The secret is out

Each year the Drew family gets together between Christmas and New Years to have our Family Christmas Party. It is a great time for us all, as we all know how hard it is to have the chance to visit with everyone during the holidays. Years and years ago, we used to do a gift exchange, but that has given way to an ornament exchange. What is really great about the ornament exchange is it really doesn't have to be a huge expense. Each year I mark the bottom of the ornaments with my kids’ initials and the year. With this in mind, each one of my children have a wonderful collection of ornaments so when they move out on their own - and they will move out on their own - they will have these to take with them.

This year was such a great get together. All of Brenda's girls were able to come from out of state with their families and Cindy and Brad made the trip from Chicago. One of these days we will get Marilyn, Bobby, and Larry's families all to make the trip also. Counting all the adults and children, there were 58 in attendance. There were 2 TV’s going with games systems, 2 computers, a very large air hockey table, ping pong table, and a drum set. Factor in a dozen or so different conversations at one time and now you get the idea of the magnitude of our get togethers.

The secret was announced in a grand fashion, as is always the case at our family gatherings. The great news is Cindy and Brad are expecting. Rather than me telling you here how they made their announcement, I will have you go to Cindy and Brad's Adventures in Chicago listed to the right of my blog. Trust me - it is great reading!

I really did not believe this would have happened this way. Christina and I were just in Chicago in October visiting with Cindy and Brad. There was no way she was pregnant and didn't tell me. Actually, this is exactly what happened. Now looking back at our visit, there were tell tale signs - but nothing that would have led me to believe at that time.

The biggest surprise was that she is 4 months along. Well, needless to say there were lots of hugs and tears. And of course we are all guessing what the news will be at the next family get together.