The Drew Israelsen Family

The presents are wrapped, dinner is in the oven and the guests are on their way....Our Christmas eve tradition is that we all get new PJ's and wear them to the Christmas Eve party. The kids are so excited they can hardly stand it.....

So Drew and Brent both got early Christmas presents. We had the chance last weekend to go to the cabin and test them out.

SHHHHHHHHHH.........DON'T TELL DADDY!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE....I LOVE YA!

We went to grandma's house on Sunday and the kids were all so surprised when the man dressed in red busted in through the front door! Lena LOVES Santa!! She just stands and stares at him and is very willing to tell him what she wants. Robert was a little nervous I think mostly because he was afraid Santa would know some of the mischief he has been up to!!! It was a great time and so much fun seeing all the kids excited about Santa and the up coming holiday. We have been blessed to have my brother love doing this and carry on my dad's tradition that he started years ago.

If you haven't watched this you better start. This is honestly one of the greatest reality show they have come up with to date! It is very touching to watch reality set in with the millionaires and the hope that it gives to the average Joe!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!

SECRET MILLIONAIRE is a dramatic unscripted series that takes viewers out of their comfort zones and into the heart of America's social issues.

Each week, one of the wealthiest Americans, worth millions of dollars, will go undercover into one of the most impoverished and dangerous towns in America. Their job is to spend one week canvassing the town - meeting as many people as possible - some of whom will touch the millionaire with their dedication to helping others while others will have incredible stories of trying to overcome tremendous odds. On the final day, the Secret Millionaire meets with the chosen recipients and reveals his/her true identity and intentions - to give them a sum of money that is going to change their lives forever

Last night there was a ring around the moon. It was so cool. I really don't remember ever seeing something like this. I had to go inside and get my camera. Drew is very excited because when we looked up what it meant it means a storm is a brewing!!!

Every year for our anniversary my mom takes the kids for us overnight so we can spend some time together. This year when we picked them up she had a full Thanksgiving dinner ready for us. It was great and thank you so much mom for doing all you do for us!!



The kids love playing Cat's Eye at grandma's house. Why don't they make games like this anymore? We were just ready to eat and found Lena under the dinner table holding onto her roll. Poor Lena grandma must have played with you until you just couldn't go on anymore!

On thanksgiving after stuffing ourselves to the gills we decided to head over to my brothers and get in on the game of dodge ball. It was so much fun. Of course with the Hale's present some rules had to be put into place, like no name calling or you are out. There was no keeping score just a great game of dodge ball. Drew had a hard time getting into the game mostly because he couldn't move from all the food he ate at my dad's, but once he did he really enjoyed it.


My brother Tom was convinced that he kept getting out because the bottoms of his pants flared out so this was the solution to his theory. (the pants weren't the problem)
Robert ended up being the last man standing on his team a couple of times and he loved every minute of it. I was so proud of him getting out there and giving it his all!
Notice in this picture Drew is making no attempt at running for the first ball!!

It was my Dad's birthday on Dec 2nd and I am so Thankful he is still here with us. We went and spent the afternoon with him and he read stories to the kids and played connect four with Rob. We had a great time and you are my Hero!!!

I love traditions!!! I have made it a personal tradition of mine to make pies for thanksgiving. I have always made pumpkin and pecan from scratch and when it came to the cream pies I threw in some jello pudding. But not this year, I came across a coconut cream and chocolate cream pie recipe added a few twists to it and made my own. THEY WERE DELICIOUS!!!! How mean am I making the kids pose for the picture like they are going to eat them and then not even give them a bite.....



Another thanksgiving tradition we started last year was decorating a Christmas tree and taking it to Grandpa Rob. We went and picked up Ma and delivered the tree.



If you look closely at Robert's decoration he made you will see he inherited his grandpa's art work and has perfected the stick person!!! (daddy drew the fishing pole for him) Robert told us it was Grandpa Rob and he had 2 hearts and one brain.

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I just wanted to post about the things I am most thankful for and the top three on my list are....
1.Drew- What a fitting day to have our anniversary on!! He is my best friend and I can't even imagine life without him! His patience amazing me! Thank you so much for the last wonderful nine years!!
2.Robert- He is my little man who always has a hug and kiss for me and such a tender heart like his mom.
3.Lena- She is our Drama queen and brings such an awesome presence to our house. She loves being a kid!!!
4.I am also very grateful for my parents and there CONSTANT concern and interest in my life!
5.I am also very thankful for each and everyone of our siblings. Each and everyone of you are truely ONE OF A KIND, and we wouldn't have it any other way!

