Wicked

Brett and I went to the Broadway show Wicked with our friends Jon and Kellye. I absolutely love this show! It is amazing and it was my third time seeing it. The first time I saw it was in New York about 5 years ago with my mother-in-law LeeAnn and 2 sisters-in-law Melissa and Lacey. I thought it was soooo good that for Christmas that year Brett got me the soundtrack and my family and I have been listening to it ever since. We all know the words to all the music and I have always wanted Brett and the girls to see it. Well, when we got the season tickets to the Capital Theater this year I decided to get Whytli and Adelie tickets too since they know all the words and I thought they would love it. I thought Mallory was too young and wouldn't enjoy it as much. I wasn't able to get them tickets for the same day but Brett's family all got tickets for the following week and so they were able to go with them. They loved it! Brett and girls' favorite part was the defying gravity part when the Wicked Witch turns into the Wicked Witch - or so you think. Anyway, it was really good and I could see it still a bunch more times.

This is the girls before they went to the show.

Catalina/Ensenada Girls Cruise

My friends and I just got back from a girls trip. We went on a cruise that left out of San Diego and went to Catalina Island and Ensenada. We booked the trip back in October or November so we were all very anxious and excited that it was finally here. Kellye, my sister Carrie, Shannon, and I all went. Shannon and I left a few days earlier since we decided to drive down. We left early Friday morning and drove to Las Vegas and did some shopping for a few hours. Then we drove into San Diego that same day. The drive down was so much fun and the shopping was fantastic. Saturday morning we woke up and went to breakfast with my friend, Jorri. She lives in southern California and met us halfway between San Diego and where she lives. We ate at the funnest little place near the beach that had the most delicious breakfast. We then went to the beach to snap some quick pictures. After leaving Jorri we picked up Kellye and Carrie from the airport. We did a little shopping and then went to dinner.

A few miles away from San Diego is an island that you can drive to. Melissa, my sister-in-law, had recommended a restaurant, so we went there and ate. It was Mexican food and it was very good. Afterward we did even more shopping and then went back to the hotel and went to sleep.

Jorri and I at the beach.

Shannon and I.

Shannon, Jorri and I.

Day 1:

Easter Sunday we were able to board the ship at 11:30, so we got up and got ready and headed to the port. After getting our luggage all checked in, we went and found our room and ate lunch. Then we walked around the ship for a while. We decided to put on our suits and catch some sun for a while before it was time to get ready for dinner.

After dinner, we decided to go to the karaoke lounge and see what was going on in there. You'll never believe it, but the 4 of us got up and sang. I have NEVER done karaoke before. We did get video of the whole thing, but it was really really bad, so I won't torture you with having to watch it. We sang "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" which we thought was a fitting song, but seriously, it was BAD. Carrie and Kellye got up afterward and redeemed themselves by singing something else. And then Kellye and Shannon got up and sang "Love Shack."

Day 2:

The next morning we arrived at Catalina Island. We decided to rent a golf cart and tour the island. It was really fun and we all took turns driving. The weather was just about perfect with the warm sun and a little breeze. We found a fun place by the ocean to eat lunch and did a little shopping.

Day 3:

The next day we woke up to crappy weather in Ensenada, Mexico. It was so cold. When we first got off the ship, we were all a little scared, being four girls alone in a strange place. We found some really nice people who let us hang out with them until we felt comfortable enough to go on our own. At lunch time we were walking down the street to go eat and this guy that worked at a place called the Havana Banana was trying to get us to go into his restaurant. We were hesitant at first and were heading up to the place we had originally planned on eating at, until he started dancing with his mop. He was so funny we couldn't pass him up, so we decided to eat at the Havana Banana instead. It was clean and the food was okay. The atmosphere was fun, though. He even got us to dance on the bar.

This is how crappy Ensenada looked when we arrived. It is so stinky and gross. I wouldn't care if I never went there again. It reminded me alot of Tijuana.

This was the guy that was dancing with the mop. He was really fun.

Day 4:

The last day was a day at sea which meant nothing to do but relax. Shannon and I sat in the hot tub most of the day. But while we were out there we saw whales jumping in and out of the water and we met so many fun people. We met the the Cruise Director, Stew, who was from Australia. We also went dancing (or should I say we watched the people dance - I love to people watch) 2 of the nights and that was a lot of fun. However, one of the nights the waves were really bad and the ship was rocking like crazy.

It was such a fun trip and I'm so sad that it's over. It was so funny because people would find out that we were Mormon and ask us if we were polygamists. We actually got asked that several times while on the cruise. One guy asked us if we were all wives of one guy taking a trip together. It was funny to hear that people still think Mormons are polygamists. We set them all straight, don't worry. We really did meet a lot of fun and nice people while we were there and I will never forget this trip. Thanks to Carrie for putting the whole thing together. We went with her culinary arts school.

This is Stew the director of the boat. He was really nice and had an awesome Australian accent.

Rogers Easter Egg Hunt

Later that night Brett and the kids went to LeeAnn's for dinner and her annual Easter Egg Hunt that she always does for the grandkids. She always has really fun stuff that she gets for the kids. This year she decided instead of having a lot of candy that she would do some fake money called "bunny money" and let the kids buy prizes with their bunny money. They really liked this and had fun picking out their own prizes.

Sorry Melissa, I stole these pictures from your blog since Brett didn't remember to take any pictures.

Whytli and Gwyn waiting to go on the hunt. Gwyn loves Whytli -she is one of her favorites.

The kids running around hunting for their eggs.

All the kids checking out what they got.

Grandma LeeAnn with her prizes. They had to buy them from her.

Colten, Gwyn and Melissa.

Brett and his bunny ears. They were from Nash's Elmo stuffed animal he got with his bunny money.

Nash and August checking out this egg and passing it back and forth.

This is what the rest of the night (as always) looked like - the brothers playing Halo.

Easter Morning

For Easter this year I was gone on a cruise with my sister and some friends. The kids (especially Whytli) were very worried that the Easter Bunny would forget about them this year and not come since I was not there. It appears that the Easter Bunny made if after all. Thank goodness! The kids loved what he (she? it?) left them and were all very excited.

It looks like the Easter Bunny did a good job laying everything out. I was worried - I usually instruct the bunny where to put stuff. The girls all got pajamas, underwear, and lots of candy.

Nash got some pajamas, sport balls, and fruit snacks and fish. I'm not sure where his basket went? Um, Brett?

Brett got a new tie, cuff links and some of his favorite gum, candy bars and mints.

Checking out everything to see if they approve. I am sure there was a lot of comparing going on too. They always have to have the same things.

Nash loves his balls.

Lacey was so kind to come over that morning and do the girls' hair. I didn't really care about any of the other days but church. I didn't want them going to church looking like little orphans. I stressed it to her how important it was to me that they looked decent so much that she woke up in the middle of the night stressed because she forgot to set her alarm. She was there by 7:30 a.m. Thanks Lacey for doing their hair! You are wonderful!

The girls in their new Easter outfits. They love to pose.

Annual Cope Easter Egg Hunt

Every year for Easter my family gets together and we do an Easter Egg Hunt in Stephanie's back yard. This year I was not able to be there but Brett and the kids went. The kids got a lot of candy and afterward they roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. They all had a great time.

Nash was enjoying something apparently and got all messy. (Note - that would not have happened if I was there! ;) - just kidding)

Bucketheads.
(I'm having a little deja vu here - I am sure some of you know what I mean? LOL!)