Where in the world are the LaCombes?

This week was an adventure for the LaCombes. David traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a business meeting while Kathryn and Will visited family in Mississippi.

There's a 12-hour time difference between the Malaysian capital and Ol' Miss. So, as David wished KC a good morning, she wished him sweet dreams.

David was able to catch an earlier flight so he arrived home on Saturday evening after 36 hours of travel and layovers. KC and Will come home tomorrow. Here's to a relaxing Sunday.

We'll post all of our photos and stories just as soon as we sleep off this jet lag!

Musical Munchkins Kid!

Hello Everyone!!

Mommy and I attended our last music class of the school year! All my friends were there, and we did some of my favorite activities! I love playing with the maracas, running while my teacher plays the guitar, and banging on the lollipop drum! I love music class!!

William Noel

My class

I had to choose just the right instrument to use -- this takes time, you know.

Hmmm... this one might work...

Well, okay, I'm ready... let's get this party started!

I love the guitar and running and dancing!

The lollipop drum... yeah!!

Focused drumming...note that technique from young William

Mr. Music... precious!!

Happy Father's Day!!

David is such a great Daddy! William and I knew we had to do something special for him. So, earlier in the week, David received the following email:


Are you available for an early morning Pookah Family Adventure? The following will be required:

• Coffee to go
• Mississippi shirt and jeans
• Pookah Momma and Baby Bear as companions
• Spirit to learn something new
• Leaving home around 7 am

Are you in?
We hope so!

KC and Will

David promptly replied that he accepted the invitation. What was the adventure he wondered? Finally, David and KC played a guessing game, and the plans were revealed. Fly fishing lessons!!


The celebration, however, began on Saturday evening. Daddy received cards from his Pookah Bear and Mommy. Then, one of his favorite lemon desserts was prepared -- lemon cheesecake squares -- and garnished with organic raspberries and powdered sugar! Sinful!

The card from William... "Daddy, You're the Greatest!"

Da-da,

I love my special times with you!
I love everything we do!
Baseball, hiking, walking, snuggling -- all are so fine!
You are the best Daddy in the world
and
I am lucky you are mine!

Happy Father's Day
I love you!
William Noel (Your Pookah Bear)
June 17, 2007

On Sunday morning, William awoke around 4 am, so we ended up leaving the house before 7 am!! We headed west to Sullivan County for one-on-one fly fishing lesson!!

The fishing school
Roscoe, NY
"Trout Town USA"

The boys waiting by the pond for the lesson to start -- they were listening to the birds and the bullfrogs -- quite a symphony!

William tried to imitate the sound of the frogs..."bowrrnnn"

First, David was introduced to different types of rods, the line, and how to tie knots. He's working on a knot here. Our instructor, Joe, ties his own flies and has a collection of animal fur and feather as well as porcupine quill for the base. So interesting...

William enjoyed petting the dog!

My favorite angler showing his stuff!

Our instructor videotaped the lesson. At one point, we went inside and viewed the footage. We examined the casting techniques as well as the presentation of the line...repetitive deliberate practice with focused debriefing... Dave loved the teaching technique!!

William wanted to see Da-da and check his fly casting progress!

William must have been the lucky charm because David caught a fish... a bass!

"Touch"

Dave, Joe, and the first fish caught via fly fishing!

Mommy tried casting...she's planning to take a lesson in July! Then, we are all heading to the river to learn about how to fly fish there!

"Sittin' on the dock of the pond... watchin' the clouds roll by"

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!
We love you!

Sunday Morning and Strawberries

After the first cup of coffee (or cup of milk), we ventured out for a relaxing Sunday morning of strawberry picking. Just minutes away from our home is an amazing farm where you can pick seasonal fruits and vegetables, where a little village is set-up just to entertain the little ones, and where beautiful animals wait for visitors.

A view of our walk to the strawberry fields

"How do you keep a toddler from eating the strawberries right off the vine?" another mom asked David. We, of course, had the same problem. Note the clean shirt...

Baby tax -- for every four strawberries picked, the baby gets one!!

Baby tax is still in effect!

At the end of the picking, it appears we were still being taxed by our baby! We considered paying extra since William ate so many in the field... can you see the stains on his shirt??

Mommy's learning the art of taking party pics!

At the little village... William opened and closed the door to this miniature stable... multiple times! He said, "bye bye" each time he closed the door and stepped inside!

Look at our little firefighter... ringing the bell... must be in his blood!

In the little schoolhouse... doesn't he look natural in the front of the class? Aren't his parents educators??

Okay, Mom, I'll explain this one more time! Take notes this time.

We saw turkeys, peacocks, roosters and hens, swans with babies, goats, horses and dogs! Whew!!

William discovered horses during a recent buggy ride. He was quite excited to see these horses and loves to say "h-aa-ss" (whispered) when the word "horse" is mentioned.

After the strawberries, the village, and the animals, we walked to the vegetable garden. Daddy's favorite veggie is sugar snap peas, and these were ready to be picked! Young William would pick the pods off the vine and place them in our bag!!

Happy Birthday to You!

What a way to celebrate the 11th anniversary of my 29th birthday... a red velvet cake with cream cheese icing and decorated with sprinkles... homemade by none other than my darling husband! Now, that's love!

Birthday Surprises for Kathryn!

It was the big 4-0 for Kathryn last week! We were in Connecticut on the actual day, so Saturday June 9th was KC's birthday (observed).

Plans were top secret!! Finally David revealed the plan -- a helicopter tour of New York City and lunch by the East River at the South Street Seaport.

So, early Saturday morning we packed up our Pookah Bear and headed to NYC!!

We arrived at the heliport a bit early to watch the helicopters arrive and depart! William exclaimed "WHOA!" each time. Notice the boys hair is blowing up as one helicopter landed! We were sprayed with a mist from the Hudson River as well!

We checked in, listened to our safety briefing, and donned our life preserver packs. Then, we were escorted onto the landing pad. We are about to board our helicopter! Note that these are "hot loads" meaning that they do not stop the rotors -- you board with the overhead rotor whirling!

Flying over Ellis Island...

...the Statue of Liberty (I got chills seeing this for the first time! ~KC)...

On board and in flight party pic!!

Ground Zero

Central Park... part of it!

Preparing to land!

After our flight... amazing experience!

Brooklyn Bridge... we were driving to the Seaport for lunch!

Lunch on the water at Pacific Grill... William is studying our official photo from the flight! He loves making the helicopter sound now!

South Street Seaport

What an amazing surprise David planned for my birthday! I loved the adventure, I loved sharing it with my boys, and I loved the thought and planning my wonderful husband put into making my birthday so memorable! David, you're the best! I love you deeply! Thank you! KC