Easter Sunday

Brykn finally understood the point of an Easter Egg Hunt this year--hooray! The funniest part was that if he picked up something he didn't like, he would ask the kid next to him if they wanted it--he's such a giver! He had a great time hunting for the eggs and was purely delighted when he saw the presents left by the Easter bunny. Brykn was really unsure about the Easter Bunny leaving eggs around the house. He was insistent that the Bunny should not have made a mess at our house! Too funny...

When it came to dying Easter eggs, I couldn't help but think of Grandpa Hopes. I loved dying eggs with him. He always sat in the same chair at the bar in Grandma and Grandpa's house. He had one egg in every color and I'm pretty sure he enjoyed dying the eggs as much or more than we all did. Don't worry, Grandpa, we dyed an egg just for you!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Our trip to Disneyland was absolutely spectacular! Shortly after I booked the trip, I wondered if Brykn would be a little too little for all the Disney fun, but he was a trooper--and, he had a great time! Actually, we all did. That said, here's my most favorite memories from this trip--

1. When we got on the plane, Brykn was all eyes. He wasn't scared, but he was totally facinated with everything about the plane and the very fact that we were on it. As we sat on the tarmack, he whispered to me, "Mom, when's it going to do this..." and he started flapping his arms. With a giggle, I said, "Brykn, I don't think it's going to do that." He was thoroughly confused. He then said to me, "But, that's how the birds do it..."

2. We waited in line to see "Winky Pooh" (aka, Winnie the Pooh") for awhile, but when we got to the front of the line, Winky went on break and Rabbit came out. I tried to make Rabbit seem pretty cool, but Brykn wasn't having any of it. Disappointed, we left and thought our time to see Winky was over. Then, the parade saved the day. The parade at Disneyland is a large production with many Disney characters dancing and singing to the audience down Main Street. We were lucky enough that Winky stopped right in front of us. Brykn went crazy! He was just a yelling to Winky and waving as hard as he possibly could. In a few minutes time, the characters got kids from the audience to dance wth them. And, as luck would have it, Brykn got to dance with Winky. It was soooo cute!

3. We bought Brykn an autograph book for all the characters to sign. He was a little shy with the characters until we got the book--it was like the book was his badge of courage. As soon as he was armed with a pen and the book, he stepped right up to all of them!

4. Brykn wanted to see Tinkerbell really bad. The line for Tink was long--really long. So, we kept telling him that we would come back to see her, but before we could get back to her, she was off duty. Well, that night we watched the amazing fireworks in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle. To begin the show, Tink flies from the top of Matterhorn Moutain to the top of the castle. As soon as Brykn saw her, he started waving his autograph book as hard as he could. He was just a yelling, "Tinkerbell, sign my book!" Yes, we ended up going back to Disneyland the next day specifically to see Tinkerbell and have her sign his book. Funny thing, though, we waited for 2 hours and Brykn wouldn't say a single, solitary word! Not one!

5. We had a great time at our hotel on the beach--The Catamaran. I would recommend that anyone stay there--it was fantastic! Regardless, the night we got to our hotel it was really late and after a full day of Sea World, we hadn't eaten dinner. So, we ordered pizza on room service. The next day we got up and opened the blind to the sliding glass door. Surprisingly enough, the area outside the door was a very tropical, cool place--with ducks! Brykn tried calling the ducks by patting his leg and hollering as loud as he could, "Here duckie, duckie, duckie!" But, surprisingly enough, they didn't come. Finally, I tore up some left over pizza crust and told him to throw it to the ducks. Soon, we had all kinds of ducks at our door and Brykn was in heaven. That was the last day of our trip and when we were at the airport ready to go, I asked him waht his very favorite part of the trip was, he proudly said, "FEEDING THE DUCKS!" Seriously, this could have easily been a Mastercard commercial....$1500 for hotel accomodations, $550 for theme park tickets, $500 in Disney dining....Feeding the Ducks....priceless!

I would not have traded this time with my cute little family for anything in the entire world. We really needed some time together and away from the stresses of life. And, after this vacation, I am convinced that Walt Disney was 100% correct--Disneyland IS the happiest place on Earth!

Lil' Leprechan!

I bought Brykn this hat and shirt to wear on St. Patrick's Day. He looks like a lot of luck and mischief rolled in to one! Big thanks to Grandma for making sure we had a picture.

My Boys

I am a very lucky girl. Just look at these two handsome cowboys. What girl could resist these fellas?

