Henry at 12 Days Old

Some Christmas Fun

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

Henry Orme's Birthday

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

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

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

Happenings

 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

Sylvia is awesome!  Love this kid :)

Halloween

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

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

 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

35 1/2 Weeks

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

Nate is 33!

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

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.)