Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

We all had a very nice Christmas up here in the North Pole - OOPS!!- I mean in Hyde Park. It sure seems like its the North Pole here with all the snow and cold temps!! Anyway, we hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We sure did!! All our family was together again on Christmas Eve. It was great!! Stacy got home late Tuesday afternoon. We are so glad she's here! After we picked her up we went and visited my parents. I gave them their blankets I made for them and they were so excited!! I was so happy to see them excited for them. After, we met Justin, Jenny and the kids at Tepanyki (I probably misspelled it but hopefully you get it) restaurant for Gary's birthday. Wednesday, on Christmas Eve, we all went sledding and have lots of fun. After, we had lunch, opened presents and enjoyed each other's company. Brandon, Nicole and the kids stayed at our house that night on Christmas Eve. It was so fun to have little kids again on Christmas morning!! They bring such joy to our family and especially this year on Christmas morning. Nicole's dad and brother came up that afternoon and had Christmas dinner with us. We all had a nice day and we are ever so grateful for all we have, especially each other!!! Dad and I love each one of you kids and grandkids so much! Life wouldn't be worth it without you guys. You make life worth living. We love you all so much!!!! Happy Holidays to you all!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARY!!

Today was Gary's 55th birthday. Wow!! Now he can qualify for senior discounts, YEA!! He spent the most of the day going to work and then shoveling snow until Brandon, Nicole and the kids came by. When Travis got off work, we had Dominoes Pizza. We love the Philly Steak and Cheese Pizza!! Chayse was anxious to have cake, so we sang and had Gary's cake and ice cream. Happy Birthday Gary!!
P.S. We missed you Justin, Jenny, Taylor and Kai and Stacy!! See Ya Soon!!

A Happy Reunion

Friday night, Gary and I went to Grey Cliff Lodge Restaurant in Ogden Canyon to meet up with my friends, JoAnne and Kris and their husbands. We get together every year at Christmastime. This has been a tradition for us for about 30 years. We were all roommates at Ricks College years ago. Actually, JoAnne and I were friends during high school too and she is also Gary's 1st cousin. We take turns having the party. We used to have it at each others homes but the past few years have been meeting half way at a restaurant because we found it is easier for us all not to have to travel so far. JoAnne and Greg always had to do the most traveling since they live in Provo and both Kris and I live in Cache Valley. I hope this will continue on for as long as we are able. It has been a fun tradition and fun to catch up on each others lives as life is so hectic these days we don't get a chance to keep in touch like we hope to.

Merry Christmas Mom and Dad!!

The same day that we had the Leavitt Christmas Party, our family went to visit my parents for Christmas since our family wasn't going to have a formal party this year. It is a little sad that our family parties aren't the same like they used to be. But, as the family grows, mom and dad's house gets a little smaller and this year their health has not be good. Hopefully, in the upcoming years, we can find a bigger place to have our parties so our tradition doesn't have to stop. We had such fun parties. We started having them on Christmas Eve when all the family lived in the Salt Lake Valley. Then, we set a time during December when Merlin's family and ours moved out of the valley. Hopefully, we can keep up the Christmas party tradition in the years to come by finding a bigger place. Knowing that mom can't plan and have the parties with the family like we used to, brings tears to her eyes and mine. We will always cherish the memories we have had. Thanks mom and dad for the memories. We love you!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

'Tis The Season

One week ago, we had our annual Leavitt Christmas party at Carol's condo clubhouse. It was fun to get reacquainted with all the family. We had a good turn out this year. We are starting to get a lot of little kids again in the family. It was fun to remember how it was all our kids (the grandkids) that was sitting on Santa's lap every year and now it is all the great grandkids that is sitting on Santa's lap. How time flies!! We've had alot of good memories of Christmas parties through the years. Thanks to our mom and dad, Ruth and Lug and to Viola and Marion who kept these fun traditions going! We love you!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

SICK! SICK! SICK!

