The Orme Family

The Bean Museum

2012-01-27T14:32:00.003-07:00

My little tigers

Sylvia is captivated by a fake fish

Hmmm...texture!

Oooh! Butterflies!

Mommy and Henry

Did you know Ligers are a real thing?? Yeah, me neither.

Brothers

2012-01-27T14:09:00.001-07:00

Adorable!

Ben loves Henry so much. Maybe too much! He gives the baby a lot of rough kisses and hugs, and we have to constantly remind him to be more gentle. And no picking up Henry!!! At least it is love, and not jealousy. I count that as a real blessing.

Go Jazz!

2012-01-11T00:09:00.001-07:00

Jazz Games are Super Fun!

Three crazy kiddos

Daddy and Henry being all cute and stuff

Say Cheese

Sylvia did a LOT of dancing at the game

Henry is One Month Old

2012-01-09T20:29:00.001-07:00

Tummy Time

This makes me think of "bitter beer face"

This boy is delicious

Slightly blurry, but the one picture that captured a smile!

Christmas

2012-01-04T13:11:00.003-07:00

Sadly, Christmas was wasted on me this year. I am lucky my kids received anything from us, as neither Nate nor myself were inclined to go out and shop with the holiday crowds. I usually brave the Black Friday madness and get the majority of our kids' Christmas then, but since I was so heavily pregnant, that definitely didn't happen this year. Luckily, we bought a few fun things, and grandparents filled in the rest. The kids had a fabulous Christmas, as always!

Christmas Eve was spent rearranging the kids' room, and then we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Goodrich's house for dinner. This was the first time many of Nate's family had seen Henry, so we dressed him up cute and everyone oohed and ahhed at him. Christmas morning, we opened our stockings at home, and then opened presents at Bill and Susan's house. I somehow got sick, so I spent the day sleeping, but everyone else had a great day playing with presents.

Side note: We didn't take practically any pictures, because we were videotaping Christmas morning. At least we thought we were...when Nate checked the video camera, it turns out it was turned off the entire time. We give up.

Henry at 12 Days Old

2011-12-15T10:06:00.000-07:00

Some Christmas Fun

2011-12-10T10:56:00.001-07:00

Ben and Sylvia with their Christmas Pretzel Wreaths

With bringing Henry home this last Monday, our week has been quite hectic. Last December, we did a Christmas-themed activity just about every day, but I know that if I try to set that expectation for this month I would be setting myself up for failure. So, my plan is to do a few really fun things that will make this season special for the kidlets, and the rest of the time we will play with our baby Henry!

These pretzel wreaths were something I found on Pinterest, and the instructions are available here . All you need is white chocolate chips, pretzels, and holiday sprinkles, and you've got a fun activity for the kids that you could even give away as a neighbor gift.

We're a Family of Five

2011-12-09T09:23:00.001-07:00

Henry Orme's Birthday

2011-12-09T08:51:00.001-07:00

Getting ready to have this baby!

Henry was 8 lb, 15 oz -- our biggest baby yet

Look at that face!

All cleaned up in the nursery. Adorable!

On Saturday December 3rd, my water broke late in the morning. We packed up the kids, took them up to Grandma Susan's house, and then Nate and I proceeded to the hospital. I wasn't experiencing any really painful contractions, so we weren't in any hurry. We were admitted to the maternity ward at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center around 11:30 a.m., and after an ultrasound, it was determined that I should stay and have the baby that day. We waited patiently for for the contractions to get stronger, but after a few hours, I was started on a low dose of Pitocin to get things moving along. I transitioned early in the evening, and Henry Edwin Orme was born at 6:46 pm. He was awake, alert, and didn't do much crying at all. At just shy of 9 pounds, he is a bruiser--with extra broad shoulders just like his daddy and older brother. He is such a sweet little man!

Thankful

2011-11-28T09:33:00.001-07:00

Before this month is officially over, here are a few things for which I am thankful:

Dr. Pepper
A healthy little guy in my tummy, even if he doesn't seem to want to be born (yet)
A husband who shows genuine enthusiasm at Christmastime
Two children who are very excited to welcome a new sibling to the family
Parents and Parents-in-Law who bend over backwards to show love to our little family
The fact that I will soon NOT have to wear maternity clothes
Good friends that genuinely want to help me with my new baby
A great ward family that cares about us
The best calling in the church (Yay for Sunbeams!)
The new Michael Buble Christmas album

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-28T09:10:00.001-07:00

We had a very fun Turkey Day, as you can plainly see :)

Happenings

2011-11-28T09:07:00.001-07:00

Ben and his inside-out jammies

Nate putting up the tree

Sylvia's cute gap tooth smile

Having fun at the November piano recital

Sylvia, the concert pianist

November Piano Recital

2011-11-22T10:37:00.001-07:00

Sylvia is awesome! Love this kid :)

Halloween

2011-11-02T14:05:00.003-06:00

My last Halloween post for sure! Sylvia and Ben had a really fun holiday weekend. We carved pumpkins on Friday and Saturday, so Nate had enough time to get the designs just right ;) Trunk or Treat and the Orme family Halloween party were great this year. On Monday, Ben and I went over to Sylvia's school to watch her in the Halloween parade outside on the field. The fifth and sixth graders did the "Thriller" dance for the younger kids and the parents. It was so cute! Later that evening, we had a nice family dinner with Grandpa Bill and Grandma Susan. And Aunt Melissa made things easy on us--she took Ben and Sylvia trick or treating! I didn't have to cook or even take the kids out this year. So nice! The kids really enjoyed themselves, and scored a TON of candy. Nate and I are attempting to ration it out and make it last as long as possible. Three pieces a day per kid is enough, right?

Orme Family Halloween Party

2011-10-30T21:33:00.000-06:00

Melissa getting all wrapped up like a mummy

It's a Mario!

Nate, Eric and Colby getting competitive

Sylvia trying to feed Grandpa Bill a doughnut

Can you guess what I'm going as for Halloween?

(Hint: Nate went as a piece of bacon...)

Trunk or Treat

2011-10-29T20:21:00.003-06:00

Getting ready to Trunk or Treat

What a pretty princess!

