Post Christmas fun in Indy

We ran out of time before Christmas to visit  Zoo Lights this season.  A couple of days after Christmas we went to dinner at Oceanaire in downtown Indy, visited the Circle and the lights and finished the night with Zoo Lights.  Phoebe joined us and we all had a great time together!  There were less crowds, which was nice, but the post Christmas feel wasn't quite the same exciting feeling as the week before Christmas.

 

Christmas

We spent Christmas Eve with the Basile family, our tradition.  We met them at Mass and then went to their home for an evening of food, drinks, friendship and laughter.  

Our kids are all growing up, having grown up conversations about their futures.    

Christmas morning!

The boys patiently posed on the stairs for a picture before heading downstairs to see what the big man is red brought them!  

Favorite Gifts-

Ben: Racing headphones

Nick: golf clubs

Sam: Various college shirts

Ruby: She celebrated her 11th birthday!  and she liked everything because she could eat it all!

Our advent calendar this year, a canine calendar.  Ruby approved.

It was a relaxing day at home with a delicious lasagna, spaghetti and meatball dinner to cap off the day!

I am so thankful for days like today where we can all be together.

 

This week

Ben had a personal piano recital for Eric and I, Carols and Cocoa.  Our piano teacher, Mrs. Dant has the sweetest, low stress recitals for her students.  We sipped on our cocoa while Ben played Christmas carols for us.  All 3 boys took piano lessons beginning at age 5 with Mrs. Dant.  Nick and Sam both stopped playing their freshman years.  I'm so happy that Ben continues to play!

Stash once again, was around to listen to Ben's music!  

We dined at Stonecreek, where Nick is a bus boy.  Multiple co-workers told us how much they liked Nick and also how hard he works.  It was so humbling to hear those kind words about our son.  

 

Family Christmases

Celebrating Christmas with our families has always been a priority for us and something that we look forward to.  This year we did things a little differently. 

We celebrated with the Schraufnagel side of the family In St. Louis.  We rented a large home and gathered with Lisa and Bill and all of their kids and grandkids!  We ate lots and played some fun games, like Disney Headbands!  Then we all stayed the night for one big slumber party.  After a hearty breakfast we said goodbye and headed back to Indiana to get ready for the boy's last week of the semester.

The following weekend we traveled to Springfield to celebrate with the Horn side of our family.  Once again we rented a large home to gather together.  On Friday night Grandpa Dan and Grandma Jill and her boys and families all came over for a feast of Italian food.  It was so great to see everyone!  

 The next day Grandma Bonnie came over for the day.  We snacked on cheese and crackers and punch then made a prime rib with all of the fixings for dinner.  Lots of fun was had by all!

Dan, Deena and their kids, along with Aaron and Angela were all there for the entire weekend slumber party!

 

Deck the Halls!

It's December and we are getting ready for the holidays, decorating inside, and outside, too.

I tried something new, wreath making with my friend Jody.  

I think it turned out pretty good!

Nick and I went to listen to Phoebe sing at the Carol of Homes for Show Choir.  Listening to Christmas carols and seeing beautifully decorated homes get me into the Christmas spirit!

Ruby is quite the model! 

She just returned from the groomers with her spiffy new bandana!