Nick's Party

Moving is nice in a way that we can 'recycle' successful birthday party ideas.  For example, the birthday party Football game.  This year we held it the weekend of the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos.  I would like to call it the Leadbetter Super Bowl (Peyton played as it is was too).  It was a VERY chilly day but you would NEVER know it by how the kids played.  

Here is Chris warming them all up

Passing drills with our new net courtesy of our favorite guest the wilts!

Field goal practice with coach Kerry

A little time inside to warm up and open presents.

time for cake and kid beer - all on your typical tailgate menu.

love the smile buddy!

Now fast forward to Thursday his actual birthday.  Ready for school feeling like a million bucks and super special.  Especially after a little FACEtime call from his best buddy Tate - ah the days of playing in the muddy poo.

Muscles for dinner - YUM!

Best gift Aunt Stosh!  He will go to bed going through Tom Brady plays all night.

The gift excitment.

My dad was entranced buy Shane's observance.

Go Drew - great gift idea.

The final cake and candles!

And that my friends - wraps up the Leadbetter Birthday gauntlet - Yup, 3 birthdays less than 2 months.  Nick was born REALLY late the night of the 5th - AFTER the NY marathon, AFTER the New England/Colts game.  He finally arrived in our arms.  Love his passion, his sensitivity, his creatively.  You make GOOD friends and have a wonderful heart.  Love you to the moon and back buddy.

The final stages of preparation

How have I not posted these, I am behind the times this month and overwhlemed with life.  But I love and value having this blog as a diary for us as a family so here we go.

The night before pumpkin carving - LOVE the Mushy stuff.

Final preps of the spooky house - I will say we were in the top 5 of the neighborhood for decorations.  Happy to report there were NO blow up items in the entire neighborhood (those are NOT my favorite things...)

Creepy

Can anyone see our pumpkins.

There they all are!

Pauli Girls' Photo shoot

Anyone want to sit still while I learn how to use this camera??  I got a taker...  Look at this beauty in how favorite place.

The big back yard with her boys

yup, trying the detailed close up.

Can we blur the background and capture all the grays in that muzzle - sure can.

new tag with new address.  Pauli is 12 - 12 seriously!  What a good dog.  She may take her food for a walk (often dumping right at my feet in the kitchen) she loves it when I am sitting at my desk so I can open the door countless times for her.  At 6:30 AM EVERY morning she drugginly comes up the stairs HUFFING and PUFFING just to make sure we are all sleeping in our beds (not sleeping anymore you less than quiet dog...)  We are lucky you are in our life old dog.  All you ever ask to just to be with us (and some occasional food and water)

my first hydrangea - thanks to Aunt stosh and Mrs. B

Making the camera work for it...

Soccer Camera Fun

Its the last week of soccer so here is a quick glimpse of all our athletes.  Shane was great in his little kindi clinic and games.  30 minutes of practice and 30 minutes of a scrimmage.  He had no problem racing with the ball down the field.

Break time

Coach Chris and his fearless Hammer Head sharks.  His enthusiasm and ability to herd cats for 60 minutes to something to marvel.

Almost the shane face.

meanwhile in a field far from the soccer field Drew dude was running the bases - again and again and again.

Got any more energy Shane?

love the relationship that these 2 have.

always in motion.

Naw - they don't look like each other at all.

Post game tailgating with Goomba and Donuts.

beautiful (yet WINDY) fall day for the soccer jamboree

Goal?

This guy won for his age group (most goals scored in a timed period)

Pretty sure he alternates kicking feet - 

lots of smiles

a little action from our #5

Cheers all!!

Shane and his trophy - gotta love it.

West Point isn't too far away

Amanda flew in from Alabama to West Point for a job meeting and who lives 2 hours from West Point?  We do - Amanda being an amazing planner and puts friendship and connecting first, orchestrated her plane ticket in and out of Bradley international and snuck in an overnight with us.  As planning would have it, our PTO Vendor Fair was that very same night.  How to make it all work - well not only do I get to represent Rodan and Fields but Amanda represents Jamberry Nails - It was great to have 4 hours chatting and catching up while actually making a few sales and connections.  

It amazing to spend time together and she where each of us has traveled in our lives.  We have had quite a journey. 

Veteran's Day

Veteran's day used to be a holiday -- bank holiday, school holiday, another day that you fill with activities.  This year I was thrilled that my kids are IN SCHOOL - learning about Veteran's.  This year being in a new small town I was particularly thankful to be part of the ceremony.  We don't live in a military community anymore (which I do miss) so I felt it to be almost more important to be there spending time with the kids and showing them the personal side of life in the military - heck, woman can do it too.

Here is Shane's sweet class listening to a Vietnam era solder speaking on his experience.  I was impressed at how well they listened.

They had refreshments out for all the Veterans in attendance - probably about 80.  I am glad I opted to wear those old BDUs -only pair that I saved.  Crazy the pattern has changed so many times since I left the Army.

Here we are in the Gym for the schools assembly.  They announced each Veteran in attendance by name and branch of service.  I was escorted to my seat by the beautiful boys Nick and Shane.  The assemble was filled with songs, stories, and learning about the branches of service and our military history.  Such a simple well put on event by the school.

I am excited to be part of the ceremony for years to come and plan to bring a few of my favorite Veterans with me next year.  

Wild Kratts

What a FUN bonus Sunday to spend on the UCONN campus.  Diane purchased Wild Kratt tickets for the kids for their birthdays.  Best purchase yet was the ticket for the husbands to take them!  After having a yummy dinner together, off they all went.  Ready for Show time?

 The Kratt brothers were preforming live at the UCONN theatre!  Great action shot - Meanwhile Diane and I were at home finishing up a few projects and than headed on campus, not for the show, but for a sweetly simple walk around.  Beautiful winter night just Diane and I - LOVE!

A little post show Ice Cream from the Dairy bar before we hit the road.  Love being just 1 hr from this wonderful family.  Thank you Diane for the thoughtful gift as well as the time together.

Meanwhile - this is what Shane creates when invited to a girl's birthday party!  Go Shane, love the artistry.  He also recently was invited for a play date from his girl buddy at school.  He is my sweetie!