Playing Catch-Up

I guess it's time to catch up everyone with what's happened to the Mantel family since my last post after we had Christmas (early) with Jason's family. On December 25, we took our family up to Drumheller for Christmas with the Olferts. Megan and Ethan enjoyed opening their presents from Grandpa and Grandma and their cousins. Megan received a new Barbie with a horse from Devun and Ethan received a Little People Playset from Katie.

For New Year's, we took our usual family trip out to the Canmore area for skiing. As we had bought Megan a helmet for skiing/skating, we made sure she went skiing at least once. Her reviews of skiing are mixed (sometimes she's willing to go again, sometimes not) and we also thought we'd see what Ethan thought of skiing. Turns out Ethan is possibly going to be our daredevil on the hill. Here's a video of Ethan going down the hill with Jason.

Megan Skiing

Both Megan and Ethan got to go skiing this past week when we were staying in the Canmore area. Here are some pictures of Megan skiing with Grandpa (her favourite ski buddy!).

Skiing with Grandpa

Ready for skiing!

Mantel Christmas 2009

This year we started our Christmas celebrations early as Jason's parents came out from Ontario to have a Christmas celebration with us here! We decided to open presents Saturday night and Megan was more than happy to finally open presents! It took Ethan a couple presents to get the hang of opening them, but I think he enjoyed it too. Here are some pictures of what the kids got for Christmas from the Mantels (Jason and I also received gifts but I wanted to focus on the kids).

Ethan's "New" Bed Update

Unfortunately, the "experiment" with Ethan changing to a bed from the crib was short-lived. As of Friday morning (EARLY). Ethan is back in the crib. We will try this "experiment" again next year.

Ethan's "New" Bed

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Megan is now in a twin bed which allows Ethan to have the toddler bed. Yesterday, I finally took down the crib and put the toddler bed in it's place knowing Ethan would choose the crib over the bed when given a choice. We had no problems getting him into bed last night as he didn't seem to realize he could climb out as well as in. He slept well all night and only got out this morning after Jason checked on him. Naptime was a different story this morning as I tried several times to put him down and leave him only to have him get up out of bed. After delaying naptime for about an hour and rocking him for a few minutes, I was able to get him into bed for a nap and take this picture.

Goofing Off

We recently "upgraded" Megan's bed for her (which she is loving!) from the toddler bed to a twin. We used the frame of my old canopy bed and just added a mattress, boxspring, sheets and comforter to make it "new" for her. This morning, I caught them laying like this together in Megan's bed. I knew I just had to get a picture! :)

Halloween 2009

Here are Megan and Ethan ready to go out Trick or Treating.

Halloween Preview 2009

This year, we decided to let Megan have a choice in what costume she was going to wear for Halloween. After many mind changes (and some firm decision making on the part of Mom and Dad) she decided Snow White was a good costume. This allowed Ethan to be Pooh. After looking through several stores, we finally found a sleeper Ethan could wear under the Pooh suit that matched. So here are some pictures of what Megan and Ethan will look like for Halloween.

First Snow

As many people know, this past week we got a relatively good dump of snow here in Calgary. Megan was really excited for the snow so she could build snowmen and make snow angels. Ethan seemed to enjoy the snow too. Here are some pictures of the kids playing in the snow.

"I'm ready to come in Mom!"

Megan and Ethan playing in the snow.


Ethan ready to go outside.

Wasaga Beach

While we were in Ontario, we took a trip up to Wasaga Beach where Jason's parents have some vacation property. Here is a slide show of some of the pictures from our time there along with a video of Ethan chasing seagulls.

At the Safari

As many of you know, for our holidays this summer, we went to visit Jason's family in Ontario. While we were out there, we took a trip to the African Lion Safari which was near where his parents lived. I have put together a slideshow of some of the pictures from our trip there.

Matching Shirts

Not that long ago, we found these "matching" to do list shirts in one of the quality children's clothing stores we shop at.

Megan's shirt:

Eat Candy

Look Cute

Hug Mummy

Ethan's shirt:

Make a mess

Act innocent

Hug Daddy

A New Niece!

