There’s No Upside...

The following is the actual missionary journal entry I posted August 31, 1986. I was still adjusting to the people and culture of Southern Brazil and had yet to receive any mail from the good 'ol USA. The two year experience had life changing influences on my life. I'm sharing the actual images of the journal pages followed by the English transcript and then the Google translation into Portuguese. I wrote my thoughts at the end of the calendar month, but I drew the picture a couple of days earlier on a journal sheet while sitting by the Sao Borja. Brazil train station. I have always loved to sketch. You will also notice that my hair in the photo is still down. It wasn't for another week or so that I finally asked Elder Udo Muzeka if I could...

I'M A MORMON! Yes, my name is Michael Leavitt and I am a Mormon. "Mormon" is just a nickname for members of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". As a member of the church, I am a Christian and I have been born again as I have attempted to shake off the natural man desires of my earlier years. I am thankful for the "Plan of Happiness" that places Jesus Christ in the key role as our Savior and Redeemer. This plan allows a sinner like myself the ability to turn to him by making changes in my life. His atoning sacrifice allows me the ability to repent and change. As I ask others for forgiveness for my actions against them, I am equally touched to offer them forgiveness for their actions towards me. As a Mormon I believe that we ar...

Five Scouts, four men, and a Bishop were brave enough to tackle the elements and find great enjoyment at the Orem District 2014 Fall Camporee. As a group from the Windsor Third Ward sponsired Troop 596, we became very bonded in the electrifying lightening, thunder, and wind blown rain filled night. And even though this could have been miserable, we all seemed to be having a blast. RAIN - Did I mention that it rained? In fact, of the 17 hours we were there, it rained about 13 of them. The other 4 were under constant threat of more. After nearly 3 decades of doing this type of campout, I am convinced that it does not matter what Friday/Saturday they pick on the calendar, if they call it a Fall Camporee, then bad weather will happen. MILD TEMP...

There are certain moments in life that change the direction one takes. The four pictures I will share in this blog entry document just such an event in my life. Instead of my sharing my feelings and memories,  I am going to throw it out to my friends to see if they know anything about this 2 hours that forever changed my life.  CHALLENGE Who knows any of the details of this event? Either by hearing me relate the experience or because you were there, please share any all all details that you may remember. DATE: Approximately 1994 WHERE? HOW HAS THE LOCATION CHANGED? WHAT VEHICLE DID I DRIVE? WHO WAS THERE? WHY DID THEY MAKE IT HAPPEN?: WHY WAS IT SO SPECIAL IN MY LIFE? WHAT WERE MY FEELINGS THEN? HOW DID IT CHANGE THE COURSE OF MY ...

Originally shared on www.UtahScouting.com I walked in the door from a long night of umpiring girl's tournament softball when my son Aaron said, "Hey Dad, you have every man's vision of loveliness sitting on your desk." "What are you talking about?" I responded, and with that Aaron bounded down the stairs to come back with a plate of cookies wrapped in cellophane and a note written on lined school paper. I was flushed with feelings of love and appreciation as I handed the note to Aaron and asked him to read it to me... Kade - Bacon Boys' Patrol Leader Wow! Such an act of kindness from an 11 year-old young man. The Boy Scouts of America have a tried and true slogan, "Do a good turn daily!" Young men learn and repeat this slogan in their weekl...

Originally shared on www.UtahScouting.com SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014 - 5:30 AM came early as the Varsity Team 596 from the Windsor Stake in Orem, Utah gathered by the flagpole at the Windsor Chapel. The time was enough to trim the number of boys from 12 down to the 4 that arrived. In fact, most of the others had other commitments, but this select group of young men were looking forward to hiking up to Silver Lake with the hopes of catching lots of fish. Brother Burr, Brother Humphries, my son Adam Leavitt, and myself were to be the leaders, while Alex, Bryson, Bradley, and Riley were the enthusiastic boys attending.... Wait a minute, Bryson showed up with anything but an enthusiastic smile on his face.  He would have much rather pref...

