On the Third Day of Christmas...

Christmas Eve (which seems like ages ago now!) started off with a special breakfast celebration, Betty Crocker's cinnamon rolls, for daddy's 27 birthday.   Once our stuff was finally packed and the car loaded, it was off to Innsbrook for the annual Drissell family get together.

The December Birthday's pose for their shot

Aunt Tracy, Aunt Debbie, Kayla, and Alex (twin Jaxson was home sick) and David 

The Annual Family Pictures

And the Cousins (and two spouses) with Grandmommy & Granddaddy 

(as Melaina said on FB-we missed you Matt, Becky, Bella, Natalee Joy, Jesse, Alex, and Natalee)

Uncle Don instigated a group hug for Natalee 

Every year, my grandparents choose a theme for the gifts, often centered around where they've traveled.  This year it was "Light," celebrating Jesus being born and coming into the world as the light.  A meaningful part of each gathering is when Granddaddy gives a Christmas devotional and prays.  What a blessing to have grandparents who love and serve the Lord and share it with the next generation! Gifts were light up globes for the cousins and Thomas Kincade light pictures/mugs for the adults; Blaise got a light up sea horse toy.  Last year, it was "Life is Good" and various t-shirts and mugs were given.  Other favorite themes: Snowed in (complete with fake falling snow from the balcony!), St. Louis, and My Big Fat Greek Christmas.  (i can't get this to unbold! grrr)

Cousin Andy brought back kilts from Scotland where he's studying Architecture abroad & Luke just got back from Japan! 

Blaise enjoys a chat with Great Uncle Ken and the ornaments! 

There is never a dull moment at a Drissell gathering! These fabulous glasses Blaise is sporting were proudly worn by each person as they opened their gifts. Blaise got four textured & colorful sensory balls, a stuffed animal penguin (appropriate since David's been designing a Penguin House at work!), and Curious George at the Aquarium from cousin Melaina.  The funny part was that we didn't put his name in the drawing...oops! That meant someone was with out a gift!  Cousin Megan was the lucky one but fortunately an anonymous donor chipped in some cash as saved the day. ;) 

This hilarious collage was created by Uncle Dan.  

The two pictures of Blaise & Granddaddy were taken by Melaina;)

Happy Birthday Daddy! 

After Innsbrook, we celebrated Christ's coming through worship at Chesterfield Presbyterian Church with our families. Later that evening, we had BBQ at the Baca's and mint chocolate oreo ice cream cake for daddy's birthday.  mmmmmm

6 Months!

Our baby boy is getting soo big!  I realized I better go ahead and post the 6 month pics bc 7 months is right around the corner! 

It's hard to believe that he's already been alive for half a year. His 6th month of life was filled with much holiday celebrations, family and friends-and then two weeks at the beach. What more could a babe ask for?! His actual half birthday was in Captiva Island, FL and he loved every minute of being outside in the warm sunshine! (As did we!) At his check up last week, he weighed in at 18.6 lbs-he was 75% for both height and weight. Growing and growing! Unfortunately, Blaise has battled two icky colds this past month and when Dr. O'Neil checked his ears he found an infection in the left one;( Thank goodness for the antibodies that breast-feeding brings, I can't imagine how sick he'd be otherwise during wretched flu season! He hasn't been in any nurseries or daycares, but he has been around other children/babies where he picked up the bugs.  Oh well!  Praise the Lord that neither were too severe and medicine was an necessity. I'm thankful that he was born in July and that we didn't have to be under house arrest! 

6 month milestones-This is such a fun and interactive age!  Blaise sits up really well on his own now! I can confidently sit him down on our hard wood floors and not be afraid that he'll topple over and hit his head. He also gets in the crawling position but has only managed to scoot backwards thus far. (I'm selfishly not looking forward to the mobil stage. I'm gonna have to chase him everywhere and stay on top of cleaning the floors!) 

