Happy Holidays! (caution...secrets revealed, read at your own risk)

 Our holiday party was a lot of fun! So much fun that Peter decided that he needed to sleep right there..on the couch, all night long! Now that is a good party!

Holiday fun started and Gma Vans House! Do you think these kids were naughty or nice? They look pretty innocent here in this picture.

Cousins came from all around....watch out grandma!

Cousin pig pile!! there are 5 boys in that chair.

The sibling gift exchange was loads of fun, filled with steals and bartering. I think in the end everyone was happy with their gift.

The cousins were all routing for their respective parent.

Packer vs Steelers.....Patrick and I cheered out best....with little luck. We really needed a christmas miracle....almost had it, but lost at the last second. There is always next week against the Bears.

Back at home we stacked our new reading pillow, bean bag chairs and down blankets for our annual viewing of The Christmas Story.

We opened gifts that came from all around. Thanks L&L for our Zarts

And Thanks to the Texas Cullens for our shirts and sport bags! We are excited for the olympics!

Lutz and Christine's package came just in time!

and we gave the boys bows and arrows. (too bad it is too snow to shoot them. we will have to wait for spring)

Christmas Day came with more surprises from Santa

The largest Lego set Peter has ever had!

And a Nickel skateboard for Jamison! (just wait for the first trip to the ER)

Unfortunately Indy was on the naughty list for peeing on the tree. Santa knows everything!!

Now for the secret......Earlier this year Peter busted the tooth fairy. I was afraid that the boys would set a trap for the man in red. We found out later that the boys decided not to bust Santa because if they learned the truth they may never get presents again.  Well, no trap was set. So we decided to ask the boys if they still believed in Santa and they said yes, but because they know we would never spend that kind of money. We came clean....and assured the boys the presents would still come every year...as long as they were good. The boys were relieved.

New snow.....mean snow fun!

and Legos and more Legos mean more indoor fun. It should be a good break!

Thanksgiving Break

 We are in the off-season of soccer. BUT the boys signed up for an indoor futsal league.

 They are really enjoying it! Here are the three Mount Horeb kids on the team. The coach was trying to recruit the boys for another town's outdoor league...but the boys will stay true to MH.

We hosted Coach Chris, from England. He was here for a few months coaching the older soccer kids. He stopped on his was home to say goodbye.

Indy and Peter reading. I never knew cats li ked to read.

We dog sat Turbo for our friends. He was a good dog, except for the runner in him. He earned double lease privileges. I don't think Jamison wants to give him back.

Another birthday....with ears.

 Peter really has to learn how to comb his hair.

Thanksgiving break the boys learned a few new card games....King's Corners with gma Jill.

 and Cribbage with gpa Van.

mmmmm, turkey. He ate the whole leg!

 We love Turbo!

 The boys are sure getting older. This year they both had a crack at cutting down our Christmas tree. Peter made a lot of grunting noises, but did not make much progress.

Jamison got right in there...and got snow in his pants.

 It is going to be a nice one this year...if the boys can actually get it to the car.

Happy Thanksgiving.