Halloween 2015

 Nerd, spider man, Elsa, Swat, spider man

 My girls are the only ones I could get to pose for a picture.  The boys were off running around with guns and swords.

We have SO much candy.  I know everyone feels that way...but you don't understand my children. Trunk-or-treat Friday night and then Trick-or-treating Saturday. Especially Eden, it's business! Seven greedy, sugar addict monsters running house to house. When they get home I give them three Ziploc bags: 1)for gingerbread houses in December  2) for their 72 hour kits  3) school lunch treats 

Then I let them binge eat all night.  While they are distracted I fill a couple of Ziploc bags for stockings and present toppers.  I also put together a bag for Paul's office.  Whew!  The hardest part is not to eat all this 'hidden' candy in the house.   

We still have a huge bucket after all this!  Oh Halloween

P.S.  I also give them an option to leave their candy outside for the 'candy fairy'.  In exchange for their candy she leaves a present or money.  David LOVES this.  He's the only one who puts candy out.

School pictures 2015

Eden- 4th grade

David- 3rd grade

Ruth- Kindergarten

This is how I do school pictures.  Front lawn waiting for the bus on actual picture day.

Easter- April 5, 2015

 Easter morning

 I am usually the one to take pictures.  Which means I'm never in any pictures with my kids.  I am here! This is how I usually look....the twins crawling all over me and other kids trying to squeeze in.

Sam and that evil face.  He causes me a lot of agony!

May 2015

 Goodness.  I have to catch up.  In May we finished soccer.  Eden, David & Ruth played.

Gigi came for a visit!  She came for the girl's dance performance.  They did an amazing job.  You can see for yourselves.  

I finally got the hang of being a dance mom this year.  Leaving this dance program is hard for Eden.  She has loved her time at the YWCA.  Our dear friend and director Deedra Newby will forever have a special spot in our hearts.  I doubt we will ever find another dance studio like this one.  The greatest blessing was having the performances on Saturday, up lifting music, classy dances and appropriate costumes.      

 Having Gigi come was simply the best.  You want to share these memories with your family.  We are so thankful she came out.

 Our favorite Millie did a great job.  

Trying to take a picture with Gigi before she leaves.  It's a struggle.  

April - one big post

Fire pit family night

Ruth was the Little Red Hen in her preschool performance.  

Paul is coaching Ruth's soccer team.  Ruth is so happy to finally be the one playing a sport!

Sam is potty trained and Ben is not.  They are totally fine with this arrangement.  It's been funny to observe this duo.  Ruth potty trained Sam in a few days, he never has accidents and is self sufficient.  Ben has no interest and it perfectly fine in diapers.  He goes in the bathroom with Sam and flushes the toilet.

Ruth lost her two bottom teeth.  She has the smallest teeth, she lost them and had to leave a note for the tooth fairy.  

Eden was super scarf lady at school one day.  

This was one day when I tried to potty train Ben.  The novelty of olaf underwear only lasted one day.

All these kids fight like crazy!  It is crazy!!!  However, when they get along it fills my heart with much joy.

5 little monkeys

"Mom, Sammy flooded the bathroom with poopy toilet water"  

This is not the way you want to wake up on a Sunday morning.  Especially when this strong guy is out of town.

Dance with Dads

Annual Dance with Dad's in February at Amelia Earhart Elementary.  This is Eden's FAVORITE event.  She really wanted to be fancy this year.  I told her she had $20.  She found this dress on Amazon for $9.99 and we got the shrug for $6 at the mall.  She wanted to get new shoes but after looking she realized that $4 wasn't going to cut it and she wore some she had.  Paul got her a corsage, which made the evening magical!  If you know Eden, you know she had her hair style picked out for weeks.  Since I was in charge of curling her hair...yeah, that didn't turn out the way she wanted but she was gracious and didn't complain.

 Eden and Paul enter the dance contest every year.  This year Eden was determined to make it to the finals (Paul just goes along) but it wasn't meant to be.  Apparently, they were tapped out at the first round.  I think it was a mistake!  I know my children are regular/normal children but Eden shines on a dance floor.  She said she tried not to cry but she did shed a few tears.

 These two can't stay down for long.  They had a grand time.    

9 years old

1st place

Gold car wins

David is baptized

January 24, 12015

David was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We have never had so much family in town!  Grandma & Grandpa Ordyna, Bob & Julie Tomlinson and Gigi & Papa came into town.  It was a great weekend, the highlight was the baptism. 

 David was excited and so darn cute.   

During the program the twins weren't cooperating.  Sam ripped off his tie and Ben started running up and down the isle.  I took the twins in the back and sat on the floor with them.  After a few minutes of trying to get them to sit still and listen, I resorted to opening a few of the donut packages that were treat bags for people to take home.  I was sitting on the floor with powder donut crumbs all over my skirt. I had a small pity party for myself for a minute.  I thought, "why did you not ask someone to watch the twins?  you should be up there sitting by your son?  Great...now my legs are asleep.      

 Here's the amazing thing.  I know Heavenly Father loves mothers. The twins actually sat and I was able to hear the speakers and the lovely musical number.  A friend came to the rescue and distracted the twins with her amazing ipad and phone.  I think I got more out of that program sitting on the floor in the back corner than I would have in the front row.  The spirit washed over me and touched my heart.  I will always remember that baptism.  Both grandpa's gave wonderful talks.  I appreciate Grandpa Ordyna's testimony on baptism.  He is a wonderful teacher.  I loved my dad's testimony of the Holy Ghost.  He spoke of 4 ways the Holy Ghost speaks to him: 1. still small voice 2. calm feeling 3. 'just feel so darn good' 4. Warmth (I loved his agonly about having a warm bath in your heart).  That is appilcale to David who loves baths.  We are so blessed and honor to have such wondeful family and friends who support us.  

 Grandpa Ordyna came equip and earge to help David with his first pinewood derby as a cub scout.

 Grandpa Ordyna really knows what he's doing.  David took 1st place!  Wow!