Re-Cap summer

Our summer is coming to an end. Paul's laptop is on it's last dying breath, so I uploaded some pictures from his computer...just incase it decides to die tomorrow.

Major points to mention:

1. We said Good bye to Joe & Julynn this summer. Joe is one of Paul's brothers, he is the last one to leave Utah. He has been the only "stable" Utah Ordyna. He has saved dad Ordyna's life several times. Julyn has hosted hundreds of family parties. They had a BEAUTIFUL house in Draper, sold it in 3 weeks and moved to Arizona. I am excited for their new adventure, however it was devasting for us to see them go. On our first single date, Paul took me to Joe & Julynn's house. I love their children. They are marvelous children. They are a family of great faith. A family that doesn't get caught up in worldly things...they have eachother...they know who they are. * Julynn & I at our crazy and wild 'sleepover' at Red Fish lake.

2. Since May, our car has had 3 oil changes. So many miles! This has been a summer of traveling. Sadly the inside of our car shows the wear of kids being buckled up for hours and hours and hours. Cars get SO messy when you travel. I have probably vacuumed it out more this summer than all the years combined of owning it.

3. Paul took the BAR exam. I saved the biggest news for last! He took the two day- 16 hour test this week. Everything he has learned and worked for these last three years boiled down to this test. He will find out his results in a few months. He has been studying this whole summer for that stinking test. It has done weird things to him. I hope he will return back to normal :). We are so proud of him.

Eden and her Gigi

Three kids in a tub

On a cool summer night.

June- camping in Mountain Green

Eden & David went "camping" with Paul in his parent's backyard. Eden was beyond excited.

They had everything...a tent, a fire, scary stories and smores!

According to David: Those big boys (aka Nate & Jerryck) were also up in Mountain Green that weekend.

They were so kind and always included tag-a-long David.

Ruth & I slept inside in our comfy beds.

David slept in the tent about half the night. He was crying for a bed and his mom. So Paul brought him to me and I was more than pleased to snuggle with him.

Eden woke up bouncing off the walls asking when they could go camping again!

I am now 29 years old

I started my day with breakfast in bed (thanks Paul). Then I took the kids to the Hoogle zoo along with Steve & Kristin + 6 kids, Jake & Alyssa + 5 kids. It was fun, we only lost one child...for a few minutes. After I dropped the kids off with Lisa (the greatest little sister) who babysat them. I went out with Paul for 30 minutes and ate a piece of Tucanos "Death by chocolate". Then I spent the next 5 hours by myself shopping and running errands. It was a great day.

I feel so blessed. Everyone made the day so special. I am so blessed to have Paul and my children.

* My long time friend, Hillary...love her.

Dear Ruth,

You are crawling now. Today you crawled towards the stairs and I said, "no no Ruth". You looked at me (because you always look when I call your name). Our eyes met and I realized this was the FIRST time I had ever said no to you. I made it 9 months & 19 days without ever saying "no".

Just remember that when, in the future, you feel like this is all I say to you.

Love you baby Roof.

Marriage

Yesterday in the car...

Eden: "When I grow up I am going to marry David, because I want to stay together as a family."

Paul: "David, do you want to marry Eden?"

David: "no"

Eden: "David, when you grow up you will change your mind."

California

We left Paul in Utah to study and have some peace and quiet. We all headed to sunny Southern California.

On our way...

My cousin Ashley got married. It was a gorgeous wedding, a beautiful day. Other than the wedding day, we spent the week on the beach, at the pool and with family. The kids had a blast at great Grams & Gramps Garlock house and great uncle Jerry's house.

Beach bumsLots of cousins! Every evening Eden would cry, "I'm really going to miss my cousins!". She understands we are moving to Indiana and won't see them for a long time. Whenever she finds out someone is her cousin, she immediately makes them her best friend. Lisa drove back to Utah with me. She was a HUGE help. Seriously, how would I done it without her? 3 whiny, bossy, tired, demanding, spoiled and displaced children.

