A quick trip to Washington D.C.

In May, Wayne had a conference at National Harbor right outside of Washington D.C.  It had been about 8 years since we had last been to that area and since we lived in Charlottesville, Virginia for four years and wanted to see the area I hopped along.

It was such a fun vacation.  We saw the sights, ran along the Potomac River, ate at amazing places, drove down to Charlottesville and reminisced about our wonderful times there.

When we were in Charlottesville we decided to eat at a few of the places that I loved.  Christians Pizza was a frequent stopping place because it was so cheap for a huge slab of pizza!  It wasn't Wayne's favorite place, but since I loved it so much he was completely on board to go.

After eating pizza we walked to Wayne stomping grounds, the medical school at UVA.  There is a new medical student building there along with a new cancer center, which he was equally interested in.  I couldn't believe the amount of new stores and restaurants there.  Many of them were upscale and very nice.

We also drove by Copeley family housing.  We parked next to our old apartment.  After getting out and looking around a girl saw us and asked if we were looking into family housing.  If only she knew that we lived in family housing for seven years!  Funny enough, our old apartment was her current apartment.  Even more crazy was that they are Mormon.  Which puts a mormon family in that apartment for a good 12 years running!

We drove back to D.C. in our bright yellow convertible mustang rental car.  :)

Wayne and I were able to get in a final trip to Mt. Vernon, George Washington's estate.  There is something so special about that place.  It feels so peaceful and spiritual.  We ate some amazing food at the restaurant there before it was time to catch our flight home.

This is how big our little family was when we lived in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Bryce Canyon 50k

The hardest race to date!  Wayne was at the finish.  It was 90 ish degrees and 9,300 feet above sea level. It took me 8 hours and 53 minutes to complete.

I wasn't sure what to expect on this one.  I knew the scenery would be stunning.  I had sand everywhere after the run.  Thank goodness I met a girl who ran with me for about 18 miles of that race.  We talked, laughed, walked and pushed on together. 

At the 20 mile aid station I was feeling nauseous and was getting a headache.  As soon as I sat down it started to get worse.  After more fuel and some medicine I knew it was time to keep trucking on.  When I finally finished they had run out of Coke!  I love drinking Coke on these races.  I may have cried.  :)  I bought four ice cold 16.9 ounce waters and downed every single one of them while we were waiting for the shuttle to take us back to Ruby's Inn (where the expo was).  It took us an hour to get on that shuttle to return.

Before the race

Seeing the finish line

Our AMAZING trip to Florida

In February, Wayne had a conference in Orlando, Florida.  We were throwing around the idea of taking the whole family because, well, Orlando!  In September I started searching Disney Cruises around the time of the conference and there was a five night cruise that fit our dates perfectly.  Wayne was shocked that I suggested a Disney Cruise before his conference because they are so pricey (and I don't like to spend loads of money).   I will forever be grateful that we took the plunge.  I think it will go down as one of the best vacation memories we have ever made.

Not long after I booked the vacation Wayne's dad passed away.  His mom had been his caregiver for a very long time.  I think the last time they took a true vacation was two years previously when they came to visit us in Oregon right after we moved there.  At the funeral I asked Wayne if we should invite his mom to come with us.  His immediate response was, "Yes, I think she would love it."  He asked her right away and she was so excited and happy to go.  I called Disney Cruise line and booked another veranda a few cabins down from ours.

We decided to go on the Disney Cruise and Harry Potter World in Universal Studios while we were in Florida.  I had some pretty high expectations and was worried that I would be disappointed with our cruise.  It truly was the best.

We prepped the kids that the lines would be long and we would have to wait to board the ship.  I couldn't have been more surprised with how smooth the process was.  We didn't wait in a line at all to sign in.  After signing in we went to the youth activity area and signed up the kids for their respective areas on the ship.  Then we sat down and waited for about 30 minutes until our boarding time was called.  As we walked onto the ship a man was there with a microphone who introduced our whole family and said, "THE ORMSBY FAMILY".  We walked into a grand lobby with glass elevators and beautiful decor.  We were able to peruse the ship while our rooms were finishing being prepared.  The first thing we did was go to lunch.  The kids LOVED that they were able to pick anything they wanted to eat.  Jacob started it off right with lobster and shrimp.  Trevor and Alexis loved the fries and macaroni and cheese.  They soon realized that they could have endless soft serve ice cream and drinks on the pool deck.  We were all also given "keys to the kingdom", a card that was our key to our room and something we had to have to board and deboard the ship.