It was a pleasure taking Homecoming 2014 pictures for my son Aaron and his group of 8. Enjoy the photos. HIGH RES PHOTOS - DROPBOX LINK - 28MB Aaron & Kate  Derek & Amanda  Hunter & Sierra  Bronson & Rebecca  

 This morning was the second time I have attended the huge Brigham Young University cross country race.  This event features both college and high school races and there are over a thousand runners. Our son Aaron ran for the Orem High School Varsity team and he came in fourth from his school. As a junior he has shown incredible improvement from the same time last year and he really loves to run.  The following 98 photos feature all of the Orem runner except the Fresh/Soph boys because I arrived just as they finished... Sorry! Click on any of the photos and open up the larger view... Enjoy!    

I am still in shock from hearing the news that my good friend Brent Lambert has just passwed away. Why? Well Brent was one of the good guys. Yes, he was younger than me. Yes, he has kids scattered through the entire spectrum of the public school system. Yes, it was of natural causes and not do to a blameable accident. And yes, he was just too young and still in the prime of his life. The news came last night at about 10PM while I was sitting at the drive-up window at Weinerschnitzel. First off, I rarely go there for late night food, and I had just called my wife Shelly, to which she did not answer so I left a message.  When the phone rang, I just knew it was her calling back so I did not even look at my phone when I answered. But on th...

Saudades translated means to look back with fond memories. I spent two years of my young life proselyting amongst the Gauchos (cowboys) in the southern most portion of Brazil in the state, Rio Grande do Sul. I landed in the modern city of Porto Alegre and after just a couple of days I boarded a bus for 9 hours that took me to the small city Sao Borja which ends on the Uruguay River with Argentina on the opposite shore. I liked to think that it was due to my Mission President's ability to trust in me that I was sent so far away from his offices in Porto Alegre.  But my hindsight has confirmed that I was sent so far away because the he knew that I needed to be humbled. As a result, President Pedro Brassanini sent me to a far off place wi...

The Orem High School Fresh/Soph team ran very strong throughout each leg.   Check out my other posts with photos of the other teams. Just click on "X-Country" on the left navigation bar and select the division.  

The Orem High School Fresh/Soph Boys team ran very strong throughout each leg.   Check out my other posts with photos of the other teams. Just click on "X-Country" on the left navigation bar and select the division.  

The Orem High School JV Girls team ran very well.   Check out my other posts with photos of the other teams. Just click on "X-Country" on the left navigation bar and select the division.  

The Orem High School JV Boys team ran very strong throughout each leg.   Check out my other posts with photos of the other teams. Just click on "X-Country" on the left navigation bar and select the division.  

  The Orem High School Varisty girls team ran very strong throughout each leg. Check out my other posts with photos of the other teams. Just click on "X-Country" on the left navigation bar and select the division.

This past Saturday I snapped over 4,000 photos at my favorite sporting event of the year.  American Fork High School hosted their annual "Grass Relays" which I always refer to as the "AF Hay Bale Relays". The two mile course features several locations where they place rows of hay bales that must be navigated to finish the course. About 30 schools attend, with about 1,500 runners competing in any of the 7 races. For Freshmen, Sophomore and Juniopr Varsity teams all of the boys run at one time and the girls at one time within their divisions. But for the Varsity teams they each have five runners that run twice around the track before handing off their baton to the next runner on their squad. My son Aaron ran for the Orem High School Vars...

It was a nice surprise this morning to receive notification from Scott Knecht's new blog.  It is living proof that even old dogs can learn new tricks. This man holds a special place of reverence in my heart, because it was while he served as my LDS Bishop, that his weekly teachings in young adult Sunday School helped inspire me to turn my life around. I encourage you visit his blog and subscribe... http://teachtolearn1.blogspot.com/ Here is his first entry, http://teachtolearn1.blogspot.com/2014/09/i-love-process-of-teaching.html Teach To Learn ...because if you don't, you're just teaching to teach. Monday, September 1, 2014 I love the process of teaching.  I love to think about teaching, to prepare lessons, to stand in front of a...

