The Orchard Team Huddle

Carving the massive pumpkins we grow is just about the worst idea ever!  The shell is too thick and so hard that it is rather difficult to complete the task. For some reason, we keep doing this EVERY year!  Note to self:  Next year grow your giant pumpkins as usual but invest in some smaller ones for carving!  I hate to include the picture of a naked Douglas going to town on his pumpkin but it is the only one I have that has anyone but Mason in it.  Please pardon the nudeness!  I assure you he had shorts on.  You just can't see them:).     Mason and I had no school...no class parties...no costume parades.  So, we visited Grandma Lee at work.  And, Grandma Orchard at home. Then we met up with our cousin, Parker (we already had Sarah) and passed some time at McDonald's. I thought Mason would LOVE trick or treating.  I took him myself so I could watch his excitement.  Unfortunately, he was so worried t...

On Mother's Day each grandchild receives a giant pumpkin plant to nurture and care for throughout the summer.   On the first Sunday in October we have our annual pumpkin weigh in.  The Orchard pumpkins were looking good! Grandpa's.....not so good. The pumpkins were so big this year we had to add a harness so they could more easily be picked up.  Cameron was designated the one to lift and weigh them all.       And the results: 7th place:  Wilson  11.8 lbs 6th place:  Jordan  26.6 lbs 5th place:  Parker  30.6 lbs. 4th place:  Doug  39.8 lbs. 3rd place:  Mason  54.4 lbs. 2nd place:  Stockton  79.4 lbs. 1st place:  Payson 130.2 lbs. So, Dallas blew us all out of the water.  There is no way Payson (age 7 months at the time of the weigh in!) did anything to help with her pumpkin but we were all gracious!  Dallas even had a second pumpkin that weighed in ...