Congrats NoVa - you did it.

So here we are on Saturday with the dribbling basketball extraordinaire - 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qirjN1z2-k&list=UUVOS8rAoIkMr_viSR6tsaFw&feature=share

Drew LOVES to play Bball and for a 2 year old I would say he's pretty good.  Stubbornly good...

So that was Saturday (and Sunday too) it was this warm in NoVa.  

Chris left and will be traveling for the next few days - so what's in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday - SNOW!  Yup.  I am still hanging onto my love for it and Tuesday was perfect.  They kids were ALL at school and I was doing our taxes.  it was the perfect stare out the window beautiful flakes!  (gone in an hour too)  More snow predicted for early Wednesday morning - scary...  at 5:50 I woke up and checked outside (so did our superintendent i would imagine) and saw nothing.  No delay - no nothing.  15 minute later it was a NoVa blizzard.  But I think all the buses were already rolling - Sorry Wayde (superintendent), they are going to school!

For those of you that think NoVa cancels school because they just aren't prepared to deal with the white stuff...  here's a photo taken THIS MORNING.  3 Snow plows sitting at the ready outside OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.  Yup, not moving - just ready.  geesh.

Because of the warm temps days prior everything just melted.  Yeah!  I was imaging as many flakes were coming down Wade SO wanted to call off school - but he restrained...

Maybe we should start. 2 more days off this week. I will admit Thursday was totally legit. It snowed all night prior too (at least 13"). And than most of the morning. It turned into a drizzly sleet around lunch so we were lucky to get out there early. Here are some funny snow photos.

At 7:00 our neighbor joe was up snow plowing several drives and a bit of the street. We are convinced he was excited to use his big boy toy. Our immediate neighbor Jeff got in on the action at 8:00 and plowed our driveway too. Later on as I shoveled our sidewalk with the rest of our neighborhood i was quite thankful the hard part was plowed away.

Since no one went to work this is what we were all doing.


Totally legit snow day


As I was taking the photo of the car, this guy scooted up behind me. Hello little loader/excavator.


Here is a little video from our morning of sledding. Moments after taking this-drew imploded and I had to drag him home (screaming for lack of knowing/expressing what he wanted) in order to begin a much needed nap
time!!

Can u see Shane walking back from his morning sledding expo? Thankfully the walkable hill is perfect for their little legs


Later on in the afternoon our HoA called in the big guns. Check out this bucketloader.


He was on our neighborhood through dinner time. Chris had the boys outside for hours climbing on the mountains the bucket loader created.


Friday morning--another snow day--honestly with the icy roads and delay would have been sufficient-but since Loudoun county has 15 snow days to 'burn' before having to adjust the school calendar why not spend valentines day as a family.

Here is our early morning exploration


One cute sledding bum


We had plenty of sleds - but drew liked this option best.


Friday is a bright sunny day that seems to be sadly melting all the snow. Oh well. Now I need to order my home schooling books. Happy valentines day to all

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Brace yourselves....

Yup - those are the famous words of the winter here in NoVa.  After some wonderful days away, its time for reality.  Not normal life reality (really) but the excitement of another storm which we all know means a string of school closings just for the anticipation.



I came across this article on FB the other day - I hardly have time to read FB posts let alone articles, but this one begged me as if I wrote if myself.



http://mopsofkennettsquare.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/the-winter-that-nearly-killed-all-the-moms/



So I mentioned the anticipation of an upcoming trip and how that impending euphoria gets you through so many tough moments.  The anticipation of locked up kids tends to do quite the opposite - makes for a short rope.  In my moments of free time I am scrambling to plan simple dinners, crafts, and search out activities that everyone can participate in.  Running in basketball courts, outdoor obstacle courses, indoor soccer fields....Lets remember that Monday is presidents day (an sacred holiday that surely cannot be missed to make up the countless days away from school) as well as a full house this weekend as we are excited to reciprocate with our favorite buddies for their time with our munchkins last weekend.  Kids kids kids!



So after voicing this I will return to TRY HARD to enjoy these moments with one kid at a time and not let the crazy get a hold of me.



Here is sweet Shane - the one I wish i had more time with.  Putting together his Valentines for the 16 kids in his class.  He wove every mini pencil through the valentine and decorated his box (I couldn't buy the red and pink box... I tried....  but I just couldn't do it...)  Drew was sleeping and it was just the 2 of us.  he gave me commentary along the way, never threading the pencil the easy way, but never getting frustrated or complaining.  randomly during his commentary, he would stop and say - 'i love you momma'  Of course I thought for no reason at all - but wait, there was a reason.  I was sitting there with JUST him and doing nothing else but looking and helping him.  He never gets that and it was his little way of saying.. 'I love THIS'.  This moment right here!