This past weekend, we welcomed baby Sarah Lynn Mantel to our family. This is a new cousin for Megan and Ethan. We're looking forward to meeting her when we go out to Ontario later this month!

Anniversary Weekend

This past weekend, Jason and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary. We celebrated by having my mom pick up Megan and Ethan so we could have a kid free weekend. As part of our celebration, we went out for supper and a movie on Friday and went on a cookout horseback ride on Saturday. Here are some pictures from our ride.

Chief Mountain

A deer spotted on the way

Jason on his horse Wrangler



The cookout site

Jason's self-portrait

Me on my horse Norman

A view of the path we rode along

Jason's horse Wrangler

More Micah Pictures

Here are some more pictures from our trip to meet Micah.

Megan and "Gloria"

At the baby shower

Ethan and Micah

The cousins.

Meeting Micah

This past Monday, the kids and I took a trip up to Edmonton with my mom to meet Micah and attend his baby shower. We had a great time meeting Micah and even Ethan seemed to enjoy the baby shower (especially as it was held somewhere that he could freely roam without problem).

Ethan enjoying a chocolate chip cookie at the baby shower.

Exploring Micah's bouncy chair at Uncle Ryan and Auntie Pam's earlier in the evening.

Cleaning Auntie Pam's floors the next day.

Micah talking to Megan.




Megan holding Micah.



I'll post more pictures as soon as I get copies of the ones my mom took.

Going to the Dentist

Last week, Megan had her first trip to the dentist for a checkup. She had no problems letting the hygenist clean her teeth like a grownup. That's right, Megan got her teeth polished and scaled just like you or I would. I'm so proud of her! Ethan enjoyed wandering around while Megan got her teeth cleaned and got a ride on the chair also. Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera with me so I have no pictures. I'll try to remember it for her next appointment.

Haircuts

Yesterday, we took the kids to Beaners (a great place for kids cuts) and got both kids' hair cut. Beaners is a great place to take kids for haircuts as it is designed to cater to kids, even squirmy ones like Ethan. As it was Ethan's first haircut, we received a certificate for his first haircut as well as some of his hair. Here are some of the best pictures from the kids getting their haircut.

Megan enjoyed getting sparkles and ribbons in her hair after her trim.

Megan's choice of seat for her cut.

Farming

This past weekend we went out to the Olfert family farm near Swift Current to help with seeding. The kids had a great time out at the farm with Grandma and Grandpa O. Megan got the chance to help feed some lambs at Art & Wanda's. She really enjoyed doing it and would love the opportunity to do it again. Megan also enjoyed playing with 3rd cousins Bianca and Sofia. Ethan "helped" Grandpa with the sprayer by "checking" to make sure he was doing things right. There were so many pictures to choose from for this blog, I had to make a slide show.

Random Pictures

Here are a couple random pictures of things that have happened around our house recently.

Ethan cuddling with some stuffed animals in a laundry basket.

Enjoying some chocolate chip pancakes.

Montana Trip

As many of our friends and family know, we recently drove down to Bozeman, Montana for a friend's wedding. We took many pictures on the way there and the way back. I have posted the highlights on Facebook. Here is the link to the album:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=114516&id=605405644&l=185a6a1abf

Walking!!

The weekend before last, Ethan finally decided to start walking. Here is some video of his efforts.

Mommy's Little "Helper"

I think this video is self-explanatory.

Skiing with Grandpa

This past weekend, we went out to Panorama for the annual ski trip with my family. This year we decided to introduce Megan to skiing. Grandpa was the preferred person to teach this in Megan's opinion. Here is a picture and video of Megan and Grandpa skiing.

Megan's Past 3 years

I've been working on a slideshow of our lives for the past 3 years since Megan's birth. I've finally gotten it finished and I hope you enjoy this tribute to our little girl.

Birthday Party

This year we had a joint birthday party for both Megan and Ethan. I have put together a slideshow of the highlights from the party. Enjoy!

Christmas with the Mantels

As many of you know, this year we spent Christmas with Jason's family in Ontario. We were fortunate to fly out before the airports were closed due to snow. I have finally put together a slideshow of some of the Christmas Day highlights.