The Orton's

Ashlyn is 5!!

2011-06-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

Sunday was Ashlyn's 5th birthday! I can't believe she is 5 already!

As you can see.....the kid got spoiled!

And Sarah got bored .....

And so did Jason....

And I made this cake...

and Ashlyn loved it!

Youth Conference

2011-06-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

This year for Youth Conference we went to Escalante and visited Dance Hall Rock and Hole in the Rock. It was AWESOME! There is so many beautiful and historical things to see! Before we went on the trek we were able to visit with Brother Roundy, a history buff from the area - he told us how a mission was called from the Iron and Washington county areas for people to settle the San Juan area. After sending a search party for the best route's to get to the San Juan area, it was decided to travel through Escalante and build a road to the Colorado River. They had found a crevice in the sheer rock walls that they thought a wagon could fit through. Once the settlers reached the "hole in the rock" they began to blast the walls of the crevice to make it wider, hauled sand and tree limbs to make a trail down the crevice, and carved roads out of rock to made a way for the wagon to go. The faith of these pioneers amazes me. We even found out that a few of the people in our party were descendents of these early settlers. I feel so blessed for Gary and I being able to be involved with the youth in our ward - they are all so special to us.

Dance Hall Rock - this is where the settlers would "raise their spirits" and have dances.

Looking down from the top of Dance Hall Rock

Along the sandstone were circular openings - it was really bizarre because there really wasn't a way in or out of them and they were so deep!

The scenery between Dance Hall Rock and Hole in the Rock

Looking down from the top of Hole in the Rock

Starting down.

Lake Powell

Can you tell I was trying really hard not to cry? I was so hard getting to this point from the lake - it was all sand and so hard to climb back up!

The stairs that were carved into the side of the crevice

can you imagine bringing a wagon down this?

the rocks that you see piled up on the left are what remains of "Uncle Ben's dugway"-part of the road that they built to give a place for their wagons to go! AMAZING!

Phone Pictures

2011-06-16T10:10:00.000-07:00

I caught these moments on my phone and thought I had better upload them. My kids are becoming best friends - I feel so blessed to be their mother and watch them grow up - I just wish they would slow down a little bit!

T-Ball

2011-06-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

Ashlyn started playing T-Ball this month. She LOVES it! We love going as a family to support her - and for the laughs!

Ashlyn & Dance

2011-06-16T09:17:00.001-07:00

Ashlyn started taking dance this year - she was so stinkin cute! I have no idea where she got her moves from but, wow! she can shake those hips! I have a couple of videos, but I can't seem to figure out how to get them off my phone - so I will have to add them later!

WahWeep 2011

2011-06-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

In April we went to the WahWeep with the Orton family to gather cows. This year we took our trailer down and "roughed it". We always have so much fun being surrounded by Gary's family. I love them all so much and am so blessed to be married into such a great family.

Ashlyn and Grandpa Gary

Me and Maegan

Marshall and Uncle Dave

Ashlyn and Marshall - They were filthy even though we bathed them every night!

Sierra, Marshall, and Ashlyn

Zac and I

Me pretending to know what the heck I was doing.

Marshall and I enjoying the sunset.

Marshall and Justin

Gary and Marshall

Marshall and Grandpa Gary - they were best buds all weekend

Waiting for the mutton to finish cooking. YUM!

Ashlyn and Katie

Grandpa Gary with Ashlyn and Marshall

Thanks to Katie for remembering her camera and being so good to take pictures! I can't wait to go next year!

Easter 2011

2011-06-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

Following tradition, we went to Salina to visit my grandparents for Easter. We always have a great time! Gary helps make dutch oven potatoes, chicken, and scones and then we eat in the garage! Next, we go throw eggs! It was a little cold so I stayed in the truck with Marshall - so thanks to my great cousin Kandace for the pictures!

My Little Addiction

2011-03-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks I have been indulging myself in these delectable treats.

Like every afternoon.

And I feel really good about it.

My hat goes off to the Coca Cola and Hershey companies for making my long days at work bearable!

