Thursday, October 28, 2010
Halloweentime At Disneyland
We renewed our Disneyland annual passes this October and have been taking advantage of the Halloween-themed parks. Two of my sisters came into town the past couple weeks and we were more than happy to meet them at the happiest place on earth. Cash is almost to the age where he enjoys this kind of stuff. I said almost. He just kind of sits back and watches everything. He doesn't get scared unless he gets sprayed in the face with water. Otherwise he is just tentatively observing. The first sign of enjoyment he gave was when we were getting on the Peter Pan ride. He sat down on the boat and grabbed the bar to pull it down over his lap without us doing anything. That was it. It was a significant moment cause it was his way of showing us that he was ready to get on the ride. We're still waiting for any show of happiness or excitement. We are getting there.
Casey just comes along for the ride because he isn't much of a theme park guy. But he enjoys watching Cash experience everything. And he commented this past time, "I swear this is the only place on earth where you are truly happy." I mean he's totally exaggerating of course, but I do love me some Disneyland. Especially this time of year. I can't wait for the Christmas decorations to go up!
P.S. I'm pregnant. Baby #2 due May 2011.
Scarred for Life
We faced our first big crisis as parents on Saturday. We drove down to San Clemente to my brother Tim's house to help with his campaign. He is running for San Clemente City Council. I volunteered to watch the kids while all the adults walked door to door to hand out fliers. While babysitting, Cash tripped over their rug and went face first into their coffee table. There was blood everywhere and I knew he had cut his lip. I rushed him into the kitchen and I was running cold water over his mouth and hands. Trying to figure out where all of this blood was coming from. He was crying pretty hard at first, but then settled down to just being sad. At first I thought there was blood on the top of his lip that needed to be washed off. Then I realized it was two big cuts on the top of his lip. His bottom teeth had gone through his upper lip on the outside. I couldn't find any cuts on the inside of the lip, so it didn't go all the way through. I called Casey to come home because we had to go to the hospital. I was kind of surprised at how calm I was after that. I grabbed a popsicle out of the freezer to keep him happy and stop the bleeding. Casey finally got there and we drove to the hospital. I was worried about it leaving a scar on his perfect little face, so we chanced the expense of the ER to see a doctor in case he needed stitches.
We spent 5 hours in the ER that night. The doctor said the cuts were too wide for super glue and there was risk of the wound opening with how much the mouth moves. He said stitches was the way to go and we had two options. Either hold him down and stitch him while he was awake. Or put him under. I wasn't too thrilled about having him scream and squirm around while the doctor stitched his lip, so we decided to put him under. It was pretty rough getting the IV in and having him hooked up to all of those monitors. We just had to keep him distracted with The Incredibles. Thank goodness for iPhones.
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The doctor started stitching him and I couldn't watch. I just held his little hand and focused on his breathing. In and out. Poor little guy. At least he won't remember it. Coming out of the anesthesia was scarier than I thought it would be. I thought he would be pretty funny or loopy. Instead he was screaming and terrified. The doctor said that sometimes they can hallucinate when they are waking up. His eyes couldn't focus and he was shaking and screaming. I just picked him up and sang him all his favorite songs. Eventually he started coming to and recognizing my voice. He was such a little trooper. It was a scary and emotional night, but we got through it together. I'm really sad about him having a scar on his face when he's so young. But accidents happen. We are just glad he's okay. We're okay. We are now officially the parents of a boy. I'm sure that won't be our last crisis. Now we're prepared.
We spent 5 hours in the ER that night. The doctor said the cuts were too wide for super glue and there was risk of the wound opening with how much the mouth moves. He said stitches was the way to go and we had two options. Either hold him down and stitch him while he was awake. Or put him under. I wasn't too thrilled about having him scream and squirm around while the doctor stitched his lip, so we decided to put him under. It was pretty rough getting the IV in and having him hooked up to all of those monitors. We just had to keep him distracted with The Incredibles. Thank goodness for iPhones.
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Thursday, October 14, 2010
Cashmoney
My sister Jacque took Cash's one-year-old pictures when we were in Utah. Here's our handsome little man.
We flocked to Aspen
"A little place called Aspen. Where the beer flows like wine, and the women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano."
Dumb and Dumber
Little known fact. Casey's favorite movie is Dumb and Dumber. Littler known fact, the movie is actually filmed in Breckenridge, CO. Joke's on us. We were all excited to road trip to Aspen and see some sights from the movie. It wasn't until we got there and looked up the hotel they stayed in, to find out it wasn't there. Bummer. We were in Breckenridge a few weeks ago and had no idea. Oh well. Aspen was still beautiful and a fun place to visit.
Casey and Ty were playing in the Motherlode tournament in Aspen on Labor Day weekend in September. This tournament is sort of a big deal in outdoor volleyball world and Casey has been many times. It was the first time for Cash and I. We spent a lot of time walking around the little town and exploring. Casey and Ty ended up winning the tournament. Again. They are seriously on fire.
