My Birthday!

It's hard to believe that last week, September 10th, I turned 27 years old. To celebrate, we gathered some close friends and family together for a birthday lunch at my favorite restaurant LOS 3 AMIGO'S in Provo. It was amazing that at 1:30 p.m. on a Thursday, and all but two people I invited could make it. I feel blessed that I have so many supportive friends and family. Thank you to all who came and helped make my day extra special. I love you all.

Also, a quick update. I have new neighbors! Evan and Monyka (my brother and sister in law) moved in around the corner. It's been fun to have them near by, and to spend time with them more often. Ellie finally earned her new 16 inch Pricess bike this summer, and rides it nearly everyday. Ellie is also back in school, and her and I are enjoying a Mommy and Me Art Class in Provo at The Center. It's been a lot of fun to see her enjoy making ceramic Christmas ornaments (guess you know what you'll be getting this year!), ceramic beads, and use the pottery wheel. It's been fun bonding with her this way. Also! I have wheels again. It's hard to believe after TWO YEARS of staying home without transportation that I can finally hit the road whenever I please. I have my 1990 Bronco up and in running condition, and enjoy it so much. Shayne is still plugging away in school work, and anxious to be done. I am so proud of him and everything he does for our family.

Thanks again for the wonderful birthday and all the birthday wishes I received. I am looking forward to this fall, and the holidays that are coming ahead.

Memories of Grandma LaVerne Gordon

March 23, 1931 – January 17, 1997

My Grandma LaVerne Gordon was a “professional Grandma” because she fit the definition in almost every way. She loved her three kids and thirteen grandchildren immensely. Grandma seldom put herself first and has been one of the most selfless people I’ve ever known.

From a very early age, I remember Grandma sewing on her large industrial sewing machine (which I was never allowed to touch!) and making us dresses. Sarah and I always had some matching newly homemade dress to wear to wear to church. Love was sewn in the stitches. I was touched even after her passing to go through her sewing room to find two unfinished dresses with tiny papers pinned on that said “Laura” and “Sarah” on them.

Grandma was also a skilled artist. She could draw, cross stitch, paint, and make things from clay. I enjoyed her paintings and drawings most of all. One year, Grandma was teaching Sarah and I how to paint. We each picked a picture to paint on the canvas. Mine was a picture of a house on the prairie, and Sarah’s was a natural scene. Grandma took each step slowly to teach us. Our paintings were looking professional. One day our lesson was interrupted by a ring of the door bell. It was Grandma’s visiting teachers. Grandma told us specifically to keep doing what we were doing and she would hurry back downstairs to help us. Must have been all the “Bob Ross” we had seen with her growing up, but Sarah and I “knew what we were doing,” and finished our paintings. I had added many “wild flower creations” to my painting, and Sarah mixed up some dark turquoise color for her “sky.” Grandma was not too happy about us skipping ahead on our lessons but we all laughed about it later.

Grandma’s house was only 2 and a half blocks away from my home most my life so naturally their house was a second home to me growing up. We watched BED KNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS at least 100 times together. We slept over often too. I remember my sweet Grandma putting extra blankets over me at night when she thought I was sleeping at night.

During the school year, Sarah and I would count down for the summer because that was when we would go out with Grandma, Grandpa, and our cousin Kristl and camp in the RV. We usually went to various Camperworld’s and would stay for up to a week at a time. We loved it. Grandma and Grandpa walked us out to the pool at some point every day when we camped. We would play games together, Pictionary, Go Fish, and Pit.

One night during our camping trip, I remember going through a phase of anxiety when sleeping over places. I would lay awake at night, and watch the clock in the VCR of the RV and watch the minutes blink in green. After some time, I quietly walked through the trailer to where Grandma was sleeping. “Grandma? …. Grandma???” I was whispering, but she heard me. Her head popped up and I whispered, “I can’t sleep…” Grandma quietly got out of her comfortable bed, and took me back to the sofa couch I was supposed to be sleeping on. She told me to lie back down, close my eyes, and she would tickle my back until I fell asleep. Grandma slowly tickled me for a while, and then when she thought I was asleep, crept back up to her bed. Even though I wasn’t fully asleep when she left, I was calmed down enough that sleep finally came.