Sunday Best

2011-03-01T09:01:00.000-08:00

Getting ready for Church is always fun at our house! (can you sense the sarcasm?) Thank goodness we switched to the 11:00 time because we were NEVER on time for 9:00. Anyways, Gary was out plowing snow last Sunday so I took some cute pictures of the kids in their "Sunday Best" to show as proof that we really went to Church. I hate going to church alone but, the kids were actually not too bad this time. I just hope that I don't have to go alone again for a very long time - or at least until the next snow storm!

My kids are such HAMS!! I love the last picture of Marshall - He was laughing so hard!

Kiddo's

2011-02-03T14:54:00.000-08:00

These 3 beautiful kiddo's make me happy.

I love their bright blue eyes, happy faces, individual personalities, and everything else about them. The next best thing to being a mom is being an aunt - It is going to be so much fun for Marshall and Jake while they are growing up - I have a feeling there are going to many times that Ashlyn will have them dressed up like dancing girls, all of them piled in the farm truck with grandpa Russell, and grandma Carolyn trying to survive making cookies and cakes with all of them. Jason and Sarah are always to good to play with them and make them feel special. It's good thing there is such a gap between Ashlyn and the boys to break everybody in because I have a feeling these boys are going to be hell on wheels when they get mobile!

I just love this little innocent face - but do you see that little glimmer of mischief in his eyes?

Ash practicing her "diving" skills.

We love bath time because it means that bed time is fast approaching....

January 2011

2011-02-03T13:16:00.000-08:00

January involved Gary and Ashlyn doing a little bit of this:

Ashlyn playing a lot of this:

And Marshall reaching the 6 month mark which brought on a lot of this:

I love how he sucks his bottom lip in - it makes him look like an old grandpa without his dentures in - cracks me up! For the longest time he has only had one tooth on the bottom so his favorite Uncle Glen dubbed him "one-tooth" I guess Glen will have to come up with a new nickname since Marshall just cut his 2nd tooth.

Don't you just want to squish those little chubby cheeks?

Christmas 2010

2011-02-03T12:28:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from the Orton household! I hope everybody had a magical Christmas season. We sure did! Christmas started out with decorating - not always my favorite part - but this year it was different. Last summer Gary's good friend David Lake passed away. Gary and David we avid hunting buddies and loved spending time together. After David passed away, his wife Karen, wanted Gary to have something of David's. Little did I know that this is what she had in mind:

Isn't it lovely? Let's just say we got a lot of weird looks from our neighbors. David used to put this lovely lawn decoration in his front yard and send a picture of it to us as a Christmas card - we were the only people that Karen would allow him to send the picture to. So this year, in honor of David, we displayed this in our yard and sent a picture of it to Karen in California. I hope she enjoyed it! Whether or not this display will be used again next year is still up for debate.

Christmas morning was awesome - all of us got spoiled - enough that I lost my camera in all of the wrapping paper and therefore was not able to take as many pictures as I wanted.

Checkin out Santa's loot.

Ashlyn admiring her new jewelry box from Grandpa Dwaine and Grandma Linda

We really did have a wonderful Christmas this year full of family and friends.

Turning Over a New Leaf

2010-12-28T09:24:00.000-08:00

Today, December 28, 2010, I have started the Herbalife program. My goal is to lose 30 lbs (more would be nice) before Summer. Gary started Herbalife and lost 18 lbs in 8 weeks. I understand that men are usually able to lose weight a lost faster than women, so I will try my hardest not to compare myself to him and his success. I am writing this as a promise to myself that I will lose this baby weight - not just what I gained with Marshall but what I had left over from Ashlyn - and be healthier. So here's to a new beginning for 2011! 2010 was great to my little family and I can't wait to see what is in store for 2011!

P.S. We had a great Christmas....I will post pictures later!

Thought for December

2010-12-15T14:23:00.000-08:00

My new favorite quote for this month:

"If we look for what is wrong with the Christmas season, we can surely find it. Nevertheless, if we look for the good, we can see this time of year with new eyes—perhaps even with the eyes of a child." -PRESIDENT DIETER F. UCHTDORF

Merry Christmas Everybody!