We had a fun little weekend there. And lots of good food. Part of the prize was gift cards to this fancy steakhouse and we feasted. It was much needed. Also much needed, a babysitter for Cash. He was so tired and cranky, that he could have ruined the dinner if the food wouldn't have been way too good to be bothered by his foul mood. Our poor little baby has spent so much time in a car this summer. Here's how we keep him happy.
After more than two months on the road, we are finally home. Boy it feels good to be home. I hope we don't leave for a long long time.
Dumb and Dumber
Little known fact. Casey's favorite movie is Dumb and Dumber. Littler known fact, the movie is actually filmed in Breckenridge, CO. Joke's on us. We were all excited to road trip to Aspen and see some sights from the movie. It wasn't until we got there and looked up the hotel they stayed in, to find out it wasn't there. Bummer. We were in Breckenridge a few weeks ago and had no idea. Oh well. Aspen was still beautiful and a fun place to visit.
Casey and Ty were playing in the Motherlode tournament in Aspen on Labor Day weekend in September. This tournament is sort of a big deal in outdoor volleyball world and Casey has been many times. It was the first time for Cash and I. We spent a lot of time walking around the little town and exploring. Casey and Ty ended up winning the tournament. Again. They are seriously on fire.
We had a fun little weekend there. And lots of good food. Part of the prize was gift cards to this fancy steakhouse and we feasted. It was much needed. Also much needed, a babysitter for Cash. He was so tired and cranky, that he could have ruined the dinner if the food wouldn't have been way too good to be bothered by his foul mood. Our poor little baby has spent so much time in a car this summer. Here's how we keep him happy.
After more than two months on the road, we are finally home. Boy it feels good to be home. I hope we don't leave for a long long time.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Til We Meet Again
Philip Ray Brown, 74 years oldMy Father, Philip Ray Brown, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, August, 22, 2010 surrounded by his loved ones. I will miss him dearly and I am so grateful he is reunited with my Mother, Antoinette Hatch Brown. Heaven is a sweeter place with them in it.
Casey had another tournament that weekend, so he flew out to New Jersey. We moved my Dad to my sister Misha's house so that we could help each other take care of Dad and babies with our husbands out of town. We spent that week just enjoying Grandpa. Cash played with his cane, his oxygen, his chair, drank from his cup, and ate off his plate. He climbed all over Grandpa all week long and my Dad loved it. I kept trying to keep Cash away from him, but every time I turned around my Dad was sneaking him another treat or sip. It was a really special time for them. Misha and I spent the week trying to keep him happy, fed, and comfortable. We had some hard times with my Dad throwing up and unable to move. And we had great times watching movies and playing with the kiddos. My Dad was seriously the best Grandpa you could ask for. Always slipping the kids suckers and playing with them. Always truly enjoying them.
On Thursday night, he had a particularly hard night. He had thrown up everything he had eaten that day and could barely lift his legs. He also was complaining of neck pain. I got him all ready for bed and helped him to his knees for his nightly prayers. Then I sat there and cried and thanked my Heavenly Father for such a wonderful, kind, loving, and faithful Father. He could barely move and was so sick, yet he had me help him to his knees to give thanks to his Father in Heaven. I helped him into bed and then said goodnight.
I checked on him once in the middle of the night to see if he needed to get up and go to the bathroom. He said he was too tired. By late morning, I had gone in to check on him three times with no response. He was sleeping so deeply that I just thought he needed the rest. Misha came home around 1pm and went down to check on him again. He wouldn't respond to her either. Then we started realizing something was wrong. He couldn't respond to us, but we could tell he was awake. He would squeeze our hands when we asked him questions, but couldn't move. When I asked him if we should call an ambulance he didn't do anything. When I asked him if he wanted to go home and be comfortable, he squeezed my hand multiple times. We were nervous about what to do next. We called our sibling and updated them. Then decided to move him back to his house. He was still able to swallow, so we were giving him juice and water to drink. We checked his blood sugar level and it was scary low. We were able to get enough juice in him that he started coming around a little. He was able to talk, but could barely move. After telling him how scared we were that he couldn't talk, he replied that it was really scary for him too because he could hear us and not respond. With a lot of help, we were able to get him back to his house. We laid him in his bed and called hospice.