Tradução Português - veja abaixo Fellow LDS missionaries, family and friends, I look back so fondly on the two years of my mission that helped shape the way I have spent the last 27 years since I have returned home. Some of you know that I turned 25 the last day of my stay in the MTC and I was so thankful to be able to serve the Lord as a missionary. I wrote at least one full page in my journal almost every day for those two years. About 5 months in, my companion developed walking pneumonia and we spent a couple weeks indoors and I took the time to integrate my photos into the journal and then had the first two volumes bound in leather and titled, "O Livro de Miky" or "The Book of Miky". The idea for leather binding came when I visited the ...

BILLY #$%#$% - HUMOR KEPT ME SAFE - The following is part of a series of articles written by Michael Leavitt about his real life experiences at Washington Irving Junior High School in Los Angeles, California from 1974-1976. The events are true and have been documented to help Michael's family better understand the racial tensions he endured during that era. If you haven't read the previous 8 entries, then I invite you to enjoy them when you have time. CH. 1 * CH. 2 * CH. 3 * CH. 4 * CH. 5 * CH. 6 * CH. 7 * CH. 8 * CH. 9 “DAD, WHAT WAS IT REALLY LIKE FOR YOU IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL?” NOTE: 7/28/14 - This entry was authored and posted pending the approval of "Billy". I have removed all references to his last name. If he reads this entry, likes ...

I just finished another umpiring write-up, this time dealing with where a first baseman can stand when he is holding a runner on first base. SCENARIO: Runner on first and the first baseman is holding him on with his foot in foul territory before and throughout the pitch. The coach wants a balk called because the defensive player was in foul territory. Is there such a thing as a "Fielder's Balk"? READ MORE AT http://comeonblue.com/ump/umpire-blog/entry/fielder-s-balk-is-there-such-a-violation

I have just written a new blog entry for my umpiring website, www.ComeOnBlue.com, titled Obstruction - "You guys have been calling it wrong around here for years!" SCENARIO: R2, 1 out. Ball hit and runner rounds third as the catcher receives the throw. The runner turns to head back to third with the third baseman in front of the bag clearly blocking the base as the throw is coming his way. He catches the throw high as the returning runner comes in crouched and barrels into the third baseman's thigh with his shoulder as the tag is brought down hard on top of him for a clear out. The third base coach complains loudly about the call as he tried to comfort his son (tagged out runner) who reportedly, by the coach, has broken his shoulder from th...

"You are the worst umpire ever!" Pretty strong words from and irate third base coach as his runner slid into the tag right in front of him to end what would have been an incredible comeback win after tournament game time had already expired. What he saw was different than what I saw as i came down the baseline from home to make the call. Check out my ComeOnBlue.com umpire blog for the full account... http://comeonblue.com/ump/umpire-blog/entry/livid-you-are-the-worst-umpire-ever

Adam fell that men might be... The phone rang, and as I listened to Shelly on the other end, it was not good. Apparently our 20 year old son Adam was  long boarding down Skyline Drive in Orem and he took a horrific crash. "I need to go pick up Adam. He has crashed on a long board and is really hurt," say Shelly. I was sooooo groggy that she asked if I couldn't watch 1-year-old Max while she went to make the rescue. Yes, max was staying the night and attempting to sleep in our bed. That is interesting, to say the very least. So many questions came to my mind... Why was Adam riding a long board at 3 AM? Why was Adam shooting down a major hill? How could he have suffered such a fall without breaking major bones? But maybe it was the adren...

My daughter Haily has just submitted work in the North America Artist Showcase contest and I would love it if you would visit the Facebook page and vote for her piece titled, “Stitch by Stitch.” I don’t know all the contest details, but they allow a vote per day and any votes you could offer would really mean a lot to both myself and to Haily. LINK TO CONTEST Thanks so much! Michael Leavitt - Orem, Utah - www.TheHomeInspector.com - Michael Leavitt & Co Inspections, Inc.

