Easter

"I wonder if anyone is watching"

Ben and Cami ready for Easter service.

Ben found his easter basket

Cami found her basket

Ian was happy to dig into his treats.

Family picture in front of church

Kids in front of church. Yes, Ian is sound asleep.

We look forward to Easter as it is a time of renewal as we celebrate our risen Lord. The kids have enjoyed learning about Jesus resurrection in school.  When asked if they were excited about Easter and the easter bunny, Ben responded with "it is when we celebrate Jesus being raised from the dead".  It brings joy to our heart that he is learning about his Lord and Savior.

We seem to be plagued with illness this year, however, we made it a little over 2 weeks without anything until Easter weekend.  Ben and Ian both developed a cold.  Ian spent a few nights having trouble sleeping due to coughing and congestion.  We were disappointed to miss the Kenyon family Easter in Lake Geneva on Saturday because of lack of sleep and illness.  

We awoke Easter morning bright and early as the kids were excited to go on the hunt for their baskets.  The kids were excited to find their treasures of treats and toys.  We left for church and enjoyed a nice service.  It is unfortunate that church can't be that full every Sunday.  Ian fell asleep toward the end of the service (as seen in the pictures above).  

We pray that you all had a blessed Easter and were able to celebrate Jesus resurrection! 

Birthday party for Ben

Ben and his cake

Ben's Star Wars birthday cake.

Yvonne and the kids watching the start of the movie.

The kids are ready for the movie!

Morgan and Ben

Ian trying on Ben's Star Wars mask

Cami is proud of the present that she got Ben.

The kids had fun playing outside on the play system.

Ben liked the present Zach got him!

Cami and Morgan didn't mind being the only girls at the party.

Kobe, Ben, and Caleb waiting for their food.

It was a fun, yet busy day. The kids got pjs on and watched the Star Wars movie.

The kids collected over 200 eggs between them.

Caleb, Ben, Cami, and Jared showing off their bags of eggs.

The kids ran around collecting the eggs from the lawn, trees, and sidewalk.

Posing with the Easter bunny.

Another busy week for the Marthaler family.  Who knew that being unemployed I would actually become MORE busy instead of less.  

On Friday we had an early birthday party for Ben.  His birthday is April 14, but since that is right after Easter, we decided to have it a little early.  Ben invited 8 friends to come to the house for pizza, then to the movie theater to see Monster Vs. Aliens 3D, then back to the house for cake and ice cream and opening presents.  The kids also enjoyed time outside in the backyard playing on the play system while they waited for their parents to pick them up.  It is a good feeling to see a smile on your child's face after a party and they keep telling everyone how 'awesome' it was.  Since Jared and Caleb came from Milwaukee, Ben had invited them to spend the night.  He always enjoys spending time with both of them, so after his other friends were picked up, the boys got pjs on and played with Ben's new toys and then watched part of the Star Wars movie.

Saturday morning came very early as the boys and Cami were up very late.  Jason Weber and Justin spent the morning with Ian playing Frisbee golfing.  For those that are unfamiliar with this sport, it is actually quite fun and we would love to take you frisbee golfing sometime.  I took the four older kids to Easter for Families at St. Paul.  The kids always enjoy this event as they get to do crafts, dye easter eggs, meet the Easter bunny, go on an easter egg hunt, hear the REAL Easter story, and collect a HUGE bag of candy.  This year they concluded with giving away 8 bikes. For the Preschool Girls age group, they called Cami's name.  Cami was so excited!  

We returned home to show Justin and Jason our bags of stuff (crafts, dyed easter eggs, candy, etc) and Cami's new bike.  We enjoyed some lunch and then had to say good bye to Caleb and Jared and Jason.  

We look forward to church on Sunday where the kids will participate in the Easter Cantata and then hopefully the family will have a nice long afternoon nap!

Sick again!

