Thanksgiving Celebrations

Throughout the month of November Josh learned about the Pilgrims. It was fun to hear him come home everyday and talk about something new he learned. To celebrate the season, the Kindergarten classes had a feast.

There were Pilgrims, Native Americans, and turkeys. Josh kind of wanted to be a turkey, but was still happy when his name was drawn to be a Pilgrim.

The kids worked hard to prepare for their feast, just like the Pilgrims. They make place mats, napkin rings, their costumes, butter, and stuffing. They all seemed pretty satisfied with their accomplishments.

Mrs. Kirk even dressed up for the feast. She encouraged the kids to try everything, even if they knew they didn't like it. Josh listened to his teacher had even eaten a bite of mashed potatoes (one of the few foods he just doesn't like).

On this day I felt grateful to have these experiences as a mom. I love being able to support my kids and see them participate in enriching activities.


On to The Mills Thanksgiving...

Kairsee dazzled us with her vegetable turkey platter

The boys were very impressed with the pumpkin turkey

Josh and Parker (and Mom), made some napkin holders

The boys brought their place mats they made at school.

Aunt Teri made these cute "turkey" cookies (they were a chicken cookie cutter).

The boys enjoyed decorating the cookies

Of course we took some family pictures. This was post turkey dinner after Dave got home from work. At this point Parker had eaten 3/4's of the candy dish in the family room. By the time we left he finished it off. I knew he had been eating some of the candy in the bowl, but I had no idea he had eaten almost all of it. SO... yes it took him a while to wind down for bed. I hope he sleeps it off!

Things only a mother would know

I was snuggling with my boys tonight (as they insisted on falling asleep on the air mattress set up for Uncle Jordan) and I thought about all the fun little quirks they have. It made me so grateful for these two little men that bring us so much joy. I thought I'd better record some of them.

- Even if there is already milk in Parker's cereal, he won't eat it until he sees it being poured into his bowl. He's satisfied with even just a teaspoon worth being poured in front of him.

- When Josh wakes up in the morning he climbs in my bed and waits for me to get up. If he hasn't fall back to sleep, he rubs his toes on my legs until finally I give in and get up too.

- Parker is convinced that his glasses shoot lasers like Superman (not even joking).

- Josh is bright and shiny from the moment he wakes up till the moment he goes to bed.

- Neither of my boys wear PJ's, even in the winter. Josh is too warm blooded and Parker just can't stand to wear clothes at home.

- A hot dog with relish = a slippery dog

- Both boys call a hamburger a: han-ga-burr (even after correction)

- Parker says "de" instead of the. He also calls his friend McKay... DeCay

- Josh has to race to the car every time we leave the house

- Parker has to hide (in the same spot) to surprise us every time we come home

- Both the boys have to surprise their Dad when he gets home from work. So, Dave has learned to jiggle the lock and wait a minute to give them a chance to run and hide.

- Josh absolutely can't fall asleep unless he's had a book or story read to him. There have been times when I've told him a 30 second story (at a really fast pace) and he won't complain. He'll just go to sleep.

- Parker will never fall asleep with the TV on if it is a children's show. No matter how exhausted he is. Put on one of our shows and he's out in 2 minutes.

- Josh will go to bed on his own as long as you tell him you'll come back and check on him.

- I have to convince Parker every time I brush his teeth that there are "bad guys" in there that we have to get out (everything is about superheros).


The list could go on and on, but these are some of my everyday favorites.

The Royal Reader

In Josh's kindergarten class they welcome guest readers. Grandma Mills came to read this month. The book of choice The Teacher's Pets. A cute story about how all the students brought their pets to school.

The kids were good listeners with the occasional comment.

After I picked Josh up from school, he said he really liked that his Grandma could come to his class. She looked great in her royal robe too.

Family Traditions

One of our family traditions is to make turkey hands for Thanksgiving. Over the years we have had a variety of friends and family join us. This year my parents and The Rice's were the honored guests. We like to go all out with feathers, googlie eyes, and glitter glue.

Larkin had a good time and enjoyed playing with all the supplies. Although she didn't enjoy the glue on her hands.

The kids (including Scot) wanted a picture with their turkeys.

Ta-da... our finished products!

We have every kind turkey... one with a skirt, a turkey with a purse, candy corn colored turkey feet, a green, black, and pink turkey, a turkey with a wig, a tiny turkey with gems... I love making turkey hands.

Hall-o and Frangel-o-ween

Batman and Robin have had their costume plans in the works since June.

These heros have some pretty sweet moves.

Then we were off to Trunk or Treat.
Grandma and Grandpa Surganovich were in town for all the Halloween fun.

"New Caleb" as he's been deemed is one of Josh's friends. He fit in perfect with my crime fighting duo.['

Post trunk or treat...
I think Papa and Parker had had their goodie fill!


Next event
Peter and Janell's Frangel-o-ween party.

The food was tasty and the costumes were fantastic, again! I didn't take pictures of everyone, but I should have. There were some really creative and well made costumes there.

We went as Todd and Sarah Palin.

Kairsee rocked it as Lady Gaga

Jeff was Tron. He was the winner of the night. He made his costume. It took him weeks to get the reflective tape into the right design.

Todd, Tron and Indiana, quite the trio

Waldo and Lincecum

and the Queen was there also, looking dashing. Janell made this dress when she was 14 as a school project. It is amazing.

We had a fantastic Halloween!

Apple Hill

Apple Hills is one of our favorite fall traditions. This year we were able to spend an afternoon up there visiting our favorite spots. The highlight for me... the apple donuts and caramel apples. Just thinking about them makes my mouth water. It is fun to get away as a family, even if its just for an afternoon.

October was a great month

My brother in-law, Jordan, returned home from his mission in October. We had been looking forward to this day since he left two years ago.

Josh and Parker made their own posters to hold up for Uncle Jord.
Josh did a great job writing all the words for his poster. Then he added all the words he knew how to spell plus, Batman and Robin. It was pretty cute, he was so pleased with it.

Everyone was so excited, they could barely stand it.

There he is!

Brothers don't shake, brothers gotta hug

A second hug from mom, she just wanted to make sure he was real

Parker was the second one to hug Jordan. He acted as if he knew him, but Parker was only 1 when he left. Josh was very glad to see his uncle again.

The Welcome Home banner was a team effort.
Dorene, Janell, Teri, Gramma and myself got together to paint it.

To celebrate his return we had a big "fiesta" that night with tacos and enchiladas. Then the following Sunday was his homecoming and family get together. We enjoyed having family from Nevada, Idaho, and all our local family to. It has been great having Jordan home. He adds a lot to our family. Now, Jordan gets to start a new chapter of his life. We can't wait to see what happens next.