The Orchard Team Huddle

Douglas  Junior Year of High School (11th grade)   Stockton Off to Jr. High (7th grade) Mason 2nd Year of Preschool

Happy 12th birthday to this handsome boy!     Since June is full of baseball games we had Stockton's birthday dinner the night before his birthday at The Olive Garden.  Stockton has the very same tastes as his mother so we were able to share a Fettucini Alfredo with chicken. He spent his birthday with Chandler at Seven Peaks Salt Lake.  The park was SO, SO crowded since it was the first day of summer and one of the first really warm days to swim.  It was a lot of fun but the crowds and lines made it somewhat stressful for this mom and I failed to take any swimming pictures:(. In fact, I was kind of a loser picture taker this birthday.  The only other shot I got was this pic of Stockton blowing out his candle.  His favorite dessert is Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory but a close second is this Black Tie Mousse cake from The Olive Garden.   If you look closely at the TV screen in the background you will see L...

A few of the dad's from Douglas' team took some pictures of the baseball boys during the season.  They presented each family with a disk full of pics at the season-end banquet.  I really can't think of a more wonderful gift to receive.  I was excited to get some great shots of Douglas in action, which I did, but I was SUPER excited to have these ADORABLE glimpses of Mason.  I can't look at them without smiling.  You see, they tell a story.  A story of a little boy who goes to game after game after game.  He high fives the players, he knows their numbers, he cheers for them when they get up to bat.  And when the game is over, he runs onto the field to help them with their chores and to taunt them just a bit! I seriously love the playfulness, colors and sun kissed cheeks in these shots.  They capture the essence of Mason! These pictures were taken about a month before his fourth birthday and a we...

June 5th, 2012 I think it is safe to say Mason is no longer a baby or even a toddler...he is very much a little boy now.  I usually get very weepy on my boy's birthdays but this year Mason was so excited that he filled me with that same excitement.  Really, the biggest deal to him was having a party and saying he was 4.  He didn't even ask for presents the entire day and we didn't get around to them until 6:30 that night.  I am not big on friend parties before the age of 5 (I'm happy to send my kids to them, just not so fond of hosting them!) so I planned a cousin party instead.  Afterall, Mason's cousins are his very favorite friends! Classic Skating was the chosen venue.  Mason LOVES that place.  It really does appeal to all ages.  It was nice to have Douglas with us.  He was a great sport and I think he might have even had a little fun!  I can promise you Mason had a blast! That night he chose his ...

Last week I helped with Stockton's 6th grade end-of-year activities.  Our theme was "Be A Star in Your Future & Rock On to Jr. High". BBQ I was in charge of the BBQ at the park.  We did hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, watermelon and soda for 100 kids.  Emily and Andrew were super nice and came and did snowcones for them as well.  Mason got to tag along and had a great time.  He found a new best friend, Canon Clift. Stockton and his cousin Payson Lovin my day with my boy Practicing for the upcoming dance Mason and Canon Eating with dignity, pinkies up DANCE After the BBQ, me and a group of mom's went and decorated the gym for the next day's dance.  We were there forever and still had to come back the next morning.  I didn't get great pictures but it was cute. Stockton and the boys doing a little performance Getting his groove on Mason and Canon Some of the decorations We let the students get their pi...