The Joy of Bonko

THE BONKO BABES

Many of you have heard about my Bonko night...thought I'd take a moment to talk about it. Hard to believe that such a big group of diversified women like we are can keep together for so long; but, we have managed to do so for about 15 years now. (well, myself for almost 13 years; but, that's because I came in later of course). What is Bonko you ask? (Bunco, Bunko..whatever you call it. Ours IS the right way! :}) It's a dice game where you have the chance to win one of 6 prizes: Bonko, Wins, Losses, the Nasty Doll, 123's, or the recent addition of Even Stevens). We draw at the end of the year to see which month we get & when it's our turn, we take the funds to make dinner/buy the prizes. But, really...it's not so much about the game or the prizes (though that's always nice :}), it's really about 12 (ok, 13..we have an extra :}) women getting together each month to spend much needed quality time with the girls!! We have to admit, over the years, we probably have done less playing & more socializing; but, we always manage to get atleast one round in! :} The favorite one of the year is "Camping Bonko"... definately a night I look forward to each year!! This is where we all go up on the Friday (and yes guys, we CAN do it all by ourselves...we don't need men to set up camping for us! :}), then many of the guys will come up the following day with the kids and we all camp another night. It is such a blast!! We've also added an Annual "Wendover Bonko" (OK, we don't really PLAY Bonko in Wendover; but, it's still the night out with the girls). Last year's Wendover Bonko involved going to the Air Supply concert (and don't laugh because it was so much fun...we all knew more songs than we thought we did & it was especially exciting to meet the band after!). I will usually do whatever I can to not miss Bonko night as this is, I believe, what keeps me sane!! I strongly believe all women should get regular nights out with thier girlfriends! It just makes them appreciate their families all the more! If you're not doing it now my girlfriends...well, you better get on that! I know Doug understands & believes it makes me a better wife! :}

Our Wendover Bonko night in style!!


Saying Good-Bye (and getting a visit) from Millie

Years of Camping Bonko



Bonko at Tina's timeshare in The Canyons

Our night at Air Supply

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY POOKIE!!

OK, I'm sure he won't be too thrilled for putting his pet name there; but, hey....he is my pookie, so there! :} Married 16 years today..that is just crazy, where did the time go! But, you have to count the 4 years prior to the wedding...so, 20 years together now! (Man, do I all of a sudden feel old!) My old Pondorosa friends may remember this; but, I will never forget the first time I saw him. He walked in to Pondo for his first day of work, even in his lovely brown & orange polyester (what were they thinking on that by the way?!) and I was love struck all ready. I was sitting on break with my friends and said "I'm going to get that guy!". And I did! So, there's one reason to believe in love at first site!! And how he got me to go out with him was awesome too. He sent flowers to me with no name, I just had to figure out who they were from. It was driving me crazy at work that night, I knew it was someone there because the guys were being funny (hoping it was him; but, didn't dare ask!!). He so kindly offered me a ride home that night & sees the flowers, "Oh, who are these from?" Then we sat & talked for about 8 hours straight getting to know each other, to end with a peck on the forehead. I just loved it & knew right away he really was the one! I realize I am not an easy wife with all my things I just have to do; but, he is understanding & will completely let me do whatever I feel I need to do (even if that means he's the one that actually gets stuck doing the PTA projects I signed up for!). For that alone...I am grateful every day for finding such a great man! I think one of the reasons we've been together is so long is that we enjoy doing things together...like softball (glad we finally got to be on the same team again this year...I had missed that!), UTES games, camping, home projects, etc. So here's to many more happy years together!!

GO UTES!!!

The Hawaiian Feast on our trip to Florida

Valentine's Day "Sweethearts Brunch"

Now meet Tracy...

Continuing on with people you must know....let me introduce you to Tracy Newby. Tracy is a riot, ALWAYS keeping you laughing & smiling! Seriously, that is an understatement! Even on her bad days, she'll forewarn you that she is just not going to be funny & to not expect it; but, that's a lie because I've NEVER had a time with Tracy that didn't about bust my gut at some point! I first met Tracy 10 years ago when my good friend, Chautel, took me to Jazzercise with her. As you know...it's been a big part of my life since then! Much to do, not only with the fun workout; but, the amazing people there, like Tracy, who has been an instructor now for 16 years, and runs the Taylorsville Rec Jazzercise Franchise. I've been fortunate to take a few great trips with her between Jazzercise events, or our Bonko outings. As much as we hate to see any Bonko player leave (and trust me, I don't want to intend that they're being replaced, that is not the case... Millie, you know we miss you dearly!), I was glad when Tracy got the opportunity to join our group (since we "voted" her in..so she wants to believe :}) because I just knew the Bonko girls (who will get their own blog as well...they are also a very important part of my life!) just HAD to get to know her & knew she would fit right in! One of my favorite moments was watching her bash up her old car to attempt getting to meet Kenny Chesney for her daughter, Rachel. Granted this was Rachel's idea; but, she played along. And she should have won!! She still got tickets though & I know it's something Rachel will never forget! It just showed what a great mom she really is...she'll do anything for them! She's proven her strength over the years as I saw her go through her divorce, put herself through college, while continuing to raise her 2 beautiful kids, along with working & continuing to teach. I know it hasn't been easy for her; but, she seemed to take it with stride & know she could do what she had to do! Now if only the men out there would realize what a wonderful girl she is...someone like her should just not be single! (So, hey...if you know someone, let's hook her up, she deserves a great man in her life!! Let's be her dating service :})