The hospice nurse came over and checked him. She confirmed that his blood sugar was very low and his oxygen was also pretty low. She told us he had gone into a diabetic coma. His wishes were to not get treatment, but to pass away as comfortable and peaceful as possible. The nurse said that all there was left to do was give him pain medication for any discomfort and let him go. A diabetic coma was a good way to pass because you go into a deep sleep and then eventually stop breathing without any pain. It was hard to hear these words, but comforting to know he wouldn't suffer. The rest of the day and the next day were kind of a blur. Lots of tears, talking, comforting, and preparing. He was able to respond all day Friday and most of the day Saturday. His brother came to visit him on Saturday morning to say his goodbyes, and my Dad was raising his eyebrows and grasping his hand. Trying to give his older brother any signs of response. His two sisters were also able to come say goodbye and he responded to their voices. By Saturday early evening he was so deep into the coma, he couldn't respond anymore.
All of the siblings who live in Utah were there with me that night as we sat by his bed and talked to him. I read him letters from loved ones and his missionaries. We talked about our favorite stories and jokes. We watched a few movies. The next day on Sunday morning, my siblings and I stood around him as he took his last breath. It was very healing to be with him at that moment when his spirit left his body to join my Mother. To hold his hand, give him a kiss, and thank him for being a wonderful Father. I couldn't have asked for more loving, kind, funny, vivacious, or faithful parents. They truly left an incredible legacy behind for us to follow. I can't wait to tell my children about them when their older. To show Cash pictures of him and his Grandpa. Explain to him how much Grandpa loved him. And what a good man he was. I miss him and my Mom so much. But I'm grateful for the time I had with them. Their impact will be felt for generations to come. I'll make sure of it. Now it's my time. My time to show them that their hard work, love, and faithful commitment has paid off. That I will continue their legacy of faith and so will my children. I have big shoes to fill, but shoes that I can't wait to get my feet into. I will be with them again soon. For now, it's my time to be the parent and fulfill my purpose here on earth. Til we meet again...
06/19/1936 - 08/22/2010Obituary
Philip Ray Brown of Sandy, Utah passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home on August 22, 2010 after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 74 years old. Phil was born June 19, 1936, in Los Angeles, California to Joseph Albert and Elda Whiting Brown. Phil spent his childhood in his beloved St. Johns, AZ, where he worked on the family ranch, and forged life-long relationships with his brothers and sisters and his many relatives and friends. Upon completion of an LDS Mission in Brazil (1956-59), Phil married Antoinette Hatch of Colonia Juarez, Mexico for time and all eternity on December 20, 1960 in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. Together, they had 11 children and their greatest happiness was their 39 grandchildren. Phil graduated from Brigham Young University in 1961 with a B.A. in Animal Husbandry. A lifelong athlete and sports enthusiast, Phil was an avid fan of BYU Athletics. Phil worked hard his entire life, first as a rancher and farmer, later as the B.L.M. Chief Appraiser of Arizona, and finally as a specialist in the L.D.S. Missionary Department. Blessed with an inquisitive mind, Phil loved learning and teaching, and he devoted much of his life to studying the gospel of Jesus Christ. Quick with a joke and always ready to laugh first, Phil was the life of every party. He loved sharing his thousands of stories with friends and relatives, spending time with his children and grandchildren, watching Westerns, playing basketball, and reading. Always active in the LDS church, Phil held many church callings during his life, serving as a Missionary, Gospel Doctrine Instructor, Stake Mission Leader, Bishop, and Mission President. He shared the calling he enjoyed most with his wife Netta, when they presided over the Porto Portugal Mission from 1990 to 1993. The Phil Brown family shares their sense of loss with our extended family and friends, many faithful missionaries, and the wonderful church members of Portugal. Phil is survived by his 11 children. His 39 grandchildren will miss playing games and eating candy with their Grandpa Brown. The family wishes to thank all those who made Phil’s final years full of comfort, joy, and happiness. He is again united with his sweetheart, Netta.
Philip Ray Brown of Sandy, Utah passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home on August 22, 2010 after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 74 years old. Phil was born June 19, 1936, in Los Angeles, California to Joseph Albert and Elda Whiting Brown. Phil spent his childhood in his beloved St. Johns, AZ, where he worked on the family ranch, and forged life-long relationships with his brothers and sisters and his many relatives and friends. Upon completion of an LDS Mission in Brazil (1956-59), Phil married Antoinette Hatch of Colonia Juarez, Mexico for time and all eternity on December 20, 1960 in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. Together, they had 11 children and their greatest happiness was their 39 grandchildren. Phil graduated from Brigham Young University in 1961 with a B.A. in Animal Husbandry. A lifelong athlete and sports enthusiast, Phil was an avid fan of BYU Athletics. Phil worked hard his entire life, first as a rancher and farmer, later as the B.L.M. Chief Appraiser of Arizona, and finally as a specialist in the L.D.S. Missionary Department. Blessed with an inquisitive mind, Phil loved learning and teaching, and he devoted much of his life to studying the gospel of Jesus Christ. Quick with a joke and always ready to laugh first, Phil was the life of every party. He loved sharing his thousands of stories with friends and relatives, spending time with his children and grandchildren, watching Westerns, playing basketball, and reading. Always active in the LDS church, Phil held many church callings during his life, serving as a Missionary, Gospel Doctrine Instructor, Stake Mission Leader, Bishop, and Mission President. He shared the calling he enjoyed most with his wife Netta, when they presided over the Porto Portugal Mission from 1990 to 1993. The Phil Brown family shares their sense of loss with our extended family and friends, many faithful missionaries, and the wonderful church members of Portugal. Phil is survived by his 11 children. His 39 grandchildren will miss playing games and eating candy with their Grandpa Brown. The family wishes to thank all those who made Phil’s final years full of comfort, joy, and happiness. He is again united with his sweetheart, Netta.
