MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas 

from the Drury's  

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will called

Wonderful Counselor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace. 

~Isaiah 9:6

May your hearts be filled with the

 joy and peace that Jesus can bring! 

 

 

December Traditions

Here we are nearly half way through the month of December. Each year we try our best to keep Christ the center of this special holiday we call Christmas. One of our attempts of doing so is having this baby Jesus that we keep under our tree. This year Cael LOVED to hold baby Jesus, sing to him, show him his tractors....and throw him down when he was done playing with him. We talk about who Jesus is all the time, we hope that with each Christmas this little baby will be a reminder of the true meaning of CHRISTmas.

"Whatdya cryin bout baby Jesus?"

"And you will find him wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger"

This year I decided to do something a little different. The tree that is above is an artificial tree that someone gave to us. I have NEVER...and I repeat...have NEVER..had an artificial tree. I know...I know "they are cleaner" and "look just as nice"....but there is just something about a REAL...pine smelling...tree sitting in your house for a few weeks in December. At first we thought maybe we could just go cheap this year and only have the artificial one only. But as time wore on, we both decided we wanted to keep the tradition of cutting down a real tree.

So we set out one weekend. We had a few places on our list to stop. The first stop was very much a disappointment. 

Here is the tree that Cael wanted to get at the 1st stop!

Needless to say, we didn't stay there very long and set out to our 2nd stop. This was the place that had been tried and true to us in years past and they didn't disappoint this year, either!! Why we didn't start here..you ask..I have no idea!

 

He was on a mission! A mission of his own! To get...LOST!

EUREKA!!!!!!!!!!  We found it! Isn't it a beaut!!

"Cut it down, daddy!"  Then he couldn't wait to say.."TIMMMBERRRRR"

Daddy's little helper!

SITTING ON SANTA'S LAP
Last year we attended the town Christmas party where Santa came and Cael wanted nothing to do with sitting on his lap. He didn't cry last year, being 1, but he knew he didn't want anything to do with that man. So this year, we had no idea how he was going to respond.
Given other situations where we want him to comply and just....you know..do what we want....usually turns into some sort of a fiasco.

Look at that grin! How about that cute reindeer shirt?!

We thought that this was all the closer he was going to get to him. Which was fine...he wasn't screaming at least!

Then THIS happened! WOW..he did it!

 We told him to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas and he said "Dumpers. Diggers".

Still smiling!! Yay! Success.

These are just a few of our favorite traditions to do this month. I didn't have any picture of our christmas lights. We do have our home decorated with beautiful white lights. Every time we pull in the driveway and Cael can see them in the dark...he says "Ooooohh Kisssmas Lights". 

These were just a few of the December traditions we have crossed off of our list. Looking forward to all the fun that lies ahead for the rest of December!  
Stay tuned! 

Thanksgiving 2012

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving has already come and gone! I am a little late getting this November post up, but better late then never, I guess!

This year for Thanksgiving we had our annual (my side) Family Feast at our house.  My 87 year old grandfather usually cooks the turkey, stuffing, and a pie. Then the rest of us fill in the menu as we so desire. Well this year a few days before, my grandfather got the flu! He thought it was a good idea to not be around the us OR the food.....and WE ALL AGREED that would be wise!! So a little extra work went into the meal this year and everything turned out wonderful!

We use our house as the community center for most family gatherings, but we don't mind a bit! We had that all in mind when we built our house, actually! So for a few days, we embrace the messes, the noise, the dishes, and the chaos...because our hearts are full when we are together!

A few days prior to Thanksgiving I went on a mission to try and find a cheap turkey shirt for Cael to wear. I looked all over and came up short. So I thought, maybe I could make one!
So we went home that day, dug out the paints and went right to work!
Here is the finished product! 

The table decorations this year were hand print crafts we have done! These make my heart melt to pieces! 

Hand print crafts are my favorite! This was when he was 1!

 

Delicious food!

The family photo before lunch! (minus Pete--who is taking the picture)

 

Cael is trying to get her attention but she just wont listen!

BIRTHDAY GIRL
My niece, Mallory, turned 5 the day after Thanksgiving so we got to celebrate her birthday while we were all together on Thursday.

She is so proud of her Barbie cake that her mom made!

The best cousin picture we could capture!

 Our sweet niece Mallory is now 5 years old! It has been so much fun seeing this little girl grow. There is never a dull (or quiet) moment when this girl is around.  She is witty, silly, tender, helpful, thoughtful, gentle, loud, energetic, and just plain goofy sometimes. Here is a picture that captures that goofiness to its fullness. I wish I could remember what she said as she placed this mustache on...it was something witty, I'm sure!

A sweet little "Cousin Love" story:
I love to see Cael's face light up when he sees people he know especially his family. Just the other day we spent time with my sister, Mallory and madden. Mallory was getting her pictures taken at Sears so she was dressed up.  As we walked into the store, Mallory came running to greet us (like she always does).  Cael tried his hardest to get her attention.
Cael: "Malree....Malree...Malree."
Mallory: Jabbering about this and that and everything else
Cael: "Malree........" (in a stronger voice then before)
Mallory: "Oh....Hi Cael" giving him a big hug
Cael: "Malree's beaaauuuutiful"
(completely unprompted)

Awwww...isn't that the sweetest thing! I think I actually got a little teary when he said that. I thought that was so sweet for a 2 year old to put into words something so special! He really does love his cousins!

I love my tender little boy and my "beeeaauuuttiful" 5 year old niece!

Happy Birthday Mallory Marie!! We love you very much!