Oct 16, 2008

He pooped on me, but it's cool

Yep, he did

PS I just discovered the phone has been off the hook for the last 859 minutes. Congrats to us, a new record.

So here we are, back from our trip. I can't say that I really should even be blogging with the mountain of laundry, emails, and phonecalls waiting for me. But I don't think I need to remind you people that I like to live life on the edge.

The first few days were a little rocky, what with the rain, sick kids, Ben's nerves about how the convention was going to go and all of this going down in a tiny hotel room. But once the convention was underway, things started to look up and they only got better from there.

It was so great to see some faces from home and there are so many distributors that I was looking forward to seeing as well. There were lovely dinners, beautiful awards nights, dancing, breakfast cruises. And it all took place 50 meters from Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast.

Here's a little story to boost your self esteem:

Jason Norton {who somehow manages to get on this blog more frequently than most of our family...} had flown in from SLC via Tahiti on a 36 HOUR flight with Bianca Lisonbee, one of the co-founders of the company. We had dinner all together with them and Moira and Reg from the Sydney office and then everyone retired to their rooms. There was only one more day of prep before the big days started, so Ben suggest I do anything I needed to get done before I was deprived of the internet for the next few days since he would need his laptop 24/7.

So after putting the kids to bed, including Ben, I stayed up late blogging, facebooking, emailing, trying to get as much done as I could. I was just about done, and so beyond tired I could barely see straight, by then it was 1:30 in the morning. Then it occured to me that I hadn't checked my old yahoo email account, which really has mostly turned into a spamfest. However, there is the occasional golden nugget -like a forward from an estranged relative- that keeps me coming back for more.

So I open it up to see and urgent email from Jason's wife, Kim, relating that I must have him get in touch with her ASAP. Not knowing more than that, my groggy brain tried to process the information and what to do with it. Since he had just flown in, I figured he had jetlag and would possibly be up in a few short hours. I, on the other hand, was sure I was afforded sleep until 10 {didn't happen anyway, not even close} since I was on vacay, so by then it might be too late! Immediate action WAS necessary I decided.

I woke Ben up to ask if he had seen Jason talking to Kim or if he had mentioned anything about getting in touch with her. He said he didn't think so. I then asked him what room Jason was in, hoping he was right next door and this could be easy. Nope, he was 8 floors down. Oh well, this was an emergency situation, one of which Jason may need to catch the next flight out of town. I emailed Kim, assuring her that she did the right thing to contact me, and that I would ensure Jason got the message. I wrote a note, put on the hotel bathrobe, and trudged 8 floors down to Jason's room, barefoot and barefaced. I was just going to leave the note, WHY didn't I leave the note!? but then I heard the TV on, so I figured so much the better, he was up, and I could relay this most important message now! I knocked, and waited for a good 30 seconds, realizing he probably had NOT been awake, that he had fallen asleep with the TV on and that I've now just woken a man up with jetlag on the eve of a very important convention. I should have turned and ran, instead, I waited to greet his groggy face {seriously groggy face, the next morning he had to double check that he had put clothes on, which he had} and then hear that he had already been in touch with Kim. So I didn't save the day afterall... Well, my heart was in the right place! My intentions were good!


The latter part of the trip was the best. Theme parks, Water Parks, Wildlife Santuaries, dining out sans kids with fun friends. Life couldn't be any more grand.


Breakfast cruise. My fly is down at this very moment, but I haven't yet discovered it...

No the 70's are not back and double no, I am not wearing blue mascara -despite what it looks like

Riding the train at the Currumbin Wildlife Santuary

It's a little blurry, but I love this pic of Jason and Gabe. Though you'd think it was monkey's in the background, not Koalas...


So Sad!

This bird was sitting on this ledge and sweet little Laine went up to touch it and the nasty thing lunged at her with it's x-tra long Gumby neck and needle sharp beak. She was SO scared, and I screamed as I saw it happen out of the corner of my eye. She shouted 'I don't like it!' and I ran up to her and cradled her little trembling body as she whimpered. I swear she'll never be the same. Nasty bird!

This little Kanga had a precious little joey in the pouch. So cute! We can't get enough of the roos. They are fascinating to watch as they bouce all over the place!

Laine wasn't so sure...

Lookout point on the border of Queensland and New South Wales. Captain Cook did something here that was significant... wasn't really getting it...

Humpback whales who were migrating back to the Antarctic were breaching in the distance which was awesome

Good times...

12 comments:

Karmann said...

Hey sweetie! Have I told you lately how much I enjoy reading your posts? Well I do! You have such a good heart and are always thinking of others and it showed with your story! That is one of the things I love about you! Looks like you guys had a fun time-I sure would love to come! It looks like so much fun! Love ya!

The 4 of Us said...

love your blog! your writing is amazing. i feel like i'm there & i laugh and laugh. thanks for sharing!
--jan mecham southwick

RufflesAndFringe said...

That is why I hate birds. They are dirty and nasty and just waiting to peck your eyes out. Remember those geese by grandma's house? We went down there to feed them and they tried to take our hand's off. That and the fact that dad let us watch "The Birds" when we were way too young has scared me for life. Laine will probably be scared for life just like I am. Poor girl!

Looks like so much fun! Glad you had a good time.

Kristine L. said...

When I first saw the picture of the bird with the "So Sad!" caption under it, I was trying to figure out what was so sad. I blew up the picture and thought "hmmm maybe she feels bad for it since it neck is all crooked?" Then I read the story and couldn't stop laughing! When will Laine learn that for some reason, animals just don't really like her and are always out to get her.

Gaengy said...

Sounds like really good times except for the sick kids. Poor Laine with the bird attack. Hope she still likes animals. I loved hearing the birds over the phone the other night. I like birds, but then they have never attacked me!

stephanie said...

I enjoy your blog. Keep up the great work.

Ashley said...

Gosh, what an amazing life you have... you know that don't you? You mentioned Lisonbee-- any relation to the ones in Orem?

Kate said...

I was wondering why I had not heard from you in awhile! Looks like you guys had a great time. Loved the 70's doo, thanks for clarifiying there because I was like...hmm...not sure about that. And poor Little Laine, she just wants to be in touch with the animals. Poor little thing!

Brittany said...

Your life sounds amazing...and hilarious too. The trip looks spectacular! Your posts are so honest and funny - that they are addicting. I'm glad you found me, and I'm so happy we can stay in touch now!!

Stacey Lau said...

That last pic is absolutely beautiful. And you look great! I still don't understand how you manage to cook such amazing food and stay so amazingly slim. I'm loving your hair cut, I know that at one point you were questioning, but it really looks good.

beckstarr said...

Baaah! I love the blue mascara. hehe. We had a similar experience with the crane thing at the Hogle zoo here in good ol' Utah. Hannah had one hand up to reach for the bird and that stabber of a beak darted at her, or at her general direction (thank goodness we were feet away or so) I was so mad that i chased it out of the sanctuary onto the other side of the bridge. No worries, the other parents were mad too. No one got the zoo guards. I swear those birds are minions. sounds like such wonderful trip!

Nicole said...

You are so funny! I love that Jason checks you blog regularly... i'm sure it is more than he checks mine! He said the convention was awesome, good job Ben!

 
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