Staying busy in the ATL

 The time has come for us to head back to Ithaca and real life. We've been living out of suitcases since May.  But over the last few weeks we've done a lot of fun things around Atlanta.

We drove to Panama City, Florida for a few days where we stayed in a nice beach house.

 We played a lot of fun games in the pool on the days when the ocean was too rough

Drew was obviously devastated to leave the beach...

When we got back Drew spent all of ten minutes at the park with grandpa.

 The planes we bought were limited use.

Drew kept busy watching a couple (hundred) youtube videos of Winnie the Pooh

He also spent a lot of time getting better acquainted with his cousins... and their trains.

Farewell Atlanta, we will be back soon... hopefully sometime in the winter when other creatures head south to escape the bitter cold of upstate New York.

2 months

I just can't believe what happened to the little wrinkly skinny baby we brought home 2 months ago...

 That formula sure sticks to the bones. Little Claire is not so little anymore-- she's pushing double digits as a 10 pounder. She pretty much is sleeping through the night and on occasion we catch a smile with two big dimples. I'm convinced she looks just like Drew, but Spencer thinks otherwise. I believe he is just trying to make me feel better about the fact that I don't have my own little clone like he does.

We have been hanging out in Atlanta for the last two weeks while Spencer travels between Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia. Six of the seven flights have been delayed, and the one flight that wasn't delayed he missed. So all of his time spent away from us hasn't exactly been enjoyable. Knowing that really seems to help the situation when I know he is enjoying fancy dinners and king size beds not filled with kids.

We're excited to get back to Ithaca this week and to reunite with our Cornell family. I'm hoping for another exceptionally warm winter which will allow for Drew to run around outside to his hearts content as I somehow figure out how to manage two children. We're 1/3 of the way done with law school and time just seems to be flying by. I can't believe this time last year we were driving in to Ithaca (me 40lbs lighter might I remind you) and discovering what a gem this beautiful city is sandwiched between the Finger Lakes. This year we're bringing another Orton to Ithaca and couldn't be more excited to get back to school. Here's to another great year!

Ostler Wedding

Spencer's sister, Laura married Alan Ostler on August 2nd. It was a beautiful hot day in Provo full of fun wedding festivities.

Considering we only met Alan four days before the wedding, we like him already, and are so happy for Laura and Alan.

The other brunette in the picture is the next soon to be sister in law.
Spencer's brother Taylor proposed to Alisa after Laura's reception that night.

The morning following the wedding the two of them flew to Germany, not only for their honeymoon but to their new home. Now we have a great excuse to take a European vacation...

Little Miss Long Legs

I think it might be the fact that Claire is so skinny that also makes her look rather tall.

Her limbs are thin and give the appearance of being exceptionally long for her size.

 But that's not what makes these legs interesting... it's the fact that she holds them straight in the air.

You try holding your legs straight in the air while sipping some Gatorade or a beverage of your choice.

Guaranteed you'll have some pretty nice abs in no time.

Drew turns 2!

On July 12th we officially entered the stage of the terrible twos.

However, I believe we actually started on June 19th.

To celebrate our little Drew turning two we had a full week of festivities. Special breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Cakes, donuts, icecream, and more cakes. carousels, arcades, waterparks and a movie date with his dad.

Drew's favorite phrases right now include
"Where are you?"
"What's that?"
"Where'd it go?

We're just waiting for him to get into the rather annoying stage of asking "Why?" all the time...

He never eats meat, but loves noodles and fruit... and of course anything chocolate.

The older he gets, the worse of a sleeper he becomes. I'm hoping it's just a phase as everything around him is constantly changing. We've been living out of suitcases for the last 3 months and it's beginning to take a toll on all of us.

He is the definition of boy- playing in dirt, or with cars and sticks.

He loves Toy Story and asks for it by calling it "The Buzz"

He is slowly adjusting to not being the only one around here that gets our attention, which has made the transition from one child to two harder than I thought it would be.

Either way, Happy 2nd Birthday Drew! We love you!