Day 89: Spam-pa Neil

(Rob - bad photoshop contribution) Grandpa has always loved spam.

(Maddie) When I first got my email, my friends sent me lame forwards and lots of spam. I loved it... until I started getting spam-pa spam. It was then that spam went to a new and exciting level. For those of you who have never received spam-pa, it is truly a treat. I don't really have much to say, but I've posted just a few treasures that spam-pa has sent me below.

And, in honor of Spam-pa's genes, we found a few of our own (parents preview the 2nd before gathering the kiddies around):

Day 88: Hornswoggles

horn·swog·gle
[hawrn-swog-uh l]

-verb (used with object), -gled, -gling. Slang.
to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.

And might I add: to nuzzle another with whiskers and scruff so as to tickle and show affection.

Little kids like to be tickled. Don't ask me why. It's science. You know what else is science? Hornswoggles tickle.

Part of the excitement of a hornswoggle stems from the sound of the word 'hornswoggle', which is just silly in and of itself. Another piece of excitement comes from hope of every hyper diaper child that someone will be ready to chase you at a moment's notice. Once you're caught, even more excitement comes from the snorting sounds made by a zany dad as he burrows his whiskers into your neck.

Hornswoggles tickle all right. All of the kids can attest to it. They were just one of the many ways Dad showed us that he loved us.

Day 87: Rummy!

Some of my favorite memories of Dad involve games of Rummy. We've played Rummy everywhere from up in the mountains to sky high in airplanes. I enjoyed working at Extra Space for three summers and being able to come home for a quick bite to eat and a game of Rummy with Dad. He is the king of holding cards and going out all at once, which taught me that sometimes in games you have to be a risk taker if you want to catch people unawares and make everybody mad.

I remember one day in particular in high school when Mom and Dad grounded me for something silly like not having cleaned my room in four years, it's hard to remember. After hanging out with me for a little bit, they realized how awesome I am and decided that it would be a travesty if they didn't at least give me a chance to become ungrounded. We decided to wager my groundedness over a game of Rummy. We were seated at the Holladay Boulevard house at the long table in the family room just off of the kitchen. After two games, my victory was secured and I was officially ungrounded. I always wondered if they threw the game for me, but I'm thinking not, because Dad was looking at my cards through the reflection in the window until I realized it and closed the shutters (If he'll cheat at Sorry, what's next?).

It's funny, because being with friends seemed so important to me at the time, yet today I couldn't tell you who I was with or what we did that night. But I can still vividly remember spending time with Mom and Dad and that's what's important to me now.

When I think of playing card games my mind is also drawn to the many times I walked to Nanny and Charles' house from Rosecrest and played Rummy and War with the original Nanny. Nanny couldn't shuffle well, but she sure could play a mean game of cards...ton (sorey, I couldn't resist). I'm glad that Nanny taught Rummy to Dad so he could teach it to all of us. If that's even how it happened.

Day 86: Closer to Fine

When I was 14 years old, we moved from our old house in Canyon Rim to the Holladay Blvd. house. I had just been elected as a cheerleader at Evergreen Junior High and mom and dad decided that I could still go to Evergreen. I promised to take the bus home each day, and we decided that it would be really slick.

Dad was still commuting to the old house to work at his office in a period of transition, and that meant that we had a special commute together each morning as he drove me to school in the green Ford Explorer. An Indigo Girls had found its eternal spot as first cd in the player and I swear that we listened to that cd every day that year. Because of that, I always think of driving with Dad when I hear the song, “Closer to Fine”.

Remember the bus pass I mentioned? Well, I didn’t either. I made some of the best friends that year and decided that it would actually be more convenient to hang out with my said friends and for Dad to pick me up on his way home at 5. In hindsight, I’m sure it was only more convenient for me, but that year really redeemed my junior high experience and I gained special friendships that I still cherish- not only with my friends, but with my dad.

I don’t remember much about what we talked about. I’m sure I was boy crazy, I’m sure it was dramatic, and I’m sure he wished that he could reach into my life and give me more perspective at times. I will always remember those times we spent each day, and I think it created a relationship and atmosphere where I knew I could talk to Dad about anything.

