The Drew Israelsen Family

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!!!

I think I have a problem here!!!

So this is Drew's best friend Mark and let me just say he is one of a kind!!! If you ever get the chance to meet him you won't soon forget him. He has been a really good friend to both of us. Okay so he hasn't always been a good friend to both of us, Mark and I had some difference of opinion when I started dating Drew. But we have become close and I honestly consider him like a brother to me. Our kids even call him Uncle Mark and love it when the big kid comes over to play! I tease him just like I do my own brothers but come on Mark you just leave yourself wide open and make it so easy for me. He has always been the first one at our door if we have ever needed any help with anything from moving to a new house, someone to drive to Salt Lake and pick up boots for me or just a simple shoulder to cry on. Drew and Mark have been through a lot together, probably more than I want to know about, and they love nothing better than getting together and remembering "that time when...", and things like the magic corn nut? We just want to say thanks Mark for always being there for us and don't forget we are here when you need the favor returned. We hope you have a great day and remember we love ya! By the way sorry about the man boob picture Mark but you know what my other choices were!

The neighbors were laying some sod in their backyard and since they ALWAYS help us out with everything from pouring cement to hauling stuff into our basement we figured it was our turn. It was so funny watching all of them load themselves onto the 4 wheeler just to drive into the backyard. The kids had a blast and the work got done quickly. If you look closely you can even see little Lena found a spot on the 4 wheeler sitting right in front of Mike.

I wish I could go back to the times of just being a kid and taking the time to stop and smell the flowers....Sometimes it seems like life just flies by and we all don't take the time to just sit back and enjoy everything that is going on around us. "Life goes pretty fast, if we don't stop and look around once in a while we just might miss it."I love watching my kids and seeing all the things that they notice and are drawn in by. Robert loves catching potato bugs and just letting them roll around in his hand. This is a picture of him showing his dad his great find....

We jumped on the chance for a weekend away at the cabin when Stacey gave us the call. We had lots of fun with everyone who had the chance to come up with us. Robert shot a gun for the first time which he was pretty excited about (thanks uncle Thomas for bringing that up). He also got the chance to ride on the dirt bike (thanks to Aunt Stacey and Uncle Brent). All he has to say bout that is "do you remember when you wrecked me on it Dad". Lena and Meg had a great time exploring with each other and Parker finally decided that I really wasn't that bad. Of course I had to bribe him with candy but it seemed to work out. All the kids love Uncle Chad and Whitney as you can see. Lena and Meg found a new best friend in Whitney. We had lots of food, games, and out door fun. The boys went out for a fishing day while all the girls took advantage of the time to read and of course take a ride to get Bear Lake ice cream. We had a great weekend another one for the books and we love you all.

I just wanted to honor a couple of people that
I think the world of on this memorial day. The
following are poems that I wrote in honor of them....


















OUR GRANDMA
Afton Mikkelsen Smith

She's a sister, wife, mother, and grandma of great
I'm her grand daughter of that I am proud to state
She will teach you how to stitch, iron, crochet, and sew
And from her house without a hug she won't let you go
Cookies in a jar, hard tack candy in her crystal bowl
keeping her family happy is grandma's lifetime goal
She loves her family and of them she is proud
And her family is getting to be quit a crowd
How is she dong she'll reply the same every time
"I'm short fat and sassy!" is her favorite line
I like to help grandma every chance that I get
To give back some of her love that I'll never forget
The love she shared with grandpa should be an example to us all
She treated him like a king and he treated her like a doll
I know I've learned from grandma and learning still today
There's just one final thing I would like to say
This is my grandma and I want her to know
I LOVE YOU GRANDMA! May your legacy grow!







