A favorite Fall weekend in October

One of those weekend that I just want to remember - not for any crazy reason, but just for how it was.

It started rainy and dreary on a Friday - 

Last October I discovered there are horses within a few miles of our house - How?  Because their granddaughter came by my house for Halloween (she is in college) - than I saw a small carriage drawn by a horse, riding along the Farmington River.  I needed to find this place - in my past I have ridden horses in Germany and Missouri that just needed riding - maybe this could by my place!

You would never know it existed.

I rode UP HILL for a solid mile and discovered this

Beautifully manicured

This guy is who I was really looking for - I wasn't able to get too close this time...

Another beauty

A HUGE riding barn

Yes, I got to meet a few of the folks that worked there AND muck out a stable - just one...  I helped to bring a few horses and got to brush one too+)  He let me take a quick selfie to remember our morning!

Later that day I met Chris half way and delivered a laser measuring tool - and managed to snap a few fall photos I want to treasure

Probably would have been better earlier in the week when it was bright and sunny and 80 degrees - but I didn't get there - clearly I am not perfect.

See the little tractor down there?!?!

Love the back drop

That Dreary afternoon we opted to cook meatball subs and have 2 of our favorite families over for dinner - I asked them to play a few games - when was the last time you bobbed for apples?

Love that Frankie was standing guard (its a tough neighborhood =)

Jonah dove right in for apples - 

And came up short - boo

This photo is hysterical as Rebecca is actually holding Drew's hair back, not holding his face underwater as it appears....

Next up Donuts - try them to a string and have the kiddos chew them off - YUM right - lots of different techniques

Drew got a little assistance from Antony

Got 4 of them trying here =)

The night was great, the kiddos got a movie and the adults got to chat - even about politics - great conversation and fun friends.  Perfect way to spend a Friday night (a little late in the evening)

BUT..... since it rained all night, all soccer was cancelled!!  

Yeah!!

We all turned the alarms off and slept in =)!  It was glorious.

Just a few little errands, some hair cutting and another movie - 

Loved loved loved this lazy day  

Chris even busted out the flannel to be extra snuggly

3 hair cuts - no clipper - time to grow it out while they still can.

Sunday starts busy family time.  The boys slept in while I got a run with Meg - exactly how I want to start the day!  Dressed for church and than to my favorite fall place - Stratton brook

It was the kind of day I wanted to keep taking photos

Look at these cuties!!

Was almost thinking we could get a christmas card photo in there...

Thought this one was a winner until we checked out the middle guy.....  rather telling of this year....

Love

Love love

Love

Now to our Soccer star back on the field - he loved it and raced all over the ball - clearly excited to be back playing with his team.

Unstoppable little guy!

Rather telling of what these guys do while Nick plays - they play too, just differently

Since Nick's game was in Wethersfield I texted the Hriberniks to see if they were around to grab pizza or something - well they invited us over and it was great catching up - Awesome dinner they orchestrated and felt so great to chill with them!

Since it had been so long since we had seen each other (being 40 minute apart there really isn't an excuse!!)

Next plans Michigan vs OSU for Thanksgiving!!  WHOOT WHOOT

Love love love weekends like this!

Time with the McCulloughs

Now for our time together.  Over the passed 6 months Farrah has been devoting so much time, love and presence with her mother as she bravely battles cancer (which is now gone, however its the pneumonia that has taken over).  Her mother lives in California so the commute is not a simple one.  She has agonized over time, tickets and so much else.  When I saw our calendar and knew we had 5 days off of school, I honestly prayed over where we should go, where we should be.  When Farrah had another trip to CA and was schedule to leave Sunday morning, I asked Brian if it would be helpful for me to come down and help with the kiddos on Tuesday and Wednesday (since they were off Monday)  He loved the idea and wanted to surprise Farrah with our arrival.  

Although the surprise didn't go off as he planned (he told her at 6:30 am about a week before and sent her to tears believing her mother had passed - clearly we need to work on his delivery.  It instantly gave her something new to focus on.  With all her traveling and time.  I honestly missed Farrah so much and selfishly this gave me time to be in her world. and have the kiddos be together.  

Love seeing things like this.  Nick and Tates school shoes.  Different sizes, but very much the same.

Our rainy morning chat at the archery range - 

Tate was manning the Bows and arrows while Nick stood by as a good buddy just happy to be included.

Saturday was a nice rainy day and as a treat, Farrah too ME to the greatest thrift store ever!  We came home to a chill evening with early to bed as he morning included a very early departure.