Take a 25 year old man from Beaver Dam, Utah and assign him the calling of an Assistant Varsity Coach in Boy Scouting, and what you end up with is an enthusiastic leader that loves to shoot geese and ducks one day, and then rappel into the depths of the earth the next. But what you really have to respect is that on Sunday he faithfully attends his church meetings and fulfills his callings as a Young Men's leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So who is capable of this? Why it is Dillon Erickson. All of this comes after being married just a couple of years with a lovely wife Courtney and a cute little almost one year old, fourth teeth and counting, young son named Easton... Yes, he is named after the baseball bat. It is ...

What a great experience it was to lead a group of excited new cavers through Northern Utah'’ Blowhole Cave.5 of the members of our group had never been in a wild cave before and they were excited with the prospect of heading subterranean. As a group of Boy Scouts, you can’t just say, “Hey let’s go explore a cave next Saturday that includes a vertical 80 ft. rappel into the earth.” The BSA has wise put into place special restrictions and guidelines to ensure that only experienced participants take on these great risks. I was contacted by this local Varsity Team a few months back with their goal of being able to cave and we started the training wheels in motion. They already had done canyoneering which included lots of bouldering, climbing an...

Yes, to day is the day that our youngest child officially became older enough to date. We have a family rule that there is no dating before 16 and then only in group dates until at least 18. It has been a good family policy with our older three kids, and tonight Jessica, Adam, and Haily all decided to group date with Aaron to get him started on the right track. Aaron asked Vanessa Kirkby to be his first date, and she gladly accepted. She is a little bit older, which is good because our family policy also means that you can't date anybody younger than 16.  So for a little while many of Aaron's friends will be off limits until they too become of age. I was fortunate because I was able to head over to the Riverwoods and take pictures of t...

After 28 years of adult leadership in the Boy Scouts of America, I finally was awarded my own personal beads from Wood Badge. How cool is that? Wood Badge is advanced Boy Scouts of America leadership training that helps an adult leader better understand the roles of young men as they progress through scouting. The six day course culminates with the participant creating a Wood Badge Ticket that features 5 goals that must be completed within an 18 month period in order to receive your beads. After 14 months, I am happy to report that I completed my goals and was ready to be awarded. Bob Church was our Buffalo Patrol Guide and he gladly arranged his schedule to be at the meeting and conduct the ceremony. Bob has been a great example to me and ...

FAMILY, VOWS, & SNITCHING TO GET OUT OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT - The following is part of a series of articles written by Michael Leavitt about his real life experiences at Washington Irving Junior High School in Los Angeles, California from 1974-1976. The events are true and have been documented to help Michael's family better understand the racial tensions he endured during that era. CH. 1 * CH. 2 * CH. 3 * CH. 4 * CH. 5 * CH. 6 * CH. 7 * CH. 8 * CH. 9 * “DAD, WHAT WAS IT REALLY LIKE FOR YOU IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL?” CHAPTER 8 - FAMILY, VOWS, & SNITCHING TO GET OUT OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT I am absolutely amazed at how destructive a prison sentence can be for the remaining family members who remain long after the gang member is impriso...

GANG MENTALITY - DOCUMENTARIES - The following is part of a series of articles written by Michael Leavitt about his real life experiences at Washington Irving Junior High School in Los Angeles, California from 1974-1976. The events are true and have been documented to help Michael's family better understand the racial tensions he endured during that era. CH. 1 * CH. 2 * CH. 3 * CH. 4 * CH. 5 * CH. 6 * CH. 7 * CH. 8 * “DAD, WHAT WAS IT REALLY LIKE FOR YOU IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL?” CHAPTER 7 - GANG MENTALITY - DOCUMENTARIES In putting all of this latest research together this past week regarding Frank Reyna, it is obvious that when you train up a child to become a gang member, then it is a pathway through life that is ingrained into their soul ...