ROBERT GLEN ISRAELSEN
It's going to be hard not having him here
And I'm sure everyone of us will shed a tear
But I know this holiday season his spirit is close by
Your dad was a hero and one heck of guy
Our memories of him will keep him close to us all
His present scratch and quit ways we need to recall
I see so much of him in you
Your tender heart and mannerisms too
You are his son of that there is no doubt
You'll keep his spirit alive and his memories about
His solemn ways his casual stance
Yes even the pee wee Herman dance
His camo pants you wear like a champ
And we'll remember him each time that we camp
His man size sneeze always made me jump
He'd chuckle at me and I'd feel like a chump
We now have a son who is his namesake
And I'm sure his parents proud he will make
He sees our son he'll watch him grow
He'll watch over him as well I know
He sees you too of that I am sure
And hopes one day we together become pure
He smiles down each time you succeed
And cries each time your heart is in need
He's proud of his son who's become such a man
Who provides for his family and helps whoever he can
He's there for you when the world gets to be to much
Or if you just need his help or his fatherly touch
I know you can't see him but he's watching you
Each hour of each day the whole year through

I LOVE YOU
I know you can't see me on Christmas or any other day of the year
But I want you to know I am with you and I am always near
I see your daily adventures I just want you to know
I watch you each day with your life I've seen your little son grow
You're doing a great job as a father so proud you're making me
My only wish for you is the joy on my face you could see
Soon you'll be getting a new one what a blessing for you all
A baby girl to hold onto, be sure to cuddle that sweet little doll
Give them kisses each day from their grandpa let them always know of my love
My memory never let them forget...And I'll continue to watch from above!!

Today the kids are having a play date with Isaac and Ben. Robert has been driving me nuts for 3 days wondering when Ben will be coming to our house. They always have a great time together and play really well with one another. Robert misses seeing Ben everyday and loves every chance that they get to spend some time together. Ben has truly been a blessing in Robert's life, and his mom Heather has been a blessing in my life. Lena thought it was just great having someone over that she could play with as well. Her and Isaac had a great time making music together. She loved playing with Isaac. All in all I think the kids had a great play day.

These are pictures that were taken over Mother's day weekend when we had a chance to see almost all of our family at birthday parties and visiting grandma's. For those of you we didn't catch up with we sure did miss you!! Robert and Lena just love spending time with any and all of their cousins. They have a lot of them and there are still more on the way. Together Drew and I have 26 nieces and nephews ranging from the ages of 20 years to 4 months old, with one on the way and we love each and everyone of them. Sometimes I just can't believe that Bonny is old enough to get married, (and yes is finally engaged) Andrew is preparing for a mission, and my little Tristan will be getting the priesthood. That makes me way older than I really am right? We enjoy spending time with our families and being a part of their lives. There is nothing better than hanging out with family and talking about a bunch of nothing and everything all at the same time. Robert loves it when his cousins get to come and have a sleep over with him. He would have one every night if he could or should I say if his mother would let him. Lena loves her baby dolls but wasn't so sure about baby Ava when she arrived and really didn't like Aunt Jeana or Mom holding her, but now she has really grown to love her! I still have her convinced that we don't want a baby at our house because they cry, poop, and take your toys away from you. Now we just need to convince grandma Jillene of the same thing!!!

We went and visited my mom on Mother's day and through out the visit I caught Lena doing some very cute spontaneous stuff. First I had just finished helping my mom clean up lunch and we were walking into the sitting room so she could show me the cute things she had bought for the grand daughters next "tea party" sleep over and I looked over and there was Lena on the floor just reading the funnies out of the Sunday paper. It was so cute she actually sat like this for sometime like she was in deep thought following what they were trying to portray. Then she got up from that spot and went downstairs were Robert Drew and Grandpa Rich were watching the Jazz game. We figured she had ganged up with Rob and had found something fun in the toy room. When we went downstairs to check on them she was no where to be found. As we went to the back room in her basement there she sat with her pooh doll propped up having a tea party with him. She was in her own world having a pot of honey with Pooh. IT WAS SO CUTE!! My mom couldn't help herself and sat down with her and continued the tea party. Lena is just like me. I would play with my dolls for HOURS. They all had pajamas that they would get changed into at night time and dressed in there clothes in the morning. She loves nothing more then playing with her dolls and being the mom. I grew up with a mom who loved playing house with me as much as I loved playing house. I have to thank my mom for feeding my imagination and letting it blossom.