A Happy Birthday for a boy named Rory

Rory turned the the big 5 on Thursday, and since we haven't done a birthday party for any previous birthdays, I thought this year we could do a little something for him. He decided to take three of his best friends bowling and to lunch(we did this the day before his birthday). They all had an amazing time, of course, and I had a great time watching all the action. They were all pretty good bowlers, too! Here's the crew:

                                           Seriously how cute are all these little bowling shoes?

 On Rory's actual birthday, we had plans to go to Legoland, but his sister was sick, and I didn't want to leave her at her cousins house, so after a little disappointment, Rory decided he wanted to spend the day at home playing with all of his new toys. He got a new Hot Wheels racetrack and Wii Lego Indiana Jones game from us, and  anew Leapster game, Transformer, and a board game from his friends, so he stayed busy. Plus he got to get donuts for breakfast, and then go to his favorite restaurant Island's for dinner with Mema and Grandpa. And on Friday he go to take his friend Gene to the movies, so he had a really fun birthday week!

Mema and Grandpa got Rory a new camera for his birthday, so he's also been having fun with that!

Rory is growing up so fast, I can't believe he is 5 now! In 6 short months he will start school. He is such a sweet boy, full of life and fun. He is currently obsessed with Ninjas, race cars and Monster trucks, Star Wars, and has to be told quite often that he can't karate kick his sister or complete strangers. He loves to play at the park with his friends, and is an amazing bike rider. He is reading and writing, and is a surprisingly good speller. He's full of questions, and loves to talk to anyone that will listen. He loves learning new things, and always catches on quickly. On the morning of his birthday, he was asking us to measure him because he thought the floor looked further away when he looked down, so he was sure he had grown over night! I can't wait to see the things he will do over the next year. We love you Rory!!

Not asleep, but supposed to be.

Sydney has become quite a handful at bedtime as of late. Micah took the side of her convertible crib off last week, and she's been having a hay day. She thinks she can get in and out of bed whenever she wants(and now that I think about it, I suppose taking the side off her bed is kind of an invitation to do so).
So most nights this past week, while big brother is slumbering, Micah and I will hear her little diapered bottom and footed pajama feet running up and down the hallway.
We just smile beause the sound is so cute, and pretend not to hear her. But after a while, we start to wonder what she's really up to...usually she's taking every toy out it's place, or every book off of the shelf. A few nights ago I found this(I came around the corner to the hallway just to see her hair flying behind her back into her room, and the sound of her jumping into her bed):

Yes, she's cute, but that a guise!!
Last night we found her in the bathroom with all of her My Little Ponies playing with them on the seat of the toilet. Maybe pretending the were at a spa?

Drury Family Photos-Jan. 2011

Since my brother Kevin left for bootcamp, we thought it would be a good opportunity to get some family photos done before he left. W ehaven't had real family photos with my side of the family since 2001. Wow. Our family has grown so much, I can't wait until the next time, to see who has added more children into the mix!Thanks to Sara Marin for taking these! She did a great job and was oh so patient and willing to listen to all of our joking around and sarcasm that never seems to stop.

Some fun in the California winter sun...

Can you believe it's 2011? I am always amazed that I can wake up on a January morning, turn on the news, see stories of snow storms and winter weather all over the country, and look out my window and see sun, green grass and trees, and people running and walking by in shorts and t-shirts. We do get the occasional rain storm drizzly weather in the winter, but this whole week has been picture perfect, and around 70 degrees. Jealous?
Here's some pics from the park a couple of days ago:

Some Christmas fun, Kim Family style

Christmas came and went as fast as we thought it would. Rory was asking me yesterday how much longer until next Christmas, and to a kid that measures time by how many naps he has to take, 363 naps(at least) wasn't the answer he was looking for. Anyways, I tried explaining that it will be here quick to Mom and Dad, but to little kids, it takes a bit longer. He just looked at me with bewilderment in his eyes, and said "never mind, Mom," in a frustrated voice. Sorry bud.
This year I tried to teach Rory and Sydney that Christmas is not about the gifts you get, but the gifts you give.We were given several opportunities to serve this Christmas, and I made sure to involve the kids so they could experience the joy of giving.I know they had fun doing it, and I know it taught them to be thankful every day for all they have. Rory thinks that toys and treats are just something he gets no matter what, but I used some of the experiences we had to teach him that the things he has are things that other people sometimes don't have, like health, a warm home, good food to eat, a warm bed, clean clothes, a warm bath whenever he wants, and lots of toys and activities. I especially tried to remind him that not everyone has a loving family, and the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is something we teach our kids all throughout the year, but for some reason the Christmas Season always brings out the thankfulness in your heart better than other times. My goal this upcoming year is to teach Rory and Sydney the importance of serving others.
Anyways, since Christmas last from Thanksgiving night until New Years for us, we've had a lot of fun. Here's a few pictures:

making cookies(one of several times!)

                                                         Seeing lights at the temple...

                                                    Daddy finally went to Legoland with us!

   We've bought and Micah and Rory have drunk about 5 gallons of eggnog since Thanksgiving....

We looked at lights in a few different neighborhoods this year like usual, but came across this one that we got a laugh from:

 

                                              Christmas Eve, before heading out to Mema and Grandpa's:

                                                     Sydney and her cousin Kaydence:

 Christmas Jammie's with Rory, Kaydence, Sydney and Kaylin(Kaylin did not want to be there, apparently.):

                                                                All of the grand kids:

 Santa came for a quick visit, all of the kids but Rory cried in fear, and Rory knew it was Grandpa(I think his Harley Davidson slippers gave him away)...it was fun, though! :

                                                                  Typical Micah face...

After getting home on Christmas Eve, and stopping at the local taco shop to get Santa his carne asada burrito:

                 Root beer and burrito, Santa's preferred snack, and of course some stuff for the reindeer's:

 The loot:

 Christmas Morning!!

 This is just the stuff from Mema and Grandpa's house the previous night...we should have told Santa to keep flying when he stopped by our house:

 A toy store threw up in our family room:

 Oh yeah, don't forget the stockings!

 Christmas Day at Grandma and Grandpa Kim's:

                                                         Rory, Sydney and Madelynne(Syd got a big box of dress up clothes from Aunt Lucretia and Uncle Matt, she's wearing one of the hats):

                                 Family picture, of course Micah had to try that hat on too!

We had a wonderful Christmas Season, and are looking forward to the New Year. 2010 has brought us innumerable blessings from our Heavenly Father, it has really been a fantastic year. We know next year will only be better.