Happy New Year- Welcome 2025- Join us for Derby!

Welcome to our annual holiday post!

For regular readers you are in the know and the location of our "then and now"photos will make sense. Much of the year has been savoring time at Moundbuilders Country Club.

One of blog's purposes is to provide the rest of the story, the behind the scenes happening.  And with me there is always that story! Where to begin?

The idea for this then and now, sitting at the bar at MCC where we can see the computer photo of our family in the system.

Do I wish the idea to recreate this photo had come to me sooner, yes...Spring maybe..not chilly November?! But the reality is having all three kids home to recreate the photo has not happened this year. We're in that stage- with two kids "launched" we're not together as much.  Which makes when we are all the sweeter.

So Thanksgiving Friday was the day and we ventured out. Dear Charlotte met us to snap the pic. Thanksgiving eve we were talking about what to wear and the fact I didn't have the photo, so I thought. Hiding in plain sight it was.  The kids were like- Mom- that photo is on the stairs! And voila they produced the photo.  Is this a message to slow down, know your world or what!

I'm grateful for a family that gets together, and goes with the ideas for Mom. Over the year the holiday card taking picture days are never the best. In fact I think at one point Joe declared it his least favorite day of the year.  We've matured and they all made it happen with little protest, not much joy but I have enough for all of us. I love this picture!  Because I love these people and this place.

So....what are we up to, the 2024 recap:

• Clare is in 2nd year of DC living and loving her job with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). She travels for the role and visits friends and dear girlfriend Caroline as much as she can. Caroline spent the summer with her seminary requirement at a hospital in DC so they've had sweet together time. Joe and I love exploring DC and connecting with family and friends on these visits.
• Peter graduated from Wabash in May! (Details in May post) We do love the graduation weekend experiences and were happy to have Nana with us. What did we all do before Air BnBs! Then in August he drove 10 hours west for his post college career launch. He is working in Sports Information at Center College in Pella, Iowa. It is a great set-up and experience! (Susan will visit in January)  He stops to see dear friends in Indiana as he makes the trek.
• Sally's sophomore year at DePauw is all it should be. Field hockey games gave us opportunities to connect- playing at Denison and OWU (twice) was a treat. She lives in the Theta house and has great friends. She is declaring psychology as her major and is enjoying the Management Fellows program. She'll return to camp this summer in a leadership role on the riffle range.
• Susan and Joe are enjoying empty nest status and declaring all trips in 2024 a celebration for 25 years of marriage!
• Susan continues to find her work at Denison rewarding, her role expanding as family philanthropy partners with new colleagues! The Granville Chamber Board time has come to an end, work with the membership committee the focus in 2024.  We hit our goal and have over 300 members! https://www.granvilleoh.com/# Individual membership is a key way to support our community, thanks to all those that have joined and are active members!
• Joe's work has shifted, as he stepped away from Infoverity. He has started a new company and looks forward to helping his clients solve data and technology problems. His time working with Village Council is very rewarding, and has been active with the MCC transition.
• Travel is key to our good times, usually weekends away to see family or share an escape with friends. The trip to SE Asia, see post, was excellent! Being away for two weeks is something we have not done in ages. It was so good for the soul!  We also call this empty nest syndrome- we said yes to many invites!
• Golf time is enjoyable to both of us. In the summer months and even on 12/28 we enjoy MCC time, often wrapping up a Friday with chowder and a scotch after golf. We're both in leagues that help our games and social lives.
• Life on Newark-Granville road has us often saying, "another magical night" on our way home from the club or Granville Inn....all connected to friends and family we have spent time, thank you to those that make this so.
• Lucy- yes dear Lucy (not in the photo above) is doing great! Two years post amputation surgery in February. We're grateful for the partnership of Granville Pet Sitting so we can travel!

We're healthy and happy in our lives on Newark-Granville Road and grateful for the places we call home and those that support our family and bring the magic then and now!

2025- welcome, welcome! Consider yourselves invited to Derby Party- we're working on details and will share more later-but save the date for May 3, 2025- the first Saturday in May- the tent on Newark-Granville Road (thanks Kiwanis!)  This card took a then and now approach- the year our family became the family of five at Derby.  Past posts have Derby history!!

Lucy says:

Thank you for reading and sharing our Life on Newark-Granville Road, Happy New Year!

Hảo hạng! our SE Asia Trip was EXCELLENT

 More to come on our truly excellent adventure to SE Asia! We learned, connected, explored, caught up and took in so much beauty! Highlights were the time with friends, Teall and Keith and Keith's daughter Alex and wife Kim!! The trip would not have happened without their support and encouragement.  

