Lets hit the Belguim Breweries!! All together now

As part of the McCulloughs leaving in a matter of months - they have been asked, that when planning a vacation - book for 2 families =)  We are enjoying every second of their final excursions through out Europe.  This one included a 9 passenger van and road trip through some amazing breweries (and monistaries) In Belguim.

Its Friday afternoon and off we go!

Wonderful idea to have a van that could fit all of us as we are perfectly matched.  The boys stayed up front running the Navi.  Farrah and I stayed blissfully unaware, Shane and Macy had blanket wars while Tate and Nick enjoyed several iterations of Super Friends.

Here's what a piece of chocolate can do.  Macy ate hers.  Shane used it to clean his face... 

We stayed in the town of Dinat a 10th century city - WOW  The saxaphone was invented MANY years later in the 19th century by Adolphone Sax.

bet that road took a lot of carving... 

The first night was a beer sampling coupled with Muscles - yum yum.  I think Brian used everything on the table to 'mop' up any of his remaining sause.  We all sampled the beer and the excitement grew with regards to the breweries we would be exploring.

Final stages of dinner entertainment 

Saturday started the tour.  We saw it all, meaning the first stop looked possibly like a retirement home.  We pulled up around 10am, van full of kids, trying to ask in our best french if they served beer.....  I think they looked at us like we were absolutely crazy....  that's when we need that 'we are American Tourists' sign - it explains everything right??  Here is Chris checking out another one. 

Success!!  A brewery with cheese and a playground - the most beautiful one yet! 

Our accomodations were amazing - we were in a renovated convent.

 http://www.booking.com/hotel/be/la-merveilleuse.en.html

(they just opened in May of 2010)

I am hoping Brian has a better picture of the WinoTecch - but this is from their website.  I want to capture this because the boys could not get enough of this place.  The BEST part of the entire hotel and possibly weekend.  They would stay there for hours just chatting on this 20' long couch.  They barely remembered to come back up to check in with the rest of the family.  Boy, is the beer good in belguim =)

Shane and macy enjoyed some closet time

Here is the view of Dinant from our hotel = super cute town.  we could have spent the weekend just exploring this town.

The saxaphone bridge

The last place we ate was just YUMMY and had special seating for us. 

A table for the boys,

The babies

And the big kids!

The final stop was the Orval brewery - a beer favorite for Farrah and Chris.  Before we toured the grounds Farrah gave a little teaching lesson - she has more tricks up her sleeve than any mom I know - kids are constantly entertained

The first monks arrived to the area in 1070 - however it was left empty for centuries and recently re-inhabited.  The brewery was reinhabited in 1931.  Money raised from the sale of the beer went to reconstructing the monastery which was completed in 1948

After all that Beguim beer we pointed the van in the homeward direction.  We hoped to make it all the way home - however after 3+ hours of driving realized there was a Hooters right off the highway.  Wings and fried pickles sounded awesome to everyone in the car - especially the pregnant lady!!  Yum Yum.  As we were walking by the Hooters windows Nick comments, 'they are all in their underwear'!  We had to explain that they are wearing shorts, but I tell you, he might be right!

Love this photo

Shane's face says it all (but really, he is just happy to be out of the car!)

Thanks to the McCulloughs for a beautifully planned weekend.  We enjoyed every second with you guys and you are wonderful for letting us tag along.  You guys are the true definition that everything is better with friends!

More photos from the McCulloughs

Here are some more of the hotel we stayed at

A Leadbetter Celebration

It all started on the heels of Blake Patterson Wisneski's birth. Did the Wisneski's make it look so sweetly simple??

We were coming back from a wonderful weekend skiing in Austria and Chris and I were chatting in the car. The discussion doors were open with regards to trying for #3. Sure, once all our buddies leave this summer, it would be a good time to start trying. Alright, lets download the calendars and start tracking. Sounds like a plan right???

