Family Friday: Featuring My Son Andy

Family Friday is back and we are down to the final ten installments. This week I'm featuring the firstborn of the third generation... my son Andy.

Andy was born on March 14, 1978; arriving six days past his due date he weighed in at 9 lbs. 2 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. I was four months shy of my twentieth birthday and my normal weight was in the 120's, for such a young and skinny Mom I was very proud of my big baby. Andy brought us a lot of joy from the start; he was the first child, the first grandchild, and the first nephew on both sides of the family. We had the name David Michael picked out early in my pregnancy (I didn't have an ultra sound but I always knew that I was having a son), two weeks before the baby was born when I told the chosen name to my Irish Granpa he shook his head and said, "give him a name of his own", making reference to the fact that we already had an assortment of David's and Michael's in the family. We chose the name Andy Marsden Leger. He had his own name, and everyone else's too.

From the time that Andy was just a toddler we always knew when he was around. One day when he was three he was with his Grandpa Leger and talking rather loudly, when Grandpa asked him if he always talked that loud Andy responded, "no... SOMETIMES I TALK THIS LOUD!!" He was always protective of his little brother Jeff. When toddler Jeff fell against a metal bed (needed stitches) Andy freaked out crying, "my brother" while the injured stood calmly by. When none of the family could interpret Jeff's "language" we would ask, "Andy what did Jeff say?" and Andy would say, " he said..." then he would tell us what Jeff said; and he was right.

During his youth Andy participated in recreational sports such as soccer and baseball. One summer when he was about fourteen or fifteen he played baseball for the first time in several years. While at a game Mike overheard a Mother of another player saying, "we've got some kid on our team that hasn't played before", as if the team was doomed; parents take these sporting events much to seriously. Andy has always been a fast runner and more than once was able to steal home, and Mike was so proud when during a game Andy hit a home run over the fence. We were sitting in the outfield so Mike was able to retrieve the ball and present it to Andy. At the end of the season the coach named Andy as the most improved player, and he did so with much respect.

Andy has been blessed with many talents, and anyone who knows him has been blessed because of Andy's talents as well. Shortly after his eighth birthday he began taking piano lessons. We didn't have a piano so he would ride his bike over to Granma's everyday to practise. Andy has also always loved to sing. When Andy was just a little boy his Grandpa Leger introduced him to the music of Al Jolsen. Andy started to mimic Al and did a really good job of it, which eventually earned him a place in the school wide talent show when he was in the third grade. He wore his Sunday suit and sang Mammy (Al style) with all of his heart. In jr. high school Andy became interested in acting, which then led to musicals in high school and community theatre. At sixteen he portrayed Jimmy in Saturday's Warrier at Page's Lane Theatre (now RMT). I have seen him in many shows at school and in the community, all of which I was very proud, but the one that left the biggest imprint on my heart was The Secret Garden. As I watched him portray Archibald Craven and sing the beautiful songs in that musical, I couldn't hold back the tears and I still can't. Several months ago Andy participated with his Uncle David and a few other theatre friends in a musical review at the WB City monthly concert series. He sang Lily's Eyes in a duet and it brought back to me all of those emotions of 1996 when he did the show as a senior in high school. He currently performs in the Endless Summer band with his Dad, and also accompanies his Granpa when he performs. Last summer he was one of the major players in the recording of Granpa's CD.

Andy performing as Pharoah in the BHS production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in October 1994

There are so many Andy stories, but one of my favorites is when I left three-month-old Caitlin with fifteen-year-old Andy while I went over to the Johnson's to help Becky with a primary dutch oven activity. I gave Andy strict instructions that he was to bring the baby to me as soon as she woke up, and he did. He tucked her under his arm in a football hold and rode over on his bike. WHAT!!!

Andy and Rosie

After Andy graduated from BHS he attended SLCC; he then was called to serve a mission to the Canada Montreal French Speaking Mission; when he returned he attended the U of U where he graduated in 2002; he then attended Law School at the U of U from which he graduated in 2005. He was recently named Partner in the Law Firm where he is employed.

Andy's graduation from Law School

Andy is a devoted husband and father. He and his wife Kristin met in high school. They wrote letters to each other while Andy served his mission; and on March 10, 2000 they were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They have three of the handsomest little guys you will ever see. Andy is also a wonderful son. We have had many long talks and discussions through the years, he has always shown concern for my welfare, he has always made me feel like I'm a good Mom.

Things to know about Andy: He flew to Tennessee to see Mandy Patinkin perform in concert. He is the ward organist. President Spencer W. Kimball kissed his hand when he was a toddler. He spent three weeks in Ireland and England when he was thirteen. He can speak French. He can play the piano upside down. He has the best laugh. He's left-handed. He has his own signature walk. He ran a half marathon. He recorded his own CD when he was eighteen. He is honest. He learned how to play chess when he was a young boy. He LOVES Disneyland and is very knowledgeable about Disney history; he even got to sing a solo in Disneyland. He has integrity. He loves to read and to learn. He has strong political views. He serves. He's funny. He loves classic cartoons. He magnifies his callings. He makes roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. He's a good friend. He had a letter published in the TV Guide. He stood next to Jeffrey R. Holland in the circle when his friend was being set apart as a missionary. I'm so grateful that Andy is in our family and I know everyone else is too. We all love Andy.

Andy's family in Disneyland last summer: Zachary, Kristin, Andy, William, and Adam