We got up and got the kiddos ready for Church.  I was happy to take the 5 of them and see what their Sunday morning was like.  Chris and Brian went off biking and met up with me at a great little fest (very German of us!)

My guy before he has to head back to CT

They had grape mashing which I thought would surely be a hit - but nope - no one wanted to do it.  Not even the Drew man.

We almost had them interested in pottery, but didn't stay long enough.

These guys fit right into the fest scene.  Delicious food and time to head back.  Chris's folks offered to pop by Sunday afternoon to say hi and take Chris to the airport.  

Monday morning and with everyone home - what was my treat??  Popping Tags with these girls! - 

You guessed it - at the Thirft store again.  Now everything was 1/2 off - I mean seriously!

Than we grabbed the kiddos and went looking or some simple pumpkin farms

Even found the famous wooden playground (after just a few tries)

You bet best friends Dress alike!

Dinner at the Wisneski's with everyone.  Loved just being there with them all and amazed by the ease Diane put it all together!  Crazy that I didn't take a simple picture - even crazier that this guy doesn't remember it - AT ALL.  We came home that night and he asked me the oddest series of questions.  Repeating himself.  asking again if we were going home.  Are we going to school.  I had him call Chris and just talk to him.  I heard him ask chris twice if he got any eggs for the chickens.  Shane told me Nick fell off their scooter and smacked his head on the concrete.  Nick confirmed the story as did the knot on her head.  I will admit - I was scarred and just not sure what to do - I just knew he wasn't right.  After talking to Chris and our Pediatrician we headed to the ER - where they confirmed he had a concussion. Time to really lay low.  Poor sweet Nick.

Tuesday morning the kids went off to school and I tried to hold down the fort - and clearly suck at my job as sister wife - I can't even manage to be home for wine delivery?!

Diane and I were off Ikea Shopping while Nick took a break with Grandma and Grandpa.

Need any decorating ideas?

That afternoon I switch Nick for Drew who had the special treat of staying the night with Grandma and Grandpa while I had the big kids.  Nick spent just an hour at school with Tate doing Robotics and than just a bit on the play ground (hardest part is keeping this guy chill!!)  They were goofy together but than all had moment like these that I love sharing with Farrah.

We had vegetable soup and Brian cooked an amazing adult meal while we caught up on SNL - 

Wednesday meant it was time for us to head home.  I was passing the torch back to Brian who I know hod it covered.  I just hoped to give him a day or 2 break.  The kids woke up slowly and mine even came up hoping they hadn't missed the bus departure.  Here they are on the steps being as goofy as they were that morning.

Love how these guys are together and thankful for this very special time.  Now in the car for a simple 6 hour drive back and headed to Zoo gym to teach body pump tonight!  Yes, I know how to pack a schedule!!  Thank you to the McCulloughs for letting us be part of your life!  Our prayers are constantly with you!

Drew Turns 5 Hallelujah!

With each year Drew Changes SO much - Her personality shines through more and more as he grows up so quickly.  It amazes me the things he catches onto and how his little mind works.  He constantly loves to be challenged, (but than doesn't want to be challenged) and makes all these decisions himself.  He is every bit his own man and we love him and (sometimes struggle) with that.  Here he is the day he came into our lives.

And here he is - 5!  But lets rewind just one night/

Thursday night we did a family birthday for him.  He was SO excited for everything to be about HIM.  We opened family gifts - here is the first one - 

They put it to work instantly!  Shockingly Drew is the star of his kindergarten soccer team.  So much so, Chris and I (being the coaches) often have to pull him out - (which he leaves the field reluctantly) He dribbles the ball to the goal instantly - no passing, mission focused.  This will bode well in year to come kiddos.  Now we see where he gets al his practice and tips from.

That smile can melt a heart or 2 - he knows it!  Time for dinner!  Pizza!

Love that my folks get to be such a big part of nights like this!

Gift #2 from Aunt Stosh, Uncle Jay and Oma Sue and Goomba!  The scooter!!

It official - he is 5!  My favorite age - they are learning letters, reading, their own capacities are right before their eyes.  Love seeing what he is doing with it.  Love seeing him at school with his friends, trying hard, enjoying it. (pushing the limits too!)  He is my striver and he will succeed!

We ALL got to go to school today and read to his class - his favorite book - tyrone the Horrible - where a mean dinosaur is tricked into eating a SUPER hot sandwich - Love seeing Drew's excitement right before turning that page!

