Orr-ation

April's Happenings

2008-05-08T10:39:00.003-06:00

On the 8th, Trinity and Temira had their first test in karate. They both passed with flying colors and have earned their yellow belts! They are so excited, and we are, too! It was so fun to watch them show off what they have learned so far. Karate has been a wonderful tool for Temira. She has learned breathing exercises and ways to vent her frustration without hurting anyone, including herself. (She can still use practice...) Trinity is showing leadership tendencies that we haven't seen before, too. It is an all-around good thing for them.

The week of the 14th, Bret and I took time off work to get our new doors installed. They look great! (Even though we still have to paint them.) It is satisfying to finally be able to start making the improvements on the house that are so badly needed. Having replaced the front door earlier in the year, and the windows last year, we have seen a dramatic reduction in our power bill--despite the rate hikes. It is worth it, but it all takes time...and money, so we continue to save up for the next project. :)

Once we had all the doors installed, the boys and Bret worked on the 4-wheelers and got them both running...sort of, so we went camping Friday night to test them out. It was relatively warm until about 2 am. Tenille was sleeping with Bret and me in our tent and the other kids were all piled in the other tent. They stayed warm all night. The baby kept warm, but Bret and I got cold, mostly making sure Tenille was warm, I think. Anyway, this was the first time we had been camping alone with just our family. We usually go with at least one of Bret's sisters and her family...and their trailer. The boys were all right without a bathroom, of course, and the girls all thought it was the most adventurous thing to pee on a bush! It was so funny! We all survived, including the 4-wheelers...for the most part, and we decided that we need to go camping all by ourselves more often. Trinity said next time we need to go to a lake, so we can fish. I think that may be the plan for July. :)

On the 22nd, Harrison turned twelve. On the 27th, Bret conferred the Aaronic priesthood on him and ordained him to be a deacon. It is wonderful to see the boys growing up to be such responsible kids. Harrison's first time helping with the Sacrament was May 4th. He was all smiles when it was over. I think he was a little nervous at first. We have three deacons now...until the middle of June. The twins will be 14!!! I can't believe how fast the time has flown!

My sister Heidi closed on her house right before her birthday at the end of the month! I am so excited for her! (I think I may be more excited than she is, but don't tell her that! LOL)

Oh, and I get to be a year older now, too. yippee... :)

Welcome, Aria! and News Updates

2008-03-25T14:27:00.003-06:00

Easter this year was an event to remember. We were in the middle of the traditional Squire Family Easter Egg Hunt at Aunt Sharlene's when my sister Haven's water broke! She was due the 31st, but was REALLY hoping to go early. She got her wish. Her little Aria Janan was born at 2:13 am on Sunday, March 23, 2008! She weighed in at 8 pounds 2 ounces, and is 20 inches long. Oh, and the fun part: she has a ton of DARK hair! Haven says she looks just like Sonora did when she was born...but with dark hair. I guess that means we will keep her. :)

Congratulations, Hurt Family!

Other Squire news: Grandma Squire was able to join us for the picnic and festivities. She was having a really good day, and could even taste all the food. She had her first round of chemo-therapy a couple of weeks ago, and has had some really close calls. We are so grateful to still have her with us. I don't know what Grandpa would do without her. They are such "Sweetzers"!

Heidi's news: She will be closing on her new house in Mesquite, NV, in a couple of weeks! I am so excited for her. This is another major accomplishment that she can add to her belt. It is a 3 bedroom/2 bath, 1700+ sq ft townhouse. (Yes, Temira, with a pool!) She was renting a condo here in St. George with our mom and dad (Mom recently moved to Orem and UVSC, soon to be UVU, to be closer to Dad who has been working outside of Vernal.), but her schedule has been 7 nights on/7 nights off (12 hour shifts) for the past several months. She has had to commute through The Gorge (the windiest-pronounced both ways-20 miles of I15) both ways every day. Long about morning 3 or 4 she is lucky/blessed not to run off the road and into the canyon, so we are really happy that she won't be doing that anymore. The girls and I went with her last night to go furniture shopping. That was a blast! Trinity asked when we can go to Aunt Heidi's and see all her new stuff put away! :)

Now for a bit of Orr news: Bret's sister Jennifer and her husband Dave decided a while back that Mom and Dad's house (six bedrooms and a HUGE living room/kitchen area) would fit them better (with their 8 kids) than the house they were in, so they talked it over with them and decided to move into the basement apartment and put their house up for sale. (This was right about the time the market came screeching to a halt.)

They have been remodelling and refinishing for several months while waiting for their house to sell. Since that isn't happening, and since Mom and Dad's plans to move back to Missouri have been postponed, the official house swap has happened. Mom and Dad have moved into Jen and Dave's old house, and J&D have settled into the whole house. It is an interesting situation that I hope works out for the best for all of them.

Orr's were in that house for 23 years. I think they are all in for some adjustment issues. The boys' mom is about as confused about the whole thing as we are, but we figure they know what they are doing. (She said, "They moved out of the big house that fit everyone (18 kids and in-laws and 39 grandkids, plus themselves) to move to a little house that won't fit anyone?" The answers is YES!) J&D's old place does have a pool, so a few grandkids can go swimming at a time, especially if they stay outside. Maybe it will lessen the chaos that usually accompanies family get-togethers. I guess we'll see.

We can still take over the city parks on major holidays, so it's all good!

Bumps and Bruises

2008-03-06T12:32:00.002-07:00

Yesterday started off with a bang...literally. About noon I got a phone call from Bret explaining that he was bringing the girls to see me at work. (OK.) Then the story began.

It was time to retrieve Trinity from Kindergarten, so he had Temira and Talia take our new little mini-dachshund Captain out to do his business. He reminded them to close the door, and went to the kitchen to make a bottle for Tenille...who was playing on the livingroom floor.

All of a sudden he heard screaming from outside. He thought it was Talia letting the dog nip at her while refusing to get away from him, but when he went outside (through the open door) he found Tenille at the bottom of our 8 cement steps!

He had checked her, and she seemed no worse for the wear, but thought he should let me know...and see her for myself. (Wasn't that thoughtful?) I was expecting much worse than what I saw, thank goodness! She has a few scratches on her head, arms and knees but nothing deeper. She is her happy, sweet little self.

Then to make sure we went out with a bang as well, Bret hit a cone in the road construction near our house on the way home from work last night (4:30 am). You wouldn't think those cones could do much, but there is a dent in the driver-side fender and the headlight was knocked out and dangling!

Never let it be said we don't know how to have a good time!

We're Baaaack!

2008-03-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

OK. After a VERY lengthy absence (and after much prodding from several H's), we are back and blogging again. Watch for an update soon!