Fast forward two weeks - I had two afternoons of just being exhausted. I took several legitimate naps with Nick. Even with teaching a 6am spin followed by a 9:30 pump, I am still not a napper... odd and noted... The end of January is approaching and so is an exciting girls weekend away. No kids, lots of wine and two carefree nights!! I opted to buy a few pregnancy tests that week. Surely I would be using them in July - but I was thinking I might take one before our girls weekend as a piece of mind in case I opted to finish the entire bottle of wine (or two)

The morning of the trip arrived and something else didn't. So I hopped up, took a test and went back to bed before reading the results. A bit later Chris and I got up and started brushing teeth etc. I popped into the bathroom to confirm the negative result and about passed out when I saw what looked like two rather dark lines. Let me also say, Chris had NO IDEA I was taking a test. So I tore into the box in search of the directions (as if I had forgot, gheese....) Yup, two lines means prego..... I walked into our bathroom and could barely speak - showed the test to Chris. Of course he was still waking up and wondering what it was i was showing him. I said, 'baby, I think this means we are pregnant' Speechless!!

Somehow we make breakfast for the boys and get them out to kindergarten and mutter-tutter. Both of us were looking at the breakfast table imagining a 3rd. Seriously?

Next onto Farrah's house. We were all meeting there to convoy for our girls weekend. In my haze, I was trying to get there early so I could chat with her before everyone showed up. I made it just in time. She was lugging the final bag full of wine, Rum, Vodka etc to the car. My legs felt like absolute jello as I went up to her and said, "there is something I have to tell you and my legs are just shaking - I'm pregnant!' She about lost it as that came from a total left field!! Big hugs and tears! Funny how telling Farrah was about as memorable as tell my hubby.... Now what about all that alcohol?!?!

Angela pulled up 5 minutes later thinking she was walking into a much different conversation/celebration. Natalie and Lindsey were shocked by the news while we were crystal shopping and I told them I came up hot on a pregnancy test. We waiting until a more reasonable stateside time and opted to text ms. chelcy. Now that is a text message conversation that I hope to keep forever!!

Let's remember, this is very early on - having the girls weekend encouraged me to tell my buddies who I know would be praying for this little one to make it through a few tough weeks. Saturday morning I took another test just to make sure I hadn't received a factory reject. Nope, still positive.

Lets recall this picture at Girls Weekend.....Best virgin bloody mary ever!  Plus, she charged me for juice.

Monday morning I called my OBGYN to make a pregnancy appointment (at least that is what I thought I made) When Chris and I popped in on Tuesday, the Doctor was surprised to see us both and asked how we were doing. I think we surprised him as well. He took us back to the office and knocked out a quick ultra sound which discovered the sweet little beating heart. Everything looked great and the due date is Shane’s birthday present, October 2.

The next week arrived with horrible nausea which I haven’t been able to shake since. My motivation is low but my responsibilities seem quite high (especially when you consider keeping Shane and Nick motivated all day!) Thankfully Chris is taking up the slack as we all get through the first trimester together. Our families were totally shocked! My folks toasted a bottle of Champagne the night we told them. They always have one in the fridge just in case =)

We booked flights to the states. This is Shane’s final free flight so he is considered a lap child on my ever decreasing lap size. We coupled the trip to coordinate with my best college buddy Nicole. Her gift to me was a visit out here – my gift in return was joining her for the flight home. She is leaving her 3 kids at home – so I am pumped to have a few helpful arms as we make the trek home to Camp Carlson.  My mom will meet me in Michigan as we pop in to see my Aunt and a quick trip to Ann Arbor - the most wonderful city!

On Tuesday we had another Doctor’s appointment. The Ultrasound confirmed that the little one is growing along right on schedule. A healthy baby is just the birthday gift I needed. I was thankful to be able to connect with my close buddy Amanda as I am sending her pregnancy vides She will be diving into a more delicate situation shortly and I can only hope to share this pregnancy with her!!  For my birthday, I celebrated with some of my most favorite Stuttgart ladies at a yummy Mexican restaurant. The margaritas were flowing, strawberry, mango, traditional, you name it!! I had some sips and boy were they good. My hubby watched the kids and corralled them into making sweet birthday cards and lemon cupcakes – the sweetest surprise to come home to. I felt the love all day long!! Its amazing how quickly FB can spread the news =)

Here's that first ultrasound for the record books!