I love the people in our ward

Purple princess and Ladybug Girl

Not a clue

A trunkful of cuties :)

35 Weeks

2011-10-27T18:45:00.003-06:00

35 1/2 Weeks

Oh man, please let this end SOON. So fat, so tired, SO PREGNANT.

Nate is 33!

2011-10-23T14:58:00.004-06:00

Nate turned 33 this week. To him, it was no big deal, of course. It is frustrating being married to Nate, because he is a man who prefers not to receive gifts. (Unless you come bearing the gift of a brand new shotgun...oh well) So, I decided years ago that if I wasn't going to buy him guns and such, I would just make him yummy treats instead. Ben and I took Nate out to lunch at Wendy's, and brought him his favorite treat-homemade white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Then, we made him a birthday dinner feast fit for only the most awesome of dads--homemade breadsticks, fettuccine alfredo, and yummy salad. Then we stuck a candle in a coconut cream pie and called it good. We all ate ourselves silly on Nate's birthday!

Ben's Mario Party

2011-10-08T17:17:00.004-06:00

Coloring Super Mario pages

Playing "Pin The Mustache on Mario"

Love this!

Cute smiling party people

Ben opening his gifts

I love this! So cute!

This is a five-year-old smile :)

Ben had a really, really fun Mario party!!!

(And now Mom & Dad need a nap.)

Happenings

2011-10-06T09:59:00.001-06:00

Ben and his buddy Bryson at their last soccer game

Gaa!!!! Ben is 5!!!

Mario figurines from Grandma Becky, Grandpa Benny

(and Marggie and C-Man and Steve, too, I'm sure)

On our way out the door to dance class

Sylvia modeling her new Halloween skirt that Grandma Susan

lovingly made for her. Seriously, it is fabulous!

UpStart

2011-10-01T18:55:00.004-06:00

The Utah UPSTART Program

This is the second year that I have had my kids involved in the Utah UPSTART program, and I just wanted to say a few words about it here. We love this awesome program! It is funded by the Utah Legislature, and it focuses on giving preschoolers solid reading skills. The program also covers math and science, and it is a joy to use. What I love about the curriculum (besides it being free, lol) is that the material reaches to the 2nd grade level, so it is great for both Benny and Sylvia. For my kiddos, an interactive computer program is perfect, and they think they're just playing "fun games." They have no idea that they're really immersed in learning! It has been amazing watching Ben, with all his little quirks, begin to really understand and enjoy reading. Today, I caught him reading on his own, and I couldn't have been happier! At this point, parents in Utah have to pre-register and get on a waiting list to be part of the program, but I would love to see this type of thing be available to all preschoolers across the state free of charge.

A New Temple

2011-10-01T18:03:00.001-06:00

(An artist rendering of proposed Provo Temple, via LDS.org)

Today during LDS General Conference, President Monson announced new temples to be built. Nate and I sat astonished as President Monson explained that the Provo Tabernacle (which was destroyed by fire) would be rebuilt as a temple! We were excited and even a little teary. This restored building will be such a beautiful addition to downtown Provo. Nate just thinks it is neat that both Sylvia and I have sung in a building that will now be a temple. This is inspired, and absolutely wonderful.

Here Wii Go!

2011-09-29T11:02:00.003-06:00

Feeding The Horses

2011-09-21T14:04:00.001-06:00

We have two little horse pastures behind our home. If and when we move to a new place, it is one of the things that I will miss the most! I love being able to look out my kitchen window while I'm cooking or doing dishes, and seeing the beautiful horses grazing or galloping just beyond my garden. This week, we went down to help Nate's Grandma Vera pick some of the abundance of apples on her trees. She is bottling apple pie filling, which is some of the best I've ever had. (I still miss my mom's homemade apple pies, though...)

So, Nate climbed a ladder and picked apples, and Grandma Vera and I supervised from below! There are still a ton of apples on the trees, even after Nate picked what seemed like hundreds of them. The upside is since Nate picked them, we got to take some home with us! I made apple chips in the dehydrator yesterday, but I still have a lot left. Sylvia thinks we should make crock pot applesauce.

We saved a special bucket of wormy and bruised apples for the horses in the pasture behind the house. They sure thought the apples were a treat! The kiddos loved having the horses eat right out of their hands, and even Nate got in on the action. It was a pretty fun Family Night activity.

Soccer

2011-09-16T19:16:00.001-06:00

Preschool, Round 3

2011-09-16T14:17:00.003-06:00

Gotta love that face

As you can see, we really like Super Mario

Ben just began his third year of preschool! Ben turns five at the end of the month, but we miss the cut-off this year for Kindergarten. Personally, I'm glad that we have one more year to prepare (and mature) for real school. But, we still work hard at home! Ben is starting to read simple words, and we are spending a lot of time working on printing letters. Ben loves preschool a lot, especially his teacher, Miss Marianne. She and Ben really get a long well, and surprisingly, he minds her! This year, the preschool bought an iPad, and Ben can "earn" five minutes if he behaves in class. He is getting so big!

For The Love of Everyday

2011-09-05T08:38:00.004-06:00

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in search of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while i may, for it may not always be so. One day i shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all in the world, your return.

{Mary Jean Iron}

First Grade

2011-08-22T09:44:00.005-06:00

So much pink!

I love this girl's blue eyes :)

Hello Kitty is a big hit around these parts.

So yeah, school started this morning (for Sylvia, Ben has a few more days until preschool starts up again). I did walk Sylvia into her class just to be sure she made it ok, and I am super stressed that she will be too busy talking to her classmates to actually eat her lunch. I'm sure a few hungry days will solve that problem, though! Today is family day at school, so she brought a family picture to share with the class. Also, since her birthday was yesterday, I sent her with a special birthday treat (fruit roll-ups) to share with the class. She is such a big girl-with her own desk and everything!!!

Also, a big thank you to both sets of grandparents who hooked Sylvia UP with two pairs of the world's coolest shoes. I won't have to worry about footwear until it is time to buy snow boots! A 6 year old can't go wrong with Hello Kitty Vans and Sketchers Twinkle Toes!

26 Weeks

2011-08-21T23:20:00.004-06:00

Feeling (and looking) rather chubby...

