Senior photos paired with Family photos

Jenny McCarthy did senior photos for Nick and she was sweet enough to be willing to let us get some family shots.  It was a windy, but BEAUTIFUL fall day.  Nick literally just flew in from CO and met us at the bridge in Canton.

This is my favorite family one.

Love this photo these 2 together.  Shane is surely the taller Leadbetter

This guy does take my breathe away.  All that he accomplishes with such grace.  He surely is making the most of his high school career and senior year!  There is no moss under this rolling stone.

Hard to choose a favorite - Love the hills and water behind him.

Another favorite of mine, but the truth is, there isn't a bad photo.

Gotta get one of the 3 of them together.

One more group shot

love Shane's side smile in this one.

Just a mom and her boy =)

She captured some beautiful shots of these 2 as well.

Handsome dudes.

A few treasures of Chris and I

I remember taking photos when the kids were little, this is SO much easier

 

We made it to West Point for a game!

Road tripping!!  Farrah planned a trip for this crew to WEST POINT!  WE scored a BEAUTIFUL fall weekend.  First stop after our early morning departure Cumbies!

We made it in time to park and see the cadet parade

Matter of fact, the parade hadn't even started yet, so we popped over to Trophy point for a quick photo.

Love this capture with the cadets coming onto the parade field and the chapel in the background.

We had some parachutes land right in front of us!

After the parade we linked up with Steve Madray!  Loved hearing the stories of these 2 at school together.  Love they are matching too!

We did a tour and this building is new but it still fits the school.  This is my artistic Sally port photo.

We managed to get back to the cadet chapel - great memories from 11 years and 6 month ago!  It was MUCH warmer that day.

The chapel is just as grand as I remember it.

Thanks to Farrah for capturing the photos for us.  Would imagine its a treasured place for many couples and families to come back to.

Next up, a picnic before the game.

Thankful we can take the crew back and see where dad started life in the Army - its a very impressive place.

In the game with traditional McCullough/Leadbetter seats!  Top row.

We can really see the play develop

We got to pop down to the front and spend some time catching up with the Madray's

Enjoy the friends that make you feel younger just being with them.

Time to head back -can you tell its windy

Super windy!

On the way home we popping into Vinni's in Torrington - Yummo!

Meanwhile, many miles away, Nick is tailgating for another football game and getting a taste of the college life.

Sweet to get photos of these 2 together.

pretty adorbs and the proof of life photos we are requesting.

Our kids are fun

Board of ed award for Nick and his athletic/scholastic accomplishment.

They had a college fair at school, Shane and Sam got to attend.  They made a mission or grabbing something from every table.  Pretty impressive Shane.

Just hanging out at home and we realized the Northern lights were happening!

Love this capture!

Anyone know what's happening here?!?!  Nick is boarding the plans for a trip - without us!

 

Drew's Birthday Surprise

So we had this idea about a boat.  And with the McCulloughs help - we found a winner.  They checked it out for us and brought it 'home'

Somehow it doubled in size - 

slight diversion to photo our sun worshiper

I spent the afternoon with Shane and Nick TRYING to get it to start.  We gave it some serious effort and received lots of tips and feedback.  Sadly, the motor never turned over.

So we parked it right in our spot and surprised him.  Check out the video footage link.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ss1wQeNYOx8?feature=share

We did it!  Now if we could just get the engine to turn.

Meanwhile - it was a beautiful morning.  Kids were eager to get those fish.  First we tried the motor boat, but that scares the fish.

This set up seemed a bit more successful

Made for a beautiful walk watching them explore.

The state of affairs that evening back at home. Gotta say, Chris is impressive and got it up and running!!  

Monday night Hibachi as the final icing on the birthday cake. 

That is one full festive table!

Our server was from the Ukraine too - he learned English (still working on it) in 6 weeks.  that is the demonstration as the desire to survive!

Just in case anyone was still wondering - a few days later we go back in the boat and guess what -

 IT RUNS!!

https://youtube.com/shorts/fPfM7uDqBwQ?feature=share