Long, but worth reading!!

My, how time does fly! We have had a CRAZY month here at the Parker house. I'm not even sure where to start!! I guess I'll just pick up where I left off. The second weekend in November was all about me! :) I was able to attend an all day scrapbooking event with my good friend, Jen. We had a fabulous day! 14 hours of non-stop scrapbooking!! Ok, we did take a few meal & snack breaks. But that's all part of the fun. I got a great start on a book I'm doing about our cruise this past summer. Most of all, it was a wonderful day spent with friends I adore, doing something we all love! The next weekend was a busy one! I drove Katie to North Liberty for the birthday party of a dear friend. They took the kids to a pizza place where they each got to make their own pizza. A great time was had by all. Then we rushed home so that Patrick and I could attend the annual QC Symphony Holiday Pops Concert! If you live in the area, and you have never been, please make a note of trying to go!! It is always the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and it was amazing! I'm hoping that next year we can take the kids. The symphony plays, the choirs sing, and the ice skaters delight everyone! A great way to get into the spirit of the season. The next week, of course, was Turkey Day! We spent the afternoon with my parents and Patrick's family. We all ate way too much, but thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We typically attend the Festival of Trees that night, but the kids had been fighting colds, and Emily was exhausted. So we postponed that until Sunday. They were all enthralled by the beautiful lights, and the holiday spirit. Each one took a turn on Santa's lap. Emily delighted everyone by jumping right up on his lap, snuggling in and requesting a new baby doll that she intends to name "Georgia". On Friday 11/30, one of Patrick's lifelong dreams came true. We are now the owners of 13+ acres north of Grand Mound, Iowa. The property is mostly timber, and there is much evidence of deer and other animals residing on there. He and his dad spent much of the blustery, cold weekend hunting. Sadly, they came home empty handed, but they have not given up hope! They will keep trying!! This past Sunday, Patrick and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. I'm not sure where the time has gone, but we are blessed that they have been a happy & healthy dozen years! We spent a quiet day at home with the kids until it was time to head out in an ice storm to take them to the Disney on Ice performance of Finding Nemo! The expressions on their little faces were priceless! Emily is still glowing about it, and asks every day if we are going to visit Nemo again. Jacob is spending his days counting down to Christmas. He cannot wait for Santa to come! And, while Katie is also excited about the holiday, she is even more anxious about her upcoming birthday. My baby girl will be SEVEN this Friday! We're taking the kids out to try bowling for the first time. The following weekend she will be having an ice skating party with her friends. And finally, our BIG announcement. NO, we are NOT having another baby! LOL Patrick was recently approached by another firm to join them as a tax partner. The offer was too good to refuse, and he has accepted. Sometime in the coming months he will be leaving his current position, and going on to his new job at Clifton Gunderson in Clinton, IA. Because of the distance to his new office, we have decided that we will be moving. We do not know when, exactly, but it will most likely be next summer. I want Katie and Jacob to finish out the school year in their current schools. This will also give us time to find a lot and choose a house plan, as we intend to build a home there. We are certainly nervous, but definitely excited about this new opportunity!! I will keep you posted as we know more. In closing, I wish you all a VERY merry holiday season!! Be safe, and enjoy all the season has to offer!