This boy kicks me like he's the next karate kid!

This is literally one of the only pregnant belly pics I've taken this pregnancy.

Backstage Shenanigans

2011-08-21T23:05:00.008-06:00

Sylvia posing at the entrance of the Springville Playhouse

(it is underneath our city library!)

The Cast

Getting "warmed up" before a performance

Sylvia with some fellow fairies

Sylvia and her froggy boyfriend

Posing in front of Sleeping Beauty's bed

Sylvia's Partay

2011-08-18T10:23:00.010-06:00

The treat table

Yummy cupcakes

Coloring "Tangled" pictures

Making Pascal party blowers

Opening Presents

Sylvia and Pyper-best buds!

Blowing out the candles on her Rapunzel cake

All the party people!

Splash Pad Fun

2011-08-12T13:01:00.009-06:00

Ben and Dad smiling for the camera

Sylvia looks so demure in this pic

This is one way to stop a water jet

This is another way to stop a water jet

I love Ben's silly faces

Some of us attempting to get a little sun.

Heaven help my pregnant belly...

Getting Ready for Party Time!

2011-08-06T00:02:00.000-06:00

You should come.

It's gonna be fun!

Park Day

2011-07-29T12:55:00.005-06:00

Sylvia and Juli Fay being so cute

Ben with his hot wheels cars

So sweet

I love that the kids can climb trees on their own now

Pregnant face! My friend snapped this when I wasn't paying attention.

This summer, Friday is Park Day. We go other days too, of course, but Friday at 10 am is our designated time to meet up with friends and have a good time. I love it because I get to chat with my mommy friends, and our kids play well together (most of the time!). We go to a different city park each week to keep things interesting, and we really enjoy ourselves. Gotta love Park Day!

Date Night w/ Katy Perry

2011-07-29T05:54:00.004-06:00

July 25, 2011

Some things I realized at the Katy Perry Concert:

It is time to take more pictures of my pregnant belly. I think I've let Nate take one, max.

People stare at pregnant women in public places where they don't expect to see them. A pregnant lady at a concert? Crazy stuff...

Arena seating isn't comfortable at 22 weeks along, when you're already super large like me.

There were people of all ages at this concert, but looking around, I started to feel really OLD.

My face is crazy chunky in this picture.

Even though it wasn't terribly comfortable for me at the concert, we still had a great time. Nate and I haven't been on a real date in ages, so it was nice to go to Salt Lake and engage in adult-themed activities, if only for a few hours. Although, it must be said that dates are pretty much wasted on us. We end up missing our kids, and wishing they were with us. Without them, Nate and I don't really feel like a unit. It's weird, but totally true. I just about lost it when I realized that I hadn't told the kiddos I loved them before Grandpa Bill came and picked them up! So, we've decided that when our anniversary rolls around next week, we'll be taking the kids on our date and kickin' it family style.

Ben's Mug Shots

2011-07-20T21:14:00.001-06:00

See how happy Ben is with his new hair cut? This was just too funny :)

We're Having A...

2011-07-13T19:32:00.000-06:00

BOY!!!

A Few More Sporty Pics

2011-07-06T22:45:00.009-06:00

Just Because

2011-07-06T21:31:00.002-06:00

Ben and Becky at the Oregon Coast, 2011

I LOVE this photo! My parents almost never have their picture taken together. This makes me happy :)

Independence Day

2011-07-04T22:49:00.008-06:00

Tom and Ben hamming it up for the camera.

Sylvia is wearing the cutest "patriotic" skirt that Grandma Susan made just for her!

Bonnie and Barbara enjoying new baby Isabelle.

Just having fun :)

Cami and Sylvia just being so cute!

Sylvia took this picture! I guess we can add photographer to her long list of talents.

Wow, what a day! Nate went with Aunt Bonnie at 4am to save seats for the family for the Freedom Festival parade. We ate doughnuts, bagels and mint brownies, and sat back and enjoyed the parade in the shade. After the parade, we went to the Thompson family reunion, and ate great food and caught up with relatives. Nate took the kids swimming with the rest of the family, and they had a great time in the water. After that, it was time for a nap! Later, we got special "Liberty" snow cones, and then came home to do some fireworks. We had a very fun, activity-packed day :)

Stadium of Fire

2011-07-03T11:35:00.008-06:00

Dad and Ben in matching patriotic shirts :)

Sylvia clapping along to David Archuleta.

Mommy and Sylvia trying to have fun in the heat :(

Glow bracelet time!

The Stadium of Fire is always a ton of fun. In fact, Nate and I are of the opinion that you can't have an Independence Day celebration in Provo without going to the show! Watching the fireworks from somewhere outside the stadium is ok, but it really isn't anything compared with the spectacular show from an awesome seat up close and in person.

This year, the entertainment was a talent competition, David Archuleta, and Brad Paisley. The talent competition was a total joke--the top 3 acts performed in the show, and then the audience was instructed to vote for their favorite via text message. Can you guess what happened? The mass flood of texts broke the system, and so the winner was determined by measuring the screams of the crowd. So, that part was pretty lame.

David Archuleta has a great voice, so he didn't disappoint the audience. His music was ok, but I was glad that he ended his set after about 15 minutes. The big draw was definitely Brad Paisley. He put on an amazing show!!! What I loved was that he did very little talking, and just played lots and lots of great music. He has some serious guitar skills! I knew Brad Paisley was good, but I had no idea he was that good. I've discovered that I like country music in general, but I LOVE Brad Paisley. He is really a great blend of classic country and southern rock.

And of course, the fireworks were AMAZING, as always. I would definitely say they were better than in years past. I like now that the fireworks are just set to great music, and aren't themed, like they tried to do in previous shows.

Ben's favorite part of the Stadium of Fire: "Getting to wear glow bracelets."

Sylvia's favorite part of the Stadium of Fire: "The fireworks that were shaped like hearts, and I really liked the huge ones. When they fell down, I thought they were going to land on me!"

