Joy

I have been totally M.I.A. when it comes to the blog.  I can't believe that before today, my last post about life as a Draper was in December!

There is no way I can finish all my posts stored in my drafts folder so I will just fill you in on life with one quick post and try to post more frequently from here on out!

Lately life has been incredibly beautiful and exciting.  So many of our family members and friends have been blessed with wonderful news.

Anastasia Treantos became Anastasia Jones this past weekend! How gorgeous is this couple!?!? We have driven to Omaha more times in the past two months than we have in the past 2 years....but it was all worth it for this special couple ;o) A big thanks to my mother in law for babysitting Koukla!

On the same day, May 19th, my friend Darcy married her best friend Brett.  I so wish I could have been in two places at once that night to see both of my friends be gorgeous brides. No pictures from her wedding yet.....

Jake and Jordyn moved from NOLA back to KS which we are thrilled about! They also came back as a family of four! Welcome baby Emmett!

My friend Erin (she introduced Brent and I) and her husband James had their first baby this past weekend, Kendall is her sweet name.  We are going to Hays to meet her this weekend!

My friend Tricia and her husband Kevin announced they are expecting their first "bean" this November! YAY!!

We baptized beautiful Benjamin (see previous post for more pictures) back in March. We spend Wednesday evenings on Skype catching up. It is so important to me that he recognizes us as Nouna and Nouno next time we visit.

Our other beautiful godchild Eli also has a new baby brother.  Welcome baby Gabriel! We are so crazy about Jouras babies!!!

My heart is filled with so much joy.



Benjamin Nicholas

Brent and I continue to be blessed.  We were asked to be the Godparents of this sweet boy, Benjamin. Watching him dance and smile from ear to ear was such a treat! A huge thank you to Nick and Ira for choosing us. We couldn't be happier.

On March 3, 2012, we celebrated Ben's baptism in Albequrqie, NM. 

It was in this beautiful church that we prayed for him

 

And showered him with love. 

And Benjamin, well he knew it, and he was all smiles!

We love you sweet boy!

A Very Merry Christmas

Boy has Christmas changed since I was little.  My sisters and I used to spend Christmas Eve making cookies for Santa and sprinkling reindeer food (i.e. glitter) in the front yard.  We would try and stay up as late as we possibly could to try and catch Santa coming down the chimney.  My sister Kristina once swore to my parents that she saw all Santa's reindeer in the front yard.  

But as we have grown older, the significance of this day has grown much larger.  This Christmas we celebrated the two most important things in our lives.  Our dear lord and savior Jesus Christ, and family.  

Our day looked a little like this....

Church. Where Father Papedo gave a beautiful service...as always. We snuggled up with our favorite kiddos, Eli and Eleni who were all dressed up in their finest Christmas attire.  

Home. To laugh and love with sisters and cousins, a yiayia, a papou, a mom, a dad, and a hubby.

Brunch. A Sleder Christmas tradition. Mom makes ham, apple pancake, cheesy grits, fruit salad, and some sort of hot beverage spiked with rum and cinnamon...YUM!

Nap. Because we were so full ;)

Alexia and Tula came over for more couch time and a movie. 

Bed.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Love,

The Draper's

Christmas with the kiddos

These little ones were thrilled to have Christmas dinner at their mimi's house. I like to think it's because they are excited to spend time with their grandma, aunts and uncles.....but at this age, I think it has more to do with what's inside the colorful wrapping paper :o) 

And that's okay,  because they are just too stinkin' cute!

Giving Thanks

We could not have asked for a more perfect Thanksgiving.  The weather was perfect, the food...oh the food was amazing and the compay, well that was the best. 

This year we continue to be thankful for the wonderful blessings in our life.

Like siblings

And these sweeties

our families

 celebrations

each other

We are Thankful.

Halloween

Just wanted to share a few pictures of some of our favorite kiddos.  They were all SO cute this Halloween (Ya, I know I am behind on my posts). Happy Tuesday!

Wildcats

Today was a perfect day, for so many reasons...

For him...

And for her...

And for wildcat football!

 GO CATS!

More: Before and After

This weeks progress....

I wish I had a better "before" picture of the family room, but you get the idea.

before and after-just a few

Ever since last Wednesday night, we have been up until after midnight working on the house.  Here are a few before and after pictures.  Hopefully we will have more to share after another weekend of work.

One Year Old

He is ONE.

And to be his god parents is the biggest blessing

Such a sweet and happy boy

And now a big boy!

Happy Birthday Mr. Elias! 

Love Always, 

Nouno and Nouna