Day 85: The Neil Effect

Grandpa Neil's musical talents and sinister "scary" genes have all been well documented thus far. Even his smile has been shown to be hereditarily contagious.

But what about his visage? Countless baby LeBaron boys have been endowed with the "Neil Effect." The little ones are particularly susceptible when wearing a hat of any kind. Case in point, Exhibit A below shows baby Anders from behind. The soft pale neck fat and the domed, slightly sagging cap is a dead giveaway (sorry Dad).

Exhibit A: Baby Anders from behind

The front view is no less incriminating. Feathery hair, double chin, bright blue eyes, silly LeBaron ears, stained shirt...the list goes on :-)

Exhibit B: Baby Anders, front view

Exhibit C: Baby Beans (Bentley)

Exhibit D: Duck Beans

Exhibit E: Baby Kai

Exhibit F: Baby Kai

Exhibit G: Baby Porter

Exhibit H: Baby Porter

Exhibit I: Baby Finch

Exhibit J: Baby Neil

We love you dad and we're glad that we get to see a little piece of you every day in our children. The legacy lives on!

Day 84: Gesundheit!!

We spent the day with dad today and I'm certain he sneezed no less than 7 times. Each sneeze was loud and fast and scary!

I must admit that I am a lover of untamed sneezes.

I never understood the person who could contain a sneeze to a squeaky "ahchew!" while my own sneeze, if it came down to it, would most likely wake the dead:

BLAHHHHH-SHOOOOO!!!

You always hear those frightening facts that if you keep your eyes open when you sneeze that they'll explode out of the sockets. With our family - I have no doubts of (or intentions of proving) their truthfulness. Here are some other interesting facts about sneezing:

• The tradition of blessing someone with "good health" (gesundheit literally translated) started centuries ago during the plague where a sneeze was often a symptom of the fatal disease.
• Some studies have shown that sneezing can provoke a stroke or follow a seizure (or, in dad's case, give a heart attack to anyone within earshot of his "KA-BLOOEY!!" sneeze). :)
• A sneeze by a storyteller at just the right time can be a sign of truthfulness to an otherwise fabled tale.
• Sneezing during a prayer (according to Jewish tradition) is a sign that God heard your prayer.
• Bright lights, strong odors, even extreme emotions such as happiness, fear, anxiety, resentment can cause the body to sneeze.
• Pregnant women may be more susceptible to sneezing than others.
• People generally sneeze in patterns - usually once or twice. Some cases report people sneezing up to 10 times or more in a row!

(http://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/22/garden/gesundheit-sneezing-gets-a-big-reaction.html)

Dad, since you enjoyed the youtube video so much of the mom scaring her baby with a loud nose blow, I thought you'd enjoy this video as well. Happy sneezing (and scaring!)

Day 83: Necessity

It is said that necessity is the mother of all invention. Such necessity has produced many of the worlds ill fated automobiles. What man would not love to have his own truck to haul around tools and building materials for various projects, but is forced to opt for a more practical passenger vehicle? Such conundrums have produced the likes of the disasters below, but I say that there is a better way.

One thing comes to mind when I think of how this relates to dad. A quote from one of my favorite TV personalities the one and only Tim Gunn in short, "Make it work!" To me this means taking whatever you have and make it work for you and create something fantastic.

Dad is no different than any other man and is also plauged with the question of how do I get something done and still have practical transportation for my family. From the early days of the 15 passenger to the Aerostar, Galant, Windstar, Corsica, Accord, Passport, and yes even the Nanny mobil, Dad has turned these cars into utility vehicles the likes of which auto manufactures never could have dreamed. I specifically remember being really upset about this during the construction of the Brighton cabin. Dad had recently leased the passport which was equipped with all of the bells and whistles and just a few short months later it was not uncommon to find the back loaded with miter saws, drills with long auger bits, 5-gallon buckets of messmers stain and linseed oil which would frequently tip over and spill all over the back. Nor was it uncommon to find bolts and screws strewn across the leather and shovels and pick-axes covered in mud and gravel laying on the seats. All of these things made me angry in my ignorance. I thought it almost blasphemous to treat a fine automobile as a work truck. Surely dad would bemoan his decisions and finally realize he needed a pickup truck to adequately get the job done.

