Winter Fun

Sorry for the scattered pictures - it was just easier to download a whole bunch then to organize them! Despite the often cold weather we have managed to keep very busy this winter with many different activities. The kids had skating lessons every Monday evening and performed in a skating carnival at the end of the season! Mackenzie's group skated to an Elvis tune - complete with poodle skirts! And Cole's wild and crazy group were a bunch of cool dudes from the 50's sporting sun glasses and hockey skates! We also spent alot of time playing outside. We had the biggest snowdrifts ever on our yard this year - some of them as tall as our neighbour's garage! Our yard was a great place for the kids to play and explore. We also spent time again on our neighbour's pond skating and playing hockey! Our new snowmobile also provided lots of entertainment along with our neighbour's Kitty Kat which the kids loved to ride! The kids also found plenty to do inside from painting to building huge forts in the living room to playing dressup! Poor Cole - one of these days he's not going to let his sister put him into dresses anymore!!! Does anyone recognize the lovely glasses Cole is wearing with the green dress?

We also spent two weekends with friends at their cabins! The kids had a great time snowmobiling and playing outside with their friends. They even tried their hand at ice fishing - no luck though! We also braved the cold and had a wiener roast We spent two weekends away at friends' outside when it was -30!

Mack & Cole getting ready to go down the big hill at the nature pond!

Christmas with Grandpa John & Grandma Marilyn

This year we spent Boxing Day at the Martens'! We had a great day of opening gifts, playing with toys, sitting in the hot tub, having naps, watching movies and eatting lots of food!! Mackenzie got her very own deer to cuddle just like Grandmas! Cole's new piggy bank - complete with lights and train noises everytime you put money in!
Mackenzie with he very own Canadian Doll named Alexi! She came with her own journal and different outfits!

Cole was once again happy to find more costumes - this time a Ninja!

Cole's all time favourite gift - an Optimus Prime transformer helmet - it even changes your voice when you speak into it!

In the evening Mackenzie played some Christmas songs for everyone on the piano!

Christmas Day

This year we were able to spend Christmas Day entirely at our house! The kids were up bright and early at 7:15 and were eager to unwrap the packages under the tree! The kids picked out some scrapbook supplies and a cart for me from Rhubarb Roots! Not hard to put that gift to good use!

Mackenzie loved opening all of the goodies in her stocking! From earrings to socks she loved it all!
Cole also found lots of goodies in his stocking!
Mackenzie made us a Christmas card at school and was more than happy to take our picture!

Cole's favourite gifts this year were the many costumes he recieved!!! Spiderman, Batman, Power Ranger, Pirate and a football costume have now been added to his costume collection!
Mackenzie was thrilled with her new Hannah Montana MP3 player!
Cole with yet another costume!
Everyone always needs new games at Christmas!

Xmas with Grandma Ann & Grandpa Bern

We spent Christmas Eve day at Grandma Ann & Grandpa Bern's house! It was great to be able to relax there for the day! We opened gifts, had brunch, played with toys, sat in the hot tub, watched movies and had supper!
Mackenzie got a karoke machine from Grandma & Grandma! It didn't take her long and she was singing along with the gang from High School Musical!
Cole got a Smart Cycle from Grandma & Grandpa! It connects to the TV and he can play racing games which are educational!!! The racing part is totally up Cole's alley so hopefully he'll learn something in the process!
Cole 's new mask from his ninja turtle pajamas!
Mackenzie reading the Christmas Story before we started opening gifts!

Those good old Santa boots were filled once again with lots of candy and treats!
The kids were very excited to be able to open up gifts from their cousins! Cole loved his pirate telescope which will be a great addition to his many costumes!
Mackenzie got a Lip Balm kit and a Chia pet from her cousins!

Dashing through the Snow

Last Saturday we headed to Holland for the Friesen gathering and a sleigh ride in the snow! It was an amazing day with snowflakes falling - it was almost picture perfect! The kids were really excited for the sleigh ride!
Cole and his best friend Jeff during one of our stops when we got stuck!
Everybody had to get out and the men pushed the wagon out!
Whoops! This picture should be at the end! After supper Mackenzie was lucky enough to play Uncle John's mandolin!
Checking out the horses with Uncle Bill!

All bundled up and ready for the snow ride - Grandma Ann, Aunty Sharon and Aunty Jane!
Here we go!
Cheers! Beverages were included and passed out by the flight attendants!!! We even sang a rousing song of Jingle Bells!

Dress Up

Playing dress up is a poular past time at our house! This time Mackenzie got a little wild and crazy when she found my old glasses from when I was a kid! Can you guess what she's supposed to be? A school teacher of course!!!
She then got a hold of her little brother and turned him into a fashion diva!!! She's lucky that he still cooperates with her and he will put on pretty much anything she asks him too!!!
Super Cole! One of his friends borrowed this costume to him!!! I don't think he's taken it off since!
Making cream cookies for Christmas!!