Every summer Grandma and Grandpa grew a large garden in their back yard. At least two rows of this garden were raspberries – my favorite. It wasn’t uncommon growing up that many of her grandchildren would go through the raspberries and pick them and eat them as we went. I remember eating bowls full with milk for a great dessert. Another big part of her having a garden was snapping beans. During the summer, Grandma and Grandpa would pick buckets full of beans and we would sit around the cool basement of their home in Lehi snapping them while watching a movie. It was so great.

I miss Grandma’s cooking also. Whenever I made my way towards her house, she was giving me something tasty. Sometimes it was a slice of delicious banana bread or peanut butter cookie, and other times she would insist I eat a banana or some other fruit. Grandma made homemade pizza that I will never forget. Extremely thin crust, and thick pepperoni. The year she got sick, for my birthday she made me a meal I requested… Tuna Noodle Casserole. She was so thrilled that I requested that meal, and took a lot of pride in making it for me.

One thing I loved about my Grandma is how she could stretch a dollar. Of course, sometimes this would be a cause of argument too. During a long trip to Salt Lake City once, I recall sharing one three piece meal from KFC with Sarah and Kristl. Grandma would take Kristl, Sarah, and I to the gas station with a 32oz fill up mug, and would fill it up with the drink of our choice, and later at home we split it three or four ways. Thrift shops were a popular stop for Grandma, and I got plenty of treasures growing up from them.

During my years as a ballet dancer, it impressed me that Grandma knew how to make a real tutu because she used to sew for Ballet West of Utah. I always hoped that she would make me one. She was proud of my dancing, and loved to hear me talk about it.

Things haven’t been quite the same without having her around. I have thought about her a lot this last few weeks since my Grandpa Gordon passed. I spent a lot of time with her in 1996 around the time of her passing. We moved from Ohio to Utah that summer and I realize now how lucky we were to spend that time with her before she passed away. I remember decorating her home for Christmas one year while we were watching CHORUS LINE. Just two days before her passing, Grandma squeezed my hand as if to tell me she loved me.

Grandma was a special lady, and she has been missed. She helps inspire me today and I know she would be so proud of me and all her Grandchildren, and especially her little great grandchildren. I’m sure she is close by and watching over us. We love you Grandma!

Now Is As Good a Time as Any

(Yes- those are positive! It's faint but it's there!)

(Written Sept 7, 2009 - POSTED OCT 2, 2009)

About a month ago (August 2008)- I could tell that my luck was changing. August 8th was my six year anniversary with my handsome husband. We had a fabulous day together. He surprised me with some diamond earrings I had been asking for almost four years or maybe even longer. Then, that night, at the show Cirque Du Solieli I won tickets to see the show again the next day! 418 people entered the drawing and MY NAME was chosen! "How strange" I thought - "I'm feeling more lucky lately."

Surely, my Grandpa Gordon passing away was not what I would consider lucky, but everything else was starting to go my way.

You should also know that when we got pregnant with Ellie, it happened during a very sad time in our lives. Shayne's Grandma Elthora Underwood passed away, and two weeks later, we found out we were pregnant. We always joked that Grandma Elthora sent Ellie down to us (and Ellie is a partial name sake of her and my father Dan - elle). I started to joke (and wonder )that Grandpa Gordon would send down a baby for us to.

I even had a dream around that time I was taking a pregnancy test and it was positive. I started getting my hopes up. A while later I found myself falling asleep during one of our favorite TV shows, and became more confident that MAYBE this month. MAYBE.

The morning I took the pregnancy tests was a morning I'll not soon forget. I had bought the tests the day before (I wasn't even LATE yet) and decided to take them the following day. That morning I kept saying to myself, "I don't know if I can handle another NEGATIVE test!" But, I sucked it up and took it anyway. I have to admit that for about 20 seconds, I watched it.... after a little while, I resolved that it was probably negative again or it was too early to tell because it already seemed clearly negative. I left the bathroom with the test still on the counter almost giving up on the hope I had for the month. A few minutes later, I went back.....

AND

I have some news..... WE ARE PREGNANT, Due May 15,2010 or around there. After 3 years of heartbreak, we find ourselves PREGNANT! Right now, I am about 5 weeks, and I haven't told anyone yet (except Shayne - not even Ellie knows!) and I don't plan to start talking for a while but we are very excited and are welcoming the changes we know are happening. Part of me is in a state of major disbelief. It's easy to not tell you all at the moment because I am still trying to convince myself that YES THIS IS HAPPENING. Three years in the making - we are finally expecting again.

