Merry Christmas 2008

We have officially decided to post our letter this year on our blog. It is the way of the world it seems and we like to be on the cutting edge. Okay, so we’ve had to make some cut backs and advertising is always the first to go so those of you who are expecting to see the latest and greatest models for this past year on paper – too bad. It has been a very quick 2008 and more changes have been made to the employees and the general corporation. Taking our concessions to the people is the trend for this year.

Our employees are potentially on the brink of new achievements and NOT bankruptcy – they don’t have any money anyways. Vice President of Management, Jake, will be six on Jan. 5th and has been enjoying his term in kindergarten. He is excelling in all things pre-first grade and still thinks he’s going to be a huge rock star. He’s practiced, defined and nailed the “rock star pose with guitar” so he should do well if anyone is need of an air guitar player. He played baseball this past summer and really enjoyed inspecting the dirt, grass and all passing airplanes before the ball so maybe music will be a better fit. He still has close ties with Spongebob Squarepants, John Deere and Ryan Braun. He has found his groove being a big brother and catching the co-workers not following suit – well, Jake is the first to notify the higher ups. The VP’s of HR and Operations never knew what hit them – yet.

Nick officially become 2 on December 15th and quickly moved up to the VP of HR. A huge achievement for someone so young and in a short time but it really doesn’t mean Human Resources – more like Hungry and Ready! That boy can eat and we still can’t keep his pants up! Nick has positively secured an obsession of wearing his John Deere baseball hat 24/7. We’ve taught him to take it off when eating and sleeping otherwise it’s on his head all the time. Anything John Deere or truck related will score you major points. He also loves to read, laugh and dance but mostly loves to push the lawnmower around the office. It's an obsession but great practice for relieving the COO of having to do it down the road. For now, batteries instead of gas - it's cheaper!

Our Vice President of Operations is well suited being last and the only girl. Abby, also officially two on December 15th, has informed everyone that it’s her way or the highway. She is good at her job and raises the bar when it comes to excelling in dominance and independence. If you have it and she wants its – look out. Abby also loves to dance, sing and read. Puzzles seem to be the trend of the moment and cookies as well. She is a wonderful hugger and kisser so be prepared for a warm, sloppy greeting.

Our COO John is still busy full-time with Quick Cable and other household projects. He built a beautiful shed this summer and also re-cooped from a shed-related injury but has continued to maintain other small projects around the Leto household. Most of his time is consumed with making sure his employees are clean, fed, injury-free and happy as well as making the company run smoothly with his “tight ship” mentality. OSHA would be so proud. He loves to support the Brewers and goes into withdrawal when the season is done. The Packers just haven’t been the same without the legend #4. Go Jets!


Jennifer has decided to step down as COO to take on an outside position as SSS-SS (Sales Support Specialist-SignScape) full-time. Although she remains a top executive for 2nd shift and weekends, her time is now spent at Inpro Corporation from 8:30 - 5. Getting to work, on time, is the first challenge. As well as making sure the Leto (three-foot and under) employees are bathed, dressed, fed and happy as well. She still continues with her "desperate measures" escape plan by keeping in shape teaching Stability Ball and Pilate's two nights a week. Lately she has gotten back into reading and staying up past 8:00. Don’t laugh, it’s important to have goals.

We continue to really enjoy life here in Wisconsin and hope that the winter isn’t a record breaker or back breaker for that matter. Check in frequently at our blog to see what positions have been created, moved and open for those of you wanting to be apart of the Leto force that it is. We can always use babysitters!

May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
God Bless – John, Jennifer, Jake, Nick and Abby

flu...

WOW, we got hit hard by the flu this past weekend. It's the first time the whole family went down at once and it moved quickly. Odd though, Nicky got it first on Sat. and it took 36 hours for it to make it to the rest of us. We wanted to go see the holiday lights and had everyone in the van and nothing out of the normal with Nicky whining about something. 15 minutes into it, Jake yelled from the back seat "Nick's puking!" Great! What parent is ever prepared for that one? It was nasty but thankfully we had old towels under the car seats and wipes. We did a u-banger (yes, legally) and headed home. Jake had to ride in the front seat and thought that was the coolest thing ever. Don't get used to it kid for at least 6 more years! We did see some holiday decorations that houses had up already on the way home.