Why SE Asia- in our lives on NG Road- because we were invited! The Schultz and Edds were at the Inn- a great dinner (they're DU parents as well as alumni) and they said to us- when are you coming! We said- when should be come. They said it is coolest in December. So, the trip was put together with Zoom calls and emails, recommendations and brainstorms.  Joe was the coordinate of all flights and stays and did an Excellent job!

Here is our itinerary. More commentary to share as I have time to post but wanted to share!

We flew direct from San Fran to Singapore (unfortunately our connection was missed getting to SFO on the Sunday of Thanksgiving, not great care by United but ultimately, we arrived).

Day One, Two and almost Three, - we lost a day- took off on Sunday, missed a connection, took off for Singapore on Monday morning - 17 hour flight and a 12 hour time change and landed on Tuesday evening!

Day Three we landed around 8, Singapore had the easiest immigration process and enjoyed wonderful catch-up time with Teall!

Day Four:

Singapore- time with Teall was amazing!  A late start due to a late night. Enough said. We walked many steps exploring:

https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Singapore-City-Gallery  

This city/nation is impressive with its development, we appreciated the history and lessons in how and why at this museum!

• Lunch at a Hawker Center
• China Town
• Gardens by the Bay
• Marina Bay Sands Hotel- the lobby alone was great, the mall but yes Spago at the top was worth it- the views, the pool- impressive place! A fourth tower is being built, we were in the middle!

We finished with a beautiful dinner on Orchard Street that included carolers!! Yes, it was hot, muggy, but you are near the equator! AC was plentiful and again Teall, we can't say thank you enough. Carolyn you too- we missed you!

Day Five- headed to Cambodia, flying Singapore Air, there were wreaths on the plane! We were picked up by our most delightful guide. We checked into the historic hotel (Raffles Grand Hotel) that we loved! A late-night swim and appetizers for dinner in the bar.

Day Six- temple day- Angkor Wat for sunrise- it was cool, quiet and very special. The change in light was a show. We were the first in the temple and learned so much as we continue to be in awe of the carvings and architecture. Angkor Thom was a favorite.  Other temples showcased the reconstruction and repair- the Tomb Raider temple with trees growing through are quite impressive.  Home for time to rest by the pool was nice. We found a great bar and restaurant and ended the night in market area with a Kick Boxing tournament! Oh yes, I enjoyed a wonderful foot massage at our hotel's spa!

Day Seven- 

• highlight- school time- learning more about Caring for Cambodia and one of the 17 schools the Edds support. These children, teachers, administrators are wonderful. It was great to visit.  
• Then we headed for the mountain. Joe was in awe of the Buddha atop Phnom Kulen, often referred to as the Reclining Buddha, Preah Ang Thom- an 8 meter (26 foot) tall statue. The waterfalls were beautiful, but for me it was 10,000 Lingas- these ancient carvings in the river bead were beautiful!
• Rest by the pool, a great dinner out and the fun of walking, exploring and riding the tuk-tuk!

Day Eight-we flew Cambodia air to Vietnam- Ho Chi Minh City HCMC or Saigon! We were picked up by Kim and Keith and taken out for a delicious traditional Vietnamese lunch- the food really is "yum" or Hao hang! 

We checked into the opulent Reverie- we explored the area and found a roof top bar with the perfect view of Teqball World Championships Closing Ceremony!  We always enjoy learning about new sports when we travel internationally!

Day Nine

- up the river to tour the Cu Chi Tunnels and further our understanding of the Vietnam war. Cu Chi Tunnels Tour by Luxury Speedboat | Les Rives If you're there this is the way to go vs taking the bus!  Neither of us really understood what the underground tunnels and shelter was all about- well-presented and experiential learning! I went 20 meters, Joe didn't fit.  We did not fire the guns, but the range added to all senses learning.  Back to the hotel for pool time before a decadent dinner out at Quince with Schutlz family! What a treat to enjoy this metro location- very modern and our conversation, the cocktails were a 10!

Day Ten- Saigon time that started with an American Diner breakfast! We explored town center- the cathedral, post office (still functions, reminded us of a train station), beautiful book alley where we found Denison alum James Clear's best seller- Atomic Habits! Then the formerly known as museum- American Aggression, now War Remnants. It was powerful, intense, strong and unsettling. The photos from Time. I've seen many but seeing it there, after being in the tunnels, after engaging with these good people, heart wrenching.  The Vietnamese of today is all the more impressive and admirable.

The good news the unsettling of the day was balanced by the evening's fun and yum! We took a Vespa Food Tour-Saigon Food Tours and City Tours Led by Women  Another highlight! The fantastic drivers/tour guides were impressive young women. The locations we visited outstanding and the food- all delicious and nothing we would have found on our own! Five stops, three food stops, and yes refreshing beer to help it all go down!  then we ended the night with rock'n'roll Vietnam style! (2) Facebook Acoustic- great place, great music - we loved it- thank you Keith!!

