A Surprising Thanksgiving

We decided to surprise my family by showing up on Thanksgiving. I did happen to tell Aaron...who told Kayla...and then I kind of had to tell my Dad....but that's all that knew. We wanted to tell my Dad because we thought we were going to be getting in at around 2 am, so we thought that someone should know. We left earlier though because of a snowstorm coming in and got in around 9 pm, so it was a fun surprise for my mom, sister, cousin, and grandparents who were there. We had an amazing Thanksgiving dinner, did the early black friday shopping (by early I mean we were up at 2:30 am to get to Kohls by 3 am), the girls went to the craft fair in Spanish Fork, which we have been doing for the past 20 years; and we had a bbq and pizza party for the BYU vs. Utah game. We got home late, but missed another snowstorm coming in and the roads were dry and clear. A great Thanksgiving this year!

Mikelle and Grandpa clearing the sidewalk and driveway

Cleaning the turkey

Tyrel thought Trixie was pretty cool

Sitting at the "kid" table eating oreo cookies

Mikelle's Thanksgiving necklace and outfit

Mikelle and Grandma making rolls

Thanksgiving Dinner prep

Getting ready to eat

The kids

Aaron's cool hair

Jonah getting into trouble (Grandma's make up)

Playing

Hanging out with Grandpa and Grandma

Black Friday line at Kohl's (I stole this from Keith)

Family Pictures

My friend Kim Wheeler in the ward did family pictures for us a few weeks ago. I think she did an awesome job, especially since it was FREEZING cold. We couldn't really get the kids out of blankets, let alone for them give us some good smiles; but I think they are great nonetheless.

If you are in the area, you should check Kim Wheeler's Photography out.

The First Snow

We had our first snow this season on November 9th. It has been pretty cold since than too. Our heater wasn't working for a few days, and I am very grateful to have it working now. Tyrel also had the best reaction to snow. I wish I could have recorded it. He obviously doesn't remember it from last year; and it started snowing when he was taking a nap. When he woke up, I took him over to the window and he was amazed. He kept smiling and pointing and saying "uuuhhh,uuuhhh." Then every couple minutes he would run over to the window again and point and smile and laugh and baby talk. It was so cute. Mikelle also said the best part of preschool that day was when it snowed. Jonah didn't seem to have an opinion either way.

I did tell them that it was very cold, so we better have some hot chocolate and make rice crispy treats to stay warm; which they very much enjoyed.

Laying down, drinking hot chocolate on the kitchen floor

And after you fill your tummy with lots of hot chocolate and rice crispy treats, you feel like this:

I thought it was so cute, he climbed on the couch by himself and laid down, legs crossed over and everything.

This is Tyrel wearing Elmo slippers, which he kept on for about 30 minutes. He thought they were pretty awesome on his feet and kept bending over to get a closer look.

Jonah and Tyrel playing together while Mikelle is at preschool

The Boys

My cousin Tiffany sent the kids some clothes awhile back for school starting. She send Tyrel and Jonah these shirts that kind of match, so I put them in the shirts for some quick pictures one day:

For some reason...I have no idea why a 1 year old wouldn't cooperate...Tyrel did not want to take pictures.

But he was much happier on top of the table; where he usually likes to hang out.

I had to keep Tyrel awake to take Mikelle to preschool one day, but he was so tired. I put his jacket on and while I was getting the other kids ready, I turned around and saw this:

Thank you to Matt's Mom, a.k.a. Grandma Jingles, who send 'Bullseye' to us. The kids LOVE it and it is the popular thing here at the Duff's house.

Mikelle loves it so much, she took it outside and fell asleep in it.

Matt and Tyrel sharing a hamburger. This is just so funny to me because the other kids would never have done this. Tyrel is my really good eater.

Misc. Pictures

Here are some random pictures that of course could not be left out:

Boston and Mikelle on pajama day at preschool

Jonah wearing a little tux. Caleb Duff (Jonah's cousin) wore this when Matt and I got married. We put Jonah in it for church one day and he was pretty darn cute, a teeny bit overdressed, but cute nontheless!

This is Tyrel's new favorite thing to do....because it just wouldn't be the same coloring on the floor.

And the popular new game at the Duffs...make a huge obstacle course that you can run around in circles in.

Halloween Pictures

Here are the pictures from our Halloween activities. We had a ward primary Halloween activity, that I only got one picture of; and then we headed to Chatfield High School for their trick or treat, which is the almost highlight of Halloween for me. I look forward to trick or treating at the high school more than anywhere else because the high schoolers decorate each room and go all out, it was pretty fun. Then we headed to the Aspen Grove shopping mall for some face painting and MORE trick or treating...the the mall gives out the best treats! We will definitely hit them up next year too. The Knowles and Whites joined us.

Mikelle playing Halloween games at the primary activity

The one picture I could really get of Tyrel wearing his cowboy hat. Matt had to hurry and put it on right as I snapped the picture. Less than a second later it was off his head and on the floor.

Boston, Kai, Becky and Kenzie

Our family picture attempt

Joy, Kylee, and Becky

Jonah trick or treating

Tyrel trick or treating...it was basically his first time because he was only 2 months old last year

Buzz Lightyear

Mikelle, Hannah, Tyrel, Jonah, Kenzie, Boston, and Kai

Mikelle's face painted with a butterfly

Jonah got a rocket

Hannah and Mike