I guess since Jordan didn't have a long enough weekend during Thanksgiving, he decided to come down with strep throat this past week. Therefore, he had another week away from school. This wasn't a very good week, however, he was sick as a dog!! I took him to the Dr. on Tuesday and got an antibiotic for him and the Dr. said he would be ok to go to school on Thursday but his throat has been so sore he was miserable!! I have never seen such a nasty looking throat! Jordan took a picture of the inside of his throat so people would believe that he really did have a BAD sore throat. The back of his throat was covered in white spots. I would post the picture but it is pretty graphic!! (ha ha) Anyway, I think he is starting to feel a little better now. I just glad this didn't happen during Christmastime. Hopefully, the rest of us will stay well!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. Gary, I, Travis and Jordan went to my parents house this year. My brother Merlin and his wife Cindy and their 3 unmarried kids, my brother Lynn and his wife Eva Jean, my brother Gordon and my sister Carla all came. It was the year for all our married kids to go to their in-laws so we decided all to meet at mom and dad's and cook dinner. It was especially special because we feel blessed that my mom is here with us this Thanksgiving. I am grateful for all our families and so glad we have such wonderful parents. We watched some old home movies and was fun to see them all together so we could comment on them and have some laughs. May we always be grateful for what we have and not dwell on what we don't have!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Halloween has never been a favorite holiday of mine as an adult. I'm sure as a kid, I was as excited as kids are now about Halloween. I'm not one to dress up because it's too big of a pain. When the kids were little, it was awful trying to come up with something the kids would like to be and also something that you could afford to make or buy. But, as mom's do, we try to make it as fun for the kids as we can. Anyway, at work this year, my manager somehow talked us into dressing up for work. At the end of the work day yesterday, none of us knew what we were going to be. I almost decided it wasn't worth it. I found a witches hat that Stacy used years ago but that was about it. I had thrown all the old face makeup from years past away awhile ago and I was too cheap to buy more so I decided if I were to paint my face it would have to be with my regular makeup. So, to make a long story short, I went to work as a witch. When I got to work, low and behold, the other two ladies were witches too! What's more fitting than lunch ladies being witches. Ha Ha! Anyway, we did have a good time at work as witches and I was glad I dressed up for Halloween this year. I guess when you get older, it's fun to do something young again. I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!!

LaDonna and Stacy's Trip

I went back to New Jersey to visit Stacy and have some fun last Thursday morning. We were able to go tour Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty , Philadelphia and New York City. Friday, we went and took a ferry over to Ellis Island which is a famous spot where immigrants came to the U.S. during the late 1800's and early 1900's. It is a museum and the original building. Then we got back on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Here you can overlook the skyline of New York City. We also climbed 156 stairs to the actual base of the statue and could over look Jersey and New York. It was a pretty warm day until later while waiting for the ferry back it got cold and windy next to the water.
Saturday, we drove to Philadlephia. It was only about an hour and a half away. It was a beautiful drive through their towns. Big, tall beautiful trees were lined up on both sides of the road. We passed through the town of Princeton University. (Later, on the way back we looked at the university more) In Philly, we went to the historical district and saw Independence Hall, Congress and City Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, and graves of Ben Franklin and other famous people in history. It was a rainy day that day. Luckily, it wasn't really cold.
Sunday, we rode the train to New York City. Stacy warned me that as we went up the stairs from the train terminal and into the city that it might be a shock. Yes, it was! I wasn't really scared but a little nervous to be honest. But later, it wasn't bad, just a whole different world out there. We only had the day and so we did as much as we could. I really liked the Rockefeller Center with the ice rink and Central Park. Luckily, we decided to take the bike trailer tour so we could see all the park. Otherwise, we would of only seen a small portion of it. We were able to find the New York Temple which I hoped we could. It's just so different seeing a temple like that just part of the other buildings. The only way I recognized it was by looking up and seeing the Angel Moroni. It gave me a tingly feeling seeing it. Anyway, after that we went and ate at a place called Serendipity. It's famous for their frozen hot chocolate and we made reservations a week in advance because sometimes it's hard to get into. It's somewhat overpriced but a very cute, quaint little restaurant and something you just have to try once! Besides this was my early birthday lunch from Stacy. Later, we rode the subway (which made me a little nervous!) back towards Times Square because by then our legs and feet were very tired!! We of course then had to do some shopping which was fun. By then it was getting dark and their were tons more people. Stacy said that's when it's always busiest. Even their stores stayed open till really late. We went into Macy's and Stacy warned me how big it was and I only saw a very small portion of it. It was huge!!! It was neat because a couple of their escalators were still the wooden ones from back in the day. After our day was done, we rode the train back. We were pretty tired by then but it was really a great day.
I thought it was interesting that in New Jersey it is illegal to pump your own gas. So, you go to the pumps and a guy is there to do it for you. If it is cash it has to be a even amount.
Monday, we just kind of hung out and went to a few stores and another mall. Oh, we also went to the Short Hills Mall that has all the famous designer stores in it on Friday night. Even though New York has these stores too, they say alot of famous people will come to this mall to shop. It was a very fancy mall! Then I had to leave Stacy and fly back home. They ended up changing my flight and so I flew into Atlanta, which is a pretty big airport, instead on Cincinnati, and then flew to Salt Lake. This got me in about an hour and half later than planned so by the time we got home was about 2 a.m. Gary and I were both pretty tired to go to work today, but I would do it all again to have a fun trip like that again. I missed everyone while I was gone and appreciate my family for taking care of things while I was away and I miss Stacy now again but will look forward to Christmas time when she comes home. It's a good thing we had a quick goodbye. She just had to drop me off at the airport so she could go back to the kids.
It was a great adventure for me and a fun bonding time with Stacy. Stacy did a great job navigating me around everywhere. She has learned fast where things are and which roads to take. The roads there are very confusing!!!
Good job Stacy!! I love you and thanks again for a great time!!!

