The Drew Israelsen Family

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!