the great escape-a new tradition?

5 years - 2 in Germany spent prying our eyes open to stay up through the time change, 2012 in California enjoying the 3:30 kick off, 2013 in Sedona for Chris and Brian, 2014 in.... Drum roll right?

Bend, Oregon

Why not right. The super bowl was in NY/NJ so we went to the opposite coast.

Chris amazingly packed in a laptop bag (gotta go carry-on right?). He had plenty of underwear, great clothes and a great story right?

Here we are in our house at 2:30 on Saturday. The excitement of a trip is SO much -  we are soaking in the kid free realization.  The hours of orchestration in motion-Drew was headed to Springfield with Pauli and Grandma.  Shane and Nick were enjoying their sleepover weekend at Caz and Ben's. We are so thankful for all the friends and family making this adventure possible.  It really takes a village.  (I even snagged Mocking Jay to read from a neighbor after posting a request on social media 30 minute prior - that was cool!)

So now-cheers to us. Off to the airport.

Meanwhile on a far away coast the McCulloughs also had hoops to jump through to make it all possible. Brian landed Friday after being in Hawaii for a few weeks.  He pre-packed his bag. Farrah packed their jeep to the gills with wine, games, boots, blankets and jackets while prepping her mom for her weekend with Macy and Tate. Now for the 8+ hour up the coast.

Here we go;)

They arrived in Bend first, checked into our beautiful town home and joined a winery;)

The first night we stayed up just catching up and in a matter of minutes it was as if we lived in the same area again... The next morning starts the true relaxation because this was going on miles away.  Happy kids eating breakfast, just not at our table... We headed to a hip local breakfast spot where the boys had wild trout eggs Benedict, I had the wild salmon version and Farrah choose a fabulous pulled pork feast.  Brunch is a true vacation treat.
Now lets get started.  The townhome Brian found was BEAUTIFUL and easy walking distance to the many breweries in the area. 1-Crux

Our breakfast was So good we were able to resist these nachos

Rather cool sculpture - just had to act artistic

2-Boneyard (small and shocking to find as it was tucked away...)

3-Deschuetes - a bit pricier compared to the 2 warehouse ones we had been to.

Yes, we walked - but with the Superbowl approaching we had to grab a cab - run through the grocery store - grab....  BEER.. and head home.  Thankfully Farrah and Brian had already prepped dinner from a previous grocery store jaunt.  This was all good as we meet a FABULOUS cab driver.  One of the many wonderfully friendly folks in Bend.

Yes, the Superbowl was crap, but Bruno Mars was awesome and the company we were with (jammies and all) was wonderful.  The board games we played afterwards were far more entertaining than the game.  Nothing beats laughing THAT hard. over ---  gosh, I can hardly remember.

Check out our view 

Ah, Monday - still on vacation.  Farrah and I LOVED some mimosas while the boys got antsy and headed to check out REI.  

This was our beautiful neighborhood and daily starting point.

Refreshed in the company of some of the most enriching folks.

This photo makes me laugh...  hmm.  its a beaver dam...

Looking back I wish I would have snapped more of the traditional homes in Bend.  They were so.... original.  I felt like the home were starting to explode are the area develops.  However there were some true simple eclectic ones.  Some well maintained, some, not so much...

But instead of the homes, I managed to snap a shot of the one Turkey that missed thanksgiving this year...  maybe next year right?  Man he is HUGE.  (yes this guy was penned up right along a main street)

First brewery for Monday - 

4 - 10 Barrel.  

Farrah went to the bathroom and these 2 were my company.  They didn't do this for long.  Matter of fact we hardly checked in with our phones - so this was a rare yet humorous shot.

Lunch done - now for the Turkish bath.... 

Loved this photo along the way.  The cuteness of Bend stands out - someone had crocheted the pigeon statue a little hat - how stinking cute is that?

5 - 

This one wins for the oddest brewery...  Their beer was odd too.  IT used to be a Catholic school, but now a restaurant, brewery, hotel that includes and open air Turkish bath.  odd right, you agree??

Of course we all had bathing suits packed.  After the beer we went to change attire.  As Farrah and I were headed out we heard this giggling outside the locker room door - Brian and Chris dressed in slightly less revealing than a speedo (straight from Korea)  They looked great!  Loved it.  Go boys!  They were also having a blast.

Next, (yup, there's more)  

6 - 

Silver Moon.  (sorry, no moon photos - you don't want that right?)

No...

Good reenactment.  (we were having some fabulous sandwiches, but since they didn't sell fries they let us go grab some from the restaurant up the street.  Farrah and I LOVE fries.  My husband gave up fries for his 30 day challenge - so who went to get fries?!?!  Chris - yup - love that guy.  He didn't have a single one. 7 - closed....   Boo.  Farrah was sad, but Brian was trying to pry open the door - and take a photo of the ale trail pass to validate our presence.

Onto a random Pub called Walstreet where we covered down on the jute box for a few tunes (and dancing!)  We didn't want the night to end.  Yup, we called Nelson, our cab driver again (good decision).

