We have arrived safely in Bhutan!

We arrived in Bhutan on December 21st just in time to celebrate Christmas in our new home in the mountains! We (at least I) were freezing the first couple of days, but everyone is seeming to be adjusting well to the colder temperatures! We enjoy sunny days and cold nights.

Luckily, I bought some warm clothes (including warm coats and hats) for the girls in Bangladesh before we left.

This is the view from our front yard. We have a cozy 2-bedroom house with family room, dining room and modern kitchen. Dave is busy with his new post as Country Coordinator and I am busy doing some consulting. The girls are already attending playgroups and enjoying the fresh mountain air.

We told Catherine on Christmas that this year was going to be a bit 'lean' because we had just moved. So, we talked about all of the things we are thankful for this Christmas: our health, being together as a family, having a warm house to live in, having enough warm clothes and plenty to eat. Catherine thought for a minute and said she was thankful to live in Bhutan where there is no traffic! :)

The beautiful Martz girls

Being silly with their PJs on. They are sitting underneath our desk.
How about those pearly whites?

Blonde hair and blue eyes? I would think these girls belonged to someone else if I didn't remember VIVIDLY the nights they were born!

Playgroup at Chez Martz

There are some seriously beautiful babies and kids in Caroline's playgroup!

Caroline holds court during snack time at the head of the table!

Thank you Cousin Caroline!

The beautiful 12 month dress from cousin Caroline is now getting lots of wear in Dhaka!
Matching bloomers underneath.

Still a happy baby (no matter what she wears)

I turned FOUR today!

My mommy and daddy have been helping me to celebrate my birthday since Thursday! First, there was a party at my school and my mom and dad brought cupcakes and party horns. Then I got to open my gifts (2 books and some bubbles-the new bike was purchased back in August in Toronto).

I also got to open a card from my Uncle Joe. It is really cool and has a decal inside that can be ironed onto one of my shirts.

My mommy also took me out to lunch and to a puppet show. We ate cake (again!) and went swimming twice on my birthday! I had a good day.

Climbathon up Mt. Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia-CHECK

Dave and I ran 8.5K UP, 8.5K down and then another 4.5K down a steep road to complete the 23rd annual climbathon (half marathon). WAS REALLY TOUGH. check our FB page for more photos of the vacation and race.

Having fun in Malaysian Borneo!

Catherine tries the zip line at the kids club at the Shangri-La hotel, with the help of our good friend Greg.
The pools are great for the kids with 3 waterslides! We are also right on the beach. The beach is 3km long and I have gotten to run on it the last 2 mornings. I also did an ocean swim this morning.

Here is our friend Amy (Greg and Amy will also do the climbathon and could just win prize money...yeah, they're that good) and the munchkins: Bela, Catherine, Zollie and Caroline in Mina's arms. Having a blast...but missing daddy!

Glitterball 2009 Dhaka

Before we leave for the night, we pose with our babes. They loved the outfits!

Having fun at Glitterball. Biggest party of the year here in Dhaka.

Posing with a friend. They all had handmade masquerade masks...

Friends over for brunch

Friedman family comes over for brunch. Its at least the second meal for some after doing a long run in the morning. Notice Greg trying the training vest.
Zollie and Bela come over to play. Here they are having a snack.

Playgroup at our house today!

Lots of munchkins and ayahs.

Yep, they're everywhere!

Here is the queen of the party.

Pad Thai anyone?

Well, unfortunately for us, the cook left out the shrimp and spices from our Pad Thai. Luckily for Caroline, he left these key ingredients out as she was able to gobble down the noodles!

She gave up on the spoon and opted for 'stuff a whole handful into my mouth' approach.

Catherine goes Dora crazy!

Dora dress, jacket, shirt, pants, shoes, panties and hair clip!
Last day of school this week, so she opted for a Dora themed outfit.

Robin had last day at ICDDR,B yesterday, so daddy and Catherine ride the elevator solo down to the garage.

Trying to get out the door to school/work.

Just being SILLY!

We have little twins thanks to these matching PJs from Grandma Kathy!

The game: let's see how many people can fit into the baby mosqito net!

Self-portrait

Caroline walking!

Here is Caroline walking this week. She took her first steps in Canada this summer and is now walking ALL over the place.

Catherine's first day of school!

Catherine with her good friends, Simone and Maura.

How sweet she looked on her first day! She seemed like such a big girl, but when I took this picture, she seemed really small too!

Mommy getting Catherine ready for her big day!

When asked how school was, Catherine replied "I had fun". She is going all day 5 days/week! What a big girl.

The Martz family is back in Dhaka

Feeling quite sad to be away from family and good friends after an incredible month of holiday in Canada.

Dhaka welcomes us as one feels welcomed by a slap across the face.

We did arrive safely and feel lucky to have had a great vacation and to be healthy and able to work.


The next post will include more positive messages including photos of Miss Caroline's big day (she turned ONE yesterday) and Catherine's first day back at French school today.

Still enjoying Northern Ontario

Having fun even if its only 15 Celsius! Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

August 6th in the Near North

Coach and helpers put up a swing and Caroline tries it out.

The ladies take a pose.