Breckenridge, CO
Casey and his old partner, Ty Loomis reunited earlier this year to play in the Corona Light Wide Open Tour event in Santa Cruz, CA. They won the whole thing! When the AVP came to a close, they both decided to get serious with this new tour. They have since traveled to compete in Chicago and also won that tournament. After our family reunion ended, Casey got word of a Corona Tour stop in Breckenridge which is only a 7 hour drive from Utah. We decided to extend our trip a little longer to attend the competition. The drive there was pretty gorgeous through the Rocky Mountains.
Ty's former coach had a condo he was using and let us stay there with them. We had our own room and it was a really nice condo. My nephew Taylor and his new wife Mary were living in Denver for a summer internship. When they found out we were there, they hopped in the car and drove 2 hours to come see us. I seriously love my family. Always up for a gathering. We had a fun weekend under the sun in the mountains of Breckenridge. Cash loved the attention for Taylor and Mary, and anyone else who looks his way. Casey and Ty ended up winning the tournament. It was fun to watch. This tournament uses old school rules with sideout scoring. It makes the game go slower, but it's also so much more exciting to win a point. While I spend most of the afternoon trying to get Cash to nap in the stroller, Mary and Taylor participated in the relay race and the fashion show. They got some cool prizes and free food. Who doesn't love free stuff? I was so happy to be there to watch Casey and enjoy some more family time.
Ty's former coach had a condo he was using and let us stay there with them. We had our own room and it was a really nice condo. My nephew Taylor and his new wife Mary were living in Denver for a summer internship. When they found out we were there, they hopped in the car and drove 2 hours to come see us. I seriously love my family. Always up for a gathering. We had a fun weekend under the sun in the mountains of Breckenridge. Cash loved the attention for Taylor and Mary, and anyone else who looks his way. Casey and Ty ended up winning the tournament. It was fun to watch. This tournament uses old school rules with sideout scoring. It makes the game go slower, but it's also so much more exciting to win a point. While I spend most of the afternoon trying to get Cash to nap in the stroller, Mary and Taylor participated in the relay race and the fashion show. They got some cool prizes and free food. Who doesn't love free stuff? I was so happy to be there to watch Casey and enjoy some more family time.
Hatch Family Reunion 2010
Cash and I took another road trip up to Utah for our Hatch Family Reunion in August. All 11 of my siblings were coming to town and it was going to be epic. It was everything it promised. We spent two days at Lagoon, Utah's famous theme park. Hit up the local drive-ins, ate out at my favorite spots, saw old friends, partied with cousins, went to the park, had campfires in the canyons, and just enjoyed family time. And that was just pre-reunion celebration.
The 2010 Hatch Family Reunion was help at Timp Lodge up above Sundance Ski Lodge. The Hatch side is my Mother's family and it had been 3 years since our last reunion. Needless to say, it was loooong overdue. We started the day off with a big feast, then lots of catching up. The next day we had the hike to Stewart Falls, the water games, volleyball tournament, ultimate, and program/dance. My team won the volleyball tournament, of course! Then the final day is capped off with a testimony meeting and long embraces. I can't wait until the next Hatch Reunion in 2012. I love my cousins!
After the reunion, we decided to spend another week in Utah. Casey wanted to play in a Corona tournament in Breckenridge, CO and it's only a 7-hour drive from Utah. So we extended our trip. This time we hit up the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point, hung out with family, and partied. You know, the usual.
The 2010 Hatch Family Reunion was help at Timp Lodge up above Sundance Ski Lodge. The Hatch side is my Mother's family and it had been 3 years since our last reunion. Needless to say, it was loooong overdue. We started the day off with a big feast, then lots of catching up. The next day we had the hike to Stewart Falls, the water games, volleyball tournament, ultimate, and program/dance. My team won the volleyball tournament, of course! Then the final day is capped off with a testimony meeting and long embraces. I can't wait until the next Hatch Reunion in 2012. I love my cousins!
After the reunion, we decided to spend another week in Utah. Casey wanted to play in a Corona tournament in Breckenridge, CO and it's only a 7-hour drive from Utah. So we extended our trip. This time we hit up the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point, hung out with family, and partied. You know, the usual.
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