Now that I am older and my truck has come and gone. I am also faced with the same questions. And just like dad I will not be lining up to purchase a subaru Baja or any other truck hybrid. I have chosen to follow my fathers example much to the chagrin of my future teenage sons and "make it work" The black honda is my go to vehicle for all projects and if you doubt its usefulness as such let me give you a quick run down of what is currently in the trunk and back seat of my car. I have a compound miter saw, air compressor, circular saw, 2 finish nail guns, 1 framing nail gun, jig saw, router, power planer, 2 cordless drills, orbital sander, sledge hammer, level, screwdrivers, chisels, hammers, nail sets, pry bars, stud finder, squares, tool belt, tool bags, and many other small hand tools like allen wrenches, crescent wrenches, and pliers to name a few. Come to think of it, I better go make sure my car is locked.

Dad I love your resourcefulness and your enthusiasm for conquering any job. I have loved helping you on so many different projects and remodels. You are the one that has given me the confidence to figure things which has led me to my love of building things and learning about all aspects of construction. I love you.

Day 82: Dad's Dirty Jobs

As Rob was disposing of a mouse in a trap the other day (I thought of you, Tom & Jess!), I was so grateful to have a Dad in the house to do those dirty kinds of Dad jobs. It made me think of all the thankless, yucky things that fathers do over the years. I would like to thank you, Dad, for doing all of those jobs for us!! I'm sure we rarely noticed or thanked you for things like:

• disposing of dead mice
• clearing shower drains
• packing the van or boat for trips
• cleaning out the van or boat after trips
• emptying garbages
• plunging toilets
• planting a garden (tilling, shoveling compost, etc. The rest of it was slave labor for us kids, right?)
• outfitting 8 kids with gear and taking us skiing/waterskiing/hiking/river rafting! Sometimes this one seems like the messiest, worst job of all. :)

Even though we tease you about ruining your nice work clothes by doing projects, I love that you are never afraid to jump in on a project or do a job. I love that you were a helpful house husband and set a good standard for a working partnership in the home. I love that you know how to do so many things and are always willing to give material and moral support to our own projects.

My favorite project memory of you is when you and Grandpa LeBaron took a sledgehammer to the back wall of the 2392 house and knocked out a 2nd story door. I know most of the other kids won't remember that, but I thought it was the awesomest thing I'd ever seen.

*There has been some concern at our house about what happens to the mouse in the trap. This video allayed all fears.

Day 81: Movies and McDonald's

How can we talk about Neil without talking about going to the movies or taking grandkids to McDonald's?
I remember the times when there weren't so many grandkids and Neil would take the whole family to watch a movie, such as Napoleon Dynamite, Narnya, or Harry Potter. Neil has gone with James and I to a few movies and it always made me feel special, to have him just for us. I remember one day we were try to decide in between Cat woman or a movie with Will Smith (I don't remember the name) and Neil said: "It depends who you want to see in leather pants" , Two against one: Hale Berry won.
Because I am such a freak mother, most of the movie dates James had after Tiago's birth were with Neil. Thank you, Neil for being there for James these last 5 years.
We've being to McDonald's with Neil and grandkids many times, either before a movie or when him and RuthAnn were babysitting or just our little family. On the Saturday after my surgery, he came over to spend some time with Tiago and Isabel, he took them there to play and eat. My kids were extremely happy to have that special time just with grandpa, all they talked about were how they had a special day. Thank you, Neil for making everyone in the family to fell unique, special and loved. We all love you for all you are. You are Tiago's and Isabel's favorite grandfather and Isabel's second favorite person in the whole world.

Luci

Day 80: Songs of Joy

This topic deserves many a post.

It comes as no surprise that Dad has imbued all of his children with the gift and love of music. Some of my earliest memories revolve around Dad holding me on his lap singing me a song, singing at my bedside before I drifted off to sleep, or singing hymns next to me in church. In fact, for a long time, I thought dad didn't know how to sing because he never sang the melody...I later found out he was singing tenor.