Nighttime at Times Square

Ate lunch at "Serendipity" famous for their frozen hot chocolate..

The New York Temple

Our bike trailer ride around Central Park

Central Park

Beautiful trees around the house

Stacy's home in New Jersey

Liberty Bell

Independence Hall

Overlooking New York City in the Ellis Island Museum

Stacy in front of The Statue of Liberty

At the Statue of Liberty Island overlooking New York City

Weekend Getaway

This past Friday, Gary and I went to Sherwood Hills for a night stay and dinner. Our kids gave us this getaway for our anniversary a year and 2 weeks ago. It was about time to use it don't you think!! We had a nice time and a great dinner!! It was nice just to relax and chill. We would recommend this restaurant, Bella Monte, to anyone that would like a nice romantic dinner Italian style. It wasn't too crowded, not noisy, great food, and the price was decent. It was beautiful weather that evening so we walked around outside before dinner. We thought the leaves would be more bright in color, but I think that was a few weeks ago. During the night, the storm that was predicted came in howling and pouring rain. It definitely felt like fall. After we left Sherwood Hills, we went on to Salt Lake to visit family. My niece, Chelsey just got home from her mission and so all their family was down to see mom and dad. It was nice visiting everyone. Gary, later that afternoon, had a get together with his siblings. He had a nice time there too. We got home later that night. We had a great time!
The next day, Sunday, Justin and his family came up for the day. We had another get together for Travis' birthday. We had a good day playing and visiting and eating. Of course, the boys and were into the ping pong thing and played most of the day against each other and the grandkids had fun playing with each other.

Happy 26th Birthday Travis!!

Happy Birthday Travis! Your a big whopping 26 year old!! Today, Travis took the day off work. (what do you think this is, your birthday?) He bought himself a birthday present, a new home weight gym set. I guess he's got too big for the one he has. (ha ha) He drove down to Ogden to pick it up and spent the rest of the day putting it together, which has been quite a big job! When it was time for him to come over home to have his birthday dinner, he still hadn't finished it. So, after dinner, cake and ice cream and some ping-pong with Jordan and Brandon, Travis had to hurry home to finish putting it together so he could work out tomorrow. We hope you had a good birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRAVIS....WE LOVE YOU!!

The "Big Ride"

This past weekend, Alan, Judy and most of Troy's family camped out at the Bear Lake Camperworld. Alan invited Gary to come up on Saturday and take a 50 mile bike ride around Bear Lake. Gary accepted the invitation and these two old farts made the trip with no problems except dodging an occasional lightning bolt and periodic rain! Actually, the weather was usually ahead or behind them. Gary was impressed with Alan's abilities. He hopes he'll be able to ride 50 miles when he is 64.

After the ride, Troy barbecued hamburgers and Judy added the rest of the fixins for a great meal. And, of course, everyone visited Lebeau's for the traditional raspberry shake. Gary had a great time with Alan and his family.

By the way, September 22nd (today) is Alan's birthday. Happy 64th Birthday!!!

HAPPY 32nd ANNIVERSARY

On our anniversary I want to thank you for being with me for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, through everything! Thanks for being a great dad, grandpa and husband. Happy Anniversary Gary!! I love you!

