Christmas Vacation . . .

. . . so I think I succeeded in ruining the Leak Family Vacation this year!! As always we spend the weekend before Christmas with Matt's family in West Yellowstone/Jackson Hole. We have had many great and memorable year's together and this year will be no exception:) Trey got sick two nights before our scheduled departure so I offered to stay home with him and Kace and let the older two and Matt enjoy their vacation with everyone else. Matt was not to hip on the idea and the next day Trey felt great so we went along with our original plans. We arrived in W. Yellowstone Thursday night and was just winding down for the night when Kace hurled all over me. He was up most of the night testing out his stomach muscles but by morning I thought we were through the worst of it. Not so. The guys, Court, Sonnie, and the kids enjoyed Friday on the sleds while Grandma-Great, Grandma Shauna, and I kept it real at the hotel. (I am not looking for sympathy, I did get to ride the snowmobile the length of the airport and back (1/2 mile, maybe) without any gear on and froze my head, literaly. Gary and Matt tease me about already retiring from riding but it just so happens that something always comes up. However, I do remind them of the year that Jordan and Barbara and Matt and I become lost on Two Top. I was pregnant with Kael and was sure they would find us all froze. ) Anyway, back to this years story . . . Saturday was spent relaxing and cleaning up more puke but amazingly no one else seemed to be getting the dreaded bug. Good. I was sure we would pass it on but it looks like all is well. Sunday morning comes and we find half the family in their respective bathrooms. Sorry people!!! Catching Sacrament Meeting is now out of the question:) Matt and I had to leave before everyone to get home for the afternoon milking and chores - no big deal. We left W. Yellowstone about 10:00 and again at 10:12. By 10:30 we were about 8 miles out of town and the rest of the family had caught up with us. 11:30 brings us just out of Island Park (20 minutes from W. Yellowstone) and by 2:30 we made it to St. Anthony, ID (about 60 miles from W. Yellowstone). Apparently our truck doesn't care to much for weather in the negatives!! We did what we could to get it going but there must be an underlying issue so we left it in St. Anthony. We grabbed essentials and piled in with Court and Dan and made it to Idaho Falls where Matt's other truck was parked. Keep in mind the majority of the family is not feeling well. They were all great sports!! Sorry for the aweful day we drug you through and all the sickness and pain you are still experiencing! We love you and honestly had a great time!! Here's to the MEMORIES!!

P.S. The only thing that would have topped the day off would have been getting pulled over for not having 2 adults and 3 children in carseats!! The Lord was watching out for us!!

In all the fun and confusion I did not snap any pics. I really want to kick myself!

Vitamin N

Herald Journal article written by Sally Wright - just thought I would share:)

I overheard a startling conversation the other day. I was lurking in the toy aisle of a large, discount store when I saw a family, also browsing.
A mother and three of her children were apparently Christmas shopping for another sibling who was not with them.
"I know he'd just love those fun night-vision goggles," the mom said. "But I can't afford them."
This comment shouldn't startle anyone. The lagging economy is making many families come to their senses and opt for a more modest selection of prizes under the tree. What surprised me is what the children said next.
The pre-teen boy said, and I quote with the accuracy of a journalist, "Oh."
Then he said, "Well, how about one of these other things? This science kit is less than half what those goggles cost, and he'd probably like it just as much."
The other children started pointing out various toys in the lower price range their absent brother was sure to love - often with thoughtful insight.
"This box has hardly any instructions to read. He'd love that!" said a younger brother.
I was amazed. Not only were the children cooperating to benefit their brother, but there was absolutely no disappointment or complaining about the family's budget constraints. Mom said "no," and the kids got over it, just like that.
It was a dose of what a former bishop of mine called "Vitamin N."
Nobody like to give it, and receiving a "no" can be a bummer. But regular small doses of "Vitamin N" seem to be character-building in the most positive ways.
Consider another holiday conversation I witnessed last week in my ward's Primary.
The teacher asked the children to tell the group something they wanted for Christmas. Even in my economically diverse ward, it was as if she had pushed the Children's invisible Greed Buttons. There was mention of iPods, video games and piles of brand-name, heavily-marketed toys. Several children had to be cut off to allow the next child an opportunity to respond, or they'd probably still be listing their holiday desires.
But the tone was decidedly different with two little sisters, ages 4 and 6.
The first one said she wanted either a toy elephant, or maybe a toy kitty, she couldn't decide which.
The older one had a hard time thinking of something she wanted.
"Ummmmm," she said. "Ummmm . . . I think I want . . a glitter pen."
That's right - her grandest, greediest holiday with is a ball-point pen that sparkles a bit.
These girls' Christmas wishes humbled me. Clearly, there is plenty of Vitamin N served up at their house - maybe more that they need. Parents say "no," because there is no other answer. Gifts are small, but the children are hardly suffering. They have a more realistic concept of what a nice threat is than most folks, and they had lots to say when the class spoke of family Christmas traditions.
Most of us could learn something from these families about what's really important at Christmas time and the rest of the year. I know I tend to fuss and whine when the answer to a prayer is "no."
"Pleeeeease?" I whine to the Almighty. But the answer often stays "no," for my own good, which I usually cannot see until much later. When I'm feeling spiritually mature, a dose of Vitamin N allows me to appreciate the many blessings I already have. Opportunities to share with others makes perceived deprivation sting less, until it melts away.
If given too much, Vitamin N can cause bitterness and resentment, but in the right amount, Vitamin N promotes the growth of humility and gratitude. It's OK to say no sometimes with good reason, and it's OK to hear it and still be happy.
Christmas, after all, is an opportunity to celebrate the birth of Christ, the Light of the World. So my kids and I don't really need nightvision goggles, after all.