Art City Days Parade

2011-06-11T12:29:00.005-06:00

A parade is so fun, especially when Sylvia is in it! We met up with the Taniguchis to watch the Art City Days Parade, and we had a lot of fun. The kids did their best to collect candy and blow kisses to the "princesses" on the floats. We all waved to Sylvia on the SHS Cheer float, and the girls all got carnations from a local florist. The best part? When Ben ran away, and we had to enlist the help of the police to track him down. We found him within 20 minutes, luckily, about 3 blocks away. I swear, I need a leash for that kid. He is a wild man!!!

Art City Balloons

2011-06-11T12:19:00.004-06:00

To see the balloons launch for Art City Days, you have to get up early. That isn't too bad when it is already light at 5:30 am! The kids were up and ready to go by 6:00, so we walked over to the Junior High field to watch the balloons. The city gave away balloons, candy bars, hot chocolate and doughnuts to the early risers. I like this balloon festival better than the one in Provo, because there are a lot less people, and the kids get a better close-up view of the balloons getting filled. So fun!

Cheer Camp 2011

2011-06-09T10:43:00.006-06:00

Love how this picture turned out!

Sylvia having a great time on the football field.

Start the video at 2:20. Trust me, the beginning is just me and Nate talking. The good stuff starts around 2:25-2:30.

Teddy Bear Picnic

2011-06-07T11:11:00.008-06:00

Ben playing with his soccer bear under a parachute.

Sylvia making her graham cracker treat.

Ben liked extra sprinkles.

Ben and Dad enjoying our picnic lunch.

Sylvia making a hippo hat with a library volunteer.

Snazzy!

Sylvia eating her sandwich, listening to a "princess" read Purplicious.

Our family loves Springville's Art City Days! We can't get enough of all of the fun activities for kids and families. Art City Days is all this week, and the Teddy Bear Picnic at the library was one of the first activities to kick-start the fun. The kiddos brought their teddy bears with them to enjoy crafts, stories, treats and games. Mom and Dad enjoyed relaxing on the grass while the kids played. A very fun start to what is sure to be a very fun week!

T-Ball & Kickball

2011-06-07T10:59:00.004-06:00

Sylvia at her first T-Ball game.

Ben kicking the ball (in the wrong direction) at his first Kickball game.

Ben pitching the ball. This is definitely his favorite position.

This year is Sylvia and Ben's first year playing T-Ball and Kickball on rec teams. Sylvia is loving T-Ball, because Daddy is coaching her team, and her team is made up of mostly girls she already knew from Kindergarten. Nate has been working with her a little bit, and her throwing skills are improving with each game. Ben is too young for T-Ball, so he is playing on a co-ed Kickball team. He's having a great time, and he definitely likes kicking the ball better than chilling out in the outfield. The games are usually played at the same time, so Dad goes to T-Ball, and Mom goes to Kickball. Both kids are playing well and having a great time!

Cute May Pics

2011-06-07T10:40:00.007-06:00

All smiles just before the dance recital.

I think Sylvia was pretty worn out after all that dancing...

One, two, three...everybody be sad for the camera!

Sylvia playing "Winnie the Pooh" with Amy at the May piano recital.

Sylvia is rockin' the piano! She's so good :)

Oh Sylvia

2011-06-01T10:54:00.004-06:00

This is what happens when Sylvia gets a hold of my phone :)

Memorial Day 2011

2011-06-01T10:45:00.003-06:00

Nate and the kids behind Emilee Orme's grave

Emilee is still so loved. Look at these gorgeous flowers!

Me and the kids at Grandma Carolyn's grave. I miss her so much!

We Love Mrs. Lowe

2011-06-01T10:42:00.002-06:00

I forgot to post this pic earlier. This is Sylvia with her Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Lowe, on the last day of school. Sylvia loves Mrs. Lowe so much, and I am psyched because I found out she is teaching 1st grade next year. There is a chance Sylvia will be in her class again! That makes me so happy.

Summer Fun List

2011-05-26T17:06:00.005-06:00

Blogging from Nate's iPad on this breezy May day...kinda weird. I don't play on this toy much! Anyway, June is just around the corner, and I have been seeing lots of people starting their Summer to-do lists. I LOVE lists, so this is right up my alley. So, what to add to the list, that meets my criteria of being cheap, fun, and somewhat pregnancy-friendly? Let's see.

Cheap Summer kid movies at the Spanish 8 Theater
Do All the fun stuff for kids during Springville's Art City Days (parade, carnival, etc.)
Buy a Slip 'n Slide. Use said Slip 'n Slide
Ride bikes. (maybe not me, though. I tend to fall off bikes)
Take a ride over the Alpine Loop
Visit the Aquarium and the Dinosaur Museum
Picnics in the backyard
Family participation in the garden
Visit every park in a 10 mile radius this Summer (one has a splash pad!)
Take the kids fishing
Do all the fun stuff for kids during Provo's Freedom Festival (yay July 4th!)
Go to the Stadium of Fire (tickets already purchased)
Hang out at the library
Eat our body weight in Popsicles, and various assorted frozen treats

There has to be some fun things others have planned for Summer vacation this year. If you have any suggestions, let me know. I like being the fun mom.

Preschool Party for Ben

2011-05-19T22:35:00.005-06:00

Today was Ben's preschool party--the last day of class! Ben doesn't know how much he is going to miss riding on the bus for the whole summer. But no worry, he'll return for his last year of preschool in the fall, but for only 2 days a week. I just can't get over how adorable he is, and how big he's growing!

Dance Pictures

2011-05-07T20:40:00.007-06:00

Blueberry Pie

2011-05-06T11:37:00.001-06:00

This is for Grandpa Ben. Enjoy!

Kindergarten Nature Walk

2011-05-06T11:30:00.003-06:00

I had a lot of fun going on a nature walk with Sylvia's Kindergarten class last week. We made nature bracelets, looked at our surroundings with magnifying glasses, and even found a few souvenirs (cool looking rocks) to take home with us. After awhile, we sat and had a snack, and the kids played on a nearby playground. I love helping in Sylvia's class!

Hello To The Drum

2011-04-27T09:39:00.001-06:00

This is for Grandma Becky. Enjoy Sylvia's performance!

Easter 2011

2011-04-24T21:12:00.009-06:00

My kids love the Easter Bunny!

Decorating eggs with Mom

(As you can see, I look very tired and sick...)

Sylvia takes egg decorating very seriously.

