Big White 2009

We enjoyed a terrific week at Big White over spring break and were so thankful to be able to stay in the Novak's awesome condo. We had a real mix of sun, cold, snow, cloud but had fun through it all!

On our way, after 2 kids were waiting in the van for half an hour and a dead battery in the Save On parking lot!

Digging the hole and playing in it!

Inside time!

Yummy fondue made by one armed mom and her assistant Brad!

Lots of tubing fun!

Finally, skiing and snowboarding lessons day, well worth the wait!!

Maren practiced her cross country skiing and we got a donut and hot chocolate treat in the lodge while the older kids were on the slopes!!

This was our second day of skiing on Friday, quite cloudy but still beautiful!

Josh and Ethan rode the snowmobiles, Maren found her twin and we warmed up with hot chocolate.

Play time and jet tub time!

Dance Dance Dance

Maren had her last day at jazz dance class today and so we got to watch this time! She had lots of fun and learned a little dance, the tot's bop. Special thanks to her teacher, Lorna, who has infinite patience, we learned today! The blue socks were Maren's pick, BTW!! I'll try to get the video on tomorrow, wasn't working tonight.

Romantic Raclette?

We celebrated Valentine's night with a delicious raclette with Grandma and Grandpa, Hannah, Josh, Nikki and Noah! Maren and Mommy made a Valentine's wacky cake and the kids enjoyed some laughs with Madagascar 2. Some very interesting dance moves were displayed during the credits (I like to move it, move it...I like to moze it, moze it)!!

Have 6 Months Passed Already?!

Our baby Mitchell was 6 months old on January 24th, wow! His first tooth made it's appearance the day before he was 6 months and he's really changing quickly. He likes to roll but doesn't like to be on his tummy. He's refusing to eat food, excersing his will over mom's and I'm being persistent and trying to be sneaky! Oh, the fun begins! He really is a happy boy and at his 6 month check up the doctor said he seemed to have a gentle soul, we'll see if that holds true! He weighed 19 pounds 1 ounce today at his appointment, getting close to doubling his birth weight!

These Days...

Mitchell is suddenly growing up! He had his first taste of rice cereal this week and ate it but didn't seem too excited by it! He was, however, very intrigued by his bib, thanks Nikki! Playing on the floor now involves scooting around on his back and grabbing stuff and getting into things (such as the coffee table!) He rolled over from his back to his tummy all by himself today and screamed and cried (I was in the kitchen and he in the family room). Apparently he wasn't as impressed by his accomplishment as I was! He is weighing in around 19 pounds, what a big boy!

I think we have enough snow now! Well these pictures are from last week and yes, it is melting rapidly this week! Ethan and Maren had lots of fun jumping off the big pile that the graders made on our street and Mitchell watched all the action from the warmth of the living room!

Seven is Sweet!!

Happy 7th Birthday Ethan!! How many cakes does a seven year old get during birthday "week"? "Too many", says mom the baker!!

Ethan had a fun sleepover birthday party with his buddies, Josh, Micah and Isaac. Hannah and Maren joined the party too, or crashed it? The fun night included Wii games, pizza, a Millenium Falcon cake, wonderful gifts, star wars in the dark, little sleep, and a little too much Journey (any way you want that's the way you need it)! Crazy kids!!

A Christmas Collage of Collages!

From Christmas Eve and twin girl cousins...

to waxwings in the backyard...

to a pre-dawn Christmas morning at home...

to Christmas day at Grandma and Grandpa's house (and more presents!)...

to Boxing Day at Leboe's and our initiation into Rockband, minus Corey Hart and Van Halen :( !!...

to sliding and jumping on Saturday...

to some family silliness...

to the arrival of the Breedveld's and more presents on New Year's Eve...

to rosy red faces sliding at -15 degrees...

to lots of sliding fun in fresh snow!...

to our post Christmas and post New Years gift opening (Mike could not have handled this 15 years ago, when waiting til the afternoon was torture!)...

When it's all put together, what a blessing that we can celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus, with each other and marvel at all He has done for us through the happy times and these very sad days also.