FRANK REYNA’S SOLITARY CONFINEMENT - The following is part of a series of articles written by Michael Leavitt about his real life experiences at Washington Irving Junior High School in Los Angeles, California from 1974-1976. The events are true and have been documented to help Michael's family better understand the racial tensions he endured during that era. CH. 1 * CH. 2 * CH. 3 * CH. 4 * CH. 5 * CH. 6 * CH. 7 * CH. 8 * “DAD, WHAT WAS IT REALLY LIKE FOR YOU IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL?” CHAPTER 6 - RANK REYNA’S SOLITARY CONFINEMENT It is Thanksgiving Eve 2013 and I am faced with sadness as I sit here at my computer having performed research into the internet presence of Frank Reyna. If you haven’t read any of the last five blog posts dedicated t...

MY RESPONSE TO THE UNEXPECTED LETTER - The following is part of a series of articles written by Michael Leavitt about his real life experiences at Washington Irving Junior High School in Los Angeles, California from 1974-1976. The events are true and have been documented to help Michael's family better understand the racial tensions he endured during that era. CH. 1 * CH. 2 * CH. 3 * CH. 4 * CH. 5 * CH. 6 * CH. 7 * CH. 8 * “DAD, WHAT WAS IT REALLY LIKE FOR YOU IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL?” CHAPTER 5 - MY RESPONSE TO RANK REYNA Wow! Frank Reyna... I am so impressed to receive the letter from you. I came into my home office and my wife of 24 years, Shelly, had propped it up on my computer keyboard. I picked it up and immediately read the red stamp ...

THE UNEXPECTED LETTER - The following is part of a series of articles written by Michael Leavitt about his real life experiences at Washington Irving Junior High School in Los Angeles, California from 1974-1976. The events are true and have been documented to help Michael's family better understand the racial tensions he endured during that era. CH. 1 * CH. 2 * CH. 3 * CH. 4 * CH. 5 * CH. 6 * CH. 7 * CH. 8 * “DAD, WHAT WAS IT REALLY LIKE FOR YOU IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL?” CHAPTER 4 - THE UNEXPECTED LETTER Michael Leavitt   We need to fast forward 37 years to November 25, 2013. It was a cold and clear winter day in Northern Utah when I walked into my home office from a difficult afternoon of inspecting, only to see a letter propped up on m...

THE LONG WALK OF SHAME - The following is part of a series of articles written by Michael Leavitt about his real life experiences at Washington Irving Junior High School in Los Angeles, California from 1974-1976. The events are true and have been documented to help Michael's family better understand the racial tensions he endured during that era. CH. 1 * CH. 2 * CH. 3 * CH. 4 * CH. 5 * CH. 6 * CH. 7 * CH. 8 * “DAD, WHAT WAS IT REALLY LIKE FOR YOU IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL?” CHAPTER 3 - THE 9TH GRADE WALL Michael Leavitt 1976 was 36 years ago and “The Dreamers” bi-centennial graduating class from Washington Irving Junior High School was enjoying their last year together before the great divide that would send all of the student body at least thr...

THE LONG WALK OF SHAME - The following is part of a series of articles written by Michael Leavitt about his real life experiences at Washington Irving Junior High School in Los Angeles, California from 1974-1976. The events are true and have been documented to help Michael's family better understand the racial tensions he endured during that era. CH. 1 * CH. 2 * CH. 3 * CH. 4 * CH. 5 * CH. 6 * CH. 7 * CH. 8 * “DAD, WHAT WAS IT REALLY LIKE FOR YOU IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL?” CHAPTER 2 - THE LONG WALK OF SHAME Michael Leavitt 1976 brought us the bi-centennial celebration of our country as the Viet Nam war was fading into past memories. My Dad was a depression baby who had lived with the scars of living through a tornado that exploded the house wh...

THE LONG WALK OF SHAME - The following is part of a series of articles written by Michael Leavitt about his real life experiences at Washington Irving Junior High School in Los Angeles, California from 1974-1976. The events are true and have been documented to help Michael's family better understand the racial tensions he endured during that era. CH. 1 * CH. 2 * CH. 3 * CH. 4 * CH. 5 * CH. 6 * CH. 7 * CH. 8 * “DAD, WHAT WAS IT REALLY LIKE FOR YOU IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL?” CHAPTER 1 - FEAR & SURVIVAL Michael Leavitt I often think about my survival from Washington Irving Junior High School. Survived is the key word in an era and environment that was anything but conducive to academic learning. Set in the heart of East Los Angeles with young...

