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.