I told Shayne that morning. If I would have been thinking I was pregnant, I might have told him a more memorable way than, "SHAYNE SOMETHING WEIRD IS HAPPENING! I JUST TOOK THAT PREGNANCY TEST, AND IT SAYS POSITIVE!!!!" He said, "Did you take the second test?" I took the second test, and it confirmed it again. We were extremely overjoyed.

That morning, I decided to take a long walk while Ellie was in preschool. I remember looking up towards the heaven and taken back with tears, thanking Heavenly Father for trusting me with another of His children and for this baby finding it's way to our family. I really find it ironic that someone died both times I got pregnant, but I feel special that during the hardest of times, that I am being watched over.

I'm sure now that the word is out - we will have many blogs about this upcoming BIG news, and I'm sorry in advance if it gets old but I wondered if we would ever have children again and I'm still unsure if we'll have anymore after this one, so we are going to enjoy every moment - even the morning sick ones.

We have truly been blessed and I am so thankful.

Memories of Grandpa Stan Gordon Oct 30, 1931 - Aug 13, 2009

As early as I can remember, Grandpa was always the “go to guy.” Grandpa could fix anything. I always thought this was a neat thing about him. He was the man that I would go to when I needed patches on my bike tires and even taught me how. I remember him helping with repairs on our house, cars, and he was also a huge help when my father was dying from brain cancer. He was a support to my mom, and role model for the kids. He was a gentle but firm man and we loved him so much for everything he did for us during that difficult time.

Some of my happiest childhood memories have my Grandpa in them. I loved camping as a kid with Grandpa and Grandma LaVerne Gordon. We would ride over to Mount Pleasant or Coalville and stay in their trailer with them a few times during the summer. It was the highlight of the season. We loved to swim, explore, and most of all – FISH. Grandpa was quite the fisherman. Even as early as four, Grandpa took me out on the boat with Sarah and I caught my first fish. He was very proud of us when we caught something. After a good catch, the next day I remember Grandpa frying the trout with a little lemon pepper for a wonderful meal.

I remember him liking the taste of burnt peanut butter cookies, and we would laugh when we burned some “just for Grandpa.” I was also proud as a kid telling all my friends he was once Lehi Fire Chief. I have to smile when I think of him driving his red Ford pickup truck. I found that truck to be very fitting of him to drive since he was once a fireman. It was like he was driving a real fire truck!

Grandpa was also the stand in father figure the two years between my Dad’s passing, and my Mom getting remarried. Grandpa was the person to baptize me a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when I was eight years old because my Father was physically unable to at the time. He also took me to a Daddy Daughter Date when I was nine years old. I remember telling him that one of the activities was putting the dad’s (in my case, Grandpa) behind a sheet with only their foot sticking out and we would have to guess which foot belonged to who. I studied Grandpa’s feet before the contest to make sure I would know the foot, but Grandpa told me that he would cut a little chip out of his big toe and that’s how I would know for sure. I probably didn’t need the chip in the toenail to know his foot – but we got the right guess and I was very happy. I felt proud to have him as my date that day.

As I got older, and my Grandma LaVerne Gordon passed away, I started to see another side of my Grandpa. When he married Grandma Winona Gordon, she helped bring out a very spiritual side of him. I loved hearing his prayers especially. They were very heartfelt, and thoughtful. He specifically prayed for individuals who needed them, and took time to express his gratitude for the Lord and the things in his life he had been blessed with.

I also thought it was so great that he had the wonderful experience to serve four missions for the church. He and Grandma Noni were such great examples for the family as they faithfully served. I’ll never forget the day that he and my Grandma Noni were sealed in the temple with a room full of family. I had the experience to go with Grandma and Grandpa a few times to the temple and I always felt their spirit so strong when we were together. I looked forward to these moments with them, and wished that I could have gone more regularly with them.

Grandpa and I had some great visits when Grandma Noni was battling her own illness. During these difficult times, we had moments where we could be together in support of her. I remember him driving to the hospital daily to see her and be by her side. He picked me up a couple to times to tag along and visit. I enjoyed our lunches and the one on one moments we shared.

Even with all of his challenges during the end of his life on earth, I seldom heard Grandpa complain. I would ask, “How are you doing Grandpa?” To which he would always reply with a smile in his voice, “Pretty good for the shape I’m in.” I know he had his bad days, but he was very brave, and held a strong face even through the pain I know he was feeling. Grandpa and Grandma were very supportive of our family and I was always happy to see them when they would come to Halloween party or a little birthday party we were having.

