Spring is Here

Since the last posting we have celebrated Chinese New Years, Valentines Day and our meeting Mia, 6 birthdays, enjoyed the warmth of March Break and have enjoyed a family Easter Weekend close to home.  A day of canoeing in Algonquin Park on the Barron River was a highlight--the Easter bunny on his way through the park must have dropped some of his treats as we found some on the portage and at our lunch spot.  We also enjoyed eating a bunny cake to celebrate Emily's special day.
The crocuses and other spring flowers are coming up; peas have been planted, carrots soon; seedlings have been started in the house (peppers and tomatoes) and we recently added 7 chickens to our family after a year of not having any.   Samuel and Emily are officially in charge and will soon have their first sales.  (our property is considered 'agricultural' so may as well make use of that designation)

February 15th--one year since

Mia legally became a part
of our family

March 1st We
celebrate Benjamin
and Mia's birthday--
ice cream brownie
sundaes for all

                     

Traditional birthday treat:
Banana Cream Pie

We paddled against the wind all the way to our lunch spot
and later into the canyon. Thankfully, unlike some
years, the wind did not change direction on our
way back so the highlight of the day
became sailing in our canoes.

Nearly the whole family--Daniel stayed home but our
friend Samantha came along.  Did I mention it was a
little cold out?

Following the Easter
Bunny can be quite a
challenge in our yard

Outdoor Fun

Outdoor Fun     We have a layer of ice outside and a couple of centimeters of snow only but that did not stop anyone from doing all the proper winter activities--sliding, x-country skiing (around the house), snowshoeing (not really needed but fun, especially leaving dinosaur footprints for Benjamin, and today--fort building with an attempt at an igloo.  Unfortunately those attempts are being iced over right now and may disappear with the snow expected.  And after outdoor time...hot chocolate or hot apple cider, treats and game time.

And, to celebrate the day before Mike turns 50! we headed outside for some fireworks--fun!!

Merry Christmas on Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas from in front of our tree.  Mia did not like the flash after the first time where everyone was not quite ready but she sure enjoyed the rest of our evening as we sang songs, skyped with the grandparents and opened gifts from family--each other and grandparents.  Lego and books and games were the dominant theme of the evening.  Santa just passed the Ivory Coast so we will soon head to bed as he is expected to come tonight; he sent each of the kids a personalized video; only one of the kids was on his naughty list but looks like Santa will still bring something as he still printed up a ticket for the elves.

You are all in our thoughts and we wish you lots of joy during this Christmas season.

Love Karin, Mike, Daniel, Sarah, Emily, Samuel, Benjamin and Mia

PS: 

If you have a chance here are 2 sites we would like to share with you.  The first is a simple yet powerful story told without spoken words titled 'The coat':  http://lds.org/pages/the-coat?lang=eng&query=coat+(collection%3a"media

The second is a link to a beautiful Christmas Devotional given earlier this month--can be viewed all at once or in parts:  http://lds.org/broadcasts/archive/christmas-devotional/2011/12?lang=eng   Enjoy!