NFR 2010

2010-12-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

Last week we had the awesome opportunity to meet up with our good friends, Geneya and Josh, and go to the NFR. It was so hard to leave the kids (but not too hard). Gary and I haven't had time away together for so long so it was nice just to be a couple again. It has definitely been something that we have been neglecting so to have time away from home together was just what we needed! I am horrible at remembering to take pictures so I stole some from Geneya's blog - Thank goodness she remembered to take a couple of pictures!

We had so much fun and can't wait to go next year - hopefully for more than one night!

Quick trip to Zion's

2010-11-19T09:37:00.001-08:00

Last Saturday we took a quick trip to Zion's. The Fall colors were beautiful!

Along with the beautiful colors, there was a lot of awesome wildlife to be seen...

mmmmm....isn't it almost Thanksgiving? :)

And we saw two good sized buck's right next to the road -

too bad you can't hunt in National Parks!

It was getting cold so we only went on the Weeping Rock trail with Ashlyn, but she still had so much fun!

This was our amazing view as we left the park....

MARSHALL IS 4 MONTHS OLD

2010-11-19T09:27:00.000-08:00

Marhsall is 4 months old! He weighed in at 14 pounds 11 ounces - he is getting to be such a big boy:) And he LOVES his Bumbo.

I have been so excited for Marshall to be able to start eating rice cereal - he liked it for the most part. Ashlyn loved trying to teach him how to eat from a spoon and swallow. Marshall just laughed at her. Poor Marshall had a "slight" problem with diarrhea the next couple of days so I think we will hold off from the rice cereal for a little while and try it again!

Marshall and Ashlyn have such a strong connection as brother and sister. It is amazing how early they have developed this. I hope that as they grow older they will always be such great friends.....wishfull thinking I know....but a girl can dream right?

Being an Aunt

2010-11-09T12:40:00.000-08:00

On August 2 my little nephew Jake was born - I think being an aunt is just about as good as being a mom! I was able to at the hospital when he finally decided to make his grand entrance -I remember when Glen came carrying Jake out of the delivery room to the little nursery - the only other time I can think of Glen being so full of happiness was when he and Ashley got married. Glen is a very proud daddy! Jake is so blessed to get to have Glen and Ashley for his parents. They are going to be such awesome parents. It is going to be so much fun for Marshall and Jake to grow up together - I just wish we lived closer!

These little men have stolen my heart -

My Children are My Joy

2010-11-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

My children are my JOY. They have filled my life with the love of motherhood and I would not trade that for anything. I just hope I remember this when they are in their teens! My Ashlyn is a sassy little girl -she has so much attitude and is completely full of life. It has been so much fun to watch her grow and her personality develop. The other day I was picking the kids up from the Melissa's house (the babysitter) and she was telling me how Ashlyn will never have a problem making friends - I just about started to bawl - Gary and I have tried to raise our daughter is such a way that she will be friendly and loving to everybody that she will not have any problems with making new friends or being too shy. When I was younger I was extremely shy. I remember how I used to make my mom call my friends to see if they could play because I was too scared. I never want my children to be too scared to talk to anybody on the phone and I want to instill in them that every stranger they meet is just somebody they haven't had a chance to get to know yet. I hope we are successful in our efforts! But, judging from these pictures - I think we are on the right track....

Marshall is also starting to get his cute little "attitude" too:) He is a very happy baby, I think the Lord knew that Marshall is exactly what I needed at this time in my life. He has that mischevious look in his eyes when he smiles. I think he is just getting ready to get into everything when he is mobile - LOOK OUT!

True Joy...

Family Pictures

2010-10-21T14:51:00.000-07:00

After 6 years of marriage and 2 kids later........We finally had family pictures done!!! My sweet cousin LaraLee Daniels was our photographer and I think she did a really good job considering Ashlyn wouldn't stop whining and Marshall was hungry. Now hopefully my mom and mother-in-laws can move on to something else to harass us about for a while. (I mean this lovingly! I swear!)

