New Books From Miss Janet!

The kids were so, so excited to receive new books from Miss Janet, my dear friend in Iowa. She sends the kids a big box of brand new books every year for Christmas and these arrived on Christmas Eve morning! The kids were so happy with her choices for them and Noah and Rachel both actually finished one of their books the same day they arrived in the mail! Kate loves all of her books too and we read several of hers that day as well. :) Happy to have such good and eager readers. Thanks Miss Janet!! We love you!!

Christmas Eve: Our Family Traditions

 Upon arriving back at home after celebrating with our extended Hornback family, we settle into our own annual Christmas Eve traditions. They kids look for Santa with Doug on NORAD, tracking to see where he is at the moment and amazed to see how many presents he has already delivered! They carefully pick out which cookies to leave for Santa (and chocolate milk!) and head outside to leave Reindeer food. Then we all snuggle up on the couch to read The Christmas Story, about Jesus' birth and T'was The Night Before Christmas, this particular book, a popup from my own childhood. We talk about our day and they of course tell us how excited they are about tomorrow.... and then we get them settled into bed -- all of them in Noah's bed (as he has the biggest one.). Then I tuck them in and give them a kiss and listen to their excited giggles as I head back up the stairs.... Oh how I love the magic.

Hornback Christmas 2013

We all had a lovely evening celebrating Christmas with Doug's family on Christmas Eve. The kids were all so, so, so very excited and they couldn't wait to open presents... Can't imagine why.... Ha ha! We shared a meal and then it was time to get down to the business of unwrapping those presents!

A Christmas Fruit Tree!

I was so happy with how this fruit Christmas tree I made for my Mom turned out. She saw a picture of one in a magazine and wistfully said how fun it was and how much the kids would enjoy it. Challenge accepted, Mom. You don't have to ask. I love to do things like this for her and she smiled so big when I walked into the house with it. Yay!! ... and p.s.-- the kids did love it! :)

Making Christmas Cookies!

 Oh, how the kids love to make Christmas cookies... The whole process of rolling out the dough, cutting out the shapes, getting them on the pan and in the oven, smelling them bake, taste testing.... decorating, icing and sprinkling them with all the Christmassy goodness.... It is their favorite cookies to make. I love to watch them have fun with it. The finished cookies are gorgeous and gloomy and yummy and wonderful! :)

Noah's Creative Productions Program -- He Had A Solo!!

Doug and I really enjoyed going to Noah's Creative Productions class program. He was so happy to see me, Dad and Kate walk in to listen and enjoy his class's music. He played the guitar, "Stir It Up", by Bob Marley and also had several songs that he played on the keyboard. He also had a SOLO!!! He hadn't told us he would be playing a solo for the program! He played Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer! He did great and we were all very proud of him! Keep up the good work, Noah!