Memorial Day

Memorial day weekend - sometimes it HOT sometimes it not - this year in VA - it was hot - this year in Texas - it was not.  Why 2 places, well this Leadbetter family was in 2 places.  I was home with the boys and Chris was in Texas with our best buddies and competing in the Capital Of texas Traithlon Monday morning - So let the fun begin - 

Here is Friday right after school - Remember I said it was HOT - yup, a little water time.  Dawn's mother and Aunt had her boys for the weekend as they were in CO for a good friends wedding.  

Saturday monring we woke up early and were the first ones at the PUMA store.  The kids all got a new pair of shoes - I have NO photo of that as it was NUTS.  Not the store - but my boys.  I am not sure why they have to run up and down the aisle and to be quite honest, there were several moments of them sitting right next to me.  It didn't last long.  ....  After the shoes were purchased we headed out for a family hike - NOT in our new shoes.

Thankfully as it was VERY muddy - everyone got to ride the log horse.

excellent hiking skills boys

We came home hot and exhausted (mostly me I bet) put Drew to bed and what did these 2 want??

A hair cut!  Nick had been asking for a buzz cut.  For the summer I reluctantly obligued.  Thankfully I cut Nick's first - Shane said he didn't want it that short.  Thankfully!  Drew woke up later declining a hair cut at all - fine by me!

That afternoon we played in our little green area all by ourselves.  For 15 minutes it was kinda nice - than I started to miss EVERYONE.....  

Meanwhile - It a state rather far away....My husband and some of our best friends were living it up right - on a bus limo to a p-a-r-t-y

Dressed in White

Having lots of Adult fun (that thankfully they kept me photo wise in the loop)

snagged some of the cutest cowboy boots 

and hung out with some really short guys.  I think there was a needed Whataburger stop on the way home - They claim to be as exhausted as I was the next morning - but I'm not buying it! 

Next Up - our post church Memorial Day outfits.

Quickly changed into our swim gear to start knocking some VA bucket list items off - Algonquin water park.

Unlimited Mini Golf - so where did these 3 pros spend much of their day?  Right here!

The orange shirts help mommy keep track of these slippery seals.

again - an exhausted night - meanwhile - in a place rather far away.....  

Chris texted me this photo as a true sign that he survived the Olympic swim!  Now for the easy part for him - the 24 mile bike and 6 mile run! 

He was very successful and finished 5 minutes before Mother Nature opted to cool them all off with a race closing thunder shower.

I was excited to head to the Leadbetters for a little pool and BBQ.  Their pool was VERY well attended and perfect for the 3 dudes.  Drew and Shane can hang out at the 2.5 foot section while Nick gather's his swimming skills, passes another swim test and hits the diving board.  He was the littlest dude out there.  I got to dive with him a few times and after break - grandpa dove with him a few times too - Barbara and I were CRUSHED that we missed this - for several reasons - 

1 - We don't think Wyland had been off the diving board in 30+ years.

2 - He dove right off with his glasses ON - lost them to the bottom of the pool.  Got out not even realizing he had them on.  15 minutes later their neighbor walked up and presented him with what they realized were his glasses.  He was shocked as it wasn't until that moment that he realized he had even lost them!!  Silly grandpa=)

The only word Drew kept saying was 'Ampa' - didn't matter if he was addressing Grandma or Grandpa - but today he was especially obsessed with Grandpa.  Barbara and I were thrilled.  Especially when it came to Poop time.  Drew ran after Grandpa proclaiming his desire to poop.  So grandpa took him to the potty, shielded Drew from Barbara and I's peering eyes (we had to see Grandpa in action). and knocked out a successful potty run!  Good work Drew and Grandpa

Day 3 - complete and once again exhausted.  We were all sleeping in bed when Chris rolled in at 11pm - also exhausted - 

Hope you all enjoyed a safe and family filled Memorial Day weekend.  Our thoughts with all those we honored.

Mother's day

Ah Mother day - a day that Mother's truly enjoy and kids a reminded of all the things we do for them - out of love, out of necessity out of life as a mom.  Here is my mommy tea with Shane.

best part of mom's morning is getting to 'eat my food in bed' as Shane would say.  Chris's breakfast's are AMAZING.  Always!  Love you.  Nick wanted to get up at 6:30 to start breakfast - Chris has to convince him that would be the opposite of a wonderful mother's day morning....