We stopped in Primm, NV at the outlet mall. The Williams Sonoma outlet is worth the trip! While shopping Ruth was fussy, the only thing I had in my purse was a small pack of Red Vines. I debated on whether to give it to Ruth...she has never had candy before. Could I really give my 9 month old a stick of high fructose corn syrup? The big SALE sign grabbed my attention and I handed her the licorice. Of course she LOVED it...then went to dreamland.

4th of July

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday. Provo is the place to be! Lisa, Dad & I ran in the Freedom Run.

Then we headed over to the parade where Bradley (my brother) and his friends had stayed up all night to save spots for us. What troopers.

The Provo Temple float! This is why I love being in Utah. They also had the Nauvoo temple float and all the missionaries in the Utah Provo mission walk down the street. The whole crowd stood and cheered as they passed. It is the BEST part of the parade.

Paul promised to take the morning off and not study for the BAR. It was

nice to be together as a family. We don't see much of Paul these days.

We also spent the weekend with the Ordynas. Fireworks, food, basketball,

performances by the girls, talking and enjoying the weather. Dan & Holly were in town. Their kids are so awesome. Joe & Julynn also came, it was so fun to have a big family get together. Joe announced he took a job in Arizona and will be moving at the end of the month (more on that later).

Aubryn & Kambree with Ruth.

Ruth loves the blackbeans at Cafe Rio.

P.S. I am no longer a blonde.

9 months...in pictures

Two chompers Curly hair
almost crawling

Chubby rolls, big forehead

and always smiles for us!

First word

On day 266 of Ruth's life she spoke and I understood: Mum Mum

Wendy Darling 4 1/2 years old

*Lisa & Eden watching the Orem festival fireworks.


Eden is a little Wendy mother. She will correct you if you talk with your mouth full. She is constantly telling David & Ruth what to do. She is intense. She likes to follow the rules...and will tell you when someone isn't. She is sensitive to "bad words". She loves to play with her cousins. She makes friends everywhere she goes. She likes to paint her own fingernails. She still makes a salad about 4 times a week and is always so proud of herself. She likes to clean windows and vacuum. When she runs she hops every fourth step. When she gets excited she kisses people and shakes her arms (like the ASL way of saying 'cold'). She likes to play hopscotch. She is learning to forgive and forget. She likes to tell people about all the injustices that have been done to her (by David). She is learning how to forgive. We love Eden. What a gem. What a gift she is.

Peter Pan 3 1/2 years old

David does not want to grow up. He is our Peter Pan man. He just starting wearing underwear this week. It took one toy motorcycle, a jar of jelly belly's, lots of praise and one Thomas Train to accomplish this. He loves/loved his diaper. He has no problem when Eden tells people, "I'm a big girl but David is still a baby because he wears a diaper". He will lay down right next to Ruthie for a diaper change. That is all the past now (hopefully). He also cries every Sunday because he wants to go to nursery. He does not like primary...because there are no toys and he has to sit and listen.
He LOVES to play with toys. He plays hard and sleeps soundly. He is still a cuddle bug. Almost every morning he has oatmeal with blueberries. He LOVES blueberries and strawberries. He will eat a whole carton in minutes. He is talking much more. Eden & I can understand him all the time. Most people can understand him about 70% of the time. He makes great sound effects. Some of his common phrases:
"You got to check this out."
"Did you hear that?"
"Talk to me, mom."
He still has tantrums and is learning to communicate instead of throwing himself on the floor. He really is the happiest boy with a tinkle in his eye. He is always laughing and smiling. We love him so much. Half way to 4...I love my Peter Pan man.

Mountain Green

Relaxing in Mountain Green at Paul's childhood house is probably one of our favorite things to do. Paul admires Dad's garden. I lounge on the hammock and the kids bask in the mountain air and love of their grandparents.

This place is truly heaven on earth. You feel at home. You feel at peace. You feel loved.

It really is a magical place.

Ruth's first time on Grandpa's swing. Pleasure is in her face.