Other Happenings . . .

So Matt and I participated in State Farm Bureau Discussion Meet held the week before Thanksgiving. I know you all think I should have won because of my unbelievable ability to talk and talk and talk but that is not what we were judged on, therefore, I didn't win. But good news, we were able to keep it in the family!!


Matt won a new Polaris 4-wheeler, $500, and a trip for two to San Antonio, TX. He did an awesome job and I did an even better job being nervous for him. (I don't know what my problem was but I made myself sick over it all!) They are suppose to deliver it this week so we will post more pics later (Thanks Holly for this one:) Nationals are in San Antonio in January and the winner there recieves a new Dodge Truck. Let's just say he is on a strict study regimine!!

Yesterday morning Matt had a cow calving and wanted Trey to come watch because he loves to keep track of the calves. So we bundled him up . . .

. . . and let him watch. He didn't have a whole lot to say but was concerned about getting the calf to the calf barn. It was entertaining to watch him!

Matt and Michael ended up pulling the calf and of course it was a HUGE bull!!
I snapped a bunch of pics but they are for educational purposes only - I don't think the majority of you would appreciate it!!

All I can say about the whole thing is - it is GREAT birth control!!

Where oh where has this whole year gone????

My BABY is ONE!!!

Last Christmas was special to us for a lot of reasons but one of my favorite was a brand new baby. It helped me put the whole season into perspective. I am so thankful for Kayson and the light he brings to our lives. He is begining to act a lot like Trey but with his own "I am Kace and I can get away with it" spin. Truth is . . . he can and does get away with it. His favorite things to do are say 'da da da' (and Matt has to rub it in) and shake his head no. He loves cows and makes a grunt noise whenever he sees them. What a kid! We Love you BUD!

Enjoying his cake!!

Mom loves her little man!!

Tis' the Season

So we spent the Thanksgiving Holiday in NewCastle and it was awesome!!! I am really grateful for all my family!

I still couldn't find it in myself to get up early and go shopping but we went to St. George later in the afternoon and did a little. We also had the opportunity to spend some time with my dad @ work. He drives truck for Wal-Mart and every so often they spotlight kids with disabilities, cancer, ect. They arranged for Kael and Kaylee (my cousin's little girl that had a brain tumor when she was three) to come spend the afternoon and take a ride in the semi. (My Uncle Terrill also works there and he is Kaylee's grandpa so it was extra special for our whole family!!)

Kaylee and Kael - looking a bit nervous about what to expect!

New duds!! They got these new shirts, hats, and a huge blanket . . .

and that was just the beginning.


Kael was a little nervous to go in the truck by himself so Trey hopped right in. My dad got to drive him around while he honked the horn.

At the end Santa showed up and gave all of the kids gifts. Here is Kael enjoying his lap time. He got so many things I don't even remember them all but I will give it a shot: cowboy hat, huge stuffed bear, multiple dinasours, books, remote control 4-wheeler, activity box . . .

THANKS WALMART!!!

704

Who can guess what this number represents??



October 22, 2010



Or what is so relevent about this date??

AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO SETBACK (low counts, sickness, relapse, ect.):
We only have 23 more trips to Primary Childrens, 7 backpokes, 704 nights of 6MP, 23 doses of Vinc, 230 doses of steroid, and 98 doses of meth. So if you haven't guessed, they informed me toady that he will be finished with treatments on October 22, 2010. Setbacks are bound to happen but with the past months being so great we are hopeful we won't be to far off this date. So mark your calanders because there is going to be one BIG CELEBRATION at the Leak home!!

Clinic went great today. He did great with sedation and his backpoke. Steph, our favorite nurse, is a big football fan so we talked about the Aggie football coach getting canned and she joked with Kael about his dad being the next coach. The thing is . . . they couldn't do any worse!! Dr. Affify was not there today, must have been out buying herself a new pair of tennis shoes. ( If you have ever seen her you know what I am talking about. Great lady, love her to death, but she has a pair of tennis shoes in almost every color and her wardrobe of choice is to wear a skirt with them!! Lovely:)) Anyway we had Dr. Barnett. This was our first time with him but seem to have a lot in common with him. He was a vet before he bacame a Hemoc Doc. Go figure!! Counts were good so here we go for another week of "Roids". Wish us luck!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TREY!!

I am a little behind getting these pics posted but here is to my little Trey-ler McGrady -

We are so blessed to have you as a part of our family. Your infectious smile and big blue eyes could melt anyone's heart:) You are fun to tease but give the best loves any mom could ask for!


Some Treyisms:
* first word was 'trac-tra' (tractor)
* loves to milk the cows. whenever he comes up missing we find him in the barn helping the milker. he has mittens and gloves that he calls his milking socks and he is so paticular about how they are worn. he uses my fireplace as a milking barn and even has a bucket to catch the sick cows milk. the other day he couldn't get one in the barn so he made me help him. it was great fun.
* when he is thirsty he says "I'm fussy" it took us a while to figure this out at first
* he loves his mama's (grandma's) and his grandma-great. we always ask him who he loves and it never fails "mama". i think this is from all the time he spent with his grandma's before he turned two. he really has a special bond with them and I love to watch them interact. i am pretty sure that they like it too!! he was mad at me the other night and told me he wanted to spend the night at grandma-greats! i can just imagine what a treat that would be for grandma:)
* whenever he see's an American flag he sings "oh, say tan you see, by the dawns eewey wight". he is now getting in to Taylor Swifts "Love Story".




Ryanne and Trey

Not sure why I don't have any pics of him opening his presents but I have video. He loves his barn his dad built him. I will try to post pics of it later.

THANKS TO AUNT COURTNEY FOR THE AWESOME CAKE! SHE DOES SUCH A GREAT JOB. Take a peek at some of her work by clicking on the link to the left. WE LOVE YOU AUNT COURTNEY!! We are thinking of you and hope your week turns out better than the last few.

Bathroom Project

So we have spent the last week remodeling our master bath. Keep in mind it is smaller than most of your closets. We have debated for two years what to do with it. So the toilet was in such a bad way we had to just replace it so this is what we did with our budget. We did not redo the shower but perhaps it will be done in my lifetime:)

BEFORE

AFTER

So I love it so far. The fact that the toilet flushes with just one flush and you don't have to hold the handle down for 30 seconds is a major +. The taller vanity is working out great too!

Thanks Uncle Wade for helping Matt hang the mirror! Sorry it was so much stress!

A big shout out to Matt for digging-in to such a project when there is other things that needed done. You did a great job and I am so thankful for your help and determination to finish the project!! I love you!! (side note: He built Trey a 'milking barn' for his birthday and did a great job on it too! He looks hot in his toolbelt!!)

PROJECT HELPERS!! Every project needs a few helpers, thanks Trey for helping dad with all his tools. And a big thanks to Kace for being my little vacuem. There wasn't much to clean up after he made his rounds.

I had to throw this one in since we were talking about bathrooms! They are not going to fit in the tub like this forever. Precious moments make priceless memories!

Loving IT!!!!

I am loving this time of year!! I am so excited for the Holidays! In the past I have refused to put up Christmas deco before Thanksgiving but it's killin' me slowly:) We are heading to NewCastle for Thanksgiving (as long as nothing major happens w/ our bovine children) . . . just a shout out to my sisters that told me they were going home for Thanksgiving and quickly changed plans when I told them I was going. I can take a hint!! I guess this means I get the TACO bed, no battle!! (Just a side note about the bed for those of you who have never had the opportunity of sleeping on it- if you happen to have a sleeping partner -hopefully your spouse - you must sleep face out, on your side, with your backsides touching, and fingers gripping the side of the mattress - all in hopes that the sides don't magically fold up around the both of you sometime during the night.) Don't worry mom, we obviously always fight over who gets to sleep in it!!