I feel blessed to have been at the hospital before his passing. Grandma Noni was talking to him so lovingly, and trying to make him more comfortable. I remember rubbing his arms and neck while recalling memories with him. I saw some of his last smiles, and heard his last words. As I talked, I noticed his heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and most things on his monitors improved. During my talking, Grandpa fell into a deep sleep, almost like I was telling a bedtime story. I like to think he fell asleep during a happy memory and his last moments awake were pleasant ones. I remember telling him in his ear “Grandpa, I love you,” and with tears in my eyes leaving the ICU only to find out only minutes later he passed away.

Grandpa – we love you so much. Thank you for everything you did for our family. You have always been a role model and inspiration to me. You will be missed!

Six Year Anniversary

August 7th, 2003.

10:00 pm. After a night of decorating for our reception, and a brief stop to Maverick to get some soda and a sandwich, I headed home to my nearly empty apartment to get ready for the following day. My wedding day. I took a bath, made sure my honeymoon suitcase was packed, my dress was laid out, hair things were packed away, and I attempted to sleep. I knew I would be content with only a few hours of rest. I wasn't nervous about marrying Shayne. I had no doubt that I was marrying the right person. I was more anxious about how I wanted things to go for my very big and special day.

FLASH BACK - two weeks BEFORE wedding.

"Laura, I'm so sorry to have to do this to you, but with the new changes in plans I'm afraid I will have to refund your deposit, and walk away from this wedding. " Famous last words of my wedding planner from Unforgettable Weddings of Utah. What he really should have said is "Laura, your wedding is not making me enough money, and it's not worth it to me even though we have been planning your wedding since February."

I was devastated. Very tearful, anxious, and upset. The thought of making all the arrangements with only two weeks notice was too much to bear. I was working full time for Payless Shoe Source, and had very little time for the HUGE task ahead. My invitations were out. The temple reservation was made many months in advance I felt I had no choice but to be strong and try to make my wedding everything I imagined it would be.

Luckily for me, Diamond Rentals took care of most of my wishes. Tables, table cloths, chairs, and most anything I needed were there and available for that Friday. My mother in law, sister in law, and myself stayed up late one night making center pieces for the tables. A co-worker's sister could do flowers, and all the rest was just icing on the cake. It wasn't easy, but everything came together, and for much cheaper than Unforgettable Weddings could have done. It made me wonder why I thought we needed seven months to plan for it when it all came together in two weeks.

August 8, 2003.

5:00 am. I woke up and grabbed the diet coke I bought the night before to help me wake up. After a quick shower, and grabbing my things I needed- I whispered to myself "this is it. Getting married today."

7:00 am. I met at my parent's house in Spanish Fork to get my hair done by my close friend and co-worker at Payless. It took us three hours to get my hair as curly as we wanted it.

10:00 am. I was starting to wonder what Shayne was doing, and how he was feeling about this big day. My family was awake and bustling, and I could feel the excitement in the air as we all rushed to do our last minute things. As fixed some decorations, I knew we should be leaving now if we were to make it to the temple on time. I was told by temple workers to arrive two hours before our wedding time at 1:00 p.m.

11:00 - Just leaving the house. I was getting nervous to arrive to the temple so late, but didn't decline the offer the stop at McDonald's on the way over to get the Quarter Pounder which I felt was craving and it being my special day I felt like it was deserved and enjoyed every bite.

12:15 - Finally, we were where we were supposed to be. As I walked in the temple doors, I could see to my left a waiting room full of familiar faces - family anxious for us to be married. I also saw Shayne up ahead. Man, he looked good! I didn't picture it being this way.... somehow I thought it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, but this being a temple wedding things were different. I looked at him differently right then realizing - "wow - I'm spending Eternity with this man." It was a happy thought though.

1:00 - "We don't have time to lace up your dress," the temple worker said. I guess having 160 other brides that day, and my being VERY late, was starting to hurt me. "Mom - please, will you help me lace up my dress! I can't go out like this, even if no one will see it." My mom was the biggest help to me that day. She laced as fast as she could, and my dress was finally perfect.

1:30 - This part was a blur. Everyone was rushing me so fast. I only remember walking up some stairs and seeing Grandpa Underwood and Shayne at the top and Grandpa brushed us by quickly about what was going to happen. Just as we were walking in, we realized in the rush, we had forgotten the part where I give Shayne my name through the veil and made another short stop to the veil to do so.