It was so much fun watching Tommy climb up and conquer the dinosaur that resides less than 30 feet outside his front door. To say that he is the master of his domain is an understatement. Love ya, Kido!!!

There is nothing funnier than placing Rolf & Poppy in the control seat of a kiddy train. From the moment they enter the battle for control ensues. Don’t think Rolf is a pushover to Poppy’s assertiveness. Quite the contrary. He may not be as vocal, but Rolf definitely has desires to take control. In the meantime the train continues to speed down the tracks. All I could think of was Ozzy shrieking... “I’m going off the rails on a crazy train!” LOCATION: Mama Shelly wanted to take the twins to see Monster University at the Water Gardens in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

It is my 52nd year here in mortality and I am left to ponder how I have become the man that I am. What factors contributed to my character and whose prayers were answered on my behalf hundreds of time that has allowed me to still be enjoying life as I know it? At age 25 I spent Father’s Day in the LDS Missionary Training Center preparing to head to Brazil as a Mormon Missionary. Prior to my entry my Dad told me I was a fool for that decision and wasting my life. He reasoned that there was so much more I could accomplish by staying and applying my focus to higher education and employment. This advice came as he expressed his disgust in my progress here in mortality just before the funeral of his only sibling, Uncle Harley. Then he drove off ...

What a great day today is. The only way it could be better was if I was in Cape Cod in person to celebrate my Grandson Tommy’s birthday. Skype is good, but I want to eat one of those delicious cupcakes baked and decorated by Jessica. As a special request I was asked to prepare an MP3 file featuring various versions of Rubber Ducky.  The final mix is an entertaining and mixes Ernie, Adam, Little Richard, and others doing various versions including and Israeli version and a German Techno-pop version. It ends with Ernie losing his Rubber Ducky, but you can then start the 23 minute audio all over again. Make it a great day and enjoy “Rubber Ducky!” RUBBER DUCKY - MP3 Make it a great day! Michael Leavitt - Orem, Utah - www.TheHomeInspector....

Happy Mother’s Day! I don’t know if my Mom is like the others in the world, I only know that I love her dearly and her loving way has helped nurture me into the man I am today. Yes I am full of imperfections and warts, but there are some really great qualities that I can directly attribute to her loving care. I want everyone to know that I love her for her ability to always love me, in spite of what I was doing, as well as during those times I made it easy for her to stand back and beam with pride. I am really fortunate to still have her here in mortality to share my latest success and failures. She is currently back at my sister’s, so I don’t get to give here a loving kiss and hug in person this year on this special tribute day. Instead, I...

I count myself as blessed to be able to sit here and relate the second time in my life where I learned that "Veins bleed and Arteries spurt!"   FIRST TIME I LEARNED THIS LESSON Two days before 5th grade was to start, I found myself playing at the Greens’ home, just two doors down from our house on Jessica Drive in Highland Park, California. I was chasing 10-year-old Kelly Green in anger and she ran into her house and slammed the front door shut, hoping to keep me out and escape my retaliation. I tried to come to a screeching halt but instead tripped over the welcome mat and this is where everything slowed down to slooooow motion as my right arm went through a lower French door window pane and shattered the glass on the way in. I instin...

Really Son... Howzabout another sock, shoes, and oh yes, tie up your shorts. CAPTION: Adam acting as a deer in the headlights! Michael Leavitt - Orem, Utah - www.TheHomeInspector.com - Michael Leavitt & Co Inspections, Inc.