Ben really got into decorating with the stickers.

We had a little easter egg hunt at Grandma Susan's house this year.

So cute!

Easter is so fun!

Thank you, Grandma Becky, Grandpa Ben and Auntie Margaret, for sending us such a wonderful Easter package. The kids loved it (and it made my life easier...I didn't have to buy anything to fill their Easter baskets! And thanks to Grandma Susan who bought Sylvia her beautiful spring dress. Hopefully I start taking more pictures soon, but this morning sickness is kicking my butt!

AIM Honors Recital

2011-04-07T20:48:00.005-06:00

Since Sylvia did well on her AIM (Achievement In Music) Evaluation a few weeks ago, she was invited to perform a piece for the AIM Honors recital. She played beautifully, and looked absolutely adorable! Grandma Susan, Aunt Melissa and Uncle Eric came to listen to her play. We are so proud of Sylvia--she did great!

Sylvia just before she played her piece, Hello To The Drum

She's so good!

Sylvia receiving her AIM certificate of achievement

We love this little girl!

Picture Challenge - Day 3

2011-04-06T12:37:00.002-06:00

Picture of the cast of my favorite show...

30 Rock!

Oh, this show makes me so happy. Just seeing a picture of Tina Fey makes me smile! I love smart shows with humor that isn't "dumbed down" for a broader audience. Oh 30 Rock, how I love thee!

Picture Challenge - Day 2

2011-04-05T15:03:00.002-06:00

Picture of myself and the person I've been closest with the longest

I'm actually incredibly close with both of my parents, but I couldn't find a picture of me with both of them. Sigh...this will do, though. I love both my mom and dad a lot!

30 Day Picture Challenge - Day 1

2011-04-03T21:29:00.002-06:00

My friend Nikki has been doing a 30 day blog picture challenge, and she thought I should do it too. Here goes:

A Picture of Myself With 10 Facts

1. I am still getting used to the auburn hair. Quite a change!

2. I never thought I would LOVE being a stay at home mom, but I really do.

3. I can't believe that I produced such beautiful children. To me, they are little baby models.

4. I would rather go to the dentist than clean. I only really clean under pressure...

5. If I had the choice, I would stay in bed all day and read a good book.

6. I will always have a special spot in my heart for the Beatles. Ok, maybe I'm a little obsessed!

7. After my last calling in the Relief Society presidency, I am really enjoying my low stress calling teaching the Sunbeams in Primary. Can you think of any other church calling where you get to eat snacks and sit on the floor? Plus, 3 year olds crack me up :)

8. I am a sucker for cheesy pop music. Give me Katy Perry and Ke$ha any day!

9. I have discovered a love for scrapbooking. It is soothing and I get to do it with great friends.

10. Even though my life isn't perfect, I am surprised how happy I really am. I have a great life.

Great Library Book

2011-03-24T13:50:00.004-06:00

My kids love going to the library, and I love not having to buy books! (Just kidding, I buy too many books...) Anyway, Beware of the Frog is a favorite library book at our house right now. So, if you have young kids, you should go to your library and check it out. Very funny!

2011-03-21T12:41:00.002-06:00

"We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. You can't, you don't build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen. Things will work out. Keep trying. Be believing. Be happy. Don't get discouraged. Things will work out."

- Gordon B. Hinckley

Spring

2011-03-20T16:32:00.004-06:00

(image via AlphaMom)

I'm thinking I'll create some of these cute paper daffodils with the kids this week to celebrate the arrival of Spring. And, since I didn't plant any bulbs last Fall (because I am a professional procrastinator) I am on the lookout for some forced daffodils that I can plant in the front yard. I know, I'm a cheating gardener.

Happy St. Patty's Day

2011-03-17T21:25:00.004-06:00

Ben had his face painted at preschool

Sylvia frosting her green cupcake

Gotta have lots of sprinkles

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Gardner Village

2011-03-17T21:04:00.011-06:00

Excursions to Gardner Village are few and far between for me, since I live so far south. But, I love to go as often as I can, and it usually centers around my mother's visits to Utah. So, since the family was in town for grandma's funeral, we made a visit to Gardner Village to check out all of the cute home decor, and of course, a stop at the candy store for some fudge. The kids checked out (chased) the ducks, and were generally happy little people. This little spot in West Jordan will always be a favorite of mine.

Grandma's Funeral

2011-03-17T13:50:00.011-06:00

My Sweet Grandma

2011-03-16T16:10:00.001-06:00

Carolyn Thompson Lee

1929-2011

Carolyn Thompson Lee passed away Saturday March 5, 2011. She was born June 28, 1929 in Malta, Idaho into the musically talented home of J. Henry and Lora Harmon Thompson. Carolyn's musical gifts blossomed at an early age.

She graduated from BY High and BYU"receiving top honors in vocal performance. Carolyn had a scholarship to Julliard, but chose to marry and pass on her legacy of music through her children and music students. Carolyn married Thomas W. Lee on September 21, 1951 in the LDS Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised a family of musicians. Her greatest role was that of wife and mother.

Carolyn served as president in all of the church auxiliaries. She loved nurturing the musical talents of youth. Her mother and brothers sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Carolyn was a member of the Choir singing as a high first soprano. Her daughters Betsy and Bonnie carry on the tradition as current members of the Choir.

Tom and Carolyn moved around the country often. They treated each move as a mini-mission, lending priesthood and musical leadership wherever they went. In 1980 they returned to Provo where Tom now teaches astronomy at UVU and Carolyn taught piano and vocal lessons.

Among her many talents, Carolyn was also an excellent cook and seamstress. She truly never met a stranger. Everyone she met became her friend. She was a loving and caring mother and a devoted grandmother. We have all been blessed by her wonderful life. Sweet dreams, Mom.

Children: Bob (Penny), Becky (deceased), Betsy (Ellis) Bailey, Ben (Becky), Barbara (David) Acheson, Bill, and Bonnie. She has 22 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Siblings: Janie Thompson, Dorothy and Don Collier (both deceased), John (deceased) and Etta, Joe (deceased) and JoAn, Bob and Beth (deceased), and Sam and Ann.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the Provo Peak 2nd Ward Chapel, 965 North Locust Lane, Provo. Friends may call at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center, Friday evening from 6 until 8 and Saturday at the church from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences to the family may be emailed to info@bergmortuary.com.

