Larry and I got back yesterday from our 12-day jaunt across the Midwest. We finished the trip in Cleveland, Ohio, where we rang in the New Year with my grandparents, my parents, and my Aunt Char and Uncle Bill. We also got to see the Leickly clan on Saturday, when we all kicked some trivia butt at Damon’s (the place for ribs).
On Sunday, Larry, my parents and I found the Monroe Street Cemetery in Cleveland (it’s near the Tombstone Tavern, hehe) where there is an old family obelisk from back when the name was spelled “Leichli” and not “Leickly”. I’m not sure why they changed it, but I also don’t know if anyone would pronounce “Leichli” as “likely”, either. It was a very old place, and I’d like to go back and look at the old gravestones when it’s not 33 degrees and raining. Here’s the Leickly Chili Gravestone:
On New Year’s Day, we had a traditional supper at my grandparents’ house—pork, sauerkraut and potato dumplings (although I’m not entirely sure why that is the tradition—is it for luck? Is it a Czech thing?) We also got to meet the newest Kuchta—Brayden Kuchta, son of my cousin Matt and his wife Kim. Brayden is almost four months old, and he’s got the cutest little head of flaming red hair. Here’s a picture of my Uncle Jeff, Brayden’s Grandpa, holding him:
All in all, we had a great time (except for the wicked cold I got). We ate way too much food, and we will now be starting a strict diet of steamed brown rice and veggies. Ok, right after we finish the Christmas cookies and the chocolates.