Jake went to school, Dad went to work & I watched the twins and Logan (my girlfriend's 3 year old) when the call came in from school around 1:30 p.m. - "Jake's been in the health room twice complaining of a stomach ache, can you come and pick him up?" As it would be - no. They we're suppose to be released early around 1:45 from school, I had Logan and the twins we're napping I told them to try and put him on the bus if he hasn't gotten sick. By the time I got everyone up, dressed and in the car, Jake would be home of the bus anyways.

5 minutes later the school nurse calls back - "Jake's puked twice but your neighbor Sue can bring him home for you - is that okay?" I said "YES, she is helping me out huge!" Just as Jake gets home, into the garage comes John - home from work sick. That's 2 now. I had that queasiness all day so I expected I was next. My girlfriend's husband came and got their boys at 3, I continued to nurse the sick, care for the twins and do laundry. Thanks to Delee for saving me by lending me detergent and Gatorade! Abby started to go downhill after dinner and by 6 she was falling asleep in the tub and in her bed by 6:30. Then, it was just me and Nick (who by the way was just fine by this time) and around 8 I melted into bed. I fought that gross, crampy feeling all night and the next day we all stayed home, slept most of the day and hung out on the couches while sipping white soda, Gatorade and trying to eat crackers. That was the worst 4 days in a LONG TIME. Strange that Abby & I never got throw up sick - only the boys. I was the only one too who didn't have a flu shot yet. GIRLS RULE!

We are up and at em' now and I hope you all don't get it - it was really bad and sorry to share TMI, but it was a whirlwind! Wash your hands and get the antibacterial stuff out - keep yourself healthy this year!

We love hats!

My hat-loving kids... Nicky sleeps with his on. Funny since I couldn't get a hat on him 3 weeks ago without screaming. Whatever - now he wears one. :)

Dance to the music...

I can only say one thing, my kids love music and when we want to burn some energy, this works wonders! Enjoy. Try not to look to closely at my two-tone living room - it is waiting for some paint after ripping the wall paper down - there is always a project to be done and never enough time when you're playing.

Also, Abby goes kind of ballistic towards the middle when she can't touch, climb, chew, throw, climb, tinker (did I mention climb?) with things she's not suppose too.

Sorry for the screaming but that's my life. :)

Halloween 08

It was a very busy Halloween this year. Jake was very excited to get out there in his construction worker costume and gather candy and to see the neighbor kids. The weather was wonderful and we had planned to have our friends hang out around the fire pit to enjoy all the trick-or-treaters. But, in the morning I had to take Nicky to the doctor because he was wheezing and grunting, having a hard time breathing generally with a bad cold. So, after our visit, poor Nicky had Amoxicillian for a double ear infection as well as a nebeulizer with Albuterol to help him breath and Prednisolone to open his airways. Holy cow - he was really sick so he did not trick-or-treat. But John took Abby around with the kids to get some candy and Abby loved her costume and a red sucker. It was not a relaxed evening as I had hoped but I did get to visit with our friends and have some tasty home-made chili. Okay and a few beers!

We are keeping busy this fall...

I can't believe that September came and went but October has been BEAUTIFUL! The colors of the trees are wonderful but lots of leaves to rake. The kids enjoyed jumping in a big pile of leaves a couple of weeks ago but man, my arms we're sore. We have been trying to get outside as much as we can knowing that the winter is just around the corner. The Farmer's Almanac predicted that this winter is going to be like last year - lots of snow. I think we had a total of like 109 inched of snow for the whole winter or close to that.

Jake is loving school and doing very well. His teacher has asked us to have a challenge packet sent home for him to work on because he is doing so well. We knew that Jake would do well but we we're pleasantly surprised that he was exceeding. What reminds us he's still 5, his listening is a skill that he has to work on. It takes about 7 times to get through to him at home and it is now something he has to work on at school too. He also has to keep learning how to tie his shoes. I've been teaching him and I have to say - MAN - when you have to slow down and go through the steps of actually tying - I am caught off guard. Honestly, it is something that I had to think harder on after doing it for 35 years. So, hopefully Jake will catch on before too long. Viva la Velcro!



Nicky & Abby have been keeping me on my toes but mostly Abby. She has just recently figured out how to scale the gates that have been keeping them caged for the past 1 1/2 years. I guess thinking we could keep them in for 4 years was a bit of a stretch. So, we tried putting the spring gate on the stairs, she scaled that and fell off. She won't stop. Now, we have bungee corded a headboard (yes, a headboard) to the bottom of the steps and banister. Thinking we had them beat...I snuck upstairs to take a quick shower and 2 minutes into it, there was Nicky in the bathroom talking to me. I couldn't believe it - how did those little stinkers get through that? All it took was Abby (our pudgy pie) to squeeze through the bottom banister and 1st rung and Nicky followed right after. Unbelievable! So, now John is going to shrink wrap the banister all the way up and hopefully Abby won't chew on the plastic like a dog. They are 22 months and we hope that they will be stable enough on the stairs by summer. But for now, we are trying this. Next up, leashes! You think I'm kidding? Just when we think we have won, they find a way to "one-up" us and frankly, John & I are completely frazzled. Each day, I think "what will they get into today" and just go moment by moment. We laugh a lot and why wouldn't you when you literally have the circus in your house. I need to buy one of those smart cars to put in my family room. I don't need it to drive, just to see how smart they really are. For all I know, they may figure out how to drive it through the bay window. :D I will cherish these days when they are older but GOOD GOD - they are making my hair turn gray before it should!

When John shrink wraps the banister, I will post a picture. Maybe we should just shrink wrap everything? How could they get to anything then? I kid, I kid.

First day of School

I can't believe my little boy is a big boy now and is in kindergarten! Sniff, sniff.

Jacob LOVES school to say the least. He was ready for that bus at 6:30 - out of bed, dressed and back pack on waiting to get on that big, yellow bus. Now, the bus does not come until 8:30 but he was READY! He had the biggest smile on his face from the bus window I have seen since he got his guitar for Christmas. He only had 2 days the first week and now is in full time - all day. I was sad for about one day, then he was home and driving me nuts and couldn't wait for the bus to come the next day.

But I am a little sad that he likes it so much because I miss our little conversations during the day and my helper. The twins miss him too. I think they we're too dazed the first week but this week, Nicky has cried when Jakey gets on the bus and it leaves. They say and point to the road, "Jakey bus" every time we are outside and I explain to them that he is at school and will be home later. We are all happy to see him when he gets of the bus! I'm glad the transition was easy and hope that Abby & Nick give me the same. Then I will be weeping for sure.

The hand is better...

And the shed is complete! It's so nice and has already been put to use - full of all kinds of things in it's first week! And John's hand is getting much, much better. We have been able to do some putzy stuff - especially cleaning out and organizing our garage after moving all kinds of yard and outdoor things into the shed - should be able to park the truck in there this winter now.

Special big thanks to John's brother Joe and his wife Jane for surprising John on painting the shed. It looks beautiful and now we can focus on what the house colors will look like next year.



John has been loving having a little haven to go to when out in the yard... it's pretty nice. He did some masterful work and we are thankful to God that his hand is healing okay!

So - the work comes to a BIG halt...

I know that I went on & on about the house work ahead, siding, windows, painting, etc. but it has all come to a stop because of a accident involving a saw and a hand. Yep, not two things that mix well with each other. I am happy to report that all the digits are there and no major surgery was needed. Yet.