Marshall's Blessing

2010-10-06T14:41:00.000-07:00

On September 19th Marshall was given a name and a blessing by his daddy. We had originally set Marshall's blessing date as the first Sunday in September but because of Grandma Colleen's funeral the day before, Gary and I felt a very strong impression that we needed to push the blessing back a couple of weeks. I am so glad that we did.
It was one of the most spiritual events I have experienced. I am still in awe at the sight of my amazing husband tenderly taking my special baby boy in his arms, being surrounded by the men of our families, and by the power of the Priesthood blessing Marshall with strength, wisdom, and so many other things that Marshall will need to make the right choices to follow the path that the Lord has prepared for him.
Marshall will be 3 months old tomorrow - I can't believe how quickly time has flown! I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to raise this special baby boy - there were times during his pregnancy that I didn't think I would be able to do so during this life. I think that knowing that makes me hold onto the little moments longer and savor in them. I love being a mom to my two adorable children - there is nothing better.
Ashlyn has been keeping me very busy since she has started her 2nd year of Preschool - we read and read and read and read some more! She is a huge help with Marshall (sometimes a little too helpful) but I wouldn't change her one bit. I love her personality - sassy and all - she is so much fun! The other day she wore her black pants with her black boots to school - she told her teacher, the babysitter, and all of her friends that they are her work clothes - just like her mommy's. She makes me so proud!

Here are a bunch of pictures from the party after the blessing

5 generations of Gary's (Great -Grandpa Gary, GrandpaGary Dwaine, Gary, and Gary Marshall)

My brother Jason, Marshall, and I

My mom, sister Sarah, Marshall, and I

Uncle Kent and Marshall and with Jake

my side of the family

My awesome sister-in-law Ashley and my adorable nephew Jake with Marshall and I

Marshall and Ashlyn with Grandma Bonnie, Cheryl, and Russell

My brother Glen with Jake and Marshall. I love my brother - it is so fun to watch him be the cutest daddy to Jake!

I couldn't get away with posting some fun pictures of the kids :)

Grandma Colleen's Funeral

2010-09-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

On August 30th Gary's Grandma Colleen passed away. We love her and miss her so much. It was devastating to get the phone call that morning but the hardest part of it all was telling Ashlyn. She loves her Grandma Colleen and loved going to Panguitch to see her, go for rides, and play. When Gary and I told her she just looked up at us and said - Grandma is in Heaven now with Jesus and she isn't sick any more, she doesn't have to use that walking thing or have those oxygen tubes in her nose - when she said that I starting bawling so hard that I had to leave the room for a minute. My Ashlyn is so smart and has such a strong and pure testimony of Eternal Families. She knows that we will get to be with Grandma Colleen again and that Grandma Colleen is whole again and no longer in pain. I am so thankful that Grandma Colleen was able to have a special relationship with Ashlyn and that she was able to be here when Marshall was born. I know that Grandma is still looking out for all of us - just in a different way.

the graveside service

the "Orton" girls

The Grandson's

Harold, David, Gaylene, Grandpa Gary, Holly, Kelly, and Dwaine

Families are Forever

BitterSweet

2010-09-09T21:57:00.000-07:00

First off...I apologize for not posting more pictures of Marshall and Ashlyn...I promise to get up to date eventually!

BitterSweet -

Last Sunday I was released for my calling as an Advisor to the Laurels group. I cried. I loved my calling and I love my girls. They were all so inspirational to me. I love how unique they all are and how they are not afraid to stand up for what they know is right and for what they believe in. I am so proud of them all.

Now, here is the sweet part...... I have been called to be the Girls Camp Director!!! So technically I am still in Young Womens! I kind of know what this calling will entail since I have previously been the Assistant Camp Director - I just wish I knew what the theme was going to be so that I can start putting together ideas! I know it is way too early to be worrying about all of that but I want this camp to be the best one yet!

So here is my request for all of you....If you have ANY ideas....please do not hesitate to send them my way!!!

Gary Marshall Orton

2010-08-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

Introducing Gary Marshall Orton
July 7, 2010
6:24 pm
5 pounds 4 ounces
18.5 inches long

We are so happy to have Marshall here safe and healthy! It has been quite the journey to get him here and we couldn't be more excited for the new addition to our little family.

Ultrasound Pictures

2010-05-12T09:28:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of ultrasounds pictures of the little man! I'm pretty sure he is the cutest baby boy I have ever seen :)

Easter 2010

2010-04-15T13:14:00.001-07:00

Easter is my FAVORITE holiday...This year - pretty much like every year - we spent Friday and Saturday with my side of the family! When we got there we found everybody down at the farm trying to figure out how to solve this little problem....

