Nick LOVES to fly - well of course, he flew 6 time before he turned 6 months!!  As far as Shane, this was his first flight!

We took a car to the hotel and apparently it was worth every penny (according to Chris who again had the 4 bags and 3 carryons) Of course I wanted to take the tube etc....  I lost....  Our hotel was amazing!!  They didn't nickel and dime us for anything (it was all in the bill)

Look kids, Big Ben

Here are some protesters that are voicing their opinions.  One guy has been there for 9 years.  So glad to hear he can knock this out and work....  oh, wait, he doesn't have a job?  Surprising....

The boys enjoyed the Duck tour.  It was rather chilly - but hey, its London and I think the same hold true as we say for Germany - you can't stop your plans on account of rain or you may miss quite a bit! 

This was as close as the duck boat could get to the palace.

Ready to dive in

Here is the London Eye as well as some houses of Parliament

Family Leadbetter on tour

After the tour we met up with a family friend of mine, Rachel (kluba) Gibbs.  We grew up with our families getting together for summers in Lake Sylva Michigan.  Our meet up was great and quite simple.  I wrote her a few days ago saying I will be in London for 36 hours and here is my schedule.  She said great, I will see you down there.  No meeting point, vague times, 4 kids (total, 2 of hers and 2 of ours) 5 adults.  We found each other within 15 minutes - It was great!!  Rachel has lived there for 8 years and is a London pro.  She walked us to a wonderful London restaurant were we all dined on fish and chips.  Afterwards she lead us to St. James Park, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square

World cup Fever is alive!  Here is a big screen TV in Trafalgar Square.  I am sure they all watched the USA vs England match....  Rhett and Dylan signed the soccer ball.  I believe they noted 'go USA'

Some views from St. James Garden - the flowers were amazing.  I would like to say something to aspire too - but we all know our limits right? 

They put these flags up during special occasions - World Cup surely ranks up there.

They have elephants in the parks as a charity to raise awareness of the endangered Indian elephant.  Nick's favorite - the Fish and Chips Elephant!  Mine too.  We wanted to get all of us in one photo, so here is Rachel, Dylan, Nick, me.  Shane and Jake are in the strollers below.  Nice family shot!

And now the reason we are here.....  Chris purchased Bon Jovi tickets as a Valentines Day gift.  His second gift was getting to go with me!  We were so thankful that Jen and Rhett offered to join us on the trip and hang with the boys that night.  Nick referred to them as his 'big friends'  Guess they made the 'cool mark'

Yup, the concert was THAT awesome

There is a video that goes with this photo and if you have your volume turned down feel free to check it out.  I am almost embarrassed to post it as you cannot miss my horrible singing in the background.  However you have heard this from me before - I am not a singer, I am not a dancer, but I would like to think what I may lack, I make up for with enthusiasm.

This one is for you Amanda!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNtYXqjenFM

I am writing this blog while sitting on the couch in my parents home.  It so refreshing to know a home that you grew up in will always feel like home.  Its been transformed over the years with upgrades, new appliances and now the addition of grandparent things like jumperroos, mini basketball hoops, cribs, and Lightening McQueen sheets!  Nick loves his time at Camp Carlson.

While mom is away the boys will PLAY!

The Leadbetter family had quite the weekend.  Mine started on Friday as I headed to a 3 day BODY PUMP training course here in Germany - as you can imagine, the ENTIRE class was in German.  It was my version of total immersion.  I will write more on that later if you are interested - but in the mean time -

The boys went to Verdun, France to see the World War I memorial - 3.5 hr drive = Nick gets to watch a movie or two

After almost three weeks of rain and cold weather there wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was 80 degrees, Shane was chilin in the backpack trying to stay in the shade

Front gate to the walled city of Verdun.  Verdun was a walled fortress from way back - pre-Napoleon and was a big symbolic city for France.  In WWI Germany attacked knowing the French would commit all they had to save it.  Germany's plan was to kill enough French that their Army would be unable to continue - almost worked but the Germans were getting killed almost as quickly - all told 1,000,000 casualties.  The battlefield has been turned into a national park and you are highly encouraged not to leave the paved roads because of the high numbers of unexploded artillery shells. 

This monument is for all the French soldiers who fought at Verdun

Here's a shot of nick peeing on top of the Verdun Monument

Nice work Nick, I feel the same way about the French!

This is the memorial at the actual battlefield, Chris's comments were: it is surreal and a little creepy - there are windows along the bottom of the monument that allow you to look into the "crypt" where thousands of soldier's remains from the battle are stacked up

This is a French Cemetary on the battlefield, there is an American one but there wasn't enough time to visit it.

This monument is for the French General Maginot - the Maginot Line used in WWII was named for him

Here are just a few things I wanted to record from my weekend.  It was a 1h20 minute drive each way to the Les Mills BODY PUMP course.  I loved every second of solo time in the car.  I arrived Friday morning having little idea of what to expect.  There were 5 ladies in the course of varying fitness levels and our instructor was not comfortable speaking english.  There was a lady that once dated an American and her english was quite good and she was sweet to offer a few words here and there when I looked totally confused.  I was thankful to feel very comfortable with Body Pump after participating for over 6 years.  but everything started in a major rush.  After the first day I was mentally and physically drained.  Getting in the car and listening to English being spoken was a HUGE relief. 

Surprising that I may have considered this course to be a break in my workout schedule.  Instead it was a MAJOR addition.  We performed the equivalent of two body pump classes each day, each of us learning and teaching several different tracks (I got to speak in English thankfully or I would have surely failed!). 

Words cannot explain what it feels like to finally enjoy a lunch break outside in the gym garden (yes, they had a beautiful terrace) and be included in a conversation with a group of ladies where I really don't speak their language or understand what they are saying.  At one point in the gossip time I leaned over to the sweet woman who offered english words to me and asked....  are they talking about shopping?  To which she replied - no, men....  way off!!  I would like to think by Sunday I was a bit better.

The Les Mills way of instructing is very personal and motivating (even in German)  By the end of the three days I actually listened to German radio on the way home.  My immersion is working.  Too bad I am headed to the states in 6 days during which it will surely erase from my mind.  Honestly, I cannot believe I did it but I am stronger for it - in more ways than 1!

Future Fussball player?

The world cup is right around the corner and Germany is excited.  We are finally seeing German flags every where.  I am a sucker for spirit.  So of course we are joining in.  Sadly when i went shopping they were out of German Jerseys for Nick - but I got the next best thing.... Heck, they might be the winners. 

Nick was absolutely THRILLED when I told him about his new soccer (fussball) jersey.  Here is his version of tryouts!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogQL0Sx8S80