1:45 - SHOW TIME. "Do you want to be married to Shayne? YES. Do you want to be married to Laura. YES. Well, your married!" Just kidding - but sorta how my wedding felt to have happened. It was rushed like the rest of my morning - however still very special and the most sacred part of the day.

After a very very FAST wedding, barely having enough time to cry, Shayne and I kissed and became man and wife - sealed for time and all eternity. We hugged our family that was present, and even so soon after being married went our separate ways to get dressed into our more formal accessories and attire.

2:30 - As I walked down the hall of the temple I remember scanning the rooms looking for my new husband. I guess I imagined it was going to different - that we would be together in the temple a while, and to be apart so soon was weird to me. It felt much like nothing had changed.

The moment I saw him however I knew I was quite wrong. Things had changed. He was sitting on a chair waiting for his bride, and when he saw me he looked up and smiled. I looked at him in his tux and tails (which he looked so handsome in!), and had to keep telling myself in my head, "wow - I'm really married. I'm a married woman. This is my husband. I'm married..."

LATER

Before the wedding, I was so concerned about the reception and if it would go smoothly. However, now that I was married, none of that seemed as important anymore. It was all being taken care of. I did get a little upset when I realized that half way through our pictures I had forgotten to hand out flowers, but it didn't let it spoil my day. Even the rain sprinkles and the sudden need to move some of our tables didn't phase me. I met dozens of people, many that I hadn't met before and some that I hadn't seen in years. I felt the happiness of the moment.

The night went on. Finally our last guest left, and the feeling of "I guess we should go" set in. It was all over, and yet so much was about to begin. I took my suitcase, and after a hug to my Mom and Dad, my husband and I got in our very decorated car and drove away.

Even now, six years later and after all the things that we have experienced both good and bad, I am so happy when I remember that day. Happy with my choice in a husband, and I feel extreme happiness when I think of our future together. We have one beautiful daughter, we hope to have at least two more children, and with Shayne going to school we know we have so much to be grateful for and excited about. I feel blessed when I think of him, and our life together, and although it hasn't always been easy I love him so much and STILL want to spend Eternity with him.

Yesterday, as we walked on our temple grounds holding hands and talking about the memories of that day, I felt that same calm feeling I remember having six years ago. I looked at him again, and had to pinch myself at how lucky I know I am that we have each other, and we are a happy family.

Shayne, you are the love of my life - I love you today, tomorrow, always. Thank you for marrying me. Happy Anniversary!

Hatch.... The Center of the Universe.

Every year, our family has made is a fun tradition to head down south to a small city who's motto to travelers passing through might as well be "blink, and you'll miss it." Hatch, Utah, near Bryce Canyon and Panguitch is where my father's side of the family are from and every year we head down around the 24th of July for a family reunion and to enjoy the pleasure of our families company.

PIONEER DAY

This year was a memorable year for the Munn family. For the first time, Ellie got to participate in the Hatch local parade. Ellie looked like Miss Hatch USA riding on a ATV with her Great Grandpa Burrows that I decorated in red, white, and blue. Ellie was smiling and waving at all the people as she rode past. After the parade (which lasted about 2 minutes!), we went with Grandma Tubbs and played games at the town square, and later enjoyed a delicious town meal and amazing fireworks. I even found sparklers at a little store to make the night even more magical.

LOTS OF FINE FISHIN'


One thing we particularly looked forward to in Hatch was to enjoy all the "easy fishing" in their streams. Grandpa Tubbs made it sound so easy when he said, "we caught our limit in only a couple hours." One person went out once in the morning and caught their limit, and when out again later and caught their limit again. I knew it had to be true when a group of young children carried home a string of fish they had just caught that morning.

We set out early that morning, and Grandpa Burrows helped us pick the right spinners for the job. We found a place at a river, and started to cast out. Two of three times Grandpa B cast out, he caught a fish. Well.... he must be doing something different because we must have cast out 200 times each and didn't catch anything. Evan and Monyka caught small anchovy type fish being only about four inches long, which was the highlight of our fishing... Ellie even got to hold the fish up, and hold it for a while before they threw it back into the water. So, despite what they say, the fishing down in Hatch isn't as easy as it sounded. I hope next year to figure out what we did wrong!