Did I mention I am excited for the holidays??? I can't wait to put on another 12 pounds and do all sorts of fun things!

Here is a list of some things I am THANKFUL for

(in no paticular order):

My handsome husband

Wonderful kids

Nice home

Fall (pumpkins, leaves changing, chopping corn, cooler weather)

Health

Good Friends

Great Family

Matt's Employment

Farm

Town & Country (my sweet grocery-getting van)

Good Dr.'s (even if I get irritated at times)

even better Nurses

Freedom, and those fighting for it

Church

My Testimony

Motherhood

What are you THANKFUL for? I tag everyone who reads this. Please leave me a comment and list at least 10 things you are thankful for. If you don't leave me a message I will assume you are ungrateful or you do not read my blog:) (Yes mom, this means you have to set up a blogger account!)

Love You All and hope you have a great Thanksgiving:)

Halloween

Very uneventful. Mattie - Gabriella from HSM, Kael - started off being a skeleton but by the time we left for the Trunk-or-Treat he was in his football costume, Trey - Fighter-fighter (firefighter), Kace - bear. I am terrible and only got pics on Matt's phone so if you did not see them Halloween night - sorry you missed it!

Random moments

Random happenings this week include, but are not limited to:

Monday: Clinic
-Things went very well but seemed to take a little longer than usual. We had to wait around to get a flu shot so we got a little extra visiting in with Kelly, Steph (Kael's favorite nurse), and Tiff. He had to explain that he now has 3 pigs and he is going to eat them when they get bigger:) Seems like all the nurses get a kick out of what happened at the farm this month and Kael is very enthusiastic about telling them. We had steroids again for 5 days but gave the last dose tonight. Love to see those end:)
-Was able to have lunch with Aunt Crystal, Tad, and Uncle Wade after clinic. We had a great time and was glad they drove down to have lunch with us!

Tuesday:
- Helped in Kael's class. I get such a kick out of the kids! It was 'crazy hair day' so I put on a black wig. Kael's eyes became the size of baseballs when I walked in the room. I hope he wasn't to embarrassed by me.

Wed:
- Visiting Teaching. Gymnastics. Grandpa-Greats birthday party

Thursday:
- Went to town. Not really sure what I did there . . . I think I am losing it.

Friday:
- Yardwork.

Saturday:
- Matt went to the Football game so Mattie and I had a girls day. It was a good time. We got her a costume and had icecream. Yummy!
Here are some pics from weeks past . . .

One of our Family Traditions is to participate in the Red Ribbon Run (Drug Free Week) in Hyde Park. It is a 5k/1mile walk and we always go to breakfast after. It is always freezing cold and this year was no exception. Matt and I ran and a big thanks to Aunt Merr for taking the kids and a flat-tired stroller on the walk. We had to go to the cannery right after so we didn't make breakfast so we did McD's for lunch. Here we are - look hard and you can see Kace:)

Grandpa Leak's suprise birthday party!!


Aunt Crystal and Tad

Grandma and Kace


Landree's Blessing Day

Kace having a nap. What a sport:)

Kace-in-point

It's official!!! He is finally crawling!! Good thing Trey and I caught it on video because he rufused to show everyone else when they got home:) He is loving his new-found freedom, me - not so much. He finds himself in all sorts of messes and has also found a new tone in his lungs - loud. Riding anywhere with the kid is like having a root canal. He hate's his seat and let's everyone else know it. However, he is so cute when he starts to babble and talk. I can't wait to see what his toddler years bring . . . or maybe I can.

We are enjoying our UEA weekend in West Yellowstone, MT in the camp trailer. I wanted to take it out one more time before we put it away for the winter. Glad we did. We usually see Yellowstone in the winter with Matt's family but I had never been here any other time. It is a beautiful place and a great time of year to come (not many people). We just got back from the park and we are so glad to let the kids out to play!!!!!!!!
Animals spotted today: Buffalo, Eagle, Raven, Big Horn Sheep, Coyote, and Elk

I am not posting pics tonight because I am to lazy to walk out to the truck to get my camara. Stay tuned for pics:)

Intercourse

I knew I could get your attention!!! Intercourse is an actual Amish community in Pennsylvania that we drove through while on our trip East. Horse and buggy are the mode of transportation in this quaint town but cars are plentiful because of the tourist attraction it is. Mainly people go there to see for themselves that there really is a town called Intercourse. Let's be honest - that's why we were there. They make Whoopie (no pun intended) Pie's for dessert and enjoy the simple life that no electricity affords them. We could learn a lot from them:)

The farms there were unbelievable.