This past week has been really hard.  Ian had a cough for a few days which escalated into a high fever. We took him into the doctor on Tuesday.  He had an ear infection and was prescribed antibiotics.  The nurse called in the afternoon and encouraged us to come back in for a chest xray since she could hear Ian's cough was much worse than the morning.  We were back to the doctor on Thursday for another chest xray and 2 high dose antibiotic shots in his legs to try to help him improve.  The doctor found pneumonia and had us come back in on Friday to evaluate if the shots helped.  He was also be monitored for dehydration since he had not kept anything down (the little he did take in) due to the nonstop coughing.  On Friday he had another double dose of antibiotic shots in his legs (poor guy) and lots of prayers that this would work or we would be spending Saturday in the Children's ER.  Justin and Ben flew to Ohio on Saturday morning to see Grandpa Ron and Jean and for Paul and Stephanie's son's baptism and Ian, Cami, and I stayed in our pajamas and watched movies most of the day.  Ian coughed the day away, but started drinking small amounts of juice.  We spent Saturday night in the rocking chair, continuing the nebulizer treatments every 2 hours to help him breathe.  Thankfully, by Sunday afternoon he seemed to turn a corner.  Justin  and Ben returned late last night.  

Another trip to the doctor this morning and Ian is getting better.  He still has a strong wheeze and pneumonia, but it is not as bad as it was last week.  We are thankful that God helped us get through this, although we are wondering why our family has been struck with illness since the beginning of January.  I know there is probably a lesson in this, but I guess I will have to wait to find out.

Our boy is 2...really 2!

Ian and Justin coloring over Ian's name in Korean

Cami, Ian, and Ben in their Hanboks

Ben getting ready to learn how to do a traditional Korean bow.

Ian sitting patiently watching others do the Korean bow.

About 2 weeks ago Ian turned 2 years old.  Since then, he has turned into a full blown 2 year old!  He enjoys challenging us.  He has a limited vocabulary, although he has recently learned the word, "no".  He has found that he has power in being able to say that.  His vocabulary is taking off and it is so much fun as he discovers new words!  

We celebrated the Korean New Year on March 7.  The kids enjoyed dressing up in their Hanboks (traditional Korean dress) and playing Korean games, learning the traditional Korean bow, and most of all eating the deliciously prepared Korean food.  The ladies from the Korean church do such a wonderful job!  

We pray for health for everyone as our household has yet to have a complete week of everyone being healthy!  Let's pray for warmer weather soon!

Happy 2 year birthday Ian!

We can't believe that 2 years ago today, a little boy who God had chosen to be our son, was born.  He is 2 for 2 with having trips that correspond with his birthday.  Last year we were in Arizona visiting Great Grandpa Meier. We took him to his first zoo, the Phoenix zoo, and then flew back to Wisconsin on Midwest where he enjoyed a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie instead of a cake.

This year we were invited to the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells with another family. The kids had a half day of school on Thursday and all day Friday.  Our friends booked their timeshare for the overnight trip.  With 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and 2 full kitchens, dining rooms, etc, the kids had plenty of space to run around without having to leave the timeshare condo.  We did enjoy time in two of the waterparks at the resort. The kids had fun sliding down slides, playing in the water, and enjoying the hot tub.  Ian had a blast just being in the water!  We checked out on Friday morning, but were able to play at the waterpark until early afternoon.

  We treated the kids to a Happy Meal at McDonalds on the way home.  Once home, we all layed down for a good nap.  I was thankful that I finally have most of my energy back after being sick for the past 2 months, that I was able to be active and play with the kids in the water.  We feel very blessed that we had the opportunity to do this trip and spend time together as a family.

The kids trying to wake up on Friday morning before going to the water park.

Ian is not so happy about sitting on the frog.

Ian takes a rest after a very busy morning of playing at the waterpark.

Ben and Cami, thinking of their brother (ha ha), suggested that we needed to go to Red Robin for Ian's birthday dinner.  It has become a tradition that the kids get to choose their birthday dinner, having the choice of eating their choice at home or going out.  We invited our friend, Brian and the kids, to join us for the special birthday dinner.  Everyone survived the short wait for a table and the meal.  I think it was the first time in a long time that the kids all sat and colored and ate without getting too restless.  