I was grateful to a friend who prepped me on all things Disney Cruise related.  She told me to bring lanyards because they cost $12 a piece on the ship (I bought lanyards at Staples for $3 a piece).  She also told me that many people decorate their room doors with Disney characters or custom designed name plates, so I went to Pinterest and designed my own.  I also found out that many passengers find other passengers through message boards and do a fish exchange (gift exchange) each day while they are on the ship.  I didn't find out about the latter until it was too late to enter, but decided to do it myself.   The first day they received a small bottle of Purell.  The second was Valentine's Day and I ordered custom M&M's for everyone that said "Ormsby 2017" "Ormsby's" "Disney Cruise" and a Rose on red, white and pink M&M's.  It was a hit.  The third day they received things for pirate night, a bandanna and eye patch.  The fourth day everyone received a pair of Mickey Mouse socks.  It was so much fun to see them excited about their deliveries.

Jacob was able to go to two different clubs on the ship.  The oldest group consisted of 14-17 year olds, it was called Vibe.  He liked it, but felt a little young.  The other group consisted of 11-14 year olds, it was called Edge.  He and Trevor ventured there a few times together and sometimes alone.  It worked out so well that everyone had their own key on a lanyard and they could come and go as they pleased.  Alexis was a little trickier.  I signed her up for self check in and self check out at the Oceaneers Club.  One time she couldn't find us and was getting worried.  After that incident we figured out the phone system they supply in your room.  There are two phones that you can use on the ship.  We practiced and from there on out she had a phone and I had a phone.  One night Wayne and I went to an adult only juggling show that went from 10:00 - 10:30 p.m.  At 10:30 I called Alexis to let her know we were heading back to the room.  She picked up the phone and said quickly, "Oh, Hi Mom.  I've got to go!  I'm making Mickey cupcakes with the chef!!!  I'll come back to the room when we're done.  Love you, Byyyyyyeeeee!"

Each evening we had dinner at a new location.  Our first night we dined at Tiana's Place.  It was southern food and so good!  My favorite were the beingets.  Tiana and a bunch of the characters made an appearance during our meal.  There was live music with a bass, piano and vocalist.  It was awesome!  The second night we were at Triton's Palace.  It was more fancy and grand.  Trevor loved trying duck, Jacob ate seafood, I loved the steak, Alexis had macaroni and cheese (again), Wayne had steak and Mom O. (grandma) had chicken.  It was delicious.  Our final night was at the Animators Palate.  The decor was so fun at this place.  It started in black and white and ended in color.  We found ourselves stuffed with another amazing meal.  We also received wonderful service from the same server each night.

After dinner there was a Broadway style show each night.  I loved that it was different every night.  The first night Wayne took the kids to see Dr. Strange and Mom O. and I went to the Golden Mickey's theater production.  After that night I decided we all needed to go to the theater each night.  The next show was an Enchanted Princess show.   The boys pushed back a bit, but after watching it they couldn't argue that it was incredible and actually looked forward to the next days show.   One of my favorite moments was watching Alexis watch the show.  She came alive and was mesmerized.   At the end of the show Mickey and Minnie came out.  She broke out into a huge smile, jumped forward and started clapping.  Everyone was clapping.  It really was magical.

The third show was a juggling act that impressive, watching that man throw down balls on a piano and play a song was crazy!  Everyone talked about that one for a number of days.  The final show was a live production of Frozen.  Again, incredible to watch.

The room was perfect for our family.  There were bunk beds, a murphy bed, and a queen bed.  We had a balcony that was beautiful.  The television played Disney movies nonstop and if you wanted to watch first run Disney shows they were showing at the theaters on the ship.

Wayne and I splurged on a couples massage for Valentine's Day.  Heaven.  At the end of the massage the masseuse lifted my hand.  I thought she placed it in her hand.  I felt really weird about that and pulled away.  I told Wayne that I loved everything except the end when she took my hand and just held it.  He said, "That was me!"  Oh my word.  Ha!  I was laying face down and couldn't see anything.  She lifted my hand and placed it in Wayne's!   After trying to sell us seaweed for like, $150 we declined and paid a pretty penny for a wonderful time.

We also were able to go to the gym each day, thankfully, because I thought I was being decent, but in reality I ate just like I said I wouldn't.

Our stops were Castaway Cay and Nassau, Bahamas.  Honestly, I feel like we didn't even need to leave the ship.  There was so much to do!  But of course we did enjoy the land too.

Castaway Cay is Disney's private island in the Bahamas.  Everyone loved the water slides and playing in the water.  There were lounge chairs and umbrellas.  I was thrilled to soak up the sun and relax.  You can rent bikes and ride along the island.  Jacob decided to use his money and go parasailing.  Wayne went with him.  They loved it.  I think the only complaint was that it was too short a ride. :)  A barbecue lunch was provided.  It was a wonderful relaxing day.

