Fall Leaves

I can't tell you how much I love Fall. To me, there is no better time of year! Yet, there is one thing that I don't look forward to, and that is getting the garden "winterized." Pulling all the old weeds and the plants which have by now been killed by frost. We pulled out the tomato plants a little late this year, and we still haven't tilled the garden. (Heck, there is football to watch, right?) But, we had a great time repeatedly raking leaves for the kids to jump in! This is the first year that we've really let the kids run loose, and it looks like they had a wonderful time.

Pumpkin Carving

Sylvia's witchy-poo fingers

Ben with Mommy's completed pumpkin

Auntie Melissa posin' with her pumpkin


Dad enjoying delicious pumpkin goop

Yesterday we went to Grandma Susan's house for a family night full of pumpkin carving fun. We all enjoyed Grandma Susan's homemade chicken noodle soup, and then we got to work! Susan made the kiddies a Halloween goody bag with a pumpkin gun, chattering vampire teeth, and haunted house stickers. We added a new tool to our carving arsenal-a electric dremel! I recommend this for only the most serious pumpkin carving enthusiasts.

Sylvia's method for pumpkin carving: (Her actual words)

First we cut off the pumpkin's head,

Then we scoop the goop,

Then we play with the seeds,

And then we cut the pumpkin with a knife!

Orme Family Halloween Party

Great Grandma Orme! She's freakin' hilarious.

Look at me, the scary housewife!

Sylvia and her cousin Cassidy

Nate is a skeleton! But apparently, dressed to go to work...

Every year, Grandma and Grandpa Orme host an annual Halloween party. I would've taken more pics of Nate's family, but most people took off their costumes within 20 minutes of arriving! Lame. Anyway, we had a very fun time, ate lots of delicious food, and played some spooky games.

Mommy Tag

Mommy Tag
I’ve been tagged! Are you ready for this?
1. What time do you wake up? I refuse to get up before the kids, so it's generally around 8 am
2. On a good night, what time are your kids in bed? They don't make it past 9 pm ever.
3. How long have you been a mommy? 3 whole years!
4. How old were you when you became a mom? 24, but I turned 25 a few months later.
5. What is your favorite chore? I don't have a favorite chore, thank you very much. I hate chores! (Don't I sound like a 7 year old?)
6. What is your favorite meal to cook? Manicotti. It is one of the (few) meals that I make that everyone loves.
7. What meal do you cook most often? Hamburger Helper. That is so sad.
9. What are 5 things about being a mom that make you smile? 1-Ben's attempts at speech, 2-big wet kisses, 3-Sylvia's dancing and singing, 4-seeing the kids retain gospel principles, 5-watching the kids play together (actually cooperating).
10. If you could take your kids anywhere, where would it be? When they're old enough to appreciate it, I'd love to take my kids to Europe. Let's get some culture!
11. When was the last time you went out without your kids? The last BYU home game. Thanks, Margaret!
12. What is your most heartbreaking moment as a mom? Watching my kids get any kind of shot. Vaccinations, Flu shots, you name it. I cry almost as much as they do!
13. When was the last time you told one of your kids I love you? I tell them all the time. But I think it is most important when I tuck them in at night. It needs to be the last thing they hear before they go to sleep.
14. When was the last time you were told I love you? Today. Sylvia is so cute. She says, "Mom, I love you Mom!"

Now I tag: Nancy and Shannon!

Disneyland!

We went to Disneyland last week with Nate's family, and we had such an awesome time! I know the kids are so little that they may not remember much of the trip, but we documented our trip pretty well. The next couple of weeks will be spent scrapbooking the (over 200) photos of our little vacation. I will forever cherish every foot aching, toddler screaming, line waiting moment of the entire getaway. The favorites:

Sylvia-The Matterhorn, lovingly termed "The Yeti Ride."

Ben- Gadget's Go-Coaster, in Toon Town. This is the only ride that Ben applauded and yelled "yay" when it was over. He also loved the Carousel in Fantasy Land.

Nate-Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters. Shooting at targets with a laser gun in a moving ride? For Nate, this is quite close to heaven.

Rachel- Space Mountain. Because it rocks. But Soarin' Over California in California Adventure makes a close second.

The Pumpkin Patch

We recently visited the pumpkin patch at the Vineyard Garden Center. I would have loved to spend a little time perusing all of the pretty pumpkins, but Ben chose his pumpkin quite early in the trip and was ready to leave immediately! We had a great time, despite the frigid temperature. We absolutely love Halloween, and we are definitely gearing up to carve our pumpkins to screamin' perfection!

Sylvia Has Been Tagged

Name and Meaning: Sylvia Louise Orme. Sylvia is Latin, meaning "of the forest". She is named after Nate's great grandmother Sylvia Goodrich. Louise is German/French, meaning "fame and war". It is my mother's middle name, as well as Nate's grandmother's middle name.

Age: 3

Birthday: August 21, 2005

Nicknames: Sylvie Boo, Sylva-Bling

Favorite Activities: Dancing, puzzles, singing

Least Favorite Foods: She isn't really a meat eater, except for chicken nuggets!

Favorite Music: She loves any Disney song, but she also loves pop music on the radio

Favorite Toys: Dress up clothes, tiaras and wands, general princess fare

What Makes Her Happy: Dance class, watching a Disney Sing-a-Long Song, jumping on the trampoline.

What Makes Her Sad: When mom won't indulge her addiction for milk. This child would drink milk all day long!

I Tag: Anyone who would like to play!

4 Generations

We were able to get a great 4 generation picture with all of the Orme boys. They're so cute! Personally, I like pic #2 much better than pic #1. The second one shows Ben's true personality!

The Big 2!

Ben is officially a 2 year old! We had a lot of fun on his birthday. We had a small party at Bicentennial Park in Provo to celebrate. The park was the perfect place for my busy boy. He was able to play as much as he wanted, and I didn't have to do anything at my house! We were so happy to see family and friends that came, and I want to thank everyone for the wonderful presents.

After Ben's party, we took him to Build-A-Bear and built him his very own special soccer star bear. He was so busy running around the store, I wasn't able to get any good pictures of him with his bear. Anyway, he loves it!