We Give Thanks

The turkey was the best I have ever tasted--no lie. We are still trying to figure out exactly what Brad did to it.

We decided to host Thanksgiving at our house this year. My friends from high school (Steve and Danielle) made the trip from Philadelphia and joined us. We had a total of four families over for dinner; neighbors/friends from church, dental school, and high school! The preparations were not too bad. Brad did all of the hard work and I tried to keep David out of the way. Everyone brought a side dish and a pie so all we had to worry about was the turkey, ham, and potatoes! It turned out great. We played a game of Cranium afterward. It was interspersed with snacking on the vegetable tray and eating pie. I think everyone enjoyed it. We didn't have a chance to miss our family until most of the guests were gone. I'd say our first east coast Thanksgiving was a success.

Steve having fun with the knife...

The table...it is a good idea to iron the table cloth before you put it on! This was the 'christening' of our china that has been sitting in storage for over three years. I'm glad we registered for it.

David spent Thanksgiving getting into things. He tumbled down the stairs and managed to get a sharp pie knife off of the table AND lick it. It scared us and made us feel like bad parents but he has no wounds from the mischief.

He is ELEVEN months old today! And he loved the stuffing...

Happy (Un) Birthday Grandma Duff

Danielle, Dad, and Grandma Duff
taken April 07

I couldn't let today go by without remembering Grandma Duffy. She always celebrated Grandpa's birthday even though he died before I was born. She always called and sang us happy birthday over the phone. I've been trying to mentally put together my memories of her. A lot of what I know about baking and cooking comes to mind. Egg Gravy at Easter, rolls for Sunday dinner, her helping me make Zucchini bread from the Lyon House cook book. She helped my sister and I decorate our bikes so we could ride them in the East Millcreek parade. Two fruits: RASPBERRIES and GRAPES. Her playing card games and board games with us. The endless hours of fun my sister, cousins and I had playing in her basement. I guess the biggest thing I can take from Grandma is remembering and trying to recreate the love and service she gave to her family. I know she is happy but I sure miss her!

Christmas Tree and Church

We put the tree up today--I'm sorry to all those who think this kind of thing should wait until after Thanksgiving. We are traveling this year and I wanted to enjoy the tree for a full month before we leave. David LOVED it. Our fears of him knocking it over have subsided. I just settle for replacing red bells, gold balls, and pine cones from the bottom branches several times each day. Brad actually did most of the work because my back was hurting, thanks honey. My Mom found this tree for us on 90% of clearance a few years ago. It is pre-lit and we love it. Thanks for the beautiful tree; it looks even better decorated!

We spoke in church today. The topic--"Be of Good Cheer." I think it was one of those gospel topics that Brad and I really needed to study. I felt like my talk went well although Brad only got to bare his testimony on the subject. I was worried I'd gone overtime but I didn't. The speaking part of the meeting just started late. The main thing I got from it--we'll all have trials, disappointments, and heartache (and annoyances but I didn't say that) in life but we are commanded to "Be of Good Cheer" anyway because the Lord will be with us and wants us to be happy.

I couldn't let this post go without an update about the primary program from last Sunday. I'm no accompaniast so I was nervous but I got through it without any major disasters. We have a wonderful chorister and good kids. Even though I sometimes like to whine about the fact that my calling has prevented me from meeting all the members of our ward I do enjoy it. I was espeically touched by two songs: "When Jesus Christ was Baptized" and "If the Savior Stood Beside Me." Nothing like primary songs to remind you about some of the most important parts of the gospel.

Walking and Things

Since we all know this is the David blog with just little details about Brad and Deidre we figured we'd better keep you updated on the latest. We had some friends over for breakfast and a short play ground outing; apparently it was too much for David. He feel asleep while eating his cantaloupe after they left on Saturday afternoon.

"The Captain of a Ship"
David's new thing is standing up in the cart. It freaked me out at first (especially when he gets up off his knees) but I've decided as long as I've got a cart with a really good tight buckle what can I do? He seems to think the things behind him are more interesting than the things in front. We ran into a nice Grandma who laughed at his antics and said he looked just like the captain of ship. I thought it was very appropriate.

He's been doing this a little but this weekend he figured out how to walk across the room and even turn around. It is so funny to see him walk into a room holding his hands out like Frankenstein. I suppose this means he'll be getting into more things now? Many people wonder why on earth I'd want him walking around so early but I'm glad. Come March I really don't want to be carrying two kids to the car if I can aviod it. Congratulations David!!

More Halloween Fun

We were pros at getting the costume on for the third time in a row!

Before you get sick of all the Halloween photos let me explain--the Trunk or Treat was first, then the party hosted by the apartment complex, and finally Halloween. And I think Brad and David are pretty photogenic too. What can you do? We went to the party for the free dinner of course! Who wouldn't want to eat good sandwiches made by someone else? The people that work in the office liked seeing David all dressed up. They've gotten to know him a little bit.

Notice me all bundled up. It is COLD. Colder than Utah even. A bone chilling wet sort of cold that apparently I have not even seen the worst of.

This is actual Halloween night.

Checking out the loot. Minus one tiny bite of chocolate we didn't let him eat it, he just played with it. Brad liked taking David around and meeting some of the neighbors. This is the first year we've gotten trick-or-treaters so that was fun too. Some older kids came around and told me how beautiful my front room was. I laughed and let them know it normally isn't as spotless as it looked.

Book Club, Decorating & Haircut

We had to get our home teacher to help us hang the mirror. Thanks Ryan!

I hosted my monthly book club meeting on Tuesday night and I think it was a success. Minus having too few chairs I think the discussion was good and the women enjoyed themselves. It was a great excuse to FINALLY decorate the living room. A friend of mine did the food and it was fabulous--tasted great and was presented so nicely! I don't know if I would have been functional enough to bake and have my kitchen clean so I was doubly glad. Thanks to Brad for coming home early to help and also getting everything hung up for me.

I am in love with the clock! I'm still looking for odds and ends; a bookshelf, baskets, artwork, frames. I can't find black baskets that fit the TV stand. Argh!

We have the best view from our kitchen window. The fall colors peaked a few weeks ago.

Notice the piano we bought for $200 on Craigslist...don't ever ask the bishop to help you move the piano (he may give you a piano calling!)

Since I have my hair done about every eight or nine months weather it needs it or not (note the sarcasm) I went to a stylist that my visiting teachee recommended. It is shorter than it has ever been. I'd like it if I could figure out how to style it on my own. This one is for you Meghan.

Trunk or Treat

Since David can't walk much and Brad won't be home from school too early on October 31st the ward trunk or treat was the biggest Halloween event of the season. I opted to buy David's costume instead of sewing something great which did make me feel like a wee bit of a failure. All of my Halloween memories are associated with my Mom creating the most fabulous costumes for my sister and I. (*SIGH* Sorry Mom, maybe next year...) But David's pumpkin outfit was just darling and he had more fun than I thought he would.

Brad took David around to a few trunks. David LOVED getting pieces of candy from others and he liked looking into his bag and taking things out of there. He tried to put most of it in his mouth wrapper and all. He must know where the good stuff is.

The biggest hit was a bag of Doritos that he kept shaking and shaking. We'll probably have to throw those away...darn.

The pumpkin top beret was the best part of the ensemble (sorry you can't see the green handle but trust me it was cute) of course he took it off but you get the idea. Brad and I were predictable and spent yet another year as a cowgirl/cowboy couple. We'll have to branch out next year.