Our second port was Nassau, Bahamas.  We were debating going to the water park in Atlantis, but decided to go on a catamaran and snorkel instead.  I'm grateful that everyone (except for me) is a strong swimmer.  The water was a bit choppy.  Everyone else was fine, but I was swallowing a good amount of sea water!  After 15 minutes I came back to the catamaran and watched everyone else snorkel along the reef.  The boys went back to the ship and the girls decided to do some shopping when we returned.  It was a bit too intense for me.  A gal totally swooped in on me and brought me straight to her little shop in the swap meet.  It was geared towards tourists, no doubt about that.  There was jewelry, woodwork, bags, key chains, seashells, and many other things.  Alexis was with us and left with a turtle necklace (that has already broken) and a conch shell.  I will admit that the conch shell is pretty neat.  Mom O. was looking for salt and pepper shakers for her collection and bought some cute ones.  Once she had those I was dead set on heading back to the ship.  That scene is not me at all.

After the cruise we disembarked and headed straight to Universal Studios to go to Harry Potter World.  Wayne had been maybe the most excited to check it out.  It was perfect that the first day of the conference was geared toward surgeons, so he was able to go with us.  It was definitely the least crowded day.  We walked nine miles that day.

My best attempt at a panoramic picture of Harry Potter World

The next day Wayne went to the conference and the rest of us went back to Universal Studios.  I knew I would be going on some roller coasters, so I took some non-drowsy Dramamene.   Oh man.  All I wanted to do was lay down on the road and take a nap.  The "non-drowsy" version wiped me out.  I felt like I was walking through mud and water, but I pushed through for another nine mile day of walking.  Everyone wanted to go on different rides and do different things.  After being on the cruise where they could do whatever they wanted it made it tricky.  Trevor had saved his money to purchase an Ollivander's wand.  He was so excited when he could finally get his hands on one.  That Harry Potter World was remarkable.  It was a replica of what you see in the movies.  Other than the dragon ride (that I just kept praying would end) I enjoyed it all.  I think everyone loved the Butterbeer most of all!!!

Even though we bought a three day pass to Universal, we were all pooped by the third day and decided to make it a day at the pool.  We stayed at the Rosen Shingle Hotel in Orlando.  Not only was it beautiful, but it had a market with delicious food, an ice cream shop, and two pools and hot tubs with music and places to eat.  We spent the afternoon having lunch and relaxing in the pool.

The view from our room at Rosen Shingle Creek

Our final day we checked out of our hotel, went to the temple and sacrament meeting at the church across the street from the temple.  After church we checked into the Residence Inn close to the airport.  Wayne and I went to the grocery store to make a meal at the hotel.  It was really nice to not eat out again.  We were all exhausted.  It was a good thing because we had a 4:30 wake up call to get ready and catch our flight home.

Now I'm ruined.  I want to go on another Disney Cruise.

Trevor said, "I keep having dreams that I'm back on the cruise.  I wish I would have savored it more."

Jacob said (and just reinforced that he is indeed a teenager), "I wish we could go have food like that again."

Alexis said,"I loved it all!  Let's do it again!  This time let's go longer!!!"

It really was one for the books.  I'm incredibly grateful for Wayne who works so hard to provide our family with the ability to take these kinds of trips.

Are you happy?

This is Alexis's new question.  I would say at least three times a week she asks me, "Are you happy, Mom?"  I look at her, smile and say, "Yes, I'm happy!"  She grins in return and says, "So am I.  I'm happy too."

Life's happenings

 This was our last time at Lagoon this season.  We enjoyed Frightmares and the very long lines!  Not true about the long lines.  We were spoiled during the summer when we could go on a weekday and avoid huge crowds.  I think we made it about a dozen times.  It made the season passes worth it.

 On the morning of October 14 Wayne received a phone call from his brother, Alan.  He and his brothers are close and fiercely loyal, but don't call often.  When he picked up the phone Alan told him that his Dad had passed away in his sleep.  Wayne called me around 8:45 am and said that his Dad passed away.  He rushed home to pick me up so that we could ride together to his parents house.  I'm so very grateful to be living close to family.  When we arrived most of the siblings were there.  My heart broken mother in law rushed to give Wayne and then me a hug.  She said that Graeme's doctor said that Wayne could do the final check, declare the death and sign the death certificate.  I think that was hard for him.  After checking his Dad we said our goodbyes and waited downstairs for the rest of the family to come and then called the funeral home to come and pick him up.  It was bittersweet for all of us.  He had been on dialysis for a year and was also a Type 1 Diabetic with many other health problems that come from that disease.  He had known it was coming.  He put things in place months before.  I've never seen such a fighter when it comes to health problems.  We were happy that he was free of pain and the struggles that come with living with so many health problems.  His mom and dad went to dinner and a movie the night before.  He had fallen at home late into the night.  The paramedics came, checked him and said that he just needed sleep.  He fell asleep and didn't wake up.  It was exactly as he wanted it.  His face showed no struggle.  We were all grateful for that. Toward the end of our time at the house their Bishop came by and asked if Barbara (my mother in law) needed a blessing.  Wow.  None of us had thought to ask and she probably never would have asked.  She gladly agreed.  It was touching to watch her boys surround her, place their hands on her head and give a blessing of strength and comfort.  My favorite part was that he was being welcomed by all of those who had gone before him and those he had helped in his lifetime.  He was a huge genealogist.  He found around 10,000 family names, doing their temple work and tracing his history back to Adam in some lines.  Knowing that those people were surrounding him and thanking him brought tears to my eyes and made me want to help find those in my family who need work done.  I'm grateful that he welcomed me with warm arms anytime I saw him.  He was never hesitant to say that we if needed anything to ask.  I will always remember how he made me ham hock soup when I was pregnant with Alexis because it was one of the only things I could stomach and eat.  Right after we moved to Utah he called the day after the kids started school.  I told him that Jacob had a hard first day.  He wanted to make everything better.  He said, "Let's go to Leatherby's on Saturday."  That's Jacob's favorite ice cream place.  I'm so grateful Jacob, Trevor and Alexis were able to know him.