Say hello to Tim, the tool man Taylor...


John had a terrible accident last Thursday night while I was reading a bedtime book to Jake. He was in the basement cutting dowels for his new shed on the Miter saw and the plastic guard got stuck in the up position when he let go of the release lever to stop the saw, his right came up with dowel in hand and caught the blade. He cut just above his wrist all the way up to between the middle & ring finger before the webbing. He sliced it pretty deep and caught a tendon. It didn't completely sever the tendon which is GREAT news - it was stitched back together as well as the cut and now is waiting to see how the healing process goes.

He is a very lucky, lucky man that it wasn't more serious than it was. God must have been watching over him - it's a shame it happened but accidents are just that - accidents. He's mad at himself and wishes he'd looked at the guard but that's hindsight and now we just have to focus on it getting better. He can move his ring finger a little but it will maybe take some therapy and time to completely heal and HOPEFULLY, he won't need to see a orthopedic hand surgeon and we can focus on all our house projects for spring. Thank goodness he didn't start to tear the front of the house apart - that would of been a big hassle.

But the shed is done and I think we are going to paint that at least before it gets too cold. That way we can mill over the color choices all winter before we paint the house.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers and a big thanks to Chris - he sat with John at the emergency room for 4 hours and even watched the suture process like he was watching the Discovery Channel - iron stomach Rothwell! And Scott for mowing our lawn, Emily, Jessie and Amy for watching Nick & Abby so Jake & I could go to swim lessons. You all mean a lot to us and we appreciate your help! Here's to 2009!

Fish Killer!

We we're invited to spend this last weekend with our neighbor friends, Chris, Jennifer and kids at our other neighbor friends, Joe and Sue's cabin, outside Shawano, for a fun, relaxing and good time. At first we hesitated about dealing with the twins away from home but sometimes you just got say... what the heck! Let's roll with it. We had a packed car, lots of drinks and snacks and ready for the 3 1/2 hour trip up on Friday. It was worth it. Even a huge screaming meltdown by Nicky combined with a rogue rainstorm around Oshkosh pouring buckets of rain which lead to a hour stop at McDonalds play land to re-group on the way didn't deter us - Diet Coke, french fries and running around was the charm - the babies slept the rest of the car ride. The rest of the weekend, the kids slept great and the weather was perfect! Jake loved being able to fish with Dad and the twins just wanted to be in the lake all the time. Jake and Dad went canoeing (broke a paddle and Jake abandoned ship to the Floatilla in a panic which sent Dad under water - totally funny) and Mom and Sue hung out on the Floatilla drinking beers enjoying the napping twins. Lots of boat rides and blazing sun pretty much wiped everyone out.

Saturday night was the funniest event in my opinion. Around 9:30, Sue disappeared outside by the fire pit and I went to go chat with her. But she was standing on the pier. She said she heard a big fish jump and ran out there to see if she could hook it. So I decided to try too. Now, mind you, I have limited fishing knowledge except how to cast and that the worm goes on the hook. I don't touch worms or fish (euw) so my fishing pretty much ends there. But I said, "what the heck" again and threw a line with a fake worm on it into the water. It was like the 2 stooges out there since each of us had a few beers and we we're talking more than paying attention to what technique we had. I caught more weeds with that fake worm and Sue's pants once or twice. It was all comical. Then around 10:30 - BAM! - Sue starts screaming - "I got a big one! I got a big fish! Oh My God! Oh My God!" Everything moved very quickly from there out! I ran up the beach, dropped my pole, tripped on some big root and screamed the whole way! "Holy crap - Sue's got a big fish - get a flashlight - get a camera! Wake up everyone!" Everyone else was either in bed or getting into bed. All the kids (except Jake and Joe), John and Chris came down to see what she caught... it was a 25 inch Northern! Crazy! Biggest smile I have ever seen on her face! Before we got back down there, she had proceeded to drag it about 100 yards on the beach under a light to get a better look and so it wouldn't get away. Let's just say the fish looked pretty beat. Chris & Danny (Sue and Joe's oldest son) got it off the hook and began to revive it. It wasn't looking to promising and we started to call her "Fish Killer." After about 10 minutes the fish started to get it's bearings back and slowly - I emphasize - slowly swam away. We don't know if the poor fish made it but the pictures will last forever. It was hysterical. Look out Babe Winkelman!





















