Gatherings

Christmas at the Martens household!

One of Cole's favourite presents was a pair of boxing gloves and a punching bag!

More Webkinz to add to the family!

A cardboard box - still a great toy!

Christmas as Grandma Ann's & Grandpa Berns!

Hulk gloves !

A special book Mackenzie and I made for Grandma & Grandpa!

Christmas Stuff

Mackenzie was the librarian in her school Christmas Concert. She was very excited to have some speaking parts and she did a wonderful job with it.

Cole was also very excited about his Christmas program. His class sang some songs and said a few poems and then the party began! We were treated to a room full of Christmas games to play with Cole and lots of goodies to eat. Here he is making a guess at how many candy canes are in the jar.

One of the kids favourite holiday traditions is making Schmondt Kuche (Cream Cookies). Once again they were very eager helpers and did a great job cutting the cookies out of the dough. Of course there was a few licks and stolen pieces of dough! Thanks for the great PJ's Aunty Jane!

Grandma Ann helped the kids make these yummy chocolate houses! First they melted the chocolate and poured it into moulds and then put the houses together when the chocolate set! YUM YUM YUM!

All dressed up in front of the tree!

Fester was very interested in the milk and cookies left for Santa. He jumped up onto the coffee table which is extremely difficult for him in his old age. He sniffeed the cookies and then lay down beside them for the rest of the evening!

Christmas morning under the tree!

Dress Up

Winter would not be complete at the Martens' household without a little dress-up session! This time the kids raided our closet and found some of our clothes to dress up in - complete with our old glasses!

Life

I always find it amazing how busy life can get in once the routine of school is back in place and the long, cold winter sets in! Here are a few collages of what we have been busy with. To see a larger version of the collage just click on the picture.
The kids had a great time decorating our Christmas Tree this year. They patiently waited while we set up the tree and the lights and found a way to pass the time by playing with all of the ornaments they have collected over the years. Cole once again sported his summer wear - a muscle shirt and shorts - while decorating. Elroy and I could pretty much sit back and relax while they filled the trees with ornaments!

Mackenzie's Gymnastics group had an evening for parents at the end of November! Mackenzie was very excited to show us all of the new things she was learned this year including line dancing to Boot Scooting Boogie! She really seems to be enjoying herself this year with gymnastics and is very proud of her new found abilities to complete cartwheels!

Remembrance Day weekend we headed to Grand Forks with the Sawatzky Clan for some R & R and a little shopping. The kids had a great time with Grayson & Logan! The pool was once again a big hit as was the mini-golf course in the pool area!

Trick or Treat

On Halloween Cole had Scarecrow day at school and got to dress up as you guessed it - a scarecrow!

Mackenzie had Pumpkin Day on Halloween and got to dress up. My class also had Pumpkin Day! If you can't quite guess my costume I am a proud Pumpkin Farmer!

Some friends popped in before Trick or Treating! Cole decided to be The Hulk this year - he was a very cute Hulk and he loved his big muscles. Mackenzie was her favourite Hannah Montana - complete with the blonde wig!

Here are the pumpkins that the kids carved this year! We had such a beautiful night for trick or treating. We didn't even need to bundle up in parkas!! YEAH! After our rounds of trick or treating we headed to a Family Fun Costume Dance at our church to end the evening!

Girls' Nite Out

Mackenzie received a "Girls' Nite Out" for her birthday this year! Our day began with a trip to Giselle's Spa for a pedicure! First, the girls had to choose their colours!

Next, it was time to soak their feet in some warm, bubbling chocolate milk? - and get a nice relaxing foot massage!

What could be better than sipping juice while getting your nails done?

Waiting in the lounge with some fresh fruit for the nails to dry!

High School Musical 3 here we come!

We ended the day with supper at Moxie's! The girls had a blast in the washroom and spent most of their time in there hanging out! Cheers to a great evening! Happy Birthday Girls!