Tuesday - Hmmmm  Starting to need a beer break - but no rest for the weary.  Instead, lets hike - Thank you Chris!  Great idea and truly beautiful after our dusting of snow.

Love my outdoors man.

Can you feel how fresh the air is?  Just awesome.

Alright - onto another brewery.  

8 - worthy

Yes, it was worthy, but apparently not of a photo as I totally forgot.  Great food too.

9 - Old mill brewery - not worthy of a photo so I didn't take one.  

It was at that brewery that I credit myself with the greatest idea ever.  A nap.  I have never seen Farrah get so excited.  We left the boys to carry on with the next 2 breweries while we curled up with warm blankets and prepped for our evening movie date.

We woke from our naps getting humorous texts from our men who were enjoying themselves at the next breweries - capital and cascades (I think).  We headed downtown for a little wine and a movie.  We bought our tickets and kindly asked the ticket lady to waylay our incoming husbands into another show. Frozen maybe??  Ride along??  However just as American Hustle started guess who poured themselves into the theatre? U guessed it.  Mr Chris lasted about 15 minutes before he opted to cash in on his nap time (not in the theatre).  We thought they both went home until the same ticket lady said that one stayed behind and was getting cold waiting for us...  Here we was.

The snow was BEAUTIFUL.  Light, fluffy, looked like glitter.  Farrah seized the moment

She left an angle along the sidewalks that barely had a footprint along them.

I opted to hoist myself on the buffalo

See, glitter

A few needed selfies (I love that that is a word now..)

He is saying - it doesn't get any more beautiful....  or, I think we should call Colin (the NICEST guy in Bend)

We LOVED the walk home that night - although it was the last night.  We woke Chris up when we got home as you aren't allowed to miss the last night together.  Farrah let me lead them through a body flow class at 1am - best participants yet!  Chris and I had to set our alarms for 4:30 and grab that cab to begin the journey home.  

Happy Trails - those are some cute butts...

The trip home can always be bitter sweet, but with the McCullough/Leadbetters you know another adventure like this is always in the cards.  You just have to come up with it.  I loved the time with them as a couple.  I loved the time with my husband as a couple.  Even as I write this a week later I feel MUCH better than I did before the trip.  Thank you for a wonderful marriage retreat.  Love you all tons.  

HUGE Thanks to my Mom and Dad for weathering the NoVa 'ice' day as schools were closed on Wednesday.  We managed to make all our connections and get home without a delay.  Classic.

Training and Evaluation

After a full five days of snow and family chaos I was so fortunate to be able to spend Saturday and Sunday working towards a Body Flow certification.  Can you imagine a better course after 5 days of kid time?!?!  It was 2-10 hour days of instruction -- both mental and physical.  It drained me and inspired me at the same time.  Taking this course was a personal goal for me.  Body Flow is the Les Mills course that is truly a mind and body journey with Yoga, Pilates and Tia Chi.

Our instructor (front and center) is a Les Mills celebrity in my book as he was selected to travel to New Zealand several times for the program launch.  Needless to say it was inspiring to be in the room with him.

Once again, i enjoyed being taught and evaluated.  Being able to rise to the occasion and be further driven and encouraged...

The structured course is over, but the certification still a work in progress as I ask my friends (and wonderful husband) to be my fitness guinea pigs as I practice and practice and practice to submit a self lead class recording.  I hope I still love the mind body experience as well as the ability to bring it to others....

Alternative parental ideas-taking tips

Drew is stubborn-so am I. after countless snow days and family togetherness we can come to blows. So when life shifts back and we all get some much needed separation I can get more creative. So u don't want today dinner with us? How bout by yourself in the bathroom? Lights off. Sounds good. He ate one bite (I had to watch him finish it). Because bite #2 didn't make it down (see floor below)


Yup-if u spit out ur food u have to clean it up. He knows what I am asking of him-he just often doesn't want to cooperate-noted.

Tam my brother in-law just posted this on FB.  Great reminder that we as parents need to ask them to do this stuff (Makes me wonder if I should get them to do the stuff that I never do--) But I find myself catering to them too often because its easier - but the times its stressful becuase I am doing it all - it is because I am doing it all!!  My own doing.

- Thank you Loudoun schools for holding school Monday and Tuesday thus far. It was cold this morning as we ran out for the bus (6 degrees). I know you wanted to cancel school like the Midwest-and southern areas--but u realized you already did that last week....it gets old right.

Spoke too soon, it was a 2 hour delay this morning...  for this...

Once the kids were farmed out to their places I squeezed in 45 minuntes formyself to run - yes it was 14 degrees out and yes it felt awesome.  Once my lunges stopped wondering if they were really going to have to perform I managed to get in a good stride, fall into the music and look forward to the adventure ahead that this year holds for us.  Maybe stacking the dishes for Drew.

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On the verge

That week my house look like this EVERY TIME I turned around.  They couldn't do a single tasked without touching each other, getting waylaid-ed by something else, asking why, you name it.  I was at the end of my rope MANY times last week (matter of fact my rope seemed VERY short).  But we survived - barely -  

So on Monday when Nick got on the bus and Shane went to preschool Mom and Drew finally got some time together.  I could tell Drew loved it too - Its not just me, but brothers need time in their own space too instead of the constant vying for each other, mom, dad - whatever.  