It was so cool having us all in his class - Now that Nick is at CIS he is the big kid - it was cute listening to him talk to the kindergarteners about life at CIS - Shane who was previously a Mrs Theriault student came back int the classroom with wide eyes and feeling bigger than when he left almost 2 years ago.

So whats next on Drews birthday agenda??  How about hop in the car for the next 8 hours and head to Woodbridge VA to best fiends - Farrah had the house decked out for him with balloons and a BEAUTIFUL cake.  We arrived moments before the pizza guy (which is who her kiddos thought we were - we were a surprise to THEM) Thankfully not to Farrah and Brian.

Look at this!!  When I asked Brian to tell Farrah we were coming (and not have it be a surprise) I didn't want her to prep for anything as her heart and mind and body have been in so many places.  I wanted her to just enjoy us - she is also a Therapy Baker - Drew was the very lucky recipient of it.

And now we have matching (we almost matching) sleeper suits!!  Leadbetter and McCulloughs - Kiddos together and up way to late!

And than of course we all stayed up way too late playing games and having beers and just being thankful for the time together.

Rather Epic birthday Drew!!

Shane Turns 7 - Here we go!

Look at this sweet boy - and its TRUE - he is a sweet boy - through and through - right now he is going through a bit of a demanding stage and not remembering the sweetness - so I choose to start with this darling photo!

Its Friday Sept 30 so he gets to start his birthday a little early - Friday was a 1/2 day at school, (in his honor almost!!)  So I went in to read a book to his class and donate it for their 'unbirthday' celebration at the end of the year (where they exchange books instead of eat treats!  Amen to THAT!)  We read a few chapters of the Kingdom of Wrenly - his favorite series right now.

Loved seeing the simple gesture of "Happy Birthday Shane" on the board

Mrs Santanella is such a sweet teacher and so mild mannered for the kiddos - its almost relaxing just being in her presence.  Hope she has the same effect on all her 2nd graders!  Her treat on their birthday is coming up in front of class and she moves the birthday boys arms while the class sings to him!  Shane was the perfect candidate!

Next I grabbed 5 more boys and stuffed them all in the mini van - honestly I think that was the highlight of their afternoon!  Everyone together in one car - I even let them run the DVD player for 5 minutes of Rio 2 - 

They all busted out of the mini and headed for the back yard loving all things boy - zipline, trampoline, swing set - I didn't even bother trying to corral them at this point as I figured they needed to 'run it out' and it worked.  Within about 30 minutes it was time for an organized soccer game - I was on one side and Chris on the other.  

Little soccer video

https://youtu.be/a-KMPgDI1-k

We were able to get in a good 30 minutes of playing soccer before it started raining!  Perfect timing!  Now it was time to head downstairs for the tournament play were the boys paired up to play air hockey, fuss ball, basket ball, turtle racing or Wii bowling

Great photo of the 'under construction' aspect of the basement.

Basketball was the biggest hit and Luciano couldn't get enough!

Now for cake with this sweet guy - He LOVED being surrounded by his friends for HIM and he loved that mini SODA he is about to crack into

Yes, I made this cake - I am NOT a good baker, but wanted to try my hat at this one - its 2 layers of chocolate cake separated by 2 layers of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream covered in cool whip and magic shell chocolate.  YUM!  A few of the kids said it was the best one ever!  Music to my ears (that was before the comment about our small TV and no, not the one in the mini van!  Ha!)

Now Shane had to wait til Sunday to really celebrate his family birthday - So here we are - grabbing Chicken fried Rice at his favorite place!  Love that my folks can be a part of it too

This I want to remember about Shane this year - I swear he grew 6"  He is almost caught up to Nick.  Wearing about the same size (shoes and all). He has a caring heart for al things animal (and friends) he is super sweet to his friends and chatty too - still the cuddlest thing.  Fear the doc a bit more now (after staples and a busted knee, can't blame him) has only lost a few teeth on the bottom (still excited to see those top 2 go!) - Very driven kiddo when he wants to be!  love this guy!

Here we are at home opening gifts - glad I caught Chris with such a natural smile on his face

Just a few of his favorites

some reading material

Nick video taped the final gift!

This is something I have my reservations about - he loves it, but I have a feeling it may spend more time in the shop than that awesome razor big wheel his received from his Aunt and Uncle and Grandparents!

https://youtu.be/1zZChdvpApw