Eating at Red Robin

Now we end the day with a quiet house, resting up for tomorrow when Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Neil arrive to celebrate.  We also look forward to Aunt Keri and Uncle Joe and Natalie coming to play and celebrate Ian's second birthday.  My heart is filled with mixed feelings as my baby grows into a little boy.  I will miss having my baby, but look forward to a talking boy who will really start showing more of his own personality and the beginning of becoming his own little person.  We are thankful to God to have this little boy that we longed for for many, many months.

This past week, playing outside in the snow.

Ian likes to catch up on his sports.  

Valentine's Weekend

Pretty red dress complete with headband and wings, from Grandma Aladodo

Making and decorating heart shaped treats for daddy

Breakfast is served on Valentine's day morning

It is a busy start to the Valentine's weekend at the Marthaler house.  Justin was busy at church on Friday night at a seminar, while Dana stayed home with our kids and Amelia and baby Ben so that their parents could have an early Valentine's date.  We ate a heart shaped pizza for dinner and then made pink heart shaped Rice Krispie treats for dessert.  We decorated some to give to daddy and Amelia and Ben's parents and also enjoyed eating some.  The kids had a great time.  After dinner and dessert/craft time, we got into pajamas and put in a movie.  Mommy had time to clean up and then relax on the couch while the kids watched, danced, and sang along with The Little Mermaid. 

Today I woke up to breakfast in bed.  It was a nice treat to have delicious heart shaped pancakes covered in strawberries and whipped cream and a few slices of crispy bacon on the side and a glass of orange juice. Justin had to leave early again this morning to finish up his seminar at church.  The kids and I headed to the west side to Korean language class.  Ian fell asleep in the car just as we arrived at the kids class and continued to sleep until shortly after 1pm.  It was nice to come home, put him in bed, and rest.  I am still trying to recover from mono, which has been a long road.  I tire very easy and often feel crummy.  My body is definitely telling me to slow down and take time to rest.  If my mind would agree with my body, it would be much easier.  

Justin picked the kids up from Korean lessons and after arriving home, got ready to go on a shopping date with Cami.  She received money from Grandpa Ron for Valentine's day and is excited to go and spend it.  She has many plans for her money including new red sparkling shoes, a new toothbrush, a toy, lots of pretty dresses, and treats.  Unfortunately I don't think she realizes that all of her desires will cost more than what she holds in her puppy purse.  No matter what, I am sure that she will have a wonderful time on her daddy date. 

We look forward to a relaxing evening at home and church and relaxing tomorrow.  Have a wonderful Valentine's day!

 

Slow moving

It has been a tough few weeks at the Marthaler house.  Dana found out she had mono about 2 weeks ago.  With high fevers and being more tired than normal for a few weeks prior to going to the doctor, she finally got an answer to what was going on.  It is tough having mommy on mostly bedrest.  The doctor stated that the more she rests, the quicker she will heal.  The same is true with her doing a lot means the healing will take a long time.  Dana does not enjoy sitting in bed.  It is tough to leave everything to Justin.  Justin does a great job taking care of the kids, Dana, and the house, but Dana is not one that easily lets go.  We have been blessed with our friend Jason coming over for a few days last week and this week.  Justin's parents also came down this past weekend to help out. The homemade meals are always appreciated and enjoyed!  The kids LOVE having grandma and grandpa to play with.  We were also able to see Dana's brother and sister in law, Mike and Allison, this past weekend as they were in town for Mike's work. The visit was short, but it is always nice to spend time with them.  It is going to be tough for several more weeks as Dana is limited in what she is allowed to do. She is told to rest, rest, and more rest.  Please keep us in your prayers, especially Justin as he is now responsible for his work, the kids, Dana, and cooking and cleaning the house.  Any help is appreciated!

I included a few pictures from the week.  The kids enjoyed being out in the snow.  Ian even enjoyed helping daddy shovel the side of the driveway.  Allison and Mike were able to spend some time at the house.  The kids loved being able to see them.  Grandma and Grandpa keep busy with the kids when they come over. The kids always have a dozen things on their list of what they want to do with them.