Chris road his bike during Church while nick represented Dad's place next to mom in the sanctuary.  Nick's mother's day treat.

Mt. Vernon - on the Virginia bucket list...Chris packed a wonderful picnic and thankfully researched enough to know - you can't bring it into Mt. Vernon...  So... Processo in the parking lot - yes please!

The reason this day is wonderful

1

2

3 

Yes, this would be a horrible picnic place - I agree.

Photo opt time

What do you think boys?!

Mt Vernon was beautiful - but it shocked me by a bit of a museum at the end.  The kids lasted longer in it than I did.  the museum spilled out into a food court - George - you would be shocked (by now I understand why there isn't a picnic option....)  oh wait George, you already tweeted about it....  I do enjoy history.  But do we always have to bring it to TODAY?

We were able to pop in and give quick hugs to Barbara on our way home on Sunday - something of a treasure that will be a bit harder to do next year.  

beautiful beautiful day.

More days like this....

Thursday at Great country farm - yes please.

With friends too - we had the place to ourselves - so it was as it we NEEDED to feed the goats.  They were hungry.

favorite playground ever.

Worst driver ever -cant even see.

So at the farm - what's the only thing Shane wanted to do... Mini put...  

I totally dragged my feet - but it wound up being a HUGE success.  The 6 kids had the 18 hole course to themselves.  It was PERFECT.  Great idea Shane

Snack time - at a winery - 

Like all things wonderful - if moms spend the morning at the farm with the kids - the farm rewards the mommies with a simple wine tasting.  Yup - we need more days like this.

The beautiful Thursday afternoon.

Now home in time to meet the first grade bus.

class photos....again...

As if once a year isn't enough.  We get twice!

As much as i want to own them all - I must just giggle at these and share.  Nick loved the spring one better than fall due to the gap in his teeth - I felt differently...

Wow - saucy Shane- He is about to wink at ms. farrah - I know she can feel it.

GQ already?  Yup, they just called me.

I love that these 2 inseparable buddies posed together....Dawn and i just couldn't choose our favorite - so knowing we would never 'frame' them - we figured we should just have all 3.

A Journey of the heart mind and soul - with 15 ladies

Hundreds of years ago - women would get together down by the lake and wash clothes.  All the while chatting about life, love, religion, and laundry...with our front loading washing machines and techno savy world the face to face interaction is becoming lost and the art of truly being together a true treasure. 

Sooooo..... we planned woman's retreat and it was amazing for countless reasons.  The biggest being the women we were surrounded by - and the nature.  Here is a super sweet cabin where 5 of us stayed

There were LOTS of kid friendly events and we didn't have to do ANY of them - except this of course

We had gathering with spiritual topics where we all shared deeper layers of ourselves and our journeys.  We had time to wander and be on our own.  I searched for a location to have a mind releasing yoga session.  I think I found it.

But it rained 5 minutes before our departure - so the ladies opted for the roof instead (and close proximity)

During our time of meditation, the home front fires were burning - and boxing apparently.  I love you Chris for enjoying your boys weekend - underpants and all.

meanwhile....Fireside conversations of

the Invisible moving the visible

the mountain top view

Martha and Mary

Yes, No, Wait, Go

Few things

Silence and Solitude

Thank you ladies for peeling back the many layers of yourselves and truly being present together for the weekend.

the weekend kept going for bonus time....  Glennon Melton - how I love you for your Truth telling and messy life.  Thank you for devoting your life to making us all know that love wins - every day

And, could you please sign my book...

Glennon's parents who were also present during her 415 people question and answer Trinity Church book presentation.  Their true emotion and true life is a testament to us all living a life - together.  Because together we can do hard things.

Thank you Glennon and thank you Teresa and Megan for sharing the evening with me.  I hope you are warmed by the many pages in Glennons book and if you haven't read it - pick it up.  She is a life warrior and her book is 'Carry on Warrior'  I am forever thankful for the day Farrah verbally put that book in my hands.

With a full heart sole and mind - I am thankful for the paths we all work together..