Overall, the weekend was a lot of fun and I'm glad we made the effort to get the babies out of the house and have some fun! Sooner or later I have to spring them from their baby jail. With the mini-vacation over, it's back to painting the shed, getting the windows and new front to the house. Work, work, work. It never stops!

Close to the finish now...

Every weekend the shed becomes a step closer to the finish and the home stretch isn't far away. This past weekend a lot got done with help from John's brother Vince. The rain didn't help on Saturday but Sunday they cranked. Some crazy humidity which makes you sweat in places that you shouldn't but the men got a lot done. We are getting close to painting and putting stuff in there - it should fill up pretty fast. That's pretty sad that it is already full but the garage will hopefully stay clean for a little while until more stuff finds it way in there. 3 kids + 3 times the crap = no room!

Coming together...

The phase of windows and doors of the Garden shed have been complete. Our friends, Jerry & Scott helped John hang the door which took some extra work to make sure it plumb and even. Looks good and the siding was put up with the help of John's brother Vince and our neighbor Dave. It is so great to have helping hands on some of the parts of the shed - it literally was built with love. We owe all of them some nice cold beer! Jake, an on-going helper, will receive his special white soda treat. He's not quite ready for the beer!















Next will be the cedar shake at the peak and the finishing caulking and other touches, then we are painting fools!

Look what I caught.

Jake found this fat toad in the new shed and he "jumped" right into rescue mode and captured it in a bucket. It was a big toad and I think he probably thought he could keep it. Not gonna happen. No toads in this house - eeee. Poor thing was probably scared out of his mind but Jake released him in the bushes to go on with his toad business catching mosquitoes (God, knows we have them bad this year after all the biblical rains) and flies, etc. Carry on Toadman! Jake loves all the wildlife stuff. Well except bees but then who like bees? Sorry bee keeper people.

Yeah, it's hot!!

Babies in diapers - nothing cuter. Except when they figure out how to take them off. It's happened and it's not pretty. Abby's such a ham.

The Leto Shed!

After I think (I've lost count) 13 years, the shed is finally becoming reality. Mostly because our garage has begun to bust at the seams with all the stuff inside of it. Thank God we have been so organized these past 14 years otherwise our cars would never make it in there!

I shouldn't really call it a shed because John is making it like a gardening shed with windows and doors he salvaged from an old plant nursery and a very steep peak. It's going to be beautiful and beneficial. Of course, Jake has been in there helping his dad as much as he can and our wonderful neighbor friends have helped John in holding up the frame, sheathing and roofing. Yours truly has helped when I could holding tresses, sheathing and filling in by mowing the lawn when the twins nap. Next is the siding then paint. I will try and post pictures of the stages as they finish. It's going to be beautiful and large. We may rent space it's so big. I kid, I kid.

We will be replacing windows and painting our house later this summer too and it will really change the look of the house quite a bit. It's been 10 years since we painted it and the windows are original (and crap for that matter :p) but for now the "gardening shed" will be the guinea pig for paint colors. Can't wait!

All of this is much overdue but as you all know, having our family came at a cost but now we can enjoy our kids and fixing up our house a bit.

John is so handy and creative, he has saved us so much money and we feel really lucky! Check back once and awhile to see how things are going!

Who's that following me?

Nicky discovered that someone was following him around and he didn't like it one bit! This went on all morning with the sun shining and I tried to get him to see his shadow but he would have nothing to do with it. Even Abby came spinning through without worry but he still didn't want to see it. It's a cute one. Let's hope it doesn't leave any permanent damage because it will be there the rest of his life and it will be hard for him to shake it. As his mom, I just laugh because it is just another classic hesitant Nicky. He is a very leery, cautious boy.