As we continue to work through the nausea and exhaustion we are excited to complete our family with a 3rd little one. To those inquiring minds, yes we will find out if it’s a girl or boy – sometime in April. (my Doctor is aware we are having a girl until he tells me otherwise!) Yes, we would love the opportunity to raise a little girl – however if we are blessed with another boy, I will be proud to carry the only girl torch in the Leadbetter Family.

Thanks for all your love and prayers.

 

The Fasching Celebration in Neuhausen - Our little town!!

Let the fasching celebration begin!! 

Thursday March 3rd, Nick can dress up at Kindergarden - so here is our little batman.....  The first day of dress up is kind of a 'guess' for me - but we dropped him off to a room full of cowboys, princesses, super heros etc.  What a fun time of year!

I picked him up at kindergarden that afternoon.  Here is the preparation that was taking place.  Thursday night will be the Hexen dance.  It is the time when the hexen 'witches' get the key from the Neuhausen Mayor.  The witches have control of the city beginning Thursday night until the spirits go to rest on Tuesday.  Boy is it a party!!

Thursday night we bundled up the kids and walked downtown to see this dance.  The feeling of the town is just amazing and quite contagious.  Just walking to the town square you see everyone dressed up.  Here is our little crew

We were searching for the other American family in Neuhausen - our buddies, Shannon, Bernie, Erin and Kristen - how will we find them....  hmmmm....  just look for that American Cow!  Moooooo

Our seat was perfect as we got to watch the Hexen dress up and get excited for their big dance

The devils light the bonfire and begin the dance on the city

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

This is my effort in trying to get a photo of the hexen climbing into the rathuas (main city building).  Once in, he captures the Mayor and demands the key to the city.

The Hexen begin their dance

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO4HMrp3fk4

I didn't manage to get a video of this, but after the dance, the hexen started jumping INTO the bonfire.  They would stay in long enough to almost catch fire.  Each one jumped out and would have to pat down the flames.  It clearly became a contest on who would stay dancing ON the bonfire the longest.....  only in Germany!!

Day 2 - My little lion and fierce dragon head out for a fun day.

Sunday is Parade day and we are back to BATMAN (his favorite right now)

We enjoyed a wonderful Party at Shannon's house.  She is right on the Parade route and filled our bellies with yummy stuff and good beer.   

Its 13:33 and Parade time - here is the "mexican" float

The streets were just packed 

Nick, Tate, Eve, Anna, Erin, Kristen, Grace and Molly all bravely stood in front collecting candy and getting spooked by the parade witches and other folks  They came back when their bags were filled.  But we kept track through their little feet. 

These 3 kids were easier to keep track of as they were strapped to their daddies - You can't see her, by macy is on brian's back 

See that Balloon lady coming??  We are the proud parents that said NO.....  Our kids did not come home with a 10 Euro balloon,  Yeah us right?

The Neuhausen Hexen

What a wonderful parade day!

Shannon also hosted a party as a celebration for Bernie her hubby.  He will be deploying on Thursday for a year in Afghanistan. We hope that being right down the street will be helpful to Shannon and her sweet girls...  Erin is Nick's kindergarden buddy and we are thankful to to have them so close!

Thank you again Shannon for a great day

Stay posted as Nick's Fasching Parade is on Tuesday.  Tomorrow is another dress up day.  Gosh what will they do when they wear normal clothes at school again?  Boring!

The final fasching day, the kinder parade!  It was BEAUTIFUL outside. 

I forgot to get Shane dressed up to watch Nick - so lets just call him Alex P Keaton....  I do love a man in a sweater vest!

Shane taking a stroll before the parade starts

Here comes all the fun customes.  Now this parade is literally at the end of our street.  Tough walk, I know!

Here is our little clown, can you see him?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJBWnLw62yI

He calls this is special clown smile

This guys was hysterical - he came right up and laid down next to Nick and Shane - honestly, they didn't know what to do - guess you just take candy from him and say Danke!

Beautiful day for a sweet parade - as I type this (its 9:34) I can hear all the music playing around us - the spirits go to rest tonight - sometime around 2AM I guess =)!!  The Germans sure know how to party!