ATV RIDIN'

One of the main attractions in Hatch is all the ATV riding we do. We love to ride up into the beautiful Proctor Canyon every year and really enjoy learning about the land and history of Hatch as told by Grandpa B. He seems to show us new routes every year, but we always hit the usual sights and stops along the way as well.

One of our stops, is to a group of very large ant hills. Grandpa likes to poke the ant hills with sticks because "they looked bored, and that'll keep 'em busy." We also ride past some very neat perfectly round stones made from sand. We call them Indian marbles. This year we went a little further on our trail than I remember in years past when we went a place you can hike and see an arch in the beautiful orange and red rock. It was a really breathtaking sight looking down at the land below us. Before heading home, we cool down at a fresh water spring, and shoot Grandpa's 22.

A few of us found horneytoads along the way, and Ellie loved the chance to hold them and pet their spikey backs. Uncle Brett even found a little frog. Ellie was hilarious to ride with too. Shayne said that the whole time she would say "WOO HOO!!!" as they rode fast along the trail.

FAMILY

Even with all these fun activities, the main reason we come to Hatch is to spend time with all the family that still gather there. My Grandma Tubbs grew up in the small town and some of our family, the Evans, still live there. Many of my relatives played big roles in the town history, and donated items to the local DUP museaum. Walking through the Museam makes me feel like I'm learning pieces of my family history. I even found a chair this year with my maiden name on it - the chair that belonged to my Great Grandmother Laura Burrows.

We also have a small family reunion while we are down there every year. This year they asked each family present to mention something that happened over the past year, and it was neat to learn about their lives on a more personal level. We have to laugh because the reunion is during the rain every year, but even still we have a great time just being together.

SEE YA NEXT TIME

Leaving Hatch is always bitter-sweet. Usually we are ready to leave but sad to go and excited for next year at the same time. The drive home is one usually filled with talk about our trip, and the fun that we had. Until next time, we have some awesome memeories and beautiful fun pictures to look at and enjoy. We love Hatch.

ALOHA!!!

"Do you want to hold my hand?" I asked Ellie as we felt the airplane start to increase in speed, getting ready to raise into the air.

"No, Mommy, I'm not scared AT ALL," Ellie said with a very excited tone in her voice and a huge smile beaming on her face as she took in everything out the window. We were finally going on our first trip to Hawaii! Even though we hadn't slept well the night before, we couldn't have been happier or more energetic that morning as we took off.

LEAVING ON A JET PLANE

Ellie is a natural born traveler. She was the best kid on the airplane. Always quiet, thoughtful, and polite with our fellow travelers, and easy to entertain. The plane rides were never a problem. Even with our busy lay overs and security checks, Ellie stayed close by me and followed instruction. I am so proud of her. Ellie did much better than I did when it came to keeping a cool head.

I have to laugh when I think of our trip TO Hawaii. I knew that we could each pack on a carry on and personal item, and that car seats and strollers didn't count as carry on's and were allowed to be brought on as extra. Well - I PACKED THEM ALL. Ellie had a carry on, a little bag full of entertainment things, a stroller, and car seat. I brought on my own carry on, and computer bag. We only had to actually check in ONE suitcase which of course saved us about $15 at the time. Ellie wore her safety harness (leash), and I pushed around all our belongings through the airports. It was like I was pushing a cart of all my belongs complete with a back pack on my back, almost like a snail carrying around his home all the while keeping track of my four year old child.

It was especially funny when Delta Airlines messed up our tickets, and we got moved into FIRST CLASS to make up for the mistake on our flight from California to Hawaii (the long flight). Here I was, this country bumpkin with my stroller full of things, a four year old basically on a leash, and a very full back pack on my back waltzing into first class. I pushed past the very well dressed and classy passengers, and sat myself down for relief. Gazing around, I felt a little out of place, but happy as ever to be in first class - a opportunity I never thought I would have.

First class was the best airplane trip we had. I had a steak dinner, and Ellie had penne pasta. The seats were so large, Ellie sprawled out and slept most the way, while I watched a movie with most of the comforts of home and better yet - attendants granting my every wish. It was heavenly. Our way back from Hawaii however, couldn't have been more of an opposite! Cramped in tiny seats, trying to sleep during a red eye overnight flight, and feeling depressed to be leaving such a beautiful place and family Hawaii. There was one good thing about the flight home though..... I didn't make the same mistake twice and carry on so many things. Remember, CHEAPER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER.

WELL, WE'RE HERE!

