Brace yourself...

For a lot of catching up! I've got Thanksgiving pictures right up to yesterday, and not in chronological order :) But first, I've got a lot of things that I'm really excited about that I need to get out:
-CHRISTMAS season is here! I know 90% of you feel the same way, but I'm still going to say it: I LOVE Christmas! Music, lights, stockings, get togethers, service, ....everything!
-How bout that University of Utah volleyball team! For those who don't keep up, they are headed to the Sweet 16 this weekend in Seattle. Good luck ladies!
- This weekend is our annual Morrill Christmas Weekend in Salt Lake. Every year since I was little, we head to Salt Lake for a weekend in December to shop, swim, eat, and be together. I can't wait!

That's all I can think of for now. On to the pictures!

In no particular order...

Cole has gotten some cute clothes lately, like this little camo number from Grandma Lisa: (and notice how good he's getting at sitting up! He didn't even fall over on this one)
This is Cole and Will, the little boy I get to watch twice a week in the mornings. This day, he didn't answer to Will, only Santa Claus! He is so much fun, and likes helping with Cole as you can tell. Will is 3 and Cole's 6 months, and they look about the same size :)Cole got to be Santa for a little bit.

It snowed earlier this week! Cole and I got bundled up and went outside to experience snow for the first time. He was mesmerized by this white stuff falling out of the sky, it was so cute to just watch him learn.

We ended up getting about 2 inches, with a ton more on it's way this weekend.

We got our Christmas tree up this week too! Here's Tyler, the master of Christmas lights.

The final product! Be-e-a-utiful. And smells sooo good too.

2 of my favorite ornaments: Tyler and my first year ornaments from 1982! Isn't it funny that we both have the exact same one? I love it.
Some lit garland going down the banister, and our stockings!

The boys relaxing after a hard night of decorating.
Cole got an early Christmas present, a high chair! I love this one and how it sits on our dining table chairs instead of taking up more space. Cole looks like such a big boy in it!Cole feeling applesauce for the first time. Food is so fun.

Thanksgiving! We loved having Rod, Lisa, Jackson, and Jessica over from Oregon. We were so glad to have them here and really sad to see them go. Cole having fun with Grandma.

The boys took on a big project of fixing our neighbor's side panel to her deck that blew off in a windstorm a week back, they spent half their weekend nailing, cutting, lifting, measuring, and just being really helpful. Way to go guys! The big meal.

No, I do not own a gravy boat. Yes, I do own a big glass measuring cup.

Can we eat yet.

My multi-talented son, he can pick and suck at the same time!

Cole loves to flip around on his bouncer and kiss the giraffe. My favorite thing he does with me lately is grab my face with both his hands and pull me in for a big slobbery kiss. SO cute! He's so affectionate and cuddly.

Just cute.

Proud to Bleed RED

Well it goes without saying that Saturday was truly an amazing day for any Ute fan - you just can't beat winning 2 MWC championships in one day! Cole and I headed to the volleyball game to see if our blockin Utes could claim a championship by beating CSU, whom they lost to earlier in the year. They won in 4! It was some terrific volleyball. And then to have the football team kick some Cougar booty, what a perfect day. But even better than that was being with my wonderful friends who I don't get to see nearly enough. Taryn and Kim were the other two seniors that came through the program with me, and I love them so much. We were roommates together and just went through the whole experience of college and vball together. Anyways, we got some great shots of us at the game. Kim lives in Nebraska and is visiting for a week, and her little (maybe little isn't the right adjective :) boy is named Tyson.

Celebrating after the W.

Uh-oh, Tyson looks like he's up to something...poor Cole doesn't even see it coming. And he gets blindsided! Tyson loved reaching out for Cole, and he has a pretty strong grip, but my little guy is still a little slow on the reflexes :) Our friend took the picture right as we were separating the two.

It was cute watching them (closely) together though. Hmmm, I wonder what he tastes like...Don't worry, we were able to leave the game with all our limbs still attached! :)
Kim's wonderful dad Papa Turner also took a turn with the little one. So good to see you Robin! And Linda we missed you a lot!
What a cute, sweet boy!!!
This is one of my all-time favorite pictures. Definitely a black-mail for later, Kimmy.

Thankful Fridge

Just wanted to share this fun idea I stole from my good friend Shanna. For her first family home evening in November, they have a lesson on gratitude and giving thanks, then she puts up a long piece of butcher paper (just one of the many perks of being a teacher: access to the work room) on a wall in her family room and puts out markers, crayons, and die-cut leaves. Then, throughout the month they write or draw things that they are thankful for. She also invites friends that come over to add to it, that's how I saw the idea. I thought it was a great way to express thanks, so I put a poster up on the fridge with markers nearby and we add something when we want to. Both moms have also added to it, and it's been a fun way to see what everyone is thinking about. I'm planning on saving it to look at and compare with next year's.