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!!!