Orson is Eight!

This most adorable freckled boy turned eight the beginning of October. It's a struggle to find words to capture the wonder of Orson, but here's the best I can do. 

Orson is a gentle soul. He is quick to love, slow to anger, and kind with those around him. He loves to cuddle and still comes to cuddle in our bed each morning. Once Walter wakes for the day, Orson happily takes him downstairs to play while I drive Hazel to seminary. He loves nature and takes the time to notice little things around him each day. I love seeing the world through is eyes. 

Orson is also a fun-loving kid! He finds joy in playing games, roughhousing with Conrad, and general silliness. 

Orson is frequently on the lookout for ways to help and serve others. He notices needs and does his best to fill them. He is definitely a team player. My heart just melts when we're out and about and he carries my bag or opens a door. I love the little gentleman he is becoming! 

Orson is adventurous! He is always up for trying new things. Here he is holding a cockroach. 

Orson is strong! He loves a challenge, especially a physical challenge. At forest school he's often climbing trees and finding other ways to challenge his abilities. When he works alongside Michael, he works so hard and is genuinely strong. Most of all, he works hard without complaining. This past summer when Michael was teaching in Colorado for three weeks, he put Orson in charge of several duties such as taking out the trash and other "heavy lifting." Orson took his duty so seriously and did such a great job. 

Orson loves learning new skills. He was so excited to get a pocket knife for his 8th birthday and learn to whittle! He's also enjoyed working at our friend's farm and learning more about caring for animals. 

Orson is an early riser! You can count on this boy being the first one up in our house every day. It's a skill I think will serve him well in his future. 

In short, Orson is just amazing and we love this boy so much! 

For his birthday, Orson got a few of his favorite things. Chips, which he LOVES, his long awaited pocket knife, and a puzzle maze ball. Orson is impressively good at solving the maze ball and within a week of owning it could complete it consistently (I still have yet to finish it successfully). 

He decided on the coolest camping cake. It turned out so great! 

Just a few weeks after his birthday, Orson chose to be baptized. It was an extra special day because he and his cousin Lydia were baptized together! 

I love that the two of them wanted to be baptized on the same day. Lydia has waited since her birthday the end of July to make this happen! They planned out everything together and it was a beautiful day! 

What made Orson's day extra special were all the people who took the time to come support him. All the Ballards were there (including Grandma who had broken her leg just a few weeks before). 

All the Smith's made it too! 

Orson's namesake Tom made the trip down from Salt Lake to join his special day! 

He was also supported by out Stake President, his friend Porter and his family from IMA, Bishop Caldwell (a Bishop from another ward in the Stake that has just been so sweet and kind to our family), and tons of ward members. I hope he felt the love that so many share for him! 

It was a day full of friends and family. The spirit was strong and hope Orson will alway remember how he felt on his special day. Orson, you are a joy to us and so many others. Keep working hard, growing stronger, learning, and sharing your love and talents with others. We love you! 

September

September was a full, busy month for us. It also saw my front yard bursting with blooming Cosmos! I planted wildflowers in a section of the front yard we hadn't landscaped yet. Michael thought I was crazy and said they looked like weeds for the first half the summer (they did). But once the flowers started blooming they were amazing! I don't think I'll plant them there again next year, but I loved having them this year. 

Hazel and I worked concessions at a BYU football game to start earning money towards her choir tour to Canada next summer. It brought back lots of memories for me from working in food service to crowding on a bus packed with excited college students. Game day is always a fun atmosphere, and Hazel and I enjoyed working together. 

For Labor Day, we hosted family dinner in our happy place up Payson canyon. It was perfect! 

Walter and his cousin Ellis are only 4 months apart. They're going to be great friends someday!

Book club started back up for the girls. This year we split in to two groups - one for Lenora and girls her age, and one for the older girls. The older girls met at the park this month and ended up dancing Highland dances on tables. I love these girls so much! 

The boys found the coolest spider in the backyard. It's a cat-faced orbweaver. It was SO big and SO orange. We enjoyed looking at it (then fed it to the chickens). 

