SURPRISE!!!!

Just before the Christmas holidays started I told the kids that I was going to take them out of school for the afternoon and we would go finish up the Christmas Shopping in Winnipeg with Grandma. Before we left for Winnipeg, we were going to stop at Grandma's house for lunch. When we walked into the apartment, Bruce & Jaime and the kids were sitting on the couch wearing Mexican wrestling masks. At first, Mac & Cole were not to sure about what was going on, but it didn't take them long to figure out who was sitting on the couch. They were very excited and gave each other huge hugs and kisses. What a great way to start the Christmas holidays!

Throughout the week we were treated to many fashion/talent shows from the kids. They were hilarious!!!! The kids played so well together and had so much fun!

Grandma also got chocolate houses ready for all of the kids to decorate. The kids had a great time decorating their houses with lots and lots and lots of candy!!

The finished products! They looked great and tasted even better! Thanks Grandma for getting that ready for all of us!

Another fashion/talent show!

We had some great weather while during the holidays and we spent alot of time outside snowmobiling, four-wheeling, sliding down the big hill and skating on the pond.

Hizee was very determined to skate by herself. She would push Jaime's old carriage a little ways in front of her and then skate her way back to the carriage.

Making oreo cookies with Grandma! Yummy!!!

Hizee and Cole decorating some Christmas cookies!

Christmas is a Comin'

The kids were excited to make "Schmondt Kuche" once again! They did a great job this year and this time made it through the whole process from start to finish. Of course, there favourite part is sneaking pieces of yummy dough!

All cozy and rosy! After playing outside they decided to cuddle with one another to warm up!

Cole's Christmas Concert - He had been humming and singing Christmas songs all of December. One of his favourite songs was "Angels We Have Heard on Time". When I tried to correct him, he was very quick to tell me that I was wrong because that was how they sang the song at school! I guess there's always lots of versions!

Decorating the tree! Once again the kids were very helpful and excited! Elroy and I could sit back and they did a wonderful job decorating the tree!

Mackenzie was also very excited for her school Christmas program. She did a great job singing in the choir!

Fall Fun

We had a beautiful fall this year and took full advantage of the beautiful weather by spending as much time outside as we could. We headed to the Pembina Hills one Sunday for a hike with some friends. Mac brought along her camera and this is one of the shots.

We were also lucky enough to go to a Bombers game and actually see them win! The kids had a blast and enjoyed watching the game and everything else that was going on around them. Uncle Bruce's name came up quite often as we talked about how much he would have loved to have been there.

Halloween

Cole dressed up as Wolverine for Halloween this year! Mr. Hicks - the principal - also was dressed as Wolverine!! Super Powers at their best!

Carving the pumpkin!!! This year Cole was actually brave enough to stick his hand inside of the pumpkin. Usually, he can't get over the smell and keeps his distance from the whole situation!

Halloween day was a perfect day to rake the leaves on the yard! The kids were used as human weights, so that the leaves would not blow off the trailer as Elroy drove to our neighbours house to dump the leaves.

All ready to go trick or treating! Cole was Wolverine. Mackenzie asked to be an old fashioned girl this year. When I asked her what that meant she replied with "You know Mom, someone from the '80's." So . . . that's what she was an '80's chick! I couldn't decide what to be this year so I jumped in with Mac's theme and dressed up as myself in Grade 12!

Mac's B-day

Mac had 4 friends over for her Sleepover Party! We started out by tie dying our own t-shirts!

Next, it was time to hit the spa! Pedicures, facials and foot massages!

Time to relax with a few cucumbers!

Happy 9th Birthday Mackenzie!

It was very hard to cut this cake! The girls each ate themselves - some of them couldn't eat their heads and took them home with them!

Breakfat the next morning - pancakes with strawberries, chocolate chips and whip cream!

Cole was very excited to give Mac her gift. He was very proud of decorating and wrapping her gift all by himself.

A new camera from Mom & Dad!

Mac's B-day Cake

My friend Lisa and my Mom came over to help create Mac's sleepover birthday cake. We found an idea on the net and then started to create our own. We started with a slab cake covered in icing.

We then added the heads which were made out of fondant(icing sugar & marschmallows) and the bodies which were made out of Twinkies!

Next, we tucked everybody in with a cozy blanket of fondant!

Then it was time to do some decorating! We rolled out some more fondant and used cookie cutters to make the little shapes on the blanket!

To make the hair we used a garlic press! We tried to colour the hair to match the girls at the party.

And here it is . . . the finished cake! Mac is the girl in the middle! Thanks again to Mom and Lisa for all of your help!