Yes, that is a roof that blew off of one of the sheds! It landed on the round pen and squeeze chute - It took chain saws, a couple chains, and two loaders to get off!! I can't believe that they got it off without completely destroying the chute.... After that, they loaded up all of the debry into a couple of dump trucks to take to the dump. It was quite the sight! While everybody else went to the dump my mom, Ashlyn, and I made cookies - actually I just supervised - mostly because I was laughing so hard from watch my mom STRESS over Ashlyn getting her fingers stuck in the mixer:) Ashlyn is a very helpful little girl that thinks she has to be in the middle of everything!

When everybody got back from the dump we ate dinner and COLORED EASTER EGGS! It was so much fun - I think my mom went a little CRAZY with how many eggs she bought for everybody to color! I can't wait until next year when we have even more to color with the new baby boys!

Gary and Ashley still think that the Christensen family is a little weird because we don't eat the Easter eggs that we spend so much time coloring :) I guess that we are a little different but I think that is what makes us SPECIAL!

The next morning the EASTER BUNNY came to visit! Sarah, Jason, and Ashlyn were so excited to see what had been left behind!

They were all very spoiled this year - Ashlyn even got a BUNNY! We named him "Buster Brown". To my great amazement the poor little guy has survived!

To follow tradition we loaded up and went to SALINA to spend the day with my grandparents and the rest of the Burr/Hugentobler clan. We had delicious dutch oven potatoes and chicken for lunch. YUM!!!

Ashlyn was so excited too see that her cousins, Halee and Audrey were there! Those 3 little girls were so much fun to watch - I think my Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Kent were so delighted to listen their little girl voices squeaking about all sorts of important things! They were pretty much inseperable the entire day!

They loved to ride in the Gator any chance they got - My Uncle Craig was their driver most of the time - I think he was very honored to get to drive his grand-daughters and grand-neice to whereever they wanted to go!

Here is Gary, Sarah, and I anxiously awaiting to go THROW

our Easter Eggs down the hill!

This has got to be the highlight of the day! The seagulls even showed up this year to clean up after us! The best part is probably when Tyler and Andrew go to the bottom of the hill and become everybody's target - Of course they alway move out of the way, but it is still fun to try!

My Grandpa and Uncle Kent watch everybody from the Gator and then loaded Ashlyn and Audrey up for a nice ride back to the house - Uncle Kent was tickled pink!

We had such a great time! I can't wait for everybody to get together again!

It's a BOY!!

2010-03-03T15:16:00.000-08:00

Gary and I went to the doctor yesterday for the ultrasound to find out the gender of the baby and......

WE ARE HAVING A BOY!!!

Gary and I couldn't be more excited - it took a little bit of convincing for Ashlyn to share in our excitement (she wanted a girl) but then she realized that she won't have to share any of her precious blankets and toys....we will let her think that for a little while:)

He is definately an Orton because he would not cooperate so we get to have another ultrasound at the end of the month to get the rest of his measurements.....

2010-01-28T09:39:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday we took Ashlyn sledding....It was so much fun! Now, everyday since then she has been begging us to take her again. Guess we will have to go again this weekend!

Drumroll Please.......

2009-11-30T07:55:00.000-08:00

A few of you already know this so I think I might as well make the grand announcement......Gary and I are expecting a baby in July! Ashlyn is so excited to finally become a BIG SISTER and wont stop asking me when its time to have HER baby. She is certain it is a girl - even though we wont be finding out for a long long time! Ashlyn caught me having morning sickness and asked me why I was sick. I told her that sometimes the baby makes mommy's tummy hurt and her response was....BUT MOM! YOUR NOT MAD AT HER ARE YOU???? I will try to keep posting some of the funny things she says! This is going to be a long 8 months with her constantly asking me if it is time to go to the hospital yet so she can play with the baby!

