Here are a few other pictures of fun things we did! The hotel we stayed in was great. It was very spacious with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining room and living room. It had a queen sized bed and t.v. in the bedroom and a queen sized bed and t.v. in the living room. We really enjoyed the time together as a family and of course took full advantage of the swimming pool on the six floor of the hotel. It’s kind of weird swimming on top of a building plus being surrounded by all these skyscrapers!

We also had the opportunity to visit with some great friends while we stayed downtown. We met Brennan Jarvie, Carmen and Jon were in our caregroup when they lived in Abbotsford. Mike and Debbie Weibe and their kids and Heather and Graham DeGreef and their kids, were also there for a short visit. It was great to see old friends again.

Overall it was the best family holiday we’ve had so far and although the drive home was a little harder (took the same time) but this time the kids, mostly Lanae, knew it was a long drive home and didn’t want to sit still or quietly!

Another great place to visit of course is the Calgary Zoo. It was a little anti-climactic after the amusement park but neat for us to see nonetheless. My aunt Linda came with us and we spent the morning and part of the afternoon just looking at the many different kinds of animals. Sam was our little photographer for the day so most of the pictures of the animals are pictures he took. Not bad if I do say so myself. I didn’t include to many different animals since most people who have been to a zoo know what there is there. But I had to include a few of the baby animals and at least one of our favorite animals, the gophers. I don’t know the kids thought they were so funny but they really enjoyed watching the little gophers popping in and out of their holes and sitting up looking around.

All in all it was a great day!

I was reading through my journal today and came across something I’d written that actually just illustrates how I feel about my life right now so I thought I’d share!!!

May 16, 2008

Sometimes being a mom can be so overwhelming and then other times come along when we feel the joy deep into our souls. As I reflect on the last years of the normal trials we’ve faced in child-rearing I can see God’s faithfulness throughout. He’s blessed us with three healthy, active little people and a fourth happily taking residence in my body for the time being. A crazy mix of personalities, ideas, emotions and expressions I wouldn’t change for the world. God’s love is evident to me in the daily forgiveness I receive from my almost seven year old son who fights with me nonstop but is so much like me, I sometimes do a double-take. Or in the giggles I hear coming from behind a closed door and later find all three super heroes wrapped in their “blankies” pretending to be Captain Underpants. One day I know the commradarie of childhood will end and be replaced by teenage impatience, a never-ending flow of youthful “wisdom” and a busyness I can only begin to imagine. But for now I can choose to allow God’s fullness to envelop me and enjoy the memories being created.

One of those amazing memories being created is definitely happening this summer as I watch Sam grow into a young man. He’s playing his first season of tackle football and as a mom it’s hard to squelch those feelings of “my son’s the best out there” but for the sake of his pride and with the knowledge that that attitude will not help him become a better player I’ve managed to quietly watch him practise and encourage without being over the top about it. But I will say this that he’s trying his best despite feeling a little overwhelmed by the intensity of the sport and as an aspiring athlete has already received some recognition from the local paper. Here’s the link to read about Sam’s contribution to history.

http://www.canada.com/abbotsfordtimes/news/sports/story.html?id=ccc036b7-4538-4648-aa0e-5e338a228154

Anyway, as I find myself so content this summer I am being reminded how short-lived these years tend to be and how I absolutely MUST intentionally enjoy them before they pass me by! One day I’ll wish them back only to be hit with the reality that it’s too late and you can only live your life once. And more importantly you only get one chance to be a great mom so make the best of it, mistakes and all!!!

Timothy and Amber Neufeld! So now that they have seen their pictures I feel safe posting the link to their proofs.

http://www.pmdphotography.com/neufeld/

Timothy and Amber Neufeld! So now that they have seen their pictures I feel safe posting the link to their proofs.

Paul McDermott did our family pictures when Lanae was a newborn and we plan on hiring him again in the fall for family pictures with our newest addition. He does a wonderful job of being creative and capturing the moment.

Tim and Amber look absolutely stunning and we are so happy for them. Enjoy!

http://www.pmdphotography.com/neufeld/

P.S. to scroll between pictures just click to the left side or right side of the actual picture and a little arrow pops up for you to click on.