Can I also mentioned I had a wonderful morning at Costco with JUST Drew.  He was a gem helping with groceries and making the other folks shopping smile.  We were able to purchase all the food needed to survive the next few days without any frustration.  It was a great day.  Seriously!!  He has also figured out how to open and close the mini van door.  I am trying to incorporate that into a good thing.  Its coming.



Now to remember this and hope fore beautiful outside sledding snow.



fingers crossed folks.

Should we try it?

We tossed a dart on the calendar in hopes of finding snow. Sunday was the day. Chris and I have set aside the expectations of skiing until this crew finds their legs. After that it's all down hill (haha)

We had a lazy morning, packed a lunch and drove to Bryce MTN in virginia. (About 1.45 hours from us). We turned into the 'resort' and saw this. Shane calmed us down saying they were saving the snow for the mountain. You are wise Shane.
Phew.... Snow! And perfect for this crew! There is Chris bracing for Shane's solemn down the hill.
They had 2 magic carpets (more chairlifts but only nick saw those)
Here is Shane SUPER excited to give it a try.
Drew LOVED riding the magic carpet up and running down the hill. Home run!
Drew tried the skis (thankfully our bindings can easily adjust to accommodate the boots for drew as well as the boots for the big boys).

Future skier-coming to a mountain near you 2014/2015.

That's quite a crew

I liked how they covered the magic carpet-kinda cut down on the maintenance. We enjoyed a little snow fall too-big fat flakes.
Here we are - Drew is about to try the skis after Chris adjusted them to his boots.  He was so excited.  (it didn't last long)  he was happy to take them off and walk down the hill

Nice choice of Drinks Shane.  You chose wisely.

Here goes nick up the chair lift with his cute instructor. We lucked out as he was the only munchkin signed up. Solo lesson! Since he was doing so well she asked if she could take him up the chair lift. Yes please! He did 4 long runs and looked great!

Meanwhile-this guy honed in his skiing legs. He managed to come down the hill, turn in the magic carpet and repeat...

It really keeps getting better.
Can I mention the only one we paid for was Nick - Shane and Drew were free (under 5) and Chris and I never put on our skis as the mountain was so family friendly and encouraged us to just ride the carpet with the kids.  Nick got a 1/2 day pass.  It was literally our most affordable ski day ever.  Yeah Bryce Mountain.
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the great escape-a new tradition?

5 years - 2 in Germany spent prying our eyes open to stay up through the time change, 2012 in California enjoying the 3:30 kick off, 2013 in Sedona for Chris and Brian, 2014 in.... Drum roll right?

Bend, Oregon

Why not right. The super bowl was in NY/NJ so we went to the opposite coast.

Chris amazingly packed in a laptop bag (gotta go carry-on right?). He had plenty of underwear, great clothes and a great story right?

Here we are in our house at 2:30 on Saturday. The excitement of a trip is SO much -  we are soaking in the kid free realization.  The hours of orchestration in motion-Drew was headed to Springfield with Pauli and Grandma.  Shane and Nick were enjoying their sleepover weekend at Caz and Ben's. We are so thankful for all the friends and family making this adventure possible.  It really takes a village.  (I even snagged Mocking Jay to read from a neighbor after posting a request on social media 30 minute prior - that was cool!)

So now-cheers to us. Off to the airport.

Meanwhile on a far away coast the McCulloughs also had hoops to jump through to make it all possible. Brian landed Friday after being in Hawaii for a few weeks.  He pre-packed his bag. Farrah packed their jeep to the gills with wine, games, boots, blankets and jackets while prepping her mom for her weekend with Macy and Tate. Now for the 8+ hour up the coast.

Here we go;)

They arrived in Bend first, checked into our beautiful town home and joined a winery;)

The first night we stayed up just catching up and in a matter of minutes it was as if we lived in the same area again... The next morning starts the true relaxation because this was going on miles away.  Happy kids eating breakfast, just not at our table... We headed to a hip local breakfast spot where the boys had wild trout eggs Benedict, I had the wild salmon version and Farrah choose a fabulous pulled pork feast.  Brunch is a true vacation treat.
Now lets get started.  The townhome Brian found was BEAUTIFUL and easy walking distance to the many breweries in the area. 1-Crux

Our breakfast was So good we were able to resist these nachos

Rather cool sculpture - just had to act artistic

2-Boneyard (small and shocking to find as it was tucked away...)

3-Deschuetes - a bit pricier compared to the 2 warehouse ones we had been to.

Yes, we walked - but with the Superbowl approaching we had to grab a cab - run through the grocery store - grab....  BEER.. and head home.  Thankfully Farrah and Brian had already prepped dinner from a previous grocery store jaunt.  This was all good as we meet a FABULOUS cab driver.  One of the many wonderfully friendly folks in Bend.

Yes, the Superbowl was crap, but Bruno Mars was awesome and the company we were with (jammies and all) was wonderful.  The board games we played afterwards were far more entertaining than the game.  Nothing beats laughing THAT hard. over ---  gosh, I can hardly remember.

