Christmas with Grandma Angie and New Years Eve

Grandma Angie got Ben this Nerf dart gun and he loves it.  He also got a basketball hoop that he has made a habit of using every night before bed.  The kids got lots of fun presents and were thrilled with what Grandma got them. 

We didn't have the kids stay up too late, I think it was 10pm when they went to bed, then we started a game of dominoes.  We went to bed between 2/2:30am.  

Jungle George's

We went to Fort Wayne and tried out a bounce house place there.  It was fun, but not Monkey Joes. 

It was quite busy and parents weren't watching their unruly kids.  I am not a fan of having to remind big kids (8+) how to behave.  When we go places, Matt and I WATCH our kids.  You never know who else might be watching your kid too.  It helps if you just KNOW where they are.  Our kids usually do a pretty good job staying together. 

After jumping for a long time, they were tired and hungry.  So we stopped at McDonalds on our way home.  

Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma Horn

We did things a bit different this year and went up to Grandpa and Grandma's house on the 26th.

We did presents today.  The kids were excited.  Ben got a new kindle.

 Ally got lots of clothes for her American Girl, Molly.

 Lucy and Josey got barbies and Barbie furniture.

 Silly faces.

So tired

We drove to Pokagon State Park and went tobogganing.  The kids were tired and we wanted them rested before sledding.  The finally all conceited and slept for us.  They had lots of fun.  Next time we'll have to stay longer and maybe get a cabin too.  I love that Ben is resting his head on Ally and that Lucy went to sleep with her coat on her head.

Merry Christmas

Our family was very excited about Christmas this year.  The kids are at fun ages.  We tried having lots of lessons/teaching moments about why we celebrate Christmas. 

The lone stocking is always a bummer.

 The kids opened their santa stockings and then we moved on to the gifts under the tree.

 Matt and I were really fortunate to find/be given some awesome things that happened to be on a few lists.  Under the sheet is a Barbie house, that I don't think I took a picture of.  Ally got a telescope that was on her list.

 Lucy is our sleeper.  She knows to stay in bed longer if she's still tired.

 YEAH! underwear!

 Brigham had fun unwrapping his present.

 Matt had asked for a mousepad for work.

 We went over to my moms house at 2pm for Christmas.

 Brigham hung out with Tara most of the time.

 Ben got a remote control truck from grandma. 

Christmas at the Zoo

It was a great night for going to the zoo.  It was busy when we got there, but when we left it was CRAZY busy.  The kids were good.  We enjoyed the light displays. It started sprinkling at the end of our visit. 

Christmas Sunday

On the drive home from church I reminded the kids that I was going to be taking their picture.  And if they cooperated it wouldn't be long.  Of course the older ones did well for me.

 And then came Josey's turn.

 Finally put down the train controller and smiled for me...sort of.

 OH NO!  Silly boy.

 Sibling love!

Rec Center Christmas

We did our annual visit to see Santa.  The kids were really good and we were close to the front of the line. 

 Josey WOULD not go near Santa by herself, so she didn't get her picture taken solo.

Since it was early in the day and they had face painting we let the kids do it.  The girls were excited, Ben chose to do the bounce house numerous times instead.

 These are the pictures that the rec center took of the kids and santa:

After this we took the kids and van through a carwash.  We do this so little that they love going.