Then, Spongebob comes on and the shadow fear is gone. Spongebob rules - at least for now!



Happy 4th of July!

Busy, busy, busy!

It's been a while since I posted and all I can say is WHEW! We've had Jake's pre-school come to an end, Coach pitch baseball start, a quick trip to Orlando Universal Park and lots of yard work to catch up on! The summer seems to not want to come out with this cool weather but when you are working outside, it's not bad.

Then a rummage sale was the big thing planned for the middle of May. I am not a huge fan of rummage sales because of all the work and so little payoff in the end. We last had one about 12 years ago and it stunk! So, after a couple of years and a couple more kids, things began to pile up in the basement and we had to do something to see the floor again! Lots of baby stuff and other odds and ends and in the end, we sold over $200 worth of things and got our basement back. It was a good cleaning house process and hopefully others will have satisfaction in their purchases. Everything else is getting picked up today for a local donation organization called Love, Inc. for needy families and individuals. It's located in our community and I hope it goes to someone who needs help in these tough times.



Then the best news is Jake graduated from Mustard Seed pre-school and is very much looking forward to Kindergarten in the fall. Alot of his buddies from pre-school will be going to the same school and he's made great friends this past year. As have I. I really cherish that through a tough year with two babies, I made great friends who helped me out in a time of need especially when John was out of town traveling. I look forward to building these friendships throughout the school years ahead. Jake was quite proud of his accomplishments and they looked so cute in their caps & gowns. The flashbulbs we're going crazy when they walked down the aisle - miniature little graduates! Look out Harvard! Now he's in coach pitch baseball and loving it! His team is the Tigers and every Wednesday, the competition is fierce! If a plane flies by, everyone looks up and delay of game. Thank God a ice cream truck hasn't gone by yet - the game would be canceled for sure... Go Tigers!



John and I took a quick getaway to Orlando, piggybacking a business trip that John had planned. With the help of my parents, my girlfriend Kim and her family watching the kids while we drank margaritas and relaxed by the pool. It was a nice mini vacation from reality but I have become obsessed with the hotel bed and how incredibly comfortable it was that I actually called the Portifino Bay hotel back and asked the brand - crazy I know - but I had the best sleep of the last 2 years and I swear it's the mattress. John thinks it was the margaritas...



So now the twins are 17 months and everywhere and in everything. As you can see in all the photos - we really like their shirts, "Thing 1 and Thing 2." Suits them very well. Nick is the leary one and doesn't always like new things while Abby is a lot like Jake - gung ho! They love being outside and running free in our yard. We bought a driveway retractable net to keep them from barreling into the street and it seems to be working so far. Only a few escapes by the gung ho Abby. It's not competely like a fence but it slows them down. The swingset seems to be the spot of choice and they both have mastered climbing the rock wall to the platform to come down the slide. It can be a challenge to have two outside at the same time but Jake is a great help for me. He chases after them if they are into something they shouldn't be and hopefully by next year it won't be so crazy.

John started building a shed in the back since our garage has NO more room, new windows and hopefully painting the outside of the house is on the list this summer. It's a long list but checking things off is a great feeling of accomplishment. Somehow or another, one thnig comes off and another item gets added - like a new mattress - ugh.

On Tuesdays & Thursdays this summer, I will be watching 2 boys. Caden (6) and Logan (3). Caden is Jake's friend from pre-school and his little brother. It's great to have playmates for Jake and they are good little guys. It's a win-win situation and when school starts, I will just have Logan but the boys will get off the bus together and be here for another hour. It's a nice way to make some extra cash and Jake won't be constantly asking to play with someone. They all get along so well and I am happy about that. They hopefully will have this bond all through school and beyond is my hope.

Enough dragging on, I hope you all have a wonderful start to summer and hopefully I will find time to post again before fall! Happy Summer!