Thursday, December 20, 2007

Dear Family and Friends, Christmas 2007

Merry Christmas! We hope you and your loved ones are safe and in good health this winter season. As we approach the holidays and a new year begins, it is one of our family traditions to reflect upon the closing year.

David has been completing his coursework for his Master’s degree in Business at Rice University. He has only one semester left as he is set to graduate in May 2008. David completed a summer internship for Cooper Industries in the Mergers & Acquisitions group. He recently accepted a full-time job offer with Cooper Industries in the Advanced Leadership Program, which he will begin next summer. It will be a rotational program which will give us the opportunity to relocate for a few years before bringing us back to Houston permanently.

As for me, I continue to work three nights a week in my private practice doing therapy with couples and families in the northwest Houston area. What I love the most about working part-time is that while I do earn money for our family, it allows me the opportunity to stay home with Drew and be his mom. Being a mom is truly what gives me the greatest joy.

Drew is 2 ½ years old now. This past summer the doctor put tubes in his ears and removed his adenoids due to repeated ear infections. As a result, Drew is talking so much more and learning new words on a daily basis. Drew loves Thomas the Tank Engine and plays with his trains every day. He has learned his colors and enjoys pointing out objects that are yellow most of all. He adores Beva, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, (or “Bubba” as he calls her) and has the most fun running around the house with food in his hand so she will chase him!

While our family has been extremely fortunate this year, we have also experienced some losses. David’s father passed away in the summer from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We miss him greatly, and we feel extremely privileged to have spent so much time with him this past year. He was a good father to David and grandfather to Drew. Just recently, David’s maternal grandmother, Etta Miller, died as well. David had the opportunity to reunite with his extended family for the funeral services in Colorado. He really enjoyed reconnecting with aunts, uncles and cousins. Indeed, we are grateful for the wonderful memories we created with David’s dad and his grandmother, and we will always cherish them. We have faith that one day we will see them both again.

Looking ahead to the New Year, David and I will be celebrating 7 years of marriage the first week of January. We look forward to the possibilities 2008 brings! May your holidays and New Year be filled with joy and happiness!

With all our love,

The Pistorius Family

David, Kinsey and Drew

Pistorius Family Christmas Photo and Letter

Pistorius Family- Christmas 2007

Santa Claus


Drew's visit with Santa Claus went about what we expected. He kept saying, "No want Santa," but he didn't cry until he actually sat on his lap. The picture was taken instantly so he did not sit there long, but it was pretty funny to capture the moment.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Drew and I went to Rockport this past weekend with my mom and her husband, Sam. David was in Colordao with his family because his grandmother died. Drew had fun picking out this yellow hat from Sam's closet and just HAD to wear it all weekend long. He usually doesn't wear hats but since Sam was wearing one, he had to!

Drew and my mom reading a book before bed.

Drew in his yellow hat with my mom and Sam. We went to look at the wonderful kites flying high in the sky!

Hat to hat - having so much fun!


My Daddy and Me
Drew woke up from a nap but was still tired so he fell back asleep on David.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

5K Turkey Trot

David running the 5K Turkey Trot in honor of his Dad. This is him coming to the finish line.

David, Kinsey and Drew after the race.

Drew bundled up with Kinsey at the 5K Turkey Trot David and his sister ran on Thanksgiving Day. David and two of his sisters ran in honor of their Dad who passed away 4 months ago. He would have turned 60 years old the day before Thanksgiving.

Drew keeping warm

Lisa, David and Wendy at the end of the race. Wendy made t-shirts that said, "In honor of My Dad," along with their father's picture.

The gang at the race FREEZING!

Rice Football Game

Pistorius family with Kinsey's Dad at Rice game

Lacey, Kinsey's brother's daughter, and Drew eating yogurt-covered raisins at the game

Lacey and Drew on the field after the game

Drew wanted to ride in Lacey's stroller and Lacey wanted to push him. David is helping out!

Breakfast with Mimi at IHOP - Drew did not want his picture taken.

Drew and his new find, BACON!

Kisses for Mimi

Picture of the Drouet gang at the football game


Drew loving his bag of popcorn at the game

Blowing Bubbles at Geegee and Stu's

GeeGee, Drew and David - we went over for our weekly visit
Kinsey and Drew outside in the backyard

Drew and his Dad blowing bubbles

cracking up together - oh so fun!

Time with my cousins

A day with Drew's cousins, Sterling and Owen

Owen, Drew and Sterling
Drew hugging Sterling
Drew and Owen playing a duet
Elijah, Mimi, and Drew

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Makin' some pizza with Mom


This is Drew and Kinsey making a pizza. I got home from school early and Kinsey didn't have to go to work until late, so we decided to have some family time making dinner.

I love my BUBBA





Drew can't say Beva (our dog), and it comes out Bubba. Quite fitting since we are in Texas! He sure loves his puppy. Sometimes he thinks he is part dog!

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Its off to work we go...

Well school for me is drawing to an end, and as such, so is the job hunt (Finally!!!!) I have an offer from Cooper Industries to join their Advanced Leadership Program as a Business Analyst when I graduate. Basically, this is all a fancy way of saying, we'll be moving from Houston, and then moving every 12-18 months for the next few years... They did offer us good money, and the opportunity to advance quickly in the company, but with all our family here, we are a bit unsure... We don't know exactly where we would be sent to, but as of right now, I think the choices are Syracuse, NY, St. Louis, MO, and Milwaukee, WI... Not anything too attractive, but at least we'd be able to save some money for a down payment on a house when we get back to Houston!

I'll update again when we make a decision and if we accept, we find out where we are going to move to!

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Rice Football Game

Drew sleeping during the game

Drew and my dad, "PawDee," as he is referred to by Drew.
It stands for Papa Drouet - creative southern term for Grandfather.

David and Drew on the field after the game

My Dad and me in front of the final score

My Dad, me and Drew

Drew playing games with me


Kinsey and Drew in the stands at the Rice game. Rice played UTEP and came from behind and won!

A Morning at the Park





Saturday morning I took Drew to the park to let David do some homework and get Drew to expend some energy before his nap. He wanted me to do everything with him so I was climbing and sliding right along with him!