Finally, A Nice Day

2011-02-16T19:03:00.004-07:00

We have been itching to get outside and really play, so this week has been a welcome change. We have enjoyed pleasant weather and shining sun, so we took advantage of it and went to the park to run around. It is supposed to get a lot colder after this week, so we will take the good weather while we can get it!

This is Gonna Be Fun

2011-02-07T12:50:00.002-07:00

Seeing Katy in July at the Energy Solutions Arena! Thanks for the tickets,

Natey Poo!

I have a great husband :)

Teddy Bear Picnic

2011-02-07T12:36:00.003-07:00

Sylvia's Teddy Bear (with 100 polka dots)

Eating her bag of treats at the picnic

Sylvia with her Teddy Bear

Last week, Sylvia's Kindergarten class celebrated attending 100 days of school. Sylvia was so excited to take her teddy bear and princess blanket to school! Parents were invited to attend the picnic, so I came and had a lovely time with my sweetie. The class sang a song for the parents, we glued 100 polka dots on our teddy bears, and then we ate a bag of junk food on our blankets while listening to the song "Teddy Bears' Picnic." We had a great time!

Winter Blahs

2011-01-27T12:51:00.002-07:00

Winter is pretty in Utah, but I still have the January blues. I am literally counting down the days until this month is over with. This month has been full of grumpy husbands, work, sickness and wishing for more. More happiness, more wellness and of course, more money. I'm pretty sure that last one won't make me happier, but whatever. Another mother at dance said, "yeah, and February is just as bad as January." Now, I beg to differ! February brings me a guaranteed date night, chocolate, and if I've been a really good wife, possibly flowers. Now, tell me how February is just as bad as January?

I guess the feeling is worse this year, since at this time in 2010 I was beginning a semester of school. I didn't have time to feel bored or grumpy, as I had too much to focus on. Can someone find me 4 or 5 extra hours in the day so I can go back to school? I'd appreciate it.

Anyway, just waiting for January to be over...sometimes I wish I could hibernate straight through this month.

This Made Me Happy

2011-01-20T23:11:00.004-07:00

via The Bright Bit

I have been so sick this last week, but this made me happy. I caught the end of the Kennedy Center Honors when it aired on tv, but I missed this little gem. I love Paul McCartney, and of course I love No Doubt too. Gotta love No Doubt singing a Beatles medley. Thank you universe!

A New Year

2011-01-06T12:38:00.002-07:00

Like many other hopeful people, I have decided to work on some resolutions for the new year. Personally, I thought that 2010 went pretty well.

The Highlights:

I completed a semester at UVU and got A's (well, one A-). I have always loved school, and besides math, I've always done pretty well. Someday I will graduate, but I know that being a mom is the most important thing I can be doing right now. It was nice to have an opportunity where schedules worked out, and I could attend school. One semester closer to a degree!
I worked in a supporting role and finally saw Nate graduate with his BS in Business Management. This has been a long time coming, and I am still bursting with pride. Nate isn't a "school" type of guy per se, so this degree is a big deal for our little family.
Nate got a job! Nate's working hard in sales at a company called Doba, which gives me the opportunity to stay at home with the kids. I know it isn't for everyone, but being a stay at home mom is incredibly rewarding for me. I can't explain how much I love it, and how grateful I am to my husband to make this choice a priority for our family.
I got a job! (Sort of...) I have found a way to contribute to the family income without sacrificing time at home with the kids. I picked up a job as a freelance research assistant for a marketing company here in Utah County. I write web content and do basic research from home, and it is something that is very flexible and fun for me to do. The big plus-I don't have to change out of my pajamas if I don't want to. :)

So all in all, 2010 was a great year. But of course, I want 2011 to be even better. So, these are some resolutions I have made:

Go to the temple once a month, minimum. Try to find a time for Nate to come with me.
Help Sylvia become a confident reader.
Work with Ben to build up his pre-reading skills, and meet other goals of his education plan.
Focus on improving my homemaking skills. Personally, I know I'm a better mother than homemaker, so I'd like to find a better balance.
Stop comparing myself to others. We all have different challenges. I need to learn to accept this. There will always be someone who has more than me. But I need to remember that there are a lot more people who have less than me, too.

There are lots of other things I want to work on, but I think this is a good start. I'm sure that 2011 is going to be a great year.

Family Picture

2010-12-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T18:22:00.006-07:00

Sylvia got a lot of great gifts-this is just one of many. Thanks Grandma's!

Ben finally got motorized Thomas trains. Santa granted Ben's wish!

Ben showing Grandpa Bill his cool new trains.

The family gift-a Wii! (This is more for Mommy and Daddy than the kids...)

Merry Christmas!

Holiday Piano Recital

2010-12-20T12:36:00.006-07:00

Waiting to play her songs

Playing "Lullabye" by Brahms

Playing "Joy to the World" with Amy

A reward for practicing so hard!

Visit With Santa

2010-12-11T16:39:00.002-07:00

So cute!

Advent Calendar

2010-12-09T16:02:00.003-07:00

This post is mostly for my mother. Look, ma! I completed a sewing project! Not without a few hiccups, of course, but overall, it wasn't a trainwreck. And for that, I daresay I'm quite pleased. This advent calendar is special, because Nate's mother and grandmother have ones exactly like it. Nate has fond memories of fighting with his brothers as to who's turn it was to pin on the day's ornament. We haven't had any fighting over this yet, but we'll see.

Mmmmmm

2010-12-08T13:47:00.002-07:00

I'm on Christmas overdrive. I have been trying to do one holiday themed activity with the kids every day, and so far we've been pretty consistent. I made a new advent calendar that turned out pretty cute, so we've been pinning a new ornament on it each day. We have a candy advent as well, with 2 yummy surprises inside for every day, too. We drive around looking at christmas lights, color christmas coloring pages, and we made a gingerbread house that turned out so heinously ugly I can't post a picture of it here. And today, we made christmas cookies! It kind of feels like I'm pounding the holiday into them, but they don't seem to mind.