Dad's musical abilities also emerged in the form of early-morning scripture reading. He would accompany our family to hymns that—even after 25 years of playing the piano—are still difficult for me to play, including In our Lovely Deseret, The Light Divine, and Scatter Sunshine (this despite the relative lack of sunshine spreading at 6:00 a.m.).

I'm so grateful to dad for his love of music and for sharing his gift with us throughout all of these years. From encouraging us join the "Carols of Christmas" choir during the Holidays to having our family sing together in the Sacred Grove during our epic Church History vacation, I have been richly blessed by music in my own life and hope that I can bring the same spirit and testimony of music with my own family.

Day 79: Cameras, Photo Sessions and Sausage Fingers

(Rob) Some of my funnest memories with Grandpa have to do with photography. When I first started dating Flori, folks still shot 35mm film. Grandpa had just purchased a new camera (very much like the one above), and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. That may explain why I now own a camera of my own the size of a toaster oven. Anyways that camera rarely left his side, and there were always a few stacks of prints on end tables, his office desk, and sometimes even on the grand piano upstairs (Canyon Rim house). He was always taking fun pictures and documenting the happiness and silliness family and friends -- a great trait that has already been well highlighted.

Beyond fun, candid shots (the ones that I think are truly priceless), Grandpa knew when to call in the professionals. Busath did our engagement and wedding photos, and I discovered the serious side of high-end photography.

Grandpa also knows professional photographic fun. What would photos be like without this character?

Dave introduced "mother never knew" and his studio banter made sausage fingers something enviable. Which one of us has not felt the urge to sneak them into a photo or two just to tick Dave off? Here is Grandpa succumbing to the irresistible call.

Day 78: Giving Life

Grandpa and Maisy- April 2011

Mom and Dad just left Fort Collins on Tuesday of this last week. They came to help us out with Maisy's surgery and for her baby blessing. "It's always fun when Grandpa comes, hooray, Hooray. He always says the nicest things and in the kindest way. He has a wrinkly twinkly smile, he's jolly all the day. It's always fun for everyone when Grandpa comes". We decided that Maisy has Dad's moon eyes.

This was Dad's first chance to meet Maisy but we are grateful for the love and support we've felt from afar. It was so good to see Dad and Gracie wondered the day before they arrived why Nanny usually never lets Grandpa come. Let it just be said, that behind every great Nanny is a Grandpa who is usually working just as hard at home as Nanny is working while she is away. We're happy that Nanny finally let you come too!:)

This post is multi-faceted, because there are many ways that dad gives life. First, Dad is the father of 8 children. I really appreciate his sacrifice more each day. I appreciate dad's involvement in my life and his example of service and love. (I could write a novel, but this is where I'll stop with this, because I think it deserves more detail and a different post).

Maggie and Neil Donating blood for Maisy- April 2011

#2 Dad gave life to Maisy last week by donating blood for her surgery. I thought it was really neat that he was there when she needed a blood transfusion and they used Dad's blood because they had already used mine. That was a very personal and helpful way to bless Maisy's life after surgery.

Dad donates blood often, even though the iodine or other iodine substitutes irritate his arm and leave a rash for weeks. This is also impressive because Dad is the king of the "double stick" because they never seem to get his veins right.

Grandpa and Maisy one day after open heart surgery

#3) Dad gives life to dreams. He has always been so supportive of all of our dreams and has helped find ways to achieve them (sometimes financially and sometimes through lending support and encouragement). I think of missions, study abroad programs, college, master's programs, ensemble, marriage, jobs and more.

#4) Dad gave life to our yard by planting some tomato plants in our backyard and some flowers in our front yard (I know Mom helped too). It reminds me of Dad working hard to make his yards look beautiful.

#

#5) Dad also gives life to small, furry stuffed animals or toys. I don't have a picture of Dad doing this, but I have always loved watching dad make a toy lizard or a stuffed animal move its way up dad's arm. This might also be worth its own post, but it never ceases to make me smile (and maybe squirm a little). I love Dad's menagerie of little tricks that keep life light-hearted.

Thanks for coming and helping us out! We love you!

Mom and Dad at Pasquini's in Denver- April 2011

Day 77: breath mints and funny cards

by: me, MADDIE!!!!