Blaise also reaches and grabs everything he can get ahold of, and of course immediately sticks it into his mouth! He managed to only grab the sand once in Florida.  My dad kept wanting to give him shells or have him smell a flower-but he learned quickly that this does not work! ;) 

We enjoyed a tasty marbled- brownie dessert for Blaise's special day-he loved the candles! 

Henry & Antonia got to celebrate with us!

On the Second Day of Christmas....

Our second Christmas celebration was spent with David's mom's family-the Preussers.  Great Grandparents Oscar and Viola live in South County off Telegraph. There are five Preusser children-Grandma Susan is the oldest child, David is the oldest cousin (and only married cousin), and Blaise is the first great grandchild!  Everyone lives around St. Louis too which is so nice.  

Blaise just loved seven- year-old Cousin Colleen-she made him giggle so much- especially when she jumped up and down!

Blaise found the wrapping paper quite tasty!

mmmmmmmm yummy!

Cousin Nick (who was our ring bearer not too long ago!) helped Blaise open his gift

Great Uncle Matt Scuito

Hip daddy!

Uncle Pauly! 

Chattin away with Auntie Shar!

So precious!

On the First Day of Christmas....

Our first Christmas celebration started at my parent's house. My brother and the girls came in town the weekend before Christmas so we got to spend several fun filled days together at my parent's house. Here're a few favorite pics from our sweet time together....

Boppa and Blaise took a two hour nap like this! (At least Blaise slept the whole time anyway!) 

Blaise loved all the colorful gifts!

Blaise's wooden trucks from his cousins were all wrapped up in duck tape! He also got some wooden instruments from Mimi and Boppa as well-all non toxic (and not made in China!) from the fabulous Nova catalog. 

"Bat Baby" with Uncle Matt!

Taco Soup

This has to be one of the easiest-yet tastiest- soup recipes ever. I got it from the BriarwoodChristian School cook book. Enjoy! (Perfect for the Super Bowl Sunday! Go Kurt Warner! ;)

Taco Soup

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can diced Ro-tel tomatoes

1 can white shoe peg corn, drained

1 can pinto beans, drained

1 can black beans, drained

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1 pkg. dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix

1 sm. Can chopped green chili peppers

(I also sauté and add a chopped onion, minced garlic, and a chopped green pepper.)

Directions:

1. Brown beef and drain.

2. Combine beef and remaining ingredients in kettle, simmer for 2 hours. Add water for desired consistency. (I do it in the crock pot.)

3. Sprinkle with cheese and sour cream when serving. Serve with Tostitos chips, Fritos or crackers.

Five Months Continued.....

Sorry about the lack of posts-we're been out of commission for awhile! After all the holiday frenzy, we flew down to Captiva, Florida for a lovely, relaxing, sunshiny getaway. But we are back now, in chilly St. Louis, and I have a bit of catching up to do with the posts! Our iphoto has been fixed, so I can now post the 5 months pics that were never shared! (And stay tuned for Christmas, Florida, and 6 months pics!)

The blocks did not stay stacked for long-they quickly got smacked down! 

Bath-time fun-I love to splash! 

This is my favorite-so sweet! Bald & blue eyed! 

Blaise found his tongue! He sporadically sticks it out, it's so funny. Ava, our 4 yr. old friend who lives downstairs, loves playing with Blaise and he just smiles and smiles at her. We like to have breakfast dates in the morning. 

Blaise and I with baby Lilly and Joanna, at our church Christmas brunch

Blaise at his first friend birthday party-cousins Chases' 2nd bday Elmo party-he loved the party hat! 

His first time in the high chair! 

He loves smiling and playing with the stuffed animal monkey that David built for me at build a bear when we were dating. (I unzipped his vest and he was wearing a diamond heart pendent-so clever! ;)  
We just can't get enough of his adorable smile and giggles! He's so much fun! 
Blaise visits Boppa at his office for the first time-State Farm Insurance in Chesterfield. Thanks, Lavada, for the great picture!!! 

Blaise plays with a truck for the first time! And appropriately, it was with Gpa Harold. 

Baby Star! Blaise & momma have fun at another baby party!