So this weekend was full of festivities for the Neufeld family! Tim & Amber are now officially Mr. & Mrs. Neufeld and we all had the opportunity to celebrate with them. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of pictures of the bride and groom mainly because I was too busy snapping pictures of my own adorable children. But I figured I’d leave that up to the professional and when we got the proofs I’d attach a link of their
pictures for all to enjoy.

The kids did great all weekend despite being up until 10:30 almost every night. Sam did a great job pulling the wagon down the aisle and Lanae and Jake both stayed quietly in the wagon. Jake blew a few bubbles and Lanae even threw a handful or so of flower petals. They also all danced the night away at the reception. As was to be expected Jake was the center of attention with his dance moves. I didn’t have a video camera to capture the moment but I’ll be sure to get one when Joel gets married.

Upon reflection I have to say that it is odd to have another brother married. I mentioned to James that after 8 years of being the only sibling married it feels a bit surreal that two of my brothers are now married men within a year of each other. It feels good to know that our family is expanding and I’m sure before we know my kids will finally have cousins. The boys are definitely starting to notice that they don’t have that luxury. They keep asking me when I’m going to be an Auntie? I tell them they have to bug Auntie Trish and Uncle Bennie about these things but all in good time!

Anyway, now for the description of these fabulous pictures.

Here is Jake blowing bubbles for Uncle Ben while we wait to have our professional family picture taken.

This is Sam patiently waiting in the van while Daddy goes to get some new shades. A good looking kid if I do say so myself.
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Here is Lanae at the train station in Fort Langley playing around the station house.

Here are the three sweethearts hanging out in the wagon waiting to walk down the aisle.

Here we are at the reception waiting to eat.

A tired little girl after a long weekend.

My two sons getting ready to break it down on the dance floor. Sam was a little shy but Jake had no problems hamming it up and pulling out his best moves when the dancing started.

James and I in our token shot. Too bad it’s always one of us behind the camera.

I was trying to get things in chronological order but clearly that’s impossible with a blog or maybe it’s just me! Anyway, these pics are from April which was a pretty busy month for us.

Here is a picture of Jake holding his 2nd place trophy from the Annual Awana Grand Prix. Both the boys designed a car with James and then raced it against other kids their age. Jake was 2nd in the Novice division. Thankfully Sam was a good sport about it and tried to be happy for his brother.

The three kidlets having a teaparty. Thankfully the boys are pretty indulgent with their sister. Well if I was being entirely truthful I would admit that it’s actually at the insistence of Jake that they play “tea party”.

This was a gift from daddy for a belated Easter! The man across the street was selling bunnies but when he had a hard time getting rid of them he offered us a few for free. Thankfully Ben had a cage and all the gear so we just went and picked out two cute bunnies from “The Bunny Man” (as the kids refer to him since they don’t know his real name)! They are Fighty and Snuggle Ben, clearly named by their young owners. We’re not sure what the significance is but we just smile and nod.

Here is Lanae in one of her favorite pasttimes of pulling all the pots and pans out of the cupboard and then sitting in the ones that fit her!

And this of course is baby Davenport #4, picture taken at 12 weeks! So far growing steadily. I am actually nearly 20 weeks (halfway there) and feeling great. A little bigger than this but not much. James, Sam and I are going for the ultrasound tomorrow afternoon. Sam is very excited and although he would prefer another sister he said yesterday that all he cares about is that the baby is healthy (what a sweet boy)!

Early in April we rented a cabin from some friends of friends up in Hemlock. We had a wonderful time with my family and played in lots of snow. Lanae also took the time to practise up on her beautician skills and unfortunately for daddy he had to be the test subject. He was a good sport though!

Here they are the dress-up kids. We had a fun afternoon one day just messing around with the dress-up bin. Unfortunately for the boys they had to be more creative since I have lots of girl stuff but not many boy things. They did pretty good although I question Jake’s choice. Regardless we had a great time getting on our “train” and travelling to far of places (all in the living room of course).

I’m trying desperately to get