Whenever our family visits Grandpa or when he visits us, special treats are always around. It might be chocolate covered raisins for my dad or dark chocolate for my mom. If we go to church, you can be sure that during a very LONG talk a little green breath mint will be pressed into the palm of your hand.

Grandpa Neil also loves antiques. I remember for my eighth birthday, Grandpa was visiting Indiana. We decided that my dad, Grandpa and I would all go on a "date" together. We went to an antiques store. I hadn't ever really been to one, but it was a blast. Grandpa has a good eye for fun things and I'm sure he found a quirky sign on that trip. This is an example of something fun grandpa might find.

Grandpa Neil is capable of finding the funniest things in the world around him. For birthdays, I always look forward to getting a card from Grandpa. They are always hilarious. I look forward to reading my e-mails because grandpa often will send a funny video clip as well.

I love you Grandpa.

Day 76: Reading Glasses, Artichoke Hearts and HGTV

When I think of Neil I can't help but smile. Who doesn't appreciate his jolly telephone greeting after he has made his mad dash to the phone, "Hello, Neil!"? Or his giant collection of reading glasses found throughout the house that for some reason my children find irresistible?

Can Anyone Say Papa Neil?

When I think of Neil, I think of suspenders, family history indexing in front of the tv, volunteering, sunflower seeds and late night snacks of artichoke hearts. Neil always has news to share and a story to tell and belongs to what he and I refer to as the First to Know club. Before I was even apart of this family, Neil welcomed me with open arms, but it wasn't until I lived in his basement that I feel that I truly got to know him.

Since I have had children, I have often found myself feeling like a single mother while Tom attended school at night and Ruth Ann managed to keep herself busy between teaching classes, Relief Society, taking care of her mother, and traveling, so Neil and I spent many evenings together. Sometimes Porter and I would join him for dinner but Tuesday or Thursday evenings were oftentimes spent watching television. He would poke his head downstairs to inform me that a certain show was on and that I was more than welcome to come watch it with him. We enjoyed Wipeout and the Thursday Night Comedy Lineup, but the hands down favorite was anything on HGTV.

By now, Neil and I should be skilled "House Hunters" with the ability to "Design on a Dime" to find the perfect "Curb Appeal", "Rip and Renew" anything and conquer the "Kitchen Impossible"! Because of Neil I have become a DIY junkie!

I am forever grateful, not only for Neil's generosity, but for the valuable bonding time he and I were able to share that year.

Day 75: All Together

Sometimes when people find out that there were 8 kids in our family growing up, they ask, "Did you feel like you were always competing for food and attention?"

The answer is an emphatic yes. The problem, of course, does not lie in the sheer number of siblings...the issue is that—to one degree or another—LeBarons are all performers. We have Dad to blame for that since he's the literal offspring of the original Nanny.

The video below demonstrates this pretty well. In 30 seconds, we have at least 7 of 10 LeBarons actively vying for attention (in the middle of a graveyard no less). I invite you to watch the video several times and scrutinize what's happening. From Jim giving Bob bunny ears to Joseph and myself flailing our chemo arms across the top of the screen to Tommy doing "jazz hands" at the end (among other nonsense), there's a lot going on. Mary didn't really say much, but her overalls are clearly screaming for attention...I apologize that Joe's not wearing a tank top. Don't worry, there are plenty more gems from this vacation to come.

Dad, thank you for putting up with the theatrics. I pity the many clients, ward members, and neighbors who came to our house on legitimate, often times stressful business, only to have their meetings with you upended by our musical performances, magic tricks, arguing, or show-and-tell.

Here's to eternity. All together.

Day 74: What I love about Grandpa, by Sarah Jane

I love Grandpa. I know that there has already been a post about Grandpa's famous smile. I just found this picture of me when I was in kindergarten. It's so Grandpa's smile, and I'm glad I have it.

Anyways, back to the subject. What I love about Grandpa:

• he has a nice smile
• he always carries breath mints
• he always shares his breath mints
• he loves sunflower seeds (and shares them too)
• he always smells good
• he makes me laugh
• he always has the best stories about his childhood; I especially love stories about Grandpa teasing his sisters. I like to tease my sisters too.

