They escaped for a day

Yup - 3 dad orchestrated a get away for their boys - Chris kept it a secret from Shane (as long as he could) than they left right after school on Tuesday - spent the night ON THE slopes (hot tub and all that Shane couldn't stop talking about!

Skied out to MT snow Wednesday morning- 

Love these adorable faces together and kudos to Matt, Asa and Chris for making it a memory for them!

All in one night

The trickiest thing with the new gig is coordination.  Literally my first day of work was Thursday and we couldn't make all the practices and commitments work - FIRST DAY!  Now Chris was headed to MT Snow.  Nick came home solo and I grabbed Drew from Beyond the Bell on my way home.  Per Nick's request we hit the Ice skating rink in New hartford real quick.  (Dinner was cooking in the oven - well prepped!)

Clearly my camera couldn't tackle the dark skating shot - but I waned to remember Nick's enthusiasm.

Drew will not be left out and was surely along for the ride - yet realized his skating wasn't where he wanted it to be - so off with the skates on on with the shoes.

Next up (same night) the Wizards came to Canton!  We LOVED their antics and making us laugh and crushing the hoop.

Massive Kudos to the teachers and staff!  Liz Legere, Andy Robin and Patty Canny - you are my heroes!!  Great job matching whits on the court.

https://youtu.be/iPNeKi1h-rY

Great dance at the end too - happy little small town. and yes we were ready for BED.

Our swimmer

Nick took the plunge to big league swim team this winter - that is big league commitment form his parents - 4 days a week practice and meets on the weekends.  He goes willingly and happily and his times are starting to show it.  

I enjoy being able to capture things like there and get to see his improvements and efforts - great stroke - now if we could get some meat on those bones!

He loves his Thursdays too when Oma Sue and Goomba take him - its a great evening together that often involves treats - and maybe Marzano's!

Our Basketball boy

This guy is the underground basketball star.  He doesn't take wild shots, he is there, stealing the ball, making the pass, grabbing the rebound and supporting his team.  I would pick him for my team any day.  Love this little baller!  

Chris is once again coaching 2 basketball teams (just when he debated taking a season off - to his surprise he was already signed up! - not by me!)  He does great and has such patience with a wide range of kiddos.  As he keeps saying - there will be a time (it will come soon) that they no longer ask us to coach.  So enjoy these days!

A ride to Empower Women of Uganda

Jolly's home country is Uganda and her big heart brings many smiles to them.  We had a charity ride Saturday morning and raised $2271 going towards backpacks and supplies empowering orphans and 

young girls to learn a trade and bring income to their families.

Thank you Jolly for your passion and desire to make a difference.   

You are an inspiration

Thanks to my buddies who made it out to the 8am Ride!  It was a chilling morning so my running friends came in for the morning.

 

I love these photo as Krista has taken the fitness instructor management helm and I LOVE seeing her rock it!

A little independence

On Sunday afternoon these 2 adorable boys hit the slopes at Ski sundown - solo.  I love that they had a plan, I love that they had each other I just wish they had more snow =)!

I was so proud to see them at the exact meeting spot at the exact time we talked about.  Great job boys and love our town.  I knew at ski sundown there really is a community and many eyes out for these boys.

First day

Tomorrow starts a new chapter and a new normal at the Leadbetter house. I am headed back to the full time working world to a company and position I am very excited about. 

It happened in a blink of an eye - this girl who didn't intend to be a stay at home mom stopped working at David weekly to follow Chris to Germany - the next move was Virginia and than in was home for me in CT - each year flew by and just like that it was 10 years!  My odd jobs helped with fulfillment and for the most part worked around my family.  I am thankful we could do that.  But I have been blessed with the opportunity to work primarily around my family. The tides may turn a bit now!

I am thankful for the support of Chris as well as this village that supports this family.

Love coming home to this thoughtful gift from Diane - also and achievement from Rodan + Fields.  Both signified the friendships we created while being at home as well as the business that worked around my home life.

And now I have an office - with a rising desk (so I can stand and work!) a locker, a second monitor but really, a purpose and co-workers (I have never truly been in an office environment - so that alone is exciting!)  I love the random hot chocolate on Monday, 

the Keurig, 

the quirky guy that bites his nails worse than me, 

the boss who tries to check in with us all, 

the girl that sits behind me that is super quiet

 the meetings,

 comrade, 

the window!.  

I giggle inside when they refer to me as their construction expert as I have honestly never been an expert in anything.  But among many lawyers maybe my construction brain is just a bit clearer.  

Thanks to Chelcy and her closet for countless work outfits!  I am trying to send her a photo each time I wear 'Chelcy' to work (its better than any designer name I promise you!)

My new dinner hack - cloth napkins!  thank you liz!!  Makes you wonder how long each will remain on its spot on the table!

Let be honest, Chris is a better cook than I - so maybe it really is about time!