January 6

Epiphany is a holiday widely celebrated all over the world. It is a day set to remember the Magi who gave gifts to baby Jesus. In Mexico, this day is called, Dia de Reyes. Certain people are chosen to be 'the wise men' and they travel about giving gifts to the children. At Epiphany, gifts are exchanged and children wake up to presents set out on this day, not Christmas day.

It sounds like a good time to do our presents, we could hit all the Christmas sales!

By the way, I've read online that in Spain there is no Santa Clause, it's the Magi who send do all the giving.

Ok, so for the first time ever, our family celebrated Epiphany. During the afternoon, Mexican wedding cakes (also known as Russian tea cakes), gluten free cookies, and origami bowls were made to use as our gifts to give away.

After dinner time, we gathered around our pretty little island and packaged our cookies. One filling the bowls, one fetching the bags, another counting the twist ties, and a little one on his tippy toes to gather in all the excitement with those bright blue eyes. With the cookies wrapped up, ten older children bundled up with a list in hand and prepared ourselves to make a round in the neighborhood.

Representing the Wise Men, we gave out presents (with a short explanation of the holiday Epiphany) and sang, " We wish you a Merry Christmas" in our off key voices.

I hope we have given some people a smile to their face. I don't know if this will become an annual tradition for us, but it sure was fun!

Skating

What a warm day it was when this event took place, as I write, it is still ten below and no one can go out to expel energy. Looking through the pictures you can see that some of us don't even have our coats on.

In Karlstad there is a community outdoor skating rink and warming shack. Great place!

I thought this picture looked so cool! But then... there's that dead person in the background. I have know idea who it is, tho I lean more on the idea that it is Quentin!

Wow! I can't believe that Benjamin can skate! He has come along way and it is still hard to do some things for him.

HOLD ON! DON"T LET GO DAD!

Finally, the smart way to skate.

SuZenn 4 , the charming princess.

Never a dull moment

Oh boy,what a busy week! First I will explain the pictures and you can read it on Mom's blog http://www.panclaninmn.blogspot.com/ . We have been talking about cutting Mag's hair and we finally did. It is short but, why cut it, and throw it away? So it was chopped off, and enough was donated to locks of love. Mag is LOVING her hair short, she is such a tomboy.
Not yesterday, but the Tuesday before, everyone but Dad went to Hallock. Vonn and all ages down got their pictures taken, three had dentist appointments, and some went to the chiropractor.
There sure is never a dull moment at our house and when it happens to be, some one makes sure we are entertained. This time it happened to be me.... . Vonn was driving when he pulled away from the curb. I always have some sort of yarn project and this time my seat was right next to the door. Put two and two together and what do you suppose happened?
If you guessed right, it is hilarious! I started knitting away and yanked the yarn to get more and it would not come. Was I stepping on it? I looked down and the strand of yarn lead straight out the door while we were a half a block away from our departure! In my surprise I squeaked out a " stop the car!' in a non excited voice. Vonn said, " Don't worry I will stop soon" my reply, " I dropped my yarn out the door!". WHAT says everyone, Mom makes Vonn stop, I jump out to search for the yarn and it is gone! Broken right off, so in desperate attempt I went over to the beginning place we took off. The yarn was found across the street and all who were weary in the car now had a comedy to remember. What a day.

September 13th

BBBRRRRRRRRRR.
It is soooo cold! OK I guess if it was winter we would be rejoicing at the warmth!
But when it is still considered summer in our minds, it is cold!
Today went very well at the pioneer village, The girls and some of the boys did something new.
We did our acting in the Victorian house instead of the little cabins.
It is SO pretty to be in the house and imagining it like it may have been a hundred years ago.
Tomorrow is another day there at the village and we hear it will be colder, out comes the hat and mittens!
In the winter at our house we all just sleep in sleeping bags, everyone has preferred that way instead of blankets. So tonight many request rumbled our wall because of the temperature.
Tonight we shall dream away in our sleeping bags.

Busy!

Wow, what busy week!

It started the Friday before with going camping close to Itasca State Park. The event was Pioneer Farmers, a non-profit organization for us to remember the pioneers. Everyone had an enjoyable time! Some adored tractors and others worked in the kitchen while some just hung around. Then late Sunday we arrived home for a DEEP sleep.
But the most exciting news! Adoption day arrived!
Last Tuesday, the time was set, the phone rang and the judge spoke. Before we knew it, in less then 2 minutes there was 4 new pankratz children! To celebrate our plan was to go get a large ice cream cone for everyone. Unfortunately the flavor on the machines at the restaurant were not running, so we ran over to the gas station for ice cream. Afterwards all settled down for wonderful tastes and wonderful friends: each other.

Pioneer days

Today our family re-enacted at a pioneer village about an hour away from our house. What a wonderful time we had! Some of the activities involved making bread, laundry ( we all have common ground on that!), playing games, and...........making ice cream.