We love you all and for those of you we don't see today we sure did miss ya!!! But that just means more pecan pie for me!!

So last night we had a "friendly" fuzz ball tournament. Girls VS Boys and we are pleased to say that the girls held their own!!!! We chose to end on a winning game so the final score was 2 games boys 2 games girls we will have to have the deciding game on another night. The first two games the boys slaughtered us. I think the first game the girls only scored 2 points. Then the final game score was 10 to 4 GO GIRLS!!!!! Thomas is very competitive and just couldn't stand it that we left it tied, which gave us just as much satisfaction as if we would have played another game and won.....

The kids and I had went to the 100Th Disney Anniversary on Ice. It was so much fun and the company was great. We started out about four loading three kids in the back of Stacey's car and heading for Salt Lake. The kids watched for Aunt Stacey for about and hour, they were so excited they couldn't stand it. I think they were just as excited to go with Meg and Stacey as they were to go to the show. We stopped for dinner at the training table where the three kids kept us on our toes. After dinner it was time for the show. The excitement on the faces of the kids brought tears to my eyes. I wish we could always look at what faces us with the excitement of a child. They danced in the aisle clapped along with the music and thought that every time Mickey, Minnie, Belle, Stitch or any of the other waved that they were waving just to them. We had a great time. Stacey we need to do it more often. Thanks for the great company!

So I have never lived in a neighbor hood when someone beat me to the punch with my Christmas lights hung. But it happened this year. So anyone that thinks I am nuts for decorating for Christmas so early had better talk to the neighbors across the street. They had me beat by a week. At least with their lights. I thought if I am doing the lights I may as well get it all done at once. So here at the Israelsen house it is the SEASON!!! I love Christmas and the excitement it brings to the kids. The neighbor boy came over last night to play with Robert and asked why we didn't celebrate Thanksgiving. He thinks since our Christmas decor is up we are just skipping the whole turkey thing this year. Growing up we always decorated the day after thanksgiving. Once I got married I started doing it a week or two before Thanksgiving because that weekend is our Anniversary. So if you need to get cheered up and in the mood come on over and sit around the tree with us!!!

So daddy this is what we have been up to today. Andrew came and spent the night and we had a great time watching the Jazz game and playing Rock Band. You would be so proud of your little Rockers. Lena has mastered singing twinkle twinkle little star to every tune on the game!! Rob even passed a level on Medium on the drums (with a little help). We wish you were here to Rock with us!

So as many of you know Drew had to leave us for 2 weeks to work in California. We miss him very much as Robert has informed me several times tonight (especially when it came time to play his games). As you can see from the pictures Robert has stepped right in for his Dad in trying to help mom out with some household MANLY chores!!! It was so cute while he was using the screw driver I asked if he knew who's it was and he got a pondering look on his face and then a big smile and said "Grandpa Rob's". He loves it when we let him use one of his grandpa's tools. I love this kid and we miss you dad can't wait till you come home!!

We headed down to Robyn's and Scott's a couple of weekends ago and spent the day with them. It was nice because we don't get the chance to see them much. Lena was thrilled that so many people were willing to read with her. Poor Kyler went through an entire stack of books with her while we were at the movie. Scott found out quickly that Lena doesn't really care what you read to her as long as you read! Robert spent the afternoon playing video games and there probably isn't a better house to have your choice of games at!!! Thanks for letting us crash in on your Saturday!!!

So I am posting my Halloween pictures a little late but at least I got around to it! Robert was a vampire and Lena was well it depended on the hour but for the most part she was a Lady bug. The kids were so fun this year trick or treating and Robert LOVED painting his face!! Uncle Chad and Whitney even came over sporting their costumes. We love spending time with them and were really glad that they came over and spent some time with us and the kids on Halloween! My mom loves Halloween, we went to her house for Chili, cheese, apple cider, dounuts, cookies and more. She has a witches book that talks to the kids when they get their candy and they love opening it not only for the candy but to hear what the witch is going to say to them! So Happy Late Halloween everyone!!!

The night before Halloween Heather gave us a call and we met up with them at the Halloween Carnival in Wellsville. The kids had a great time and it really made them excited for trick or treating the next night!!! I could hardly stand it!

This past weekend we had the chance to once again go and work a snowmobile trade show for my work RU Outside. We headed to Salt Lake with Brent and Stacey and broke them in to show life. They did amazingly well and we really enjoyed their company! Sales were really good for the show and the fun afterwards well we have the same laws as Vegas....What happens at a show stays at a show. So if you want to know what show life is really all about you would have to work one. Thanks again Stacey and Brent for all your help with the show and with the FUN!!!