Thanksgiving

Bobby had to work Thanksgiving night, but worked off that Friday morning.  We had made plans with Dad and Rosie to celebrate with them, so we were packed up and ready to leave when he got home from work.  That means I was up in time to watch the sun rise.  Can't go wrong with that.  Beatiful!

We got to Dad's around 9:30 and Bobby headed straight to bed.  The kids and I hung out with Dad, Rosie and Max.  I soon ventured outside to get some pictures, but honestly don't think I took any good ones.  Settings were just wrong on the camera...or in my brain.

Rosie had cooked so many delicious things.  She seriously made the best turkey I've ever had.  It was moist and so full of flavor.  Yum!

Max made this ridiculously tasty and very pretty cake.  It was fantastic!

HIGHLY recommend it!

Recipe...just in case you feel the need to stuff this in your face.

Ingredients:

1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin, divided
1/2 cup milk
4 eggs
1/3 cup canola oil
1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
1/3 cup chopped Diamond of California® Pecans, toasted

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 cup pumpkin, milk, eggs, oil and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans.
Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the confectioners' sugar and remaining pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice; beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.
Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with a fourth of the filling. Repeat layers three times. Drizzle with caramel topping; sprinkle with pecans. Store in the refrigerator.

 

Seriously.  Go. Make. It. 

 

 It was cloudy for most of the day, so it was nice to see some blue out there for a bit.

Max also made chocolate cupcakes for the kids to frost with the peppermint cool whip he made.  

They had so much fun!

Especially Max :)

After dinner, dessert and a food induced coma, we helped them get their GINORMOUS Christmas tree up.

Bur first, the Christmas train for around the tree.

Cody really liked this thing.

See?  Ginormous. 13ft I think.

Then, Rosie began decorating the house.

Brit and Cody's stockings

We spent a couple days.  Bobby, Max and I took Britney hunting for the first time.  Bobby and I saw three deer but I later learned that Britney was literally freezing to death and never even saw them.  She will wear Dad's hunting gear should she go again.

We had a really great time.  I enjoyed watching Dad and Rosie making memories with the kids.  I walked in from hunting the second time, and Rosie and the kids were at the table putting a puzzle together and Brit was telling her all about the play.

And before we left, they all made two big batches of Rice Krispie treats together.  Good stuff, people.  I mean the time spent together and memories made, not the treats.  Although...they were pretty darn good too :)