"LAURA!" I could hear Dad yelling from across the airport near the baggage claim carousels. Ellie went running to Grandpa LaTurner with open arms ready to give him the biggest hug he'd ever had.

We were given real Lei's from Dad and found our baggage, and set off for Mom and Dad's condo in Hauula. I had seen pictures of their apartment building before, and recognized it the moment it came into view. I was very anxious to see everyone, but also very excited to jump in the ocean. Dad took us to the ocean first, wanting to surprise Mom who was inside the apartment. Ellie loved the ocean the moment she saw it! It didn't take much time for that kid to become completely wet with salt water.

Finally, Mom appeared and we had a happy reunion. Here at last! I knew it was going to be great trip. It felt like a dream to finally be in Hawaii.

THE BEACH


I have to say, most of our trip was spent on the beaches of Oahu. The one we went to the most of course, was the beach behind the apartment building. Ellie loved that beach, and it was so nice to have it close to the condo to shower off after. However, we also spent time at Turtle Bay, Hukilou, Sunset Beach, China Man's Hat Beach, and one we like to call ELLIE BAY.

ELLIE BAY is where we like to go to see the large sea turtles. They are protected there by volunteers who put red ropes around them and tell tourists they can not pass the rope or touch the turtles. Ellie loved the turtles so much. She was given the job once of holding the rope, and she took this task quite seriously.

Another reason Ellie loved Ellie Bay was because it's where her and Grandpa liked to get wet. One day we went to the bay while Mom was at work, and the waves were coming in pretty large. Ellie loved to get into the water like the local children with her clothes on and let the waves hit her. Dad knows the "series" of the waves, and we were watching Ellie together when he calmly walked over by her in the water. Just then, a larger wave came swooping over Ellie and he reached down and pulled her up by the arm (barely making a sound), and possibly saving her life. I am still amazed by this because it's like he KNEW that something was going to happen. He was definitely in the right place at the right time. We didn't scare Ellie about what had just happened. She learned after that experience to stay close to Grandpa when the waves came in, and this started a cute routine at the beaches with Grandpa after that.

PEARL HARBOR



One day of the trip, we decided to see Pearl Harbor. It was something that was definitely on my "to do list" when I went to Hawaii. Shayne's grandfather is a Pearl Harbor Survivor, and it is humbling to hear of his experiences that happened on this day.

Ellie seemed to be more quiet on the day we went to Pearl Harbor. I'm not sure if she was sensitive to the nature of the Memorial, but she seemed to have more moments where she wanted to think and sorta just look things over. We watched a video about what happened that day, and took a ferry out to the USS Arizona Memorial. It is almost hard to describe how you feel when you are looking down on the ruins of the once great ship. About 1,500 men were taken down with the ship and their remains still abide in the watery grave. It was hard to believe that this is where everything on Pearl Harbor took place, and to think that Grandpa Underwood could survive such an attack. Everything became more real to me and not just a part of US History.

PINEAPPLES!

Another big part of our trip were our visits to the DOLE PLANTATION. Who knew Pineapples could be so much fun!? We loved the Dole Plantation. It was free to get in, and very fun. They have a gift shop (which is so fun to go through), and a little restaurant section where you can buy the most delicious pineapple ice cream ever! Ellie's main attraction there were the large Koi fish in a little pond. She got to feed them a few times, and really enjoyed seeing them fight over ever scrap of food.

My favorite part of the Dole Plantation thought was seeing the most adorable pineapples I have ever seen. They had pink pineapple, purple pineapple, fat yellow pineapples, reddish pineapples, and they grew out of the ground like a spiky bush. They had signs posted where the different pineapples hail from, and it was just amazing to see how they grow. As you leave the plantation, you can see fields of pineapple plants covering rich reddish brown soil.



THERE'S ONE!!!!

Dad told us when we first set foot on the beach that hundreds of crabs walk out on the beach at night. We had been very excited waiting for our first chance to go out with our flashlights and see what he was talking about. I was pretty nervous about the crab hunting, but thought it would be fun to see Ellie finding the crabs.

Just as Dad said, hundreds of crabs crawled along the beach. They were fast, and we soon realized we had no need to worry about possibly stepping on a crab. They were small and looked the color of sand. All I remember hearing was "There's one!!! There's another one! Grandpa did you see that one!?" Ellie pointed them out, and Grandpa picked them up to put them into his pocket. We walked along the beach, and I noticed the further we got to the big black volcano rocks the larger the crabs were getting. Dad held up a crab that was about as big as hand. Ellie started to panic at how big is was, and we headed back towards the house. This didn't scare her from going out a few more nights though - we just made sure to NOT go so close to the rocks.

