Dance recital 2014

This year the YWCA had their 10th anniversary show.  The theme was: Still shining after all these
years.  All performances were picked from favorites of years past.

Without even realizing it, I have become a dance mom.  This semester has been so fun to have both girls in dance.  Eden loves the technique and obsesses over her routine.  Ruth is all about the social aspect.  She loves the friends and her teacher.  It was a busy weekend with dress rehearsal, pictures and 2 performances on Saturday.  The girls did great.  They had so much fun.  They were well prepared, neither were even nervous!  I was impressed, I would have been terrified to perform in front of 400+ people. 

 

MARTIAN HOP

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

 (I missed the beginning because the camera was blurry)

After the performance, they were greeted by David (who suffered through the 2 1/2 hour recital) and a very proud mom and dad with flowers.  These girls are best of friends.  I love them.    

Easter 2014

 

Easter morning

 This year we decided to skip all community egg hunts and do our own in the backyard.  

I snapped a few pictures before piling in the car for stake conference.  It didn't last long because the twins were off...

Oh the hectic life of children.  I love them.  They are all so darling and special.  It is always hectic though.  Is it the twins?  Or the ages?  Or the number of children that determines the amount of craziness?  No matter how much I try to prep for Sunday, it is always a hectic mess of scrambling on Sunday morning.Actually, anything that requires us to have socks, shoes, and seat belts buckled seems to be a mountain to climb :).   

Trapped a squirrel

A couple days ago David got the animal trap out of the garage.  He wants to catch a bunny.  Paul showed him how to set it up.  The past 2 days he has caught squirrels.  Yesterday I looked outside and saw a squirrel going CRAZY in the cage. I let it go before David got home from school.   I couldn't believe he caught something!

When David came home from school I told him about the squirrel. He was sad I had let it go.  Paul asked, "David, what kind of animal did you want to catch?"  David responded, "any kind of animal".  He immediately went outside and placed 2 carrots in the trap and set it again.  This afternoon he let the second squirrel go.  What a boy.

Speaking of being a boy.  One day during spring break I let David play lego computer games pretty much all day.  He won't even stop for a minute to drink his smoothie.  Oh brother.   

Very long road trip, very short visit

Did I tell you we went to Utah?  Well, we did.  For 3 days.  We traveled in the car longer than our actual stay in Utah.  My younger sister got married.  I don't have any pictures of her.  That's what the photographer is for, right?  She looked beautiful.  It was a wonderful sealing.  I am so happy for her.  She choose a good man.  I still can't believe I didn't take any pictures.  Well, actually I can because I was chasing around 2 toddlers the whole time!   

Sam

Ben

Richard is 72!  We love Mountain Green.  Everyone went to my nephews soccer game and I stayed at the house and put the babies to bed.  I sat outside for an hour, looking at the mountains.  Listening to the stream and smelling...just smelling.  The fresh air!  If I ever live by mountains again I will not take them for granted.  I miss mountains.

Back to Richard.  I love being around my father in law.  He is so positive and complimentary.  He loves me and our children.  He is a happy person.  He is the protector of his family.  He came to the hospital when David was injured last summer in the middle of the night.  He sat with us and was concerned.  He gave David a blessing in the church office building when we said good bye that summer.  He is a man who stands for truth and righteousness.  I love him.  I miss him and hope soon we can live closer.  Happy Birthday Dad! 


Even though it was a short trip, we got to see lots of family.  Families are the best!

 The kids had spring break at the end of March.  We had a fun week.  Everyday I tried to do something fun.  I did pull out the camera when we went bowling.  Kids love bowling.  I didn't quite think about the repercussions of taking twin toddlers to a bowling alley.  A place with heavy balls (which smash little fingers) and slick floors.  Needless to say, I chased the twins around the whole time trying to distract them from the 'balls' which was very tiring.

                       The kids love the tunnels at Purdue.  They love to scream and hear their echoes. 

 Sister love.  Eden came back and carried Ruth.  Apparently Ruth was too tired to walk (aka having a tantrum and screaming because we won't all stop and give her attention).

First day of spring

 The snow has melted.  It's still cold and ever so muddy.  Our backyard is lone and dreary. 

 If Paul or I aren't around to help the twins run to Eden.  Sammy especially gravitates towards Eden. 

Sam

Ben

 The twins are 20 months old now.  Sam has the cutest dimple in his left cheek.  He loves to give kisses and say hi to people when they come home.  Ben hates to give kisses, in fact you can't get one from him.  He loves baths and thinks it's funny to pull hair. 

Eden is baptized

 January 1, 2014  

Eden Jae Ordyna was baptized

All three of these cousins were baptized together.  They all have December birthdays.  It was a special event with three brothers baptizing their children. 

Gigi & Papa with Eden

Grandma & Grandpa Ordyna with Eden

Great Grandpa Bateman with Eden

It was very special to have so many of our family there for Jarom, Alyson & Eden's baptism.  Eden is a sweet girl.  We love her so much.  We are so happy she choose to be baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

Purdue Football

 This past Fall we had student season tickets to the Purdue Football team.  Paul had a blast taking his kids to the games.  Eden was awesome because she would make it through the whole game!  David would poop out once his popcorn was finished.  Ruth lasted through a couple plays before complaining or having to use the restroom.

 

 The kids love all the free stuff they hand out at the games. 

 Purdue had a terrible season.  Pretty pathetic actually, which means people stopped attending the games.  This is a great thing when you have children. 

1.  Lots of room.

2.  You get to move up closer to the field.

3.  You can avoid foul language and drunk college kids.

Dance with Dads

 3rd annual Dance with Dads.  Eden anticipated this night with great excitement.  She had her outfit picked out days before.  She looked on youtube for the perfect hairstyle.  I towed all 5 kids in the mall to the jewelry store (serious nightmare) so Eden could pick out some clip on earrings.

 They had a blast.  They did not win the dance competition but they still had a great night.

Ben break

 I found these pictures on my camera.  I'm not sure when they were taken, sometime this winter. 

 Ben usually always has a bruise on his head, so Ben-Bruise is how other people can tell it is him.

Ben posing for a picture with Paul. 

Ordyna Reunion

Bryn & Emma

 
Two days after Christmas we had our BIG Ordyna family reunion in Bear Lake, Utah.  This was particularly important for us because Paul & I were in charge!!  20 adults, 37 grandchildren.  We rented one giant cabin and shoved everyone inside. This is the first time we have all stayed together under one roof.  4 days & 3 nights.  It was a lot of fun being together.     

Paul

Brinley...holding the place as the youngest (until Aunt Kristin has her baby)

I got a bunch of t shirts at a consignment shop and ironed on them with vinyl.  Each child wore the Ordyna name and what number grandchild they are.  It was a huge hit.  It is a great visual reminder of their place in the family and that they matter.

Hang out stairs

Grandma & Lexi

Ruthie & Sage

Twins

Brigham & Benson & Sam & Ben

There are a lot of twins in this family.  Ironically 2 sets of identical boys are born on the same day 6 years apart.  How's that for coincidence!

Kay & McKay

 The teenagers were so great.  We had a "no electronic" rule the whole time!  I am so proud of these youth, they are awesome!

Grandpa & Grandma

Katelyn & Ally

It is a privilege to be part of the Ordyna family.  One of the best parts of marrying Paul was marrying into his family.  I love them and so glad we will be together forever.