A TRIBUTE

I wanted to write a tribute to my parents. They are my heroes and my examples. I couldn't have asked for better parents and grandparents to our children. Wednesday, Sept. 17th, my mom will go home from the re-hab center. It has been about 4 months since her bad accident. She is a true miracle. We never thought she would make it past the first month. To be going home and walking with her walker is a miracle!!! Also, to have her mind as alert as she was before the accident is a miracle with the head injury she had. She spent several weeks in ICU and a few other times on other floors in the hospital and at an assisted living place besides the re-hab center. For the first month, she was in a "different world", mom says. She saw and heard members of her deceased family and many other people who were around her (My sister and I say it was her guardian angels). I remember a time I was talking to my brother, Lynn after being with mom and said that I didn't think she was going to make it. It was a very hard time for us all, especially my dad who has never been apart from his sweetheart until this accident. Mom told me she remembers hearing her sister, Lova (who died in Feb. '08) talking to the doctors and telling them what to do. Mom said, "she always was bossy". I'm not surprised that my mom was partly in the afterlife because mom is one of the most intune and spiritual women I know. She is also like the "Duracell bunny", she just keeps on going! She is fiesty and a fighter. We know this because how she has been able to overcome this trial and many other physical trials she has had. Mom's hearing was affected by her accident and she could hardly hear. Both her and dad has now got new hearing aids and has made a big difference for them, especially mom. Dad has had a tough time. He has been very lonely without mom. As much as the family tries to be with him it still is hard. His health hasn't been good but considering all thats happened, he's done amazing well. A few weeks ago, he dislocated his collarbone. It took a few days to get him to the dr. and figure out what was going on. It has healed some but it won't be totally better from what I hear. He is just going to have to be really careful when he uses his arm. My parents are very good and unselfish people and have always helped other people in need throughout their lives. Having help has been hard for them but it is now their time to let other people help them. I hope all goes well with mom being home. I know both of them will be a lot happier just being together all the time again. Mom will have in-home health care and therapy to help her continue to heal. I'm sure all our children will agree that they have been very lucky to have such wonderful grandparents, both my parents and Gary's parents. They will always be our heroes and someone to look up too.

Good Job Stacy!

As some of you know, Stacy started her own blog (with thanks to Nicole). So I won't be saying too much about her life in New Jersey. I'll let her keep everyone up on things there.

Update on Stacy

Just an update on Stacy. She is doing well and loves the family she lives with and adores the children. The family treats her very well. She has a cute bedroom downstairs with her own bathroom. Shelly, the mother has fixed it up really cute for her. She has been traveling around trying to get used to where everything is there. She has made acquaintances with Wal-Mart and Target, which are very important!! ha ha
Yesterday (Wed) she had to go to the boys private school to get some training which is about 45 minutes away from their home. She struggled a little bit finding her way there but found it without too much problem. Coming home was a different story. She kind of got lost and spent an extra hour or so trying to find her way back home. She did get back home safely and got a lot of sight seeing done (LOL)! She says the roads and freeway system is really different than here. I guess I will see for myself when I go back to visit her the end of October. I'm so excited!!!

Jordan can drive a 5-speed!!!

Jordan has finally conquered the gear shift delema and now drives our "infamous" Geo Prizm. He got his official license in June and its actually been kind of nice not having to take him places now that the "horror" of him driving by himself has eased up a bit for us. But, we are sure glad the learning to drive thing is finally done with. He didn't quite have the desire to have his license right when he turned 16 in January like his siblings were when they turned 16 but that was all right with Gary and I. We had been letting him drive my Nissan Altima but glad he's got the Geo now. He is very glad too that Stacy didn't sell her Jeep (not that we are not trying) when she went back to New Jersey because now there is a car for all 3 of us here when Gary can't ride his motorcycle any longer because of the weather. However, he is having to start to learn the expense of having your own car (even though it's not officially his) which will be good for him and he has to keep his grades up.

The Nanny Diaries of Stacy

On September 1st, we sent Stacy far away to Watchung, New Jersey where she is a nanny for a wonderful family who has triplets that she will care for. There is one girl and two boys and are 8 years old. The two boys are autistic. Because of Stacy's experience of 4-5 years dealing with special needs kids, the Milstein Family was very impressed. They have a very nice home and they provide Stacy with all her room and board needs and a nice, Honda Civic to drive. Stacy has been very welcomed into their family and they all love her and she them. Stacy has always wanted to get back to the East Coast again and so now she has her chance. While she is back there, she hopes to get to visit New York again and alot of other places she would like to go. Her family is going to miss her terribly but we are excited for her and for the experiences she will have. I will keep everyone updated on Stacy and her adventures.

The ping pong family

I thought I would follow in the footsteps of my creative daughter-in-laws and start a blog to keep up with the rest of the Leavitt's. Nicole and Jenny does a super job in keeping up to date on their lives with their cute families. First off, our boys and Gary are obsessed with the ping pong thing. They are very competitive with each other and really get into the thing with each other. It could be worse right!! Anyway, I'm glad they have found something that they all enjoy doing together. Luckily, this summer, we were able to get a ping pong/pool table and Justin has one at his house. So, on Labor Day, we weren't able to go to Bear Lake because of the weather ( so we went Sat. before except Justin's family didn't go) Justin and his family came up to spend the day and the boys spent most of their time playing ping pong. They all claim to be the best!! (ha ha)

The Leavitt Family Blog Book

GARY & LADONNA'S FAMILY BOOK