The Orchard Team Huddle

It's a different phase of life we are in right now. With Stockton on his mission and Douglas married, Mason is the only one around.  This was our first Christmas without Stockton.  We spent 2 years without Douglas but we got him back.  This year he was gone too.  I couldn't really imagine Christmas with only Mason but it turned out just fine. Here we are trying to make sure we don't poop out on fun Christmas stuff.  This is the completed project.  Mason really doesn't care!  Luckily, I bought this gingerbread house on clearance the year before.  It doesn't matter if the candy is stale because we don't eat it anyway.  In fact, we didn't even open it! Amelia spent the night at our house so she could be here when Stockton called.  We decided it was legal to wake up at 7:00 am.  I got up early enough to be showered before gifts since Stockton was calling at 8:30 and I didn't want him to think his mom had let herself go!:) ...

We used to get together every Christmas afternoon with our Sproul family.  Grandma and Grandpa would cook a nice dinner for everyone and we would exchange gifts.  Last year we decided to quit buying cousin gifts and have a night playing games together.  We picked the Sunday before Christmas as this new time.  We still have dinner but we all help cook and now we play BUNCO!   Bunco:  This was our second annual Christmas Bunco party.   The dinner menu consisted of Dallas' famous smoked brisket, Russell potatoes (Russell didn't make them.  We just call them that because they are his favorite:)), green beans, rolls, and strawberry pretzel salad with brownie peppermint ice cream hot fudge sundaes for dessert.  We were missing Stockton who was in England, Cameron's family in Kansas City and Douglas and Daisha who spent Christmas in Idaho. The rest of us had a great time! You move tables if you loose and stay if you win.  At...

Thanksgiving starts on the Monday before when the big living room tree goes up.  I like to keep all of my fall stuff out but get that one little project out of the way.  It makes it not quite so overwhelming when it is time to put all of the decorations up and it adds an extra festive feel to our holidays.  I know some complain that Thanksgiving is overlooked but I really do believe it is the "holidays" and the two go hand and hand.  We show gratitude and we worship the Savior.  It's a perfect combination.  This is my 3rd year putting up my "new" tree.  Prior to that, I had the very same decorations for 15+ years.  I like to get my money's worth but I am really enjoying the change from gold to silver and the addition of the blue.  Truth be told, some of those red ornaments are from my previous tree which makes them VERY old:). Our assignment was relish tray (which includes a skewered turkey per Mason's request), cookie ...

For some reason, Halloween seemed like a week long holiday this year!  There were many activities to participate in but first let's get to the costume! Mason kind of waffled.  He thought he wanted to be a zombie.  He wasn't super solid on that plan and about a week before Halloween he decided to be Alfalfa from The Little Rascals.  There is a 1950's version of the show and then a remake in 1994.  It's been on Netflix as well so pretty much everyone knows who Alfalfa is.  That is important when coming up with a costume.  I think he looks just like him! The neighborhood trunk or treat is a great way to get a bunch of candy quick but mom makes you wear a costume!  Mason went for the easiest thing he could find and went with Harry Potter.  I just got a new IphoneX and wanted to try out the portrait mode.  Can you tell that Mason is thrilled? We caught the W ard Spooktacular party at the stake property....