10 Great Years Print

2010-12-04T16:17:00.003-07:00

This is why I love the internet. Thank you, awesome artist, for painting this fabulous picture. If I had money, I'd buy it! As it is, I'll just post the picture here so I can admire it via the web whenever I wish. :)

Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T20:20:00.007-07:00

Sully got his own table favor.

We thought he'd be happier, since the menu was mainly meat.

Nate and Grandpa Goodrich getting ready to play a game.

Sylvia lost her first tooth!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Happy Quote

2010-11-23T13:26:00.002-07:00

"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you!"

~Dr. Seuss

Kindergarten Fun

2010-11-23T12:29:00.004-07:00

The kiddos with Sully

Sully is Sylvia's special Kindergarten Class Friend. Each kid gets to take Sully home for the night, and then they have their parent help write down all of the fun things they did with him. We are so lucky--we get Sully over the entire Thanksgiving break! Sometimes I think that Sylvia may be the teacher's pet.

Another reason for my teacher's pet suspicion-we received a post card in the mail from Mrs. Lowe, Kindergarten teacher extraordinaire. This is what it said:

Dear Sylvia,

I love having you in my Kindergarten class. You are like a wind maiden of happiness. Thank you for being kind to everyone and learning how to treat everyone well. I hope we will always be good friends.

Love,

Mrs. Lowe

We think Mrs. Lowe sent this to Sylvia because she is working very hard on keeping her hands and feet to herself. (A difficult feat for her!) Anyway, I really just love Mrs. Lowe. At our last parent-teacher conference, she exclaimed, "Sylvia and I really understand each other." How awesome is that?

(P.S.-Wind Maiden? This week every kid in class received a Native American name. Sylvia is definitely a Wind Maiden of happiness!)

The Malta Show

2010-11-14T18:27:00.008-07:00

Sylvia and I singing "Broadway Baby"

I am related to all of these singing cowboys!

Janie leading the family (on stools) and a regional choir.

Look at that singing girl! So cute!

This weekend we traveled up to Malta Idaho to sing in a centennial celebration program. The town invited Aunt Janie to put together a large portion of the show, and she put in a LOT of hard work. As usual, we had a wonderful time singing as a family, and it was a lot of fun watching Sylvia sing a little solo for the very first time. She's sung with us in ensemble stuff before, but this time she was old enough for her own little part. She and I sang "Broadway Baby" together, and it turned out ADORABLE! Sylvia really enjoys performing, and this was a great opportunity for her to sing in front of a supportive crowd. Nate and I are so proud of how well she did!

Halloween 2010

2010-11-02T20:10:00.007-06:00

Sylvia just before the Halloween Parade at her elementary school

Ben and Grandpa Goodrich playing Crocodile Dentist

Ben & Sylvia with Grandma & Grandpa G

Ben & Sylvia with Papa Tom

Ben with Grandpa Orme

Yeah, I don't remember having such bad weather as we did this Halloween. I have no pictures of Trunk or Treat, because it was pouring rain and then switched to sleet. By the time Trunk or Treat was over, it started to hail! By then, we had already had a full day with Sylvia's piano recital, not to mention we were all feeling under the weather. So, instead of going house to house this year, we went trick or treating to Grandparents houses instead! Also, I think I am allowed to feel bummed for two reasons: one, Sylvia didn't have kindergarten on the day of the Halloween Parade at her school, so she didn't get to really walk around with her class. I just tossed her into the jumble and picked her up at the end. Two, since Halloween fell on a Sunday, and there was no school on Friday, Ben's elementary school didn't even DO a Halloween Parade. What??????? So, yeah, lame. Here's to hoping our Halloween holiday is a little more awesome next year.

Halloween Piano Recital

2010-11-02T20:02:00.005-06:00

On Saturday, Sylvia played in her fall piano recital. This fall, she graduated to playing a more difficult piece, and she did so well! All of Amy's students dressed up for the recital (even the adult students), so we dressed up Ben as well. After the recital, we had lots of yummy Halloween treats. A perfect warm up to the trick or treating that lay ahead of us that evening!

Cell Phone Dump

2010-10-20T12:00:00.009-06:00

Chuckee Cheese

Cupcake Date

Ridin' Lightning McQueen at Toys R Us

The Sleeping Princess

Magelby's Fresh, I think.

Conference Craziness

Iron Men Spotted at Walmart

The Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-18T21:12:00.007-06:00

Every pumpkin patch needs a llama.

Ben decided the maze was too challenging, instead he just enjoyed walking on top of it.

Sylvia and Pyper petting the baby kangaroo(!)

Sylvia taking the tractor for a drive

Anyone who knows me knows that I don't buy pumpkins. No, that would just be too easy! Nate and I have grown our own pumpkins for the last five years, and it is MUCH more fun than buying them around the corner at the grocery store. The kids really enjoy watching the pumpkins grow throughout the summer, and they love helping Dad pick them when they're ready to harvest. Also, there is so much more variation in color, size and shape when you plant your own pumpkins. A few of ours this year are speckled green, and they're beautiful!

Anyway, even though we grow our own pumpkins, it is still a lot of fun for the kids to go to the pumpkin patch, so we go every year. This year, a neighbor of ours had a birthday party at Jaker's Pumpkin Patch here in Springville, and fun was had by all. Of course, I was really too busy having fun with the kids to take decent pics, so these are just a few that I caught with the cell phone.

This is a Calepitter, Mom!

2010-10-08T16:23:00.005-06:00

This week has been so nice-rainy and cloudy, just the way that I like it. But, the kids haven't really had a chance to get out and run around for a few days, so they definitely started exhibiting signs of cabin fever. There was a sliver of blue sky this afternoon, and of course, Sylvia managed to find a fuzzy friend to play with. She was really proud of this little beauty, but surprisingly, I don't think she named it...well, not yet, anyway.

I don't think I want her to handle this little bugger anymore, though. Thoughts that it may be poisonous? Not sure, but I googled it, and this guy could possibly cause a rash for those with sensitive skin. Still, quite a pretty little specimen!

Ben's Birthday!

2010-09-30T22:06:00.008-06:00

Ben wearing his special birthday crown from preschool

Fun at the Brookside Fall Carnival

This boy is in heaven!

