Our newest Cub Scout!

Sam is the newest Tiger Cub Scout in the Horn family!  Sam is so excited to be in Cub Scouts, and even more excited that Daddy is his Den leader!

Water fight!

Daddy and Ben vs. Nick and Sam

Battling it out with water guns and balloons!

Random photos

School has been in session for a week now, all is well!  Here are a few random pictures…

Annie is quite the hunter!  Nick was the only brave human to touch the snake that Annie brought home for us!

Ben enjoys riding his Big Wheel down to the bus stop in the mornings!

I love the way the backpack fits over the seat.

First day of school - August 12

Back to school day!  

Nick- 2nd

Sam- 1st

Ben- Kindergarten

Before school b-ball with Daddy.

Here comes the bus!

All smiles!  Nick and Sam were ready to get back to school, to see all of their friends and to move up a year to the next class.  Ben was excited to begin his elementary school days.  He marched right onto the bus and only looked back for a few pictures for Mommy.  

School happened to start this year on my birthday-I began my day being sung Happy Birthday to by my 3 sweet boys.  At my request Eric took the day off and we enjoyed a quiet day together after the kids left for school.  We went on a bike ride and went out to lunch.  Later that night we went to dinner at Macaroni Grill.  A perfect birthday.

End of the Summer Fun!

The summer has quickly come to an end!  We made time for one last outing with our friends the Adlongs and the Robinsons where we traveled an hour to Columbus, IN to check out the children's museum- Kidscommons.  Nick and Sam climbed a rock wall, the kids all had fun exploring the museum!  After the museum we ventured across the street for lunch at Subway and more play time on a large indoor climbing structure.  Then we ended our day of fun at a yummy ice cream shop!  

The whole group! (plus one tag along buddy  of Nick's!)

Our families have been friends since we all arrived in Indy, 7 years ago!

The following day Ben's friend invited the boys and I to watch a live broadcast of the noon day news at  Channel 8, the CBS affiliate in Indianapolis.  We sat on the couch right next to the news desk while they were filming!  I was so proud, and relieved! that the boys were so quiet, still and well behaved during the taping!  

The boys and I with Ben's friend Leo.

Later that night we took in an Indianapolis Indians baseball game at Victory Field in downtown Indy.  Eric's office had reserved the corner party pavilion for the evening.   The boys and I got to meet quite a few of Eric's co-workers while enjoying a little dinner before the game.  

Ben and his buddy, Cole sharing a bag of Cracker Jacks, discussing future kindergarten plans.

Ben and his puppy Louise.

Nick is indulging in his creative side with a large amount of clay.

Indiana State Fair

A favorite summer tradition for our family is the State Fair.  This year we rode the fair train for the first time.  It picked us up in Fishers and took us on a 45 minute ride to the fairgrounds.  The boys were all pretty excited about the train ride!

We had our usual corn dogs, elephant ears, french fries, ice cream and taffy, along with a few rides and visited the animals, too!  

It was the perfect day to go to the fair!  Not too hot and a bit overcast.  It also happened to be a Tuesday when Eric was off work- at the tail end of his vacation, so it was much less crowded than it has been in the past when we would go on the weekend.  

Being silly in the dairy barn.

An Art Sale

Before we left on our vacation the boys had been scheming to have an art sale.  They had made many beautiful creations and even a store front sign.  The first day we were home, under Daddy's watchful eye, they had their sale!

We truly live in the best neighborhood.  The kids had many different cars stop and buy their art, including the Fed Ex delivery man!  We even got a chance to meet a new neighbor and her daughter when they stopped to purchase an original! 

Eric was much more optimistic and tolerant than I would have been with the sale!  The boys choose wisely when they asked Eric for his permission and help with their sale.

Nick has gotten a taste as to what it feels like to earn a little cash; he is hooked!  He has even begged to be given chores so that he can make more money.  He's still working on the concept that he has to actually complete the work to be paid the money!

Top Sail Island, one last look

One week at the beach is never enough, it just makes us want to come back again as soon as possible!  

A few last memories…

Our favorite Shark Store!

Eric and I enjoyed a romantic dinner alone on the patio at Daddy Macs in Surf City. 

Early mornings on the deck, watching the waves and looking for the fishing boat and dolphins.

Our home was a tri- plex and Grama was the lucky one to share a unit with us.  She was entertained each morning by these 3 boys, doing their thing! 

Sam's special treat he choose with his good behavior money from the drive!

It made noises and had a red laser light, too!  He was the envy of every male in the house!

We were so lucky with the weather.  On the last day it rained in the early part of the day, so we went for ice cream!

Fishing in the Inter coastal

Most of the week we spent at the beach, except for one fishing excursion in the inter coastal water.  When we were vacationing at Top Sail 2 years ago, we took this same excursion.  The kids, and adults, had just as much fun this time around!

Grama and her crew.

The fish weren't biting much this time but,

Uncle Dan caught a shark! 

That was pretty exciting!

Captain Dan. 

While we were heading back to shore there was lots of time for silly cousin antics!