London - the beginning of our summer adventure

Here is the beginning of our travels.  We walked from our house, grabbed the bus to the train to the airport.  Easy peasy right?  Well I had the stroller and Chris had our 4 bags and 3 carryons...  Who wins?

We chilled here for a drink and to gear up.

Nick LOVES to fly - well of course, he flew 6 time before he turned 6 months!!  As far as Shane, this was his first flight!

We took a car to the hotel and apparently it was worth every penny (according to Chris who again had the 4 bags and 3 carryons) Of course I wanted to take the tube etc....  I lost....  Our hotel was amazing!!  They didn't nickel and dime us for anything (it was all in the bill)

Look kids, Big Ben

Here are some protesters that are voicing their opinions.  One guy has been there for 9 years.  So glad to hear he can knock this out and work....  oh, wait, he doesn't have a job?  Surprising....

The boys enjoyed the Duck tour.  It was rather chilly - but hey, its London and I think the same hold true as we say for Germany - you can't stop your plans on account of rain or you may miss quite a bit! 

This was as close as the duck boat could get to the palace.

Ready to dive in

Here is the London Eye as well as some houses of Parliament

Family Leadbetter on tour

After the tour we met up with a family friend of mine, Rachel (kluba) Gibbs.  We grew up with our families getting together for summers in Lake Sylva Michigan.  Our meet up was great and quite simple.  I wrote her a few days ago saying I will be in London for 36 hours and here is my schedule.  She said great, I will see you down there.  No meeting point, vague times, 4 kids (total, 2 of hers and 2 of ours) 5 adults.  We found each other within 15 minutes - It was great!!  Rachel has lived there for 8 years and is a London pro.  She walked us to a wonderful London restaurant were we all dined on fish and chips.  Afterwards she lead us to St. James Park, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square

World cup Fever is alive!  Here is a big screen TV in Trafalgar Square.  I am sure they all watched the USA vs England match....  Rhett and Dylan signed the soccer ball.  I believe they noted 'go USA'

Some views from St. James Garden - the flowers were amazing.  I would like to say something to aspire too - but we all know our limits right? 

They put these flags up during special occasions - World Cup surely ranks up there.

They have elephants in the parks as a charity to raise awareness of the endangered Indian elephant.  Nick's favorite - the Fish and Chips Elephant!  Mine too.  We wanted to get all of us in one photo, so here is Rachel, Dylan, Nick, me.  Shane and Jake are in the strollers below.  Nice family shot!

And now the reason we are here.....  Chris purchased Bon Jovi tickets as a Valentines Day gift.  His second gift was getting to go with me!  We were so thankful that Jen and Rhett offered to join us on the trip and hang with the boys that night.  Nick referred to them as his 'big friends'  Guess they made the 'cool mark'

Yup, the concert was THAT awesome

There is a video that goes with this photo and if you have your volume turned down feel free to check it out.  I am almost embarrassed to post it as you cannot miss my horrible singing in the background.  However you have heard this from me before - I am not a singer, I am not a dancer, but I would like to think what I may lack, I make up for with enthusiasm.

This one is for you Amanda!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNtYXqjenFM

I am writing this blog while sitting on the couch in my parents home.  It so refreshing to know a home that you grew up in will always feel like home.  Its been transformed over the years with upgrades, new appliances and now the addition of grandparent things like jumperroos, mini basketball hoops, cribs, and Lightening McQueen sheets!  Nick loves his time at Camp Carlson.

While mom is away the boys will PLAY!

The Leadbetter family had quite the weekend.  Mine started on Friday as I headed to a 3 day BODY PUMP training course here in Germany - as you can imagine, the ENTIRE class was in German.  It was my version of total immersion.  I will write more on that later if you are interested - but in the mean time -

The boys went to Verdun, France to see the World War I memorial - 3.5 hr drive = Nick gets to watch a movie or two

After almost three weeks of rain and cold weather there wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was 80 degrees, Shane was chilin in the backpack trying to stay in the shade

Front gate to the walled city of Verdun.  Verdun was a walled fortress from way back - pre-Napoleon and was a big symbolic city for France.  In WWI Germany attacked knowing the French would commit all they had to save it.  Germany's plan was to kill enough French that their Army would be unable to continue - almost worked but the Germans were getting killed almost as quickly - all told 1,000,000 casualties.  The battlefield has been turned into a national park and you are highly encouraged not to leave the paved roads because of the high numbers of unexploded artillery shells. 

This monument is for all the French soldiers who fought at Verdun

Here's a shot of nick peeing on top of the Verdun Monument

Nice work Nick, I feel the same way about the French!

