From AZ to NY and back again: November has come and is going, going.....

To think that November has come and gone it seems like just a blur. November is a big month for several reasons and here's how we celebrated the month of November in the Parker home....

The night before the Presidential Election, our political nut and a few of his friends packed up in the car and headed to New Hampshire where Mitt Romney was going to make his final appearance before, what we hoped, being elected as President. As I kissed my husband good-bye that morning I wished him a happy early birthday and told him to enjoy his night. Not what I would choose for a birthday night out, but it is his. You have to love him!

I guess I could just chalk it up to him wanting him to see Kid Rock that night, but hey, we all know Jared, right?

He said that place where they held it was louder than any sports game he has ever been to and filled with so much energy. He loved it!

After returning from a night of fun at 4:30 a.m., it was election day and nothing was stopping him from voting. He even took the kids with him and is training them young. Needless to say, the story for Jared didn't have a happy ending, but a few days later, you could at least approach him and have a somewhat normal conversation. Here's to hoping that Mitt runs again!

The next celebration was Jared's 38th birthday! He got some fancy new gloves that have the smart touch in the fingers so you can still use your phone and a new radio for the truck....which, may I mention here, has a CD that is still stuck in it from when he drove out last year when we moved here. I think it was time.

We enjoyed "Daddy" tacos and the traditional Parker cheesecake topped with raspberries! Yum! I must say, I am getting better at this recipe every year.

Max had to be stripped down after his piece of cake. What a cutie!

Then the last celebration was Thanksgiving. I have to say, this is one of my favorite holidays because it is all about the FOOD! This year, it was on me to produce the food, and I felt a little stressed putting dinner on for 7 adults and 9 children. I was a little apprehensive about the turkey and after being coached on the phone by my sister, Kim, I was victorious and released the insides as turkey yuck flew in my face, hair, clothes, and on the floor. Thankfully Max was taking a nap and wasn't crawling around my feet like usual. I think I will leave the bird up to my sisters and mom....it's all about the butterball breast for me. Although, my favorite question this year came from Cole when he asked, "So mom, was this once alive and walking around?" Yes, son. Oh yes.

We were lucky enough to have Jared's nephew, Sam, come up from West Point and join us for the weekend. We loved having him here and hated seeing him go. The kids sure loved having a bigger brother to be with this weekend and it was nice feeding another person who loved my cooking. Thanks for helping me eat the pumpkin pie this year, Sam.

The adult table

The kid tables....the cool thing was they could color on the table cloth, and yet, they didn't! I needed Megan and Haley to help me with that one this year.

The kids helped make the oreo turkeys....at least the ones they wanted to eat.

And then the feast began.....

After eating for an hour or so, it was time to loosen up the already stretchy pants and relax as the kids played in the basement. Luckily we didn't have snow but it was a little too chilly to send them outside to play. We also did a little Turkey Jeopardy as families and the Parkers took the lead...and without help from any sponsers, too! I didn't get a picture of the desserts but they were just as plentiful as the main course and the pants had to stretch some more. Doesn't it feel good????

All in all, I would say, a great Thanksgiving with good friends and fun. And even though I couldn't be at the beach or with family this year, I am so very grateful for this holiday where it is all about being grateful and remembering all the many great blessings you have no matter where you are.