It had rained the day before so it was to wet to do any harvesting. This is the only real sign of field work that we were able to see. If you can't tell what he is doing, he is hauling "sanora" (that is what our kids call manure). Impressive.

Talk about 'Barn Lovers' paradise!! Awesome, HUGE barns. Most places had two or three. Instead of a garage they had a smaller barn next to the house that housed a few horses and their buggy. These places were immaculate! Notice the clothes line. They have pully's so they can just wheel in the clothes and put more on at the same time. We also saw them mowing lawn with the old time push mowers. (My sisters will remember this as the ugly rusted piece of machinery that was out front by the pature that we always wondered what was. I think we even tried to cut toes off with it once?!?! Were mom and dad Amish in their first life???!!!)

One room school house. We saw a few different one's. This looked like a newer one. The shooting that took place a few years back that killed 6 (?) kids was not to far from here. We didn't actualy go there but they said they tore that school down and rebuilt.

Of course we had to get pics of Bovine!!

Sonnie's Tag

8 things I'm passionate about:
1. Matt (yeah baby)
2. Family
3. A good Pepsi
4. Finding a cure for cancer
5. Home Decorating
6. Quilting
7. Being a Mom
8. Canning produce from my garden:)

8 words or phrases I often say:
1. What the . . .
2. Ae you kidding me??
3. Good one Cletus
4. Kayson . . . what is in your mouth now??
5. Trey . . . Trey . . . Trey (usually looking for him)
6. Are the horses watered?
7. Have you done your homework?
8. Breathe through your nose.

8 things I would love to do before I die:
1. Take Matt to Lithuania
2. Take Matt to So. Utah for the Deer Hunt (this has been a dream of mine since we have been married - we have had neighbors from here beat us to it. One day it will happen:)
3. See my children marry and start families.
4. Build my dream BARN.
5. Take Matt to Alaska (since he has now missed 2 different vacations to this destination)
6. Go rafting down the Snake river.
7. Retrace our Honeymoon trip on Road Bikes. (Can't you see me now:))))
8. Have an imaculate yard. (ha, ha . . . I do dream of this!!)

8 things I have learned from my past:
1. If you have premonitions - check into them.
2. Chocolate sold @ the dollar store is not true chocolate.
3. Trust your heart.
4. Life is fragile. So love and be loved.
5. Believe in you!!!
6. I once loved food . . . and still do!!
7. Monetary possesions are just that.
8. It only takes flies 30 seconds to reproduce. (Matt tells me this isn't true but it is my opinion on this scientific matter)

8 places I would love to go and see:
1. Lithuania
2. Germany
3. North Carolia
4. Rikki
5. Nashville
6. Pearl Harbor
7. Nauvoo (again)
8. Washington D. C. (again)

8 things I currently need or want:
1. Everyone kicked out of Washington so we can start anew (and I don't mean with Obama or McCain)
2. Trey to quit eating my sunflower seeds.
3. Mom to call and say we have a new baby in the fam!!
4. Crystal and Merrilee to update their blogs
5. All the little birds out of my hedge. (If you've been to my house lately you know what a mess they are making)
6. A ride in 'Ol Blue. (It is our farm truck, born in the early 70's, rust galore, but I love to drive it because it confuses the kids. They don't know how to roll the windows down or how to pull on the handle to get in. Look how far we have come!!)
7. Chocolate
8. Kayson to have a nap

I Tag: Merrilee, Crystal, Rhonda, and Jillean

Grandpa's Funeral

Here are some misc. pics from Grandpa's Funeral. Many of you may have the same ones but I wanted to share what I have. It was great to get to see all the family and cousins that we don't get to see very often. We love you all!!

James Leak posterity - everyone but Jason, Samuel, and Juanita

Jordan - Gary - Matt

Gary explaining where the left-handed home run boundry for wiffle ball was @ the old homestead in West Jordan

Uncle Tom and Matt

Rikki - Jordan - Matt


Aynslee and Alisa

Ryanne

Kael - Grandpa - Jayden