I'm not just crazy - i think we all felt this way.  

On Monday after a NORMAL day when this happened...  I opted to take a picture instead.  

Here is our reality

My house always looks like this-or on the verge of this.

 My request was shoes and jackets on. I think we are 80%.

Sadly all moments can't be like this one. Thank you Shane for the 2 hours of educational bliss we have enjoyed alone together over the passed 2 days. I too have enjoyed it immensely.  You are the middle child and truly love when the attention by some miracle gets put on you.

Whatever Loudoun county - you win.....

Loudoun county - names one of - no wait, THE TOP 5 richest counties in the USA - but apparently we CANNOT afford to HEAT the schools, salt, sand and PLOW the roads.  Heck we don't want the kids even IN the schools.  We have had 7 - SEVEN snow days WOW!

Here is snow day number one.  What is the obvious thing missing from this photo... yes, SNOW!  There wasn't a drop.  Yes, it rained and we were afraid that rain would turn to ice.  So we cancelled school.  BUT EVERYONE DROVE SOMEWHERE for the sake of their sanity. 

 I chose Nzone - and indoor play field for the kids.  It was AWESOME - but they didn't serve beer. 

But it did make for a decent nap time because I came prepared with lunch....  These snow days came right after the holiday break - right when we all needed a bit of a break from each other...  seriously!

Well, one week later we opted to do the SAME THING.  Yup, the snow started to come down on Tuesday after the MLK holiday.  Loudoun county was  on top of the school closings and sent the call out early.  no school on Tuesday.  Ok. I get it.  

here is our walk home from the gym Tuesday morning...Folks were SHOCKED we walked (but not the ones that really know us...)

Good thing Drew has all terrain bike tires - better than the buses of Loudoun county apparently (although i will admit - he tipped over once...)

Now no school Wednesday too - Wait, Thursday and Friday?!?!  So 8 inches of snow (I am being generous and measuring in the drifts) means we are out for the remainder of the week.  

Now I am not giving the whole story..- Monday 1/27 was supposed to be a teacher grading day - but they had opted to SKIP exams and do the teacher grading day on Friday - o.k. but tomorrow??  

Really, the roads are clear...  Loudoun county has enough money for pricey houses, high taxes, blah blah blah - but no heat for the schools, salt or sand for the roads.  I will say everyone else is back to work except the schools.  My heart does go out to the working parent that has to juggle camps and day care.  but the bottle of whiskey goes out to the stay at home mom who hopes her kids get a bit of separation time - oh yeah, and some education soon.

In the meantime....  even though Nick got his teeth busted out on Thursday this is what he was doing today... snowboarder here we come!

Shane - you have a few years to catch up..Drew was not photographed as he was screaming because it was too cold and he was hungry...  Whatever Drew -have you heard of the boy that cried wolf - yup, you can take it.

So i write this on Wednesday night - may the force be with you families for the next many days - I hope to see you bundled and outside or hanging from the rafters.  We will make it together right?!?!

This is what my house looks like - now how about yours??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bwGsWot_WE

An express tooth fairy visit

The days that mothers don't dream of but know they will happen.....

I am sitting in the salon chair loving my moments of well earned separation... Than the loud speaker clicks in. I'm certain every mom thinks it's her. But with 3 in there I'm certain it's me and even though I am decked out in Salon gear I am prepped for a diaper change... But I get back to the kids club and it's my sweet first born with a bloody face. All the staff is looking at me for what to do next... Oh-some ice I think. And let's breathe.

Nick is doing awesome-not crying but scared and bleeding. Shane is checking in and drew is still wondering having no real idea of the possible magnitude. He tripped on a basketball. Nothing wrong with playing. Let's go back with momma and see what our options are.


Ok-call Chris-call the docs-have him sit with me and wash the chemicals out. Thankfully it was the end of the day and daddy could lend a hand. He rushed nick to out wonderful dentist!

We heart Little smiles in Brambleton! They are exactly what I feel so fortunate to have in a skilled neighborhood dentist. Compassion too.

Chris walked through their doors after calling them. All staff members and doctors welcomed nick and got him started.


Salon appointment going wrong...for many reasons


Nick-snuggled in his sleeping bag in our room-2 teeth pulled-swollen lip and wanting proximity to mom and dad. Express that tooth fairy please!!


Day 2 - BIG lip-slow nick-happily couch sat during my mops meeting and enjoyed his time home from school realizing for the first time that things we do while he is in school is kinda boring.... But good for his relaxation.


Day 3-big lip but better


But a basketball court? Really? It was his first game and we gave him the option. And he wanted to play-cutest memory of the day--before we leave for practice I hear nick saying 'Lucas, Lucas' when I asked him what he was doing he told me he was practicing saying Lucas's name correctly with a swollen lip and 2 missing teeth. Now that is awesome


He was so nervous folks would make fun of him. Of course when we walked in Lucas ran up to nick. Nick told him he lost his teeth. What did Lucas day??
'Cool'!
Kids can be so cool.


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