Bear Lake

It has been awhile since I have posted to my blog. To put it mildly, I've had a lot going on...

These pictures are from our recent get-away to Bear Lake. We had a great time! The condos have a nice pool for the kids to swim in and there is a decent sledding hill just behind the swimming pool. We can go from life jackets to snow boots in a matter of minutes!

Brykn had a great time sledding. He was all smiles and giggles. I just love that giggle sound!

On Safari

Mom left on her Safari and she finally got a picture of an elephant! Kelli and I decided that we didn't care if she had to go to a zoo to get a picture of an elephant because Tate and Brykn haven't quit talking about them! It sure looks like the safari is a blast!
From Mom: Well, it's day 5 and I am off on safari. I slept better last night, but I can hardly move this morning. My feet, legs, and hips hurt so bad. Lots of hugs.
From Mom: First day of safari was great, but tell Brykn those elephants are too big to rope! I am at the Farmhouse now & what a beautiful place. Doing good, except my legs and feet are in bad shape from climbing Kili. Happy Birtyday, Mom, love ya.
From Tiffany: I bet! Brykn luvs the elephant pic. I am glad the Farmhouse is nice. If you can, get on your blog. So many people are following your journey. Wish I was there. Luv you!
From Kristina: Hopefully you packed some good meds! Or, could you even take asprin into another country? Sounds like you planned a way fun trip! Stay safe, Love Kristina.

She Did It

She did it!!!! She got to 13,000 feet and said it was the hardest thing she's ever done. We were able to talk to her on the phone for just a few minutes and it was soooo good to hear her voice--even though she sounded absolutely exhausted. She told me shared a hut with a cute, younger couple from Austria. When she got to the hut on the third night (after she'd made it to her goal height on Kili), the couple CHEERED as loud as they could. As she told me about it, she started to cry--but, I know they were tears of pride and accomplishment. She also told me that on the way down, she got light-headed and nauseated. The porters and her guide, Bryson, asked her if she wanted them to call emergency personnel. She told them "There's no way in hell I'm going to let you call emergency people for me!" I can just hear her voice saying that! Anyway, she made it up in three days and down--35 miles-- in one day. Way to go Mom--we all knew you could do it; and, while we may not have been there by your side, we were all there in spirit!
1/30/09
From Kristina: I am so glad you made it there safe and sound!! Sounds like you are already having a blast! Stay away from the monkeys, they're mean! You are amazing!!
From Kristina: And, no worries, this half-assed Mormon is back here praying for ya! Love Ya! Kristina.
From Karen Boothe: Leslie Dicou wants to know the names of the porters.
From Mom: Hey everyone! I did IT!!! I am tired, but good. What an awesome experience, but I don't want to do it again anytime soon. Love to all. XOXO.
From Andi: You are so awesome. I'm so proud of you. What a cool bucket list.
From Sana: That tired gives more to your spirit. Go get every adventure.
From Mom: Well, I am back off the longest, most difficult walk I have every done. All I can say is be careful what you put on your "Bucket List!" Going up there was a time that I thought of giving up. Then the song "Stronger Woman" by Jewel played on my MP3 player. I had to finish. All I can say is it is a long way from an ICU bed at UVRMC and U of U! I hope I've made everyone proud & let everyone go beyond what you think!!! Love Lauri, Mom & Grandma XOXO
From Toni: Congrats Aunt Lar way to go we are proud as hell of you! :)
From Kristina: I knew you could do it! What an amazing woman you are! I am really proud of you and jealous cause its something I could probably never do! Way to go! Love Kris
From Sana: Proud you should be at what you set out to do and look what you have become. My heart is waving with thumbs up :) WAY TO GO!
From Tiffany: Way to go! I knew you could do it! Please send any pictures when you can. Great job, Mom! Love you!
From Sana: Proud you should be at what you set out to do and look what you have become. My heart is waving with my thumbs up :) Way to go!
From Steve: Hey Laurie. I knew you would make it. I am proud of you. Be careful. See you soon. Luv, Steve
From Andi: I'm glad that part of your bucket list is done (climibing Kili). Now, onto better things. I think you could rope an elephant, especially for Brykn. Please take care of yourself, my friend. I am so proud of you and I miss you tons.
From Mom/Jacquie: I knew you could do it. You have the stubborn Hopes blood. Love you, Mom. (Via Jacquie)