WAIKIKI!


On Fathers Day Evening, after a nice meal at Dad's sisters house (Dede), we went down to Waikiki for a night in the Queen Kapolani Hotel. It was fun to see all the hotels in the night, and to drive along the beach with the tiki lights all lit up and hundreds of people parading the sidewalks. We were very excited to walk along the beach and see everything there was to see.

After checking into our hotel room (which had a balcony Ellie just loved!) we set out for our walk along the "strip" of Waikiki. I couldn't wait to see the mannequins posing for money. Sure enough - the same mannequin that I saw on a video Mom and Dad had made years earlier was still on his corner posing for money. I wanted to badly to take a picture of them, but was warned they would come after me for money if I did, so I didn't dare.

There are all kinds of people doing different attractions for money. Some were singing, playing music, making woven hats from palm leaves, others "terminally ill," or laying on a bed of nails and having people from the audience step on him for a buck. Ellie loved seeing the parrots that were being posed on people's hands for pictures. It was truly amazing and fun, and the whole time I kept thinking how much I knew Shayne would have loved this and really wished he could have been there.

We quickly went through the International Marketplace, and then headed back for our stay at the hotel. The next morning, we got up early and went to the Waikiki Beach to swim. This was the best place for kids and adults if you don't like to fight the waves. They had a wall up, and the waves would hit the wall instead of you. It made the water safe for children and a pleasure to swim in. I saw many kinds of fish in this water. It was very fun.

THE FUN NEVER ENDS IN HAWAII



Even movies seemed more fun in Hawaii. While in Hawaii we enjoyed the movie UP, and NIGHT IN THE MUSEUM 2. We also enjoyed a few delicious plate dinners, and my sister Sarah spoiled us by cooking some VERY unforgettable meals. The Barbecued Pork Penne Pasta being one of the best meals, and the Bacon Cheeseburger Spaghetti.... well, the other extreme (good tasting but very unusual).

I had a couple of great visits with David as well when he came to join us for DVD rental movies, popcorn, and ice cream in Mom's apartment. David and I also ordered a pizza once, and sat by a beach for lunch. I also saw him a handful of times at his local job at the time 7-11.

Our trips to the mall were very fun - especially since the Kahuku Mall has both a play area for kids AND a Pet Store for Ellie. The Swap Meet was another favorite in my trip, and I was surprised how much I got for so little money! We also had the neat experience to see the Valley of the Temples, and a Buddhist Temple which was very beautiful.

Even the hot dogs at Costco seemed more fun in Hawaii.... I knew I was going to miss Hawaii so much.


ALOHA HAWAII :(

I knew saying goodbye was going to be the hardest part about my trip to Hawaii. We had spent two wonderful weeks there. Ellie was such a great kid the entire trip, and the time came and went too quickly. I was excited to see my Sweetie back at home, and start possibly planning another trip to Hawaii, but it didn't make things any easier.

It was a tearful goodbye. I held back tears when I said goodbye to Dad giving him the final hug in Hawaii for this trip. Later on in the car, I broke down and had to call him and tell him how much we'll miss him and Hawaii and thank him for everything he did for Ellie and I during our stay. Saying goodbye to Mom was painful too. I choked up the whole ride to the airport. She walked with us up to the security check in, and we both had streaming tears at parting. I kept looking back to see if she had walked off yet, or to see if she was still there - almost wishing for more time together - and she was standing looking at us with tears rolling down her checks just like I had.

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN JIGGITY JIG!

Seeing Shayne waiting for us by the baggage claim was a happy moment. If I weren't so tired from our overnight flight, I think I would have went running up to him to give him a BIG hug and kiss. It was nice to be back with my husband, and it felt more real that I was back at home. I slept most of that day, and we tried to adjust back to Utah time the next week. We were very excited to pass out our souvieniers and tell about our trip. I have to admit, I got tearful for the first week missing my family, and sad that it was all over. Hopefully, we will be able to fly out again soon, and bring Shayne to experience everything Hawaii is. I can't wait for that day. Until then, we love the memories, and talk about it frequently. I love Oahu. I couldn't have asked for a better trip this summer.