Which Watch Designs

2009-10-05T10:26:00.001-07:00

Hey everybody - I want to tell you all about Which Watch Designs! It is an awesome company that sells beaded watch bands...They are all so cute - I have so many:) The best thing is that they are affordable - so go ahead and check out the website - there is a button on my sidebar! You know you want to!!!

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL!!!

2009-09-08T08:03:00.001-07:00

Today was Ashlyn's FIRST DAY of PRESCHOOL!!! I can't believe that this DAY is ALREADY here!! She was so excited to wear her knew school clothes, her new hair cut, and PRINCESS pencils....She was especially excited about her DORA backpack.....At preschool they have show and tell everyday and today she took her SUU COW so she could tell her new friends all about how she goes to the games with her mommy and daddy:) I just can't BELIEVE that my BABY is growing up so fast!!

Labor Day Parade

2009-09-08T07:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some funny pictures of Ashlyn while we were waiting patiently for the Parowan Labor Day Parade to start....I'm not biased or anything but - she is so dang CUTE!!!!

SUU Football

2009-09-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

Ashlyn and I went to the SUU vs Dixie football game last week - It was so much fun! Ashlyn loves to watch the "dancing girls" (cheerleaders) and Thor...GO T-BIRDS!!

Fun in the Sun

2009-08-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

Gary and I took Ashlyn down to Sand Hollow the other day – She loves to play in the water! She had so much fun filling her bucket full of sand and water and then dumping it on her legs and splashing water on her mom!

When we got home she still hadn’t had enough fun in the water so we had to put out her sprinkler that shoots balls in the air so that she could have some more fun! We let the dogs get in on this one – it was so fun to watch Sunny wait for the ball to shoot up out of the water and then chase it with Ash running behind her yelling at her to leave her ball alone with Danny and Rocky chasing after her! And then Gary would try and kick the ball out of the air while it was coming up with the water – I was so FUNNY to watch! WE HAD A BLAST!!!

4th & 24th of July Camping Trips

2009-08-05T15:38:00.000-07:00

On the 4th & 24th of July we went camping on Kolob - It was so much fun! I just love going up there and being able to relax - And surprisingly enough Ashlyn was really well behaved! She had so much fun playing in the dirt - going to Kolob Res - and playing with Gary's dog Sunny.

Ash & Sunny
Ashlyn loved running in and out of the trailer the whole entire time we were on the mountain!

There was this great big huge tree that Gary had to cut down - In the process he cut out a chair :) I think he is going to make one for all of us! It is a wonder what people will do to keep themselves occupied!

Mommy & Daughter

Daddy & Daughter

Ashlyn & Buddy

2009-07-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

Ashlyn loves horses - Especially her friend Buddy! Buddy belongs to a friend of Ashlyn's grandpa Dwaine - She had so much fun!!!

YEEHAW!!

Practicing her Queen wave

Hold On!!

Cheese :)

New Job

2009-07-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

So a lot has happened since I have been able to update this thing!

I have accepted a new position in the Financial Aid office at Southern Utah University ( I have been working at SUU in the Admissions office for the past year) and am very excited to have a new job! Ashlyn is now 3! I can't believe how quickly time flies! Hopefully now life will slow down a little bit so I will be able to keep up---HA HA

Easter

2009-07-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

Ashlyn and Brooklin drivin the lawn mower....LOOK OUT!

OOOHHH HOW TENDER!

My dad is so dang cute!

Gary cooking dutch oven....YUM!!

My aunt Linda and uncle Merrill - cookin up a storm!

Jason and Ashlyn being the MANIACS they are!

Hurrying to the next surprise on the easter egg hunt!

SUU Basketball Game

2009-02-16T19:26:00.000-08:00

We love to go to all of the SUU Basketball games as a family with Cheryl and Russell.
GO T-BIRDS!!!!

2009-02-16T19:23:00.000-08:00

Ashy loves swimming - and she always has to swim with her floaties.

Isn't she the Cutest Girl ever?

Workin Calves

2009-02-13T18:55:00.000-08:00

Ashlyn is always a big help to her Grandpa Russel and Uncle Glen when it comes to workin calves!

New Blogger!!!

2009-02-13T18:48:00.001-08:00

Mk.....so I'm gonna try this thing out - If you have any hints please let me know!!!