General Family Updates from January 1, 2008 through January 1, 2009:
>We moved into our new house on March 8th
>We all attended the Wesleyan General >Conference in Orlando, Florida in June
>While there we also took a vacation to Disney World
>We drove up to Michigan a few times to stay at Kathy’s parent’s cottage
>We spent some time at our district Family Camp in Fairmount, IN
>We met Dave’s new nephew Sam and spent a week with him and his parents (John & Mandy) during their visit in May
>Our kid’s new favorite hobby – to sing along to funny songs on the family iPod (see Kathy’s Facebook profile for videos)
Lauren in 2008 Highlights: 
>Turned 3 in July with a “Dora Beach” Party
>Likes to do “hair salon” with her mommy & sister
>Plays dress up constantly (changes clothes multiple times a day)
>Enjoys MOPS group, moms group & Sunday school because she can be with her friends.
>Likes “reading” her preschooler books
>Does not really enjoy coloring (except on the walls apparently)
>She was the first Drury kid to be potty trained – before she was 3
>Lauren rode her first roller coaster this year!
Karina in 2008 Highlights: 
>Karina turned 5 on Easter with a “Madeline” party
>Took Tennis lessons in the fall and learned a ton
>Baked cookies and sold them to everyone she knew to help build a well in Zambia
>Took swimming lessons in the winter
>Loves to draw and color for HOURS each day
>Now wears skirts or dresses only 300 days a year (down from 330 last year) – she’s branching out into pants from time to time
>Loves singing and being in the kids choir at church: http://www.facebook.com/video/?id=744746310&s=30&hash=4b64a4b27478849217551df27c511e90#/video/video.php?v=48402346310849217551df27c511e90#/video/video.php?v=48402346310
>Loves to laugh http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=39833511310
Max in 2008 Highlights: 
>Had a Lego Party for when he turned 8 in June
>Took Tennis lessons in fall
>Loves school and joined the “program challenge” because he’s good with computers
>Was a part of Upward Basketball (January and February)
>Joined Kids Choir at church (see video above)
>Had a fun “Colts Day” at Lucas Oil Stadium on the field where Peyton Manning plays.
>Mastered Mario Cart on the Wii – no one seems to be able to beat him consistently
>Will have a singing part in the school program this year
>Likes Star Wars again (memorizing the 4 minute “Moosebutter” song about it this year)… see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk5_OSsawz4&feature=related)
Kathy in 2008 Highlights: 
>Moved into new house after picking out all the details for it.
>Landscaped the house shortly after move in.
>Got two other moms together and they now do a Supper Swap each week
>Loves her Mom’s Group on Tuesday mornings
>Joined MOPS leadership this year—doing the publicity & newsletter
>Went to the MOPS conference in Dallas with the local MOPS steering team
>Loved watching the Olympics with the family (including making our closing ceremony meal we do every other year – themed around the ethnic food of the host country)
>And she’s indoctrinating the kids in Olympic Love: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=35947271310
>Known as the “queen of Facebook” by her friends
Dave in 2008 Highlights:
>Went on a marriage retreat with Kathy in September
>Went to the “All Pro Dad” event in Indy on the Colts 
Field with Max
>Has led the church through a strategic planning and realignment process this year
>Hired two new wonderful pastors at College Church: Thad Spring & Charlie Alcock
>Loves having a great time with the staff and leaders at CWC – the role and environment has been a great fit.
>On the side he taught the IWU Christian Ministry Capstone class for Seniors about to go into the ministry or to seminary.
>Continued working on vacation days with research assistance for Max Lucado and his forthcoming book on fear (included a trip to San Antonio for planning.)
>His grandfather died in August, which resulted in a trip to Arizona for the funeral—good to see his grandmother, aunts, uncles, extended family.
>He surprised brother John in New Jersey for his birthday party in November – showing up by train after already being in Washington DC for a speaking trip
>Plays cards each week in Marion with a bunch of new friends.
Comments
--Beck