Thanksgiving and the Aftermath

What could possibly make Topher stare so intently into the stove?

Assuming, of course, that he is not just giving his reflection a smooch.

There is only one correct answer:

This year's turkey looks a little weird. Some of the spices we put on it ended up burning on the surface. It was still delicious.

Unfortunately, Megan and Topher have been under the weather (if by weather you mean the flu) all week, so we couldn't go to Thanksgiving with our friends like we'd planned. Fortunately, we make sure to keep a backup turkey nearby for just such a contingency.

He really is sick. Stuffing just makes him that happy.

After the food, it was time to get down to business.

We don't think he can read yet, but we are not sure.

Toph and I got to work setting up our decorations. Where we're only going to be in Connecticut for a couple more weeks, we wanted to get them up as soon as possible.

Topher is a whiz at untangling beads.

And here is the end result:

We hope someday to not have to keep our tree on the table. Sometimes it feels like that day is pretty far off.

Unfortunately, Topher's prowess at untangling beads did not translate to tinsel.

Fortunately for us, the tinsel was enough of a distraction that he left the Santa hat on for a few seconds so we could snap a picture.

Christmas is coming soon, and Topher is ready:

Glimpse of the Future

I think it's in the basic makeup of parents to wonder what their children will become. Today we wanted to let you all in on some of our current hypotheses.

First off, we gave Topher (and daddy) a haircut yesterday. This was his first full haircut. We had trimmed his bangs and over his ears before, but this was the first time with the clippers and everything. He handled it like a pro, but all of the sudden he looked much more like a little boy than a baby.

Topher would also like to congratulate his Huskies for their triumphal victory over Notre Dame last night. He would also like to rub said triumphal victory in his Uncle Jarom's face, again.

In unfulfilled parental dreams news, it looks like Topher is on the fast track to becoming the next Ringo Starr (his and my favorite Beatle), or, based on the second half of the video, the next Animal (a good muppet [though no Swedish Chef]):

Topher has also been working his way towards talking (and back talking). Though "Knock" has the honor of being Topher's first word (Thanks to Mr. Brown Can Moo!), "Banana" came in as a close second. Please pay no mind to the pile of laundry behind him.

Now, you might be saying, "Scott, it only took you 'til your second video to break from your theme of Topher's future." I humbly apologize for this and now offer some talking that is much more on topic. It may not be his first or second word, but I think it is a pretty clear indication of the path he's on.

That's my boy.

Hi Peeps!

I wanted to get some pictures up from my recent trip to Utah before I'm back in Utah for Christmas (four weeks from today!!!). There's almost 40 of them, so good luck! What can I say, I love my family :).

Aunt Becca cooking with Toph.

If that's not excitement, I'm not sure what is!!

Matchy green, matchy, matchy green :)

Cute aunts (and baby of course!).

Thank you Hannah! Hahahahaha!

I wish I could say that this is the craziest picture I got of Libby, but you'll see... :)

Katy and Jenny looking a bit more normal than Hannah :)

Thankfully, Grandma Huff taught Toph to knit while we were in Utah. The fact that they were using chopsticks didn't
seem to hinder them :),

They both seem happy, don't they? :)

Bean Museum fun.

Amy and Toph boding over drink :).

I love my grandma's face in the background. Hahahahahaha!!

Abby just chillin'. Didi a bit of that myself :).

Here it is...crazy face!!!

Toph learned what we've all known for years: It's easy and fun
to beat up Libby :).

Toph and I went to Cabelas for the first time. It was a success I'd have to say!

Grandpa Curtis showing Toph the fish.

It was nice to have so many people help with Toph!!

Eating a chocolate cookie that my dad gave him. Gotta love grandparents!! I know Toph appreciates the sugar!!

Amy and Toph played peekaboo underneath the wood stove for hours!

And Toph jumped on the trampoline for the first time too!

Not surprisingly, he loved it!! It was a fabulous trip!

Toph and I miss everyone and we can't wait to hang out with you guys again in just a few weeks! This time we'll let Scott come too :).

Hold the Funny, Double the Cute

Before it got too cold, we went out and took some family pictures. Where I am pretty sure making jokes about these would probably land me in the dog house, I'm just going to throw these up and let you all enjoy them sans captions.

Hope you enjoyed that. I guess now we're ready for winter.