This is the memorial at the actual battlefield, Chris's comments were: it is surreal and a little creepy - there are windows along the bottom of the monument that allow you to look into the "crypt" where thousands of soldier's remains from the battle are stacked up

This is a French Cemetary on the battlefield, there is an American one but there wasn't enough time to visit it.

This monument is for the French General Maginot - the Maginot Line used in WWII was named for him

Here are just a few things I wanted to record from my weekend.  It was a 1h20 minute drive each way to the Les Mills BODY PUMP course.  I loved every second of solo time in the car.  I arrived Friday morning having little idea of what to expect.  There were 5 ladies in the course of varying fitness levels and our instructor was not comfortable speaking english.  There was a lady that once dated an American and her english was quite good and she was sweet to offer a few words here and there when I looked totally confused.  I was thankful to feel very comfortable with Body Pump after participating for over 6 years.  but everything started in a major rush.  After the first day I was mentally and physically drained.  Getting in the car and listening to English being spoken was a HUGE relief. 

Surprising that I may have considered this course to be a break in my workout schedule.  Instead it was a MAJOR addition.  We performed the equivalent of two body pump classes each day, each of us learning and teaching several different tracks (I got to speak in English thankfully or I would have surely failed!). 

Words cannot explain what it feels like to finally enjoy a lunch break outside in the gym garden (yes, they had a beautiful terrace) and be included in a conversation with a group of ladies where I really don't speak their language or understand what they are saying.  At one point in the gossip time I leaned over to the sweet woman who offered english words to me and asked....  are they talking about shopping?  To which she replied - no, men....  way off!!  I would like to think by Sunday I was a bit better.

The Les Mills way of instructing is very personal and motivating (even in German)  By the end of the three days I actually listened to German radio on the way home.  My immersion is working.  Too bad I am headed to the states in 6 days during which it will surely erase from my mind.  Honestly, I cannot believe I did it but I am stronger for it - in more ways than 1!

Future Fussball player?

The world cup is right around the corner and Germany is excited.  We are finally seeing German flags every where.  I am a sucker for spirit.  So of course we are joining in.  Sadly when i went shopping they were out of German Jerseys for Nick - but I got the next best thing.... Heck, they might be the winners. 

Nick was absolutely THRILLED when I told him about his new soccer (fussball) jersey.  Here is his version of tryouts!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogQL0Sx8S80

Shane - 8 Months..... really, so soon??

Shane is really going to be 8 months.  I just wanted to take the time and write down a few things before I forget them.  I looked back at some of Nick's old photos and realized you don't remember things as clearly as you would like too.  Some sort of journal - or blog (these days) will help with that sort of thing.  Just seeing a few words or a photo will help to bring back those sweet baby feelings.

- when I pick him up first thing in the morning (which has now changed from 5:30 to 7:30, thanks Shane for the wonderful Mother's day gift!) you always take your arm and wrap it around my neck.  Your fingers always send sweet chills of love up my spine.

- You chat at the dinner table as if you were part of the conversation.  Nick seems to be the only one to understand

- any time we put a toy in front of you it immediately commands all of your attention as you decend on it.

- You love your toes - even Nick enjoys taking your shoes off so you can play with them

- It feels like you are always eating.  A bottle at 7,11,3,7 food at 8:30, 1, 6 - Every time I turn around I am putting something in your mouth.  You love food and thankfully that spitting it out phase is over.  The german concotions are awesome.  Even I could devour a jar of plum/pear.  YUM!

- pretzels are the best teethers ever!

- when we smile at your and come real close to your face - you smile back and grab our face for a slobbery kiss!

- you are up for anything and we love you!

- The jumperoo rocks your world - until you fall asleep.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbtEeo0eXcI

Strasbourg Saturday...

Its Memorial day weekend and surely we must be traveling right? Chris was dying to get out of the house for a day. We had a few hurdles in the departure catagory. Mainly the fact that the truck of our station wago will not unlock.... taking it to the shop wasn't the quick fix we hoped for - so there is sits and thankfully we ahve two cars. So our 10am start changed to 11:30 - but Chris is never one to back down - so off we went! Its only 1.15 hours from us, so the perfect day trip.

Chris wanted me to take this photo - check out the guy in the purple shirt with the pink sweater tied around his neck. This is the perfect french man stereo type! Needless to say, I didn't go shopping for Chris here.

Chess anyone?