Day Eleven & Twelve flew Vietnam Air to Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Beach Resort & Hotel in Vietnam  This was the vacation time of the trip.  It rained and it didn't matter! We relax, read, explored. We swam, floated and just chilled! it is a special place and we're grateful for the recommendation!

Day Thirteen- two planes on Air Asia back to Singapore for dinner out and drinks with Denisonians! We met the Chaze- Caroline and Rene- student and parent- with Teall's pals- what a treat. Great to see Dempsey road area.

Day Fourteen- all day flying home....13 hours Singapore to SFO, then SFO to Chicago, then Chicago to Columbus- in bed by 11!

Nine Flights, Five Airlines- it was a lot. But I'd do it all again...okay maybe an extra day in Singapore before getting on a plane again- the back to back flights- 5- was too much and impacted the jet lag! We did have three evenings at Ninh van Bay but the math doesn't work with the added day/lost day....

Reading- loved the time to read, enjoyed:

1. Table for Two by Amor Towles- perfect travel companion as it is short stories- on my Kindle!

2. James- by Percival Everett- book club book

3. Bessie by Linda James

4. Vietnam - A History by Stanley Karnow (Joe read this one)

Reflections:

We continue to be in awe of this incredible trip and the lessons it provided. 

• Relationships are not just about the long standing ones that make a trip like this happen. Relationships are also with the tour guides! Samedi in Cambodia that spent three days with us. The women that drove us around on the Vespa and shared their life stories. The care provided by people we'll probably never see again, yet had a profound impact on the experience and provided important lessons.
• Life on Newark Granville Road- trips like this make it great to come home. We count our blessings and one of the blessings is the privilege to travel. Ask us questions, we love to share, check out the photos on social media or we'll make a Shutterfly book soon!

Cheers- we visited many of the duty free shops which is a treat of travel. We enjoyed lovely drinks at Teall's bar, liked Tiger beer and ba-ba-ba, as well as ....more on this. Joe dropped a bottle that made for laughs..The Singapore Sling isn't my drink but Joe did try it. I did enjoy the gin drink that was the special cocktail for the guest night social time! Cheers indeed to this Excellent opportunity made possible by Denison friendships!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays from the Leithausers now with Key West and Year End Update

Wishing you a very happy holiday! It is low key for us with our travel to SE Asia- see post (we were delighted with Christmas decor there)- and time with Stoner Family! We'll post our Happy New Year Card and invite for Derby Party 2025 Soon!

It really is a beautiful time of year, and we value all the ways we engage and connect!  Thank you for the gift you give us by being in our lives, it is a gift!

Enjoy the quiet and peace, anticipation and promise of Christmas, Winter Solice and your own faith's stories!  Warmly- Susan and Joe

Updated on this X day of Christmas (Dec. 27-28 ish?)...

Stoner Christmas 2024- Key West! 

Yay Nana for "Under One Roof" holidays, setting expectations and facilitating the reunion.  At this point they are reunions with schedules and kids ages it is hard to gather in the summer. The last get together was Thanksgiving 2023- in Granville! And that is when this planned was hatched.  Matt did a great job- co-cooredinting as he's been to Key West since Sarah and I had been in the 1980s- a family vacation we don't have much memory about, hmmmm....digital pictures really do help!

What I love is how my kids love "away Christmas"...we did this the year after Daddy died, in Ashville. It really did work and fit a need- new memories, fresh scenery but a way to be together.  Key West didn't disappoint. Photos below tell the story...we had beach time, dinners, lots of walks and coffee time...we found some bars and live music.  Christmas Eve service we opted for Episcopal  and an hour and forty minutes later, insencesd out we agreed it was beautiful. 

We're back and have our family of five under one roof! No Christmas tree this year (I am missing it) but some decor to make it feel festive.  More later, including photos!

Update on this 11th Day of Christmas!

Sally's birthday is tomorrow, the house is quiet. Clare left to go to Caroline in Texas, Peter left to enjoy friend time and a Wabash basketball game in Indina before the return to Iowa and Sally is at DePauw for JTerm. She went a day early- snow concern. Peter altered his route to be more northern and headed out in the morning. Knowing they're all at the their destinations allow us to savor the quiet of this last day of "break"and holiday time. Tomorrow we jump back into full time work.

We've had a wonderful break/holiday! This chapter in our lives is really about embracing family time at this time of year. Here are some pictures that share the story- gifts and reading, celebrating, dinners- being together!

Oh yes and Key West Photos: