Holiday Happenings

So I realized it has been a couple of days since I posted. We've been in the midst of holiday happenings which have included:

• the best Christmas day ever...it gets better and better as the kids get older. Just wait until you see the pictures of the new rocker in the family. We also made cupcakes with our new cupcake maker and all got addicted to Webkins.
• traveling to Indiana in the rain and making a record number of stops ("I really have to go this time mom! I didn't have to when we stopped for so and so.") This actually was a monumental trip. It is the first time in 8 years that we have traveled without diapers and wipes. Now that, my friends, is a milestone.
• hanging out with the Snow family..all together for the first time in three years. I'm afraid our children are corrupting their cousins--a lot of new maybe not so good tricks (some involving cap guns)
• it was in the 60s here today...WOW!--lots of Christmas frisbee and tree climbing

and now it is time for another game of Settlers of Catan. I'm determined to win at least once and maybe could if they told me all the rules before the game started (no, I'm not competitive at all). Just thought I'd give you a quick update. Look forward to lots and lots and lots of pictures (probably a lot more than you care to see.)

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE HORNS!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

2008 Christmas Program

Our church had their annual children's program a couple of weeks ago and I thought you'd like to see a couple of pictures of the angels and Joseph & Mary.

Ice Storm 2008

I realized I never posted a follow up to my ice storm preparations. Hopefully I wasn't holding any of you in suspense (I'm sure y'all sat around wondering and wondering...does she have power or does she not). Anyway, we did have a whopper of a storm. We were very blessed and maintain power throughout the whole weekend. I must say that I think it is a miracle considering the state of the weather conditions outside. My new ice storm motto is....always be prepared. Even if you don't lose power it's fun to light candles and lanterns for a Christmas party.

The biggest difference between this ice storm and others I've watched from the warm indoors is that our ice isn't going away with this one. They think it may melt on Friday. They are predicting it to reach 40 degrees. I'm somewhat skeptical because it has been arctic cold here and now we have a bunch of new snow on top of the ice not to mention a small layer of ice and snow under our 1/2" of ice. We'll see if it's gone by March. Thought you might enjoy some pictures of our glassy wonderland. It has made some of us feel as though we are living in Narnia.

Yep, that's part of our tree in the road. They had to cut a big limb off so the snowplow could get through the street.

A Merry Open House

Last night we held our annual Christmas Open House. We started this when we were in Iowa with our neighborhood. We've expanded since we've moved here and now invite the neighbors, church attenders, and pretty much anyone else we know. We think we had around 80 people come through the house last night. We may need to go to two nights next year....especially considering that yesterday was perhaps one of the nastiest weather days we've had in all of 2008. People had to bear -20 wind chill, slick roads and blowing ice chips to get here. Taking pictures crossed my mine several times, but as you can see there are none. So you will just have to use your imagination. On the menu last night was Joe's fried turkey, BBQ cocktail wienies, chips, salsa & cheese, mini pecan pie muffins, brownie bites and mini chocolate chip cookies and a vast supply of coke products. I think Sara summed it up well "Mom, this party is AWESOME!" It was awesome fun and if you didn't make it this year then hopefully you can come next year!