We spent a great Friday evening doing another campfire and foil dinners. Fall is our favorite time for campfires! 

Hazel attended the closing ball for Heroic Youth. She wore a dress that I wore to Homecoming when I was 16. She had an absolute blast! 

Hazel and Eliza found a folk ensemble that they joined this year. Eliza has been wanting to learn the fiddle and this group has been perfect! They played in their first "gig" at the Farmer's Market in Mapleton and earned $4 each. They can't wait to go busking again! 

Last but not least, the girls and I got to attend a homeschool performance of Around the World in 80 Days. It was awesome!

Six is for Soccer!

Conrad turned six the end of September! You'd be hard pressed to find a little boy with more energy and more excitement for life. Especially now that's he's found his life's calling - soccer. 

Conrad starting playing on a rec league the middle of September and is now obsessed! Soccer is life. He had the BEST coach who helped foster his passion and skills. Conrad naturally is a good little soccer player, and it has been so fun to watch him further his passion. He was thrilled to be chosen as player of the game twice during their season! 

During most waking hours, you can find Conrad outside dribbling the ball, practicing his kicks and chips, and even working on his goalie dive. He insisted on watching the movie The Big Green the other day. Next thing we know, he's trying out drills he saw in the movie and working up to running for 12 minutes. What a kid! By the way, he's going to win the World Cup some day, so be on the lookout for that. 

When he's not playing soccer, what's Conrad up to these days? Eating for one thing, though you'd never guess that based on how skinny he is. Guess he's putting all that food energy in to growing taller and soccer. It's working! 

Conrad started Kindergarten this year and has done so well! I'll be honest, I was worried about how he'd do, but I shouldn't have been. He diligently sits down for his lessons each day. While he struggled last year learning his letters and letter sounds, everything finally clicked and he's doing great picking up reading. As a fun side note... the other day he sounded out the word kid and I jokingly tapped his nose and said, "like you!" He tapped my nose right back and said, "You're a kid too. You're God's kid."  Thanks for that beautiful reminder Conrad. I loved it!

Another fun Conrad quote lately came at dinner one day when he asked, "Who invented salt?" Hazel replied, "God did" to which Conrad enthusiastically stated, "He's a genius!!!" 

Conrad is the sweetest big brother. He always talks to Walter in a high-pitched sing-song voice. We frequently find him bent over Walter singing songs he's learned at IMA. My favorite was the time he was singing "God Bless America" in an extremely high key. Walter LOVES it! 

For some reason, Conrad is really in to buzz cuts. A few months ago he asked for a haircut as I was headed out the door. I told him I'd happily cut it the next day, but that was too long to wait so he took matters into his own hands...

Since then he's wanted me to cut his hair short again every few weeks. So buzz cuts it is! He also has a great sense of style when it comes to clothes - like this great outfit he put together for church one week. 

A few other things Conrad loves right now... legos, music, riding his bike, playing outside, and any sport he sees. I love the catcher's gear he put together! 

Conrad is still endlessly curious. One Sunday after church my kids picked up a bunch of chestnuts that had fallen off the tree with the plan to try and roast them over the fire. Later that week, Conrad was playing with them and smashing them open with a rock. Next thing I know, he was crying hysterically that his eyes hurt. It didn't take too long for me to realize something in chestnuts must irritate the eyes. Thankfully after irrigating them well with water he was as good as new. 

Conrad had BIG plans for his birthday this year, and we tried our best to live up to them. First, he wanted breakfast in bed...

... he also really wanted a birthday party this year. Of course it should be soccer themed! He had a few friend over for an afternoon of playing soccer, snacks, and a soccer ball pinata (which they kicked instead of hitting with a bat). It was a super fun party! 

Conrad wanting to go  bowling, to a trampoline park, and to lazer tag for his birthday, but we reminded him that just because it's your birthday doesn't mean you can do everything. He did get to go to a soccer game at UVU with Daddy though and LOVED it!

 

Conrad, we sure love you! We love your energy, your simple faith that God loves us and we are all his children, your endless energy, and your passion. Keep working hard and dreaming cute boy!