Marshall's Blessing

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

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

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

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

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

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!!

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.....