This 1st one was a classic....while getting ready for the cocktail party at the Jazzercise Convention in Palm Springs...this is how she came out of the bathroom saying "Ready to Go?" If that doesn't explain Tracy's wit, I don't know what does! We were then very excited to meet the Founder/CEO and daughter, Judi Sheppard Misset & Shanna Missett

The infamous "Smashing of Tracy's car"

Our night at Air Supply, meeting her "Sexy new boyfriend!" (the Bass Guitarist there) :}

Tracy leading us in our annual Taylorsville Dayzz Parade

Tracy with our other Jazzercise Inspiration, Holly Hartzell

Our morning at Good Things Utah. Look, now she can have McDreamy by her side each night! :}

Kaley absolutely loves her Tracy! She wants her to be her other mom!

Our St. George/Zions National Park Easter Weekend

Taking a nice morning walk during our stay in Sonoma Valley

Tracy's Graduation Party with her cute Mom & Dad and Mom's long time friend, Marsha

Meet My Dad....

William Glenn Leach Sr., husband of 49 years, father of 8. My cute ol' dad...what a guy! He has such a great sense of humor. I love it when we get in our many laughing spells & pretty soon he's crying from laughing so hard. His family means the world to him! As much we put him through the ringer (and I can't even begin to say that was more than any parent should have to deal with!), he still managed to do whatever he had to do for his kids! He taught us the importance of working hard...as he still continues to do so himself! He also knows how to take life in stride & how to look at the bright side of things! As I think about memories that stand out over the years, a few things immediately come to mind. Like our many lunch dates to Ben's Cafe...I believe he has been his #1 customer over the years!! Back in high school, it was a place where the punkers liked to hang out too. That didn't seem to bother him a bit, he would even introduce himself & get to know them...always giving everyone a chance. And though I was a tough teenager, we could always still relate by sitting down and watching an episode of M*A*S*H together. When we took this fabulous family vacation one Christmas to California, Canada & Mexico (yes, all in one trip...forget the fact we should have been back in school :})..he made sure to show us things like how the poor lived in their cardboard houses. Which showed us that as hard as life gets, there are others suffering much more & we should appreciate what we have! One tradition he has is saving all his change & then dividing it up at the kid's annual Christmas party to split amongst them. He has also given them each a "Grandpa Time Ticket" for Christmas, for them to use however they please over the next year. Which is really the best gift you could ask for...time with Grandpa! EVERY holiday is a big deal at the Leach house....something he instilled in me for sure! And if you wonder where I get my "doodling" from...well, guess who? The white board on the fridge always had some kind of fun drawing, and of course that infamous smiley face! And so did our school lunch bags every day! I'm fortunate to have such a loving & caring father! So Dad....here's to you!! Love ya lots, thanks for putting up with us!! :}

Happy Father's Day!

To all the Dad's out there....Happy Fathers Day! I hope you all got to relax & enjoy your day!! Doug got to start the day by golfing with his buddies (which you know he'll never complain about that!) It was a hot day though...I'm sure he wishes it were a slight bit cooler for that at least (no, we're not complaining, we promise...we've been beggin' for warm days for a while now!) Once he got home, we were off to my sister, Sherrie's, place for a nice steak dinner (thanks again Sherrie....it was nummy! :}) It was nice to see Aunt Toots, who was visiting from California, as well as our cousin, Phillip. We enjoyed getting to just hang out & chat (well, I tried to just listen; but, I'm sure I may have exceeded my 20% talking allowance...hard not to with the fam!) We also watched that exciting US Open (Tiger continues to amaze me every time I see him play!). Kaley insisted on playing Lil' Miss Hairdresser, said she was so good she deserved a trophy for that! :} I know Sherrie enjoyed it! Like I always say...you've got to enjoy those moments you get with the family. Life gets too crazy, it's important to appreciate each chance you get!!

In honor of the day, let me take a moment to thank Doug for being such a great father to our kids. I really lucked out there! Which is funny because not growing up around too many, if any, little kids, he was very nervous about being a daddy. ..wasn't sure he could do it! But, I knew he'd do just fine! Some good examples include: taking the very first diaper change (and that itself was a funny experience!), and understanding that was as much his duty as mine; often taking time out to have game time; always throwing the ball with the boys; playing along with all Kaley's Princess moments & tea parties; doing Kaley's hair when she insists daddy does it!; never having to wonder if they'll be ok while I'm out doing one of my million things; for often running them/or picking them up to/from their activities; and much more! So good job Doug...you're doing great!! :} And to my own dad...I can't say enough! You'll get your own blog here next; but, hope you know I sure do love ya pop!!