Twas the night before Christmas…..

We spent Christmas Eve with our good friends the Basile's.  We always enjoy spending Christmas Eve going to church with their family and then back to their home for lots of delicious food and drinks. 

 Before we left for their home Nick put out the cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer, just in case the boys fell asleep on the way back home later that night!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care!

Christmas Eve Mass.

Ben with Wrigley.

Tory, attempting to entertain the boys with a story.  They were way too amped up for that!

Eric and Dave.

Aunt Jeanne and Chris.

Tory and Ivy.

Christmas in Illinois

We traveled to Illinois the weekend before Christmas to celebrate Christmas with our families.  We are fortunate to live just a short drive away from our families; Nick, Sam and Ben enjoy spending time with their cousins and I am happy that they know their grandparents, aunts and uncles.  As our boys grow, it's fun to see the resemblances in looks and behavior traits between our boys and all of our relatives.

Opening presents with Grandma Bonnie.

Our cousin Jackson.

Grama Schraufnagel singing Blue Christmas with her special present from 'The King".  She was a natural with the microphone!

Grampa, cheering on his Packers!  This is where Sam gets his crazy love for the Packers!

Grace and her new Barbie car.  Fortunately, she let me play too!

Ben and Nathan.

 Alex and his girlfriend, Angela.  

Alina and Mike.

Preparing for Christmas

We enjoyed the month of December and all of the activities that we did to prepare for Christmas.

The boys love to make sugar cookie cut outs.

Can't forget the frosting!

A visit to the zoo for Zoo Lights!  We lucked out on the weather this particular night.  No hats, scarfs  or mittens needed!

Santa Claus made a stop off in our neighborhood just before the 25th courtesy of the Zionsville Fire dept.  The boys and I were absolutely thrilled to see Santa drive by on a firetruck, in our neighborhood.  Small town living at its best!

Sam's new smile!

Sam lost his first tooth!  It had been loose for awhile and finally came out.  Nick came charging into my room the other morning announcing "Emergency, emergency!  Sam lost his tooth"!  Sam was very excited to have his first visit from the tooth fairy and to receive a golden dollar coin.

A visit with Santa Claus

Saturday morning we had our annual trip to the zoo for breakfast with Santa.  This is the 6th year that we've been and something that Eric and I look forward to each year.

Waiting to see the big man in red.

Ben is asking Santa for a dart gun and a bow & arrow.  He's is obviously trying to defend himself from his 2 older brothers!

Sam, a Wii and games for it.

Nick would like a Sun Devils t-shirt, Pokemon cards and NFL trading cards.

After our visit with Santa, it was cookie decorating time.

Each year Santa remarks on how much the boys have grown from the previous year and comments on Nick's glasses.  So very sweet!

This is from our first year attending the breakfast.  Nick was just 2 years old, Sam 10 months, and I was pregnant with Ben.  Wonderful family memories for the Horn family.  And Santa is right, they sure have grown!

First real snowfall of the season!

We awoke this morning to a few inches of snow!  The kids' start of school was delayed by 2 hours, which was just the perfect amount of time for us to go outside to play in the snow!

Even the cats had to check out this cold white stuff!

Nick, quite the daredevil!

Sam kept sliding down the hill backwards.

Ben had the idea to make a sweet snow angel,

next he was ready to start a snowball fight!  So much for his angelic side!

Jack and Annie.

Our kittens Jack and Annie have adjusted well to our active home and they seem happy to be a part of it, even with all of the crazy stunts that we pull on them!  

Jack, modeling his Halloween costume.  That silly cat sat still for the longest time so that I could get his picture!

Annie, being smothered with love from Ben.

The Christmas tree.  The cats became very interested in the Christmas tree when it went up last weekend.  They will not leave it alone!  You can find them climbing the branches to find the perfect resting spot, snuggling together on the tree skirt, or batting at the jingling ornaments.  

Here's their favorite tree to climb!  The kittens enjoy being outdoors with us, especially climbing the trees!