Christmas Break!

Today was officially the first day of Christmas break here.  The kids took full advantage of it out in the snow...well, the younger three did.  It was "too cold" for the oldest.

desperately trying to make an igloo with the little snow we have

Deep Thoughts....

Swimming part 2

 Sara had her second swim meet on Saturday.....

Warm-ups

Waiting for her events

Waiting some more....

Getting ready to swim the back stroke.  This was a huge meet for the venue...a crazy number of people!  This was the girls in her age group getting ready to swim their heats

Smiles all around at the end of the her events.  She improved her free style swim by 9 seconds and her back stroke by 7 seconds!

yuuuummmmmmy!

 Friday afternoon was cookie time at the Horn house.....

I love this kid!

Nathan waiting for the bus...

The debut...

Last night was our first of two school concerts for the season....the girls' Christmas concert.  Ashley made her debut playing the oboe.  So proud of her....it has a been a challenge for a girl that doesn't see many challenges in her life.  She has stuck with it and can make the oboe sound beautiful.  Sara is still at the flute and also makes beautiful music.

'Tis the season.....

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year spent with the Horn side of the family.  Joe and I ran in our first Drumstick Dash and actually managed to lose a pound or two over the weekend (woohoo!).  Two of the kids braved some early morning shopping on Black Friday with Joe & I.  And we had a great time catching up with family.  Unfortunately, I didn't take my camera, so you will just have to trust me that we all had smiles on our faces.

When we got home it was time to transition the house into a Christmas theme.  It was a "times are changin' and kids are getting older" kind of an evening for me.  I didn't bring any of the boxes upstairs and I didn't put a single ornament on the tree.  The kids and Joe pretty much did all of it.  And I haven't even moved around any of the ornaments on the tree...  They did a really good job! And here are some pics...obviously not in any particular order...

We have also launched our other advent traditions....Christmas kisses countdown, advent readings and the reading of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  If you have not read it, it is my favorite Christmas book.  I highly recommend it!  We hope you are enjoying this advent season as we not only look to Christmas Day 2012, but look forward to that day when Christ will return!

The first celebration of the season...

With their cub scout pack

Sara is in the second row in the middle.

Our annual town Christmas parade was today.  I am not sure you could find any child more excited than Nathan or less excited than Sara. 

A beautiful Saturday Morning

 It was an absolutely beautiful morning here.  I spent it soaking up the view and sounds.

lego man

I wait all fall for this bush to turn this color.  It finally turned this past week.  I get to look at it out my front window.

Nate read me a story.  Do any of your sons bring their sidearms to the table to read?

The finished lego project...getting us all in the Christmas spirit.

The frost was certainly on the pumpkin this morning...

Ashley's Speech at State

Ashley participated on speech team this year.  She had so much fun.  Since she is just a 5th grader she was only allowed to do one.  So she chose to do a solo.  They also have duets, chorus, improv., etc.  I anticipate that next year she will do the most she can which I believe is three.  For those not familiar with speech, it is really more "acting" than just standing up and giving a speech.  They have a conference competition and then a state competition.  For those who maybe participated in band solo and ensemble contest as a kid (or has a kid in it), these competitions are very similar.  You are basically competing against yourself.  Ashley scored a first at both Conference and State.  She did an awesome job!

MY boys of fall

Nathan at quarterback position

"Big John" was John's nickname by his coaches.  I foolishly had him block me after one of his games while he was still in his pads.  Man does he hit hard...

Here he is on the "O" line trying to keep #1 from getting through

Both of the boys played football again this fall.  Nathan was still in flag football (and, much to his frustration, will be next year too).  John played his first year of tackle.  Both boys had wonderful coaches and had a wonderful season!