Strasbourg has the Rhine running through it. There are some beautiful cafe's as well as some working watermills. Shane missed a few of the hot spots. It was time for a snooze

This one is for you Alaine Foster Bollinger

If only we had THAT organ at the wedding

The Beautiful Strasbourg Notre Dame Church

Not a bad place for a wedding - but really, does it have anything on Highland falls?

Shane and I chatting it up at the cafe. Check out the church behind us.

My father in law stated - Shane's personality might be a lot like Sara's - he always has something to say!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuHLl87G5vk

Nick's Spring break

Nick spent the week with me on spring break. For some reason the idea of entertaining him and Shane for an entire week straight sounded exhausting. But not having to keep up with his kindergarden schedule actually provided for a bit of relaxation. I wasnt rushing to grab him at 12:30. It wasn't too bad. Here's just a few of our 'experiences'

- Monday morning he crawled in bed with me - it was rather early and he normally heads straight to Dad's side. So I was savoring the moment of cuddle time. He woke up to find the Ferrari next to the bed that I purchased for him in Italy. He was silently thrilled (difficult for a 3 year old) and asked me to open it for him. He proceeded to mis-place it 2 hours later - but we have since found it again and again, and again

- That morning we took the train to downtown Stuttgart, fed the ducks and enjoyed some time with Natalie and her girls. Nothing beats a picnic and ice cream with friends.

- We woke up Tuesday morning and the sun was still out! One of the important lessons in German is to GO OUTSIDE when the sun is out! So we soaked it up at Filderado. I had BOTH boys in the big pool at the same time. If only I had a 4th arm with which to take a picture=) Nick was chasing his little toy boat while Shane (who I thought would cry due to the chilly water) opted to take a snooze while floating.

- Wednesday was raining with nothing to note - we survived

- Thursday - rain again - but time to hit the IKEA! I love that place. Nick even opted to try their kid playground. I signed him in and he ran straight to the ball playground.  Looking good so far.  30 minutes into my 'shopping spree' I heard an anouncement - in german of course, but I was able to recognize the 'Nicholas' portion.  I kept shopping thinking "I gave them my cell number, surely they will call that"  10 minutes later, the 'Nicholas' announcement comes over the loud speaker again.  Guess I better check it out.  I head back to the playground and there sits little Nick.  Small tears in his eyes, but not currently crying.  He told me he was sad I left him and that he wished Tate was there with him.  Ah, if only. 

This missing of Tate actually spurred on 2 days worth of imagining Tate was with him.  Eating with him, swimming with him - gotta love imaginary play.  He is even telling me to imagine that Farrah is here too.  Matter of fact I think Shane is thinking of Macy.  When we left for the pool today he said Brian was staying back with Dad helping to sweep out the garage =)  McCulloughs we miss you!

32 Hours of solo time

Landed in Venice and hopped the bus to PorDenone realizing I was the only one that spoke English and wound up getting dropped off 1 hour later here (yes, I felt like a kid on their first day on the bus having no idea where I lived and being too scared to pipe up...) 

Judging by the photo - the gate was CLEARLY closed and probably had been for months if not years....

So I started walking...  along what I hoped to be the Aviano AFB

No Italian dinner for me - Saturday night dinner- Peanuts, Cheez-its and a Bud Light in my AF room at lodging - Transportation for that day.....  bus-train-plane-plane-bus-foot-bus-foot-sweat lady's car to post

Ah, the next morning.  I am totally prepared to concur the indoor cycling course.  Wait, what a VIEW!  The course was amazing and totally worth the travel expenses and frustrations.  At the end of the course the instructor offered to take me to the airport!!  PRIMO!!  Did I mention I LOVE the sound of Italian?!

Not only did I have lunch at Taco Bell, but I finally enjoyed my Italian cusine and high end shopping.  Both were done at the Venice Airport.

These shots are obviously from within the airplane - this shows my water taxi option =)

I was enthralled in my book and glass of (included) red wine when I glanced up to see this view.  Absolutely amazing.  Everyone had their cameras out.

The best part of the evening.....  Upon departure, the Stewart (who spoke Italian, German and English) throughout the flight - says good bye to everyone in what he believes to be their native tongue.  He said "auf wiedersehen" to me - while the bubba behind me got a 'Goodbye, have a nice evening'  Yippee!!

Trip home - car-plane-plane-train-bus ah....  midnight at home.  Loved it and thanks to my husband for supporting my desire to complete this course.  He traveled to the Maginot Line with the boys on Sunday.  I know there are plenty of you that would like to see photos of his travels.  For that, you need to view his blog.  Oh, that's right, he doesn't have one and forgot the camera =)