 Wayne and I had so much fun with Andrew and Kara at the BYU football game on October 14th.   It had been a very hard and emotional day finding out that morning that Graeme had passed away.  We were grateful for something fun and honestly, something he was so passionate about.  He would have wanted us to go to the game.  Brett and Marianne (Wayne's brother) had extra tickets to the BYU tent.  I wasn't expecting anything fancy.  Boy was I wrong.  I couldn't believe the spread of food and fun atmosphere in that tent!  It was a great night and a great win for the Cougars!

 Tuesday, October 18th, was the funeral.  Wayne's aunt flew from New Zealand, which is where Wayne's dad is from.  Many of his cousins who he hasn't seen in years came.  It was a beautiful tribute and a very emotional day for all of us.  Wayne and his brothers were the casket bearers.  This is the only picture I was able to take at the funeral.

 Oh my goodness, I am so excited for our first year of skiing/snowboarding as a family at SNOWBASIN!!!!  Don't tell the kids, but we're all going to take ski lessons and have season passes for the winter!  It's a Christmas present.  We are stoked!

 On October 23rd Alexis turned nine years old!  She is so full of spunk.  We are so lucky to have her in our family.

 Jacob has become quite the rock climber.  He's completed two rock climbing meets this year.  We're all learning this sport.  He is so strong.  I literally cannot get out of his grip.  He walks around the house doing fingertip pull ups everywhere he can.  He's the team lead for his rec group.  This picture is from class before Halloween.

 We celebrated Alexis's birthday with Grandma Ormsby at The Garden restaurant at the top of the Joseph Smith building.  The view is spectacular.

Alexis loved her gift card to Build A Bear for her 9th birthday.  

Jacob wrestling with Uncle Eric and Ryan at Grandma and Grandpa Rytting's Halloween party.

We took the family to see Middle School.  It was fun and silly and totally appropriate for this middle schooler of mine.

Showing off their Jack-o-latern's from G and G's Halloween Party!

Canoodling with a Death Eater for our Harry Potter party.

The 90 minute Slasher workout was a killer at Orange Theory Fitness.  Wayne and I are in love with this workout and working out together.  

Our sweet Trevor turned 11 on September 2nd!  It's hard to believe he was born in Virginia and has seen and experienced so much in his 11 years.  

Oh yeah.  It's that time of year again.  Following Wayne's heart attack I decided to can low salt salsa and low salt marinara.  We've been eating it up.  I don't know why tomatoes taste so incredibly different in the store.  These ones from a farm in Perry, Utah are amazing!

I died my hair red to celebrate game day!!!  Go Utes!

Fall is here!!!  This is literally five miles down the road.  It's called Mueller Park Canyon.  There is hiking, running, and biking trails.  It is quite the trek, but gorgeous.

Wayne had a conference in Park City and I was able to join in the fun.  We stayed at the Hyatt in the Canyons.  It was fun, but I woke up with the WORST twinge in my neck.  It literally took six weeks to get better.

Canning, canning and more canning.  This is grape juice!  It was gone so fast.  We made loads of  Lime Rickey's. - (sprite, grape juice, and lime juice).  My amazing neighbor has loads of grapes and shared the wealth.

One of the partners in Wayne's group has an annual party at his home.  There was a taco cart, swimming, photo booth, more food and fun.  While the kids were swimming we snuck into the photo booth for pictures.

A boring day at home is sometimes the absolute BEST!  I love this man so much.

First day of school for these three.  I cannot tell you how happy I am that they get to stay in the same home and school for the rest of their growing up years.

Camping with the family was full of hiking, flies, eating, flies, playing, flies, dirty bodies and flies!  The flies were tenacious! 

With my favorite people at JCW's. 

Scones for the 24th of July (Pioneer Day).  Celebrating those that paved the way.