Thanks for being a the world's best Grandpa.

Love,

Sarah Jane

Day 73: We Love Neil

From Neil's sister Gail, and her husband Jim.

Neil has been the best brother, brother-in-law, and uncle EVER!! Having him in our lives is a BLESSING.

KADEN and AUBREY say:
Uncle Neil is funny.
Going to Uncle Neil's house is fun!
Nana is lucky to have Neil as her brother.

JODI says:
I love your sense of humor. :-D
I love how supportive you always are of everyone -- including my little family. :-)
I love that you're my favorite uncle!!

DAVE says:
I love Uncle Neil's generosity. (Don't we ALL!!)
I've observed how Neil is concerned about each person, individually.
I appreciate his friendship.

BRANDON says:
Uncle Neil is always smiling and happy.
He makes me feel welcome in his home.
I admire the way he cares so much about his two sisters.

JIM says:
Neil is always positive.
He has a sense of humor that's absolutely captivating.
Neil truly loves the Gospel. He exudes testimony, and his knowledge of the Church is incredible, yet he doesn't flaunt it.

GAIL says:
Neil is brilliant, creative, and loves to laugh (even at himself). He can see the funny side of any situation.
Who else would plan to write a book entitled, Great Ideas That SHOULD Have Worked?
Neil cares deeply about people and worthy causes. His vision of what is truly important in this life is astounding, and he works tirelessly to bless the lives of others (both living and dead).

My brother Neil is a spiritual giant, who loves to let his life be guided by the Spirit. Out of this emerges his self-confidence, his enthusiasm for life, his incredible generosity, and his amazing ability to love.

A LEGACY of LOVE
A big part of what has made Neil wonderful came from his loving parents, Arthur and Florence LeBaron. His parents were always welcoming to family, friends, and even strangers. Faithful and dedicated to the family and to the Lord, Neil's parents gave him a legacy of love and testimony that he and Ruth Ann have passed on to their children, who in turn are passing it on to their children. And so it continues, and grows!



A Family Dinner at Nanny and Grandpa's



Back Row, from left: Jim, Ruth Ann (holding Brandon) Florence, Winston
Front Row: Art, Gail (holding John), Jim, Jodi (holding Mary), Flori, Joseph, Elisa, Jared, Kari, Kirk, Genie

Neil is taking the photo. Sorry Maggie, Tom, and Bob, but you were still the "twinkle in your parents' eyes."

Day 72: Cabin Fever

Everyone should have a laughing place. Mine is the Sundance cabin. Whenever I am there, I feel calm and happy. So many memories and every one of them makes me glad. Thank you, Dad, for helping Grandpa build the cabin. Thank you for taking us there on so many weekends. Thank you for letting us bring our friends, for providing food and entertainment. Thank you for teaching us how to work and build, how to whistle with the snake grass and how to sit quietly by the stream.

I remember tearing up leftover pancakes and setting them out for the squirrels, laughing late at night, and throwing sleeping bags down the top hill. I remember relaxed dinners on the deck with cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, family friends, roommates, young married friends and now with my siblings and nieces and nephews and friends and their children. The cabin is a timeless place to me and sometimes when I am there, I can still feel the little girl inside of me, laughing.

Day 71: Coach

Coach. Remember when I started calling you that? You would say "Stop calling me coach" in that silly, gravely voice of yours. I never listened - partly out of sass and partly out of wanting to give you a little nickname that I hoped would eventually stick. You fought the nickname for about 6 months, but I knew you had grown to love it when you signed a birthday card "love mom and coach"

That was actually a really sweet moment of victory for me! *weeee!!*

Dad, you really are a wonderful coach: Thank you for teaching me to sing parts. Thank you for introducing me to amazing cultures. Thank you for sharing comics and humor with me. Thank you for showing me the importance of living the gospel daily. Thank you for helping me secure Seth in my life (the irony of your similarities has never been lost or wasted on me!). Thank you for passing on your crazy (but highly impressive) business savvy because it has helped me be a better manager at work. Thank you for reading to me and for sharing your love of theater with me. Thank you for being a wonderful example of what a parent, in-law, grandfather and friend should be like.

Good game, Coach. I love you!