Sylvia being very brave on the rock wall

Time to blow out the candles...

Sylvia couldn't wait until we finished singing "Happy Birthday" to blow out all of Ben's candles for him. This is her face when she realized what she'd done! The funny part is, we didn't even get mad at her or yell at her at all. She's just mad at herself!

Happy Birthday Benny! Being 4 is totally awesome!

Soccer! (Part Deux)

2010-09-27T10:39:00.006-06:00

Goooooooooaaaallll!!!

Soccer!

2010-09-21T21:51:00.008-06:00

The air is crisp, the leaves are beginning to change color, and you know what that means--it is Soccer season once again! Nate has been talking about coaching the kids' Soccer team since June, so we were all excited when September finally rolled around. This year, we snuck Ben onto the team, since he technically doesn't turn 4 until September 30th. We just couldn't have him sitting on the sidelines watching Sylvia play for yet another year. We have a mixed bunch on the team this year--some kids are real hustlers, and others are content to just run around aimlessly on the field. Our kids fall somewhere in the middle of the pack. The kids are so fun to watch, and as long as we keep cheering Sylvia on, she will run after the ball and do her best. Ben, on the other hand, is making us nuts. He gets upset and runs off the field whenever someone "takes away his soccer ball." Isn't that the whole point of the game?

Gone Fishin'

2010-09-21T21:38:00.003-06:00

We don't take these kids fishing often, unless we're fishing from land. My kids wouldn't last five minutes on a boat! But, Nate goes fishing with his Grandpa, Dad and brothers as often as he can get the chance. This fish is one of the many big trout that Grandpa Bill caught while the boys were up fishing at Strawberry Reservoir a few weeks ago. Four and a half pounds, twenty inches long to be exact! My kids were so excited about this whopper of a fish that Nate made sure to take a picture of them with Grandpa Bill and his catch of the day.

Yay for Preschool!

2010-09-08T10:59:00.005-06:00

This little boy has been so excited to start attending preschool again. When he didn't start on the same day as Sylvia did last week, I could tell he was starting to get a little worried! But of course, his fears were put to rest when he saw the bus waiting at the curb this morning. Some changes from last year:

Ben is potty trained. Instead of sending diapers in his backpack, I just sent a spare set of clothes that he can change into if he has an accident.
Ben will only be attending school three days a week this year. He has made satisfactory progress over the summer, and the district has decided he needs less specialized help.

This year, Ben has some specific goals, most of them speech-related. He has made amazing strides, but still only speaks and understands language at a level that isn't quite consistent with his age. So, the boy has a set of short term goals that we want to see him meet, and I know that with time (and help), Ben will be able to meet those goals. What I want most for him is to better communicate with his peers, as this is proving difficult in social situations, like Sunbeams. But what Ben needs the most is to continue to learn, grow and be happy. And that is exactly what he is doing!

Homemade Doughnuts? Yes Please!

2010-09-03T15:49:00.006-06:00

Sylvia rolling the dough

Cooking the first batch

Nom Nom.....

I know that for most people, there are foods that their mother made that were amazing, and evoke fond memories. My mother makes many many wonderful things, and personally, I love her apple pie and homemade doughnuts the very most. The last time she ever made me doughnuts was when I was in high school. I remember she always had three toppings: cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, and chocolate buttercream frosting. My mother's doughnuts always turned out perfect-in taste as well as looks.

Sylvia is really getting to the point where she can help in the kitchen without destroying it, so today she helped me make doughnuts. She liked eating them, but I think she had a better time rolling the dough and watching them puff up in the fryer. My favorite part? Dunking the warm doughnuts into the powdered sugar. The sugar will melt just a little on your fingertips, and it is so awesome when you get to lick them.

Kindergarten!!!!

2010-08-31T16:10:00.004-06:00

Oh boy, Kindergarten started today! Sylvia could barely contain herself, she was so excited. These are some shots of her just before we left for school this morning. When I picked her up, she told me all about her day-she read a book with her class, they had recess, colored a picture, and had cupcakes! What a day. Sylvia has homework-we get to read together every day, and work on writing letters on lined paper. I think someone is going to have a lot of fun this year!

Blah

2010-08-30T09:31:00.003-06:00

I feel like this picture right now.

Have you ever been in a funk? I think that I am in a funk at this very moment. I want to be in school, and that won't work with our lives right now. The loss of my last church calling has made me feel lazy. I don't have a baby that NEEDS me. My kids are big, and they don't want to be held and rocked as much as they used to. They don't need their bottoms wiped anymore, you know? I need to figure out a way to pull myself out this valley, and get back on a peak. I know that I am not the first stay at home mom who's felt this way. I find so much joy in my children, but I'm hungy for more joy. Joy found in creating something beautiful, in making something delicious, in finding more spiritual moments in my life. I feel as though I've drifted aimlessly through the entire summer, and let my brain turn to mush. Time for some stimulation!

Dad Life

2010-08-23T15:04:00.000-06:00

Awwww yeah....

This is HILARIOUS! You gotta watch this.

Sylvia is 5!

2010-08-21T20:11:00.006-06:00

We started out with this...

And now we have this!

Um, we officially have a 5 year old daughter. I barely know how that even happened! Sylvia began life as a screaming drama queen (you don't have to believe me, but the nurses in the infant nursery at UVRMC will back me up on this.) To this day, well, not much has changed! Sylvia has always been so bright, from the moment she entered our lives to the time that we share with her right now. Her sheer energy keeps me on my toes. I've never known a child who is so interested in learning all there is to know. She craves structure and new experiences every day, and she amazes me with what she learns just from observation.

Sylvia will be beginning Kindergarten in a week, and I seriously do not know where the time has gone. I look through the pictures of her, and I am floored by all the amazing things she has accomplished. I know that all parents say that, but isn't that the most wonderful part of parenthood? Being proud and amazed at the sight of your child learning, growing and just being. Some days I tire of her endless questions, and at the end of those days I just have to remind myself that she wouldn't ask those questions if she weren't so bright, and didn't have a sincere desire to learn and to grow. I then rebuke myself for not understanding my child better.

This kid is amazing. And she is 5. Holy cow.