Sorry about the levity of the last “Mister Fog” post in the midst of the Boston Marathon explosion chaos. Shelly called me in and said, “Your not going to believe this!” And with that we have been glued to the TV. What a shame! My heart goes out to those affected by this tragedy. 2 have been reported dead with over 20 injured. By the looks of it I expect those numbers to increase. I hope that it stops there and that this is NOT part of some greater nefarious attack. What an awful shame! Michael Leavitt - Orem, Utah - www.TheHomeInspector.com - Michael Leavitt & Co Inspections, Inc.

Thanks to my Mother, who followed in the footsteps of my Grandmother, there has always seemed to be a Reader’s Digest magazine laying around the house. I have read only a handful of the articles over the recent years, but I always seem to search through each issue for the little quips and stories at the end of most of the articles. Occasionally I even find myself laughing out loud when a humorous story catches me off guard. This past Saturday I had the pleasure of taking my son Adam to the local Dollar Cuts for what LDS folks refer to as a Missionary haircut. While they were shaving Adam down to the skin on the back of his neck I picked up the latest Reader’s Digest and started my search... And then I stumbled upon this beauty...   Bew...

Earlier this basketball season Aaron and I got nosebleed tickets to see the Oklahome Thunder come to town to play the Utah Jazz. It was fun to watch the Jazz pummel the Thunder, but it was even more enjoyable getting to the arena early and spending some time with Aaron. Taking the pictures of Aaron wearing shorts in the cold freezing rain is a classic reminder of Aaron’s 9th grade year. If you can’t see his lower legs, then Aaron must be going to church. Otherwise, Aaron wears shorts to nearly everything. That’s right, whether it is shoveling snow, running to school, or going to any non-formal activity, then you can bet that Aaron will be doing everything possible to wear shorts. While at the Jazz game it was fun trying to explain to Aaron ...

TRIP REPORT: We had a very successful trip to Spanish Moss Cave. TRIP DATE: April 4, 2013 LEFT TRAILHEAD: 3 PM RETURNED: 10 PM TRIP LEADER: Michael Leavitt PARTICIPANTS: Dave Allison, Matt, Josh, Robert, Keaton, and Aaron Leavitt. For 5 of the participants this was there very first experience in a wild cave. We stopped by Roadside Cave just to pique their interest. Hiking up to the locked gate is always a challenge, but these young men were up to the task. CONDITIONS INSIDE: The cave was extremely dry. I had never seen the upper room flowstone completely dried up. The lower chamber ceiling water feature was also 98% dried up. In fact, only about 5% of the features were wet and glistening. ACCIDENTS: The only near injury occurred as I was be...

Just watching Rolf and Poppy this morning makes me miss them so much. They are getting so big and it is difficult having them living all the way across the USA. I am glad to hear that they are appreciating The Lion King, as our kids always loved that movie. So even though the video is very short, it is incredible how big they are getting. Make it a great day! Michael Leavitt - Orem, Utah - www.TheHomeInspector.com - Michael Leavitt & Co Inspections, Inc.

It was great fun yesterday watching Haily play lacrosse. Haily is one of the team captains for the Timpanogos JV Lacrosse team and she also plays on the Varsity team. Since Shelly wasn’t feeling well I became one of the official drivers for the team and I transported the girls north to play against Juan Diego. Juan Diego is a private Catholic school in Draper, Utah and they have really good teams with lots of fan support. I was told that I could not write anything to embarrass Haily, so I will let the photos do the talking. haily was aggressive, yet kept her spirits high even though they came out on the losing end. Haily played goalie for the first half of the game because the JV goalie was brought up to fill a vacancy on the Varsity team. ...

Being a Grandpa or three, it is fun to receive messages about my Grandkids and the high points in their lives. I was going back through my emails and had forgotten about Poppy’s wedding that took place back in January. This is the bad part about them living in Massachusetts; I wish that I could have attended the event. I know that Poppy is just two years old, but receiving this notice was a lot of fun to read...   Today Popy woke up and decided today was the day she was going to get married in the temple. She found her big white skirt, was disappointed she couldn't find a white shirt and so she picked the cute pink flower shirt as an alternative. She found nice white flowers and a "hat" for her hair. Then she informed me that at her we...