Check out our view 

Ah, Monday - still on vacation.  Farrah and I LOVED some mimosas while the boys got antsy and headed to check out REI.  

This was our beautiful neighborhood and daily starting point.

Refreshed in the company of some of the most enriching folks.

This photo makes me laugh...  hmm.  its a beaver dam...

Looking back I wish I would have snapped more of the traditional homes in Bend.  They were so.... original.  I felt like the home were starting to explode are the area develops.  However there were some true simple eclectic ones.  Some well maintained, some, not so much...

But instead of the homes, I managed to snap a shot of the one Turkey that missed thanksgiving this year...  maybe next year right?  Man he is HUGE.  (yes this guy was penned up right along a main street)

First brewery for Monday - 

4 - 10 Barrel.  

Farrah went to the bathroom and these 2 were my company.  They didn't do this for long.  Matter of fact we hardly checked in with our phones - so this was a rare yet humorous shot.

Lunch done - now for the Turkish bath.... 

Loved this photo along the way.  The cuteness of Bend stands out - someone had crocheted the pigeon statue a little hat - how stinking cute is that?

5 - 

This one wins for the oddest brewery...  Their beer was odd too.  IT used to be a Catholic school, but now a restaurant, brewery, hotel that includes and open air Turkish bath.  odd right, you agree??

Of course we all had bathing suits packed.  After the beer we went to change attire.  As Farrah and I were headed out we heard this giggling outside the locker room door - Brian and Chris dressed in slightly less revealing than a speedo (straight from Korea)  They looked great!  Loved it.  Go boys!  They were also having a blast.

Next, (yup, there's more)  

6 - 

Silver Moon.  (sorry, no moon photos - you don't want that right?)

No...

Good reenactment.  (we were having some fabulous sandwiches, but since they didn't sell fries they let us go grab some from the restaurant up the street.  Farrah and I LOVE fries.  My husband gave up fries for his 30 day challenge - so who went to get fries?!?!  Chris - yup - love that guy.  He didn't have a single one. 7 - closed....   Boo.  Farrah was sad, but Brian was trying to pry open the door - and take a photo of the ale trail pass to validate our presence.

Onto a random Pub called Walstreet where we covered down on the jute box for a few tunes (and dancing!)  We didn't want the night to end.  Yup, we called Nelson, our cab driver again (good decision).

Tuesday - Hmmmm  Starting to need a beer break - but no rest for the weary.  Instead, lets hike - Thank you Chris!  Great idea and truly beautiful after our dusting of snow.

Love my outdoors man.

Can you feel how fresh the air is?  Just awesome.

Alright - onto another brewery.  

8 - worthy

Yes, it was worthy, but apparently not of a photo as I totally forgot.  Great food too.

9 - Old mill brewery - not worthy of a photo so I didn't take one.  

It was at that brewery that I credit myself with the greatest idea ever.  A nap.  I have never seen Farrah get so excited.  We left the boys to carry on with the next 2 breweries while we curled up with warm blankets and prepped for our evening movie date.

We woke from our naps getting humorous texts from our men who were enjoying themselves at the next breweries - capital and cascades (I think).  We headed downtown for a little wine and a movie.  We bought our tickets and kindly asked the ticket lady to waylay our incoming husbands into another show. Frozen maybe??  Ride along??  However just as American Hustle started guess who poured themselves into the theatre? U guessed it.  Mr Chris lasted about 15 minutes before he opted to cash in on his nap time (not in the theatre).  We thought they both went home until the same ticket lady said that one stayed behind and was getting cold waiting for us...  Here we was.

The snow was BEAUTIFUL.  Light, fluffy, looked like glitter.  Farrah seized the moment

She left an angle along the sidewalks that barely had a footprint along them.

I opted to hoist myself on the buffalo

See, glitter

A few needed selfies (I love that that is a word now..)

He is saying - it doesn't get any more beautiful....  or, I think we should call Colin (the NICEST guy in Bend)

We LOVED the walk home that night - although it was the last night.  We woke Chris up when we got home as you aren't allowed to miss the last night together.  Farrah let me lead them through a body flow class at 1am - best participants yet!  Chris and I had to set our alarms for 4:30 and grab that cab to begin the journey home.  

Happy Trails - those are some cute butts...

The trip home can always be bitter sweet, but with the McCullough/Leadbetters you know another adventure like this is always in the cards.  You just have to come up with it.  I loved the time with them as a couple.  I loved the time with my husband as a couple.  Even as I write this a week later I feel MUCH better than I did before the trip.  Thank you for a wonderful marriage retreat.  Love you all tons.  

HUGE Thanks to my Mom and Dad for weathering the NoVa 'ice' day as schools were closed on Wednesday.  We managed to make all our connections and get home without a delay.  Classic.