Women's Retreat

Today I got back from our church's women's retreat. It was an overnight event held at the Oak Island Inn. It was the first night I left Bethany overnight, so I was a little sad about that, but I had lots of fun. My roommates Sarah, Jennifer and I had a great time, ate a lot of junk food, and laughed our heads off till about 2am...mostly at Jennifer who became quite delirious and found everything funny from about 5pm on!

It was great to have a little break, and when I got home I was so happy to see my family...they are so great and I am very thankful for them. I was also thankful for the fact that Matt did some housework, so I came home to an even cleaner house! Very impressive!

Here's a couple pics from my weekend.

Roommates! Me, Sarah, Jennifer & our pizza...that I guess we thought needed to be in the picture

Sarah & I

Jenn & Jen

Sarah, Me, MaryAnne and our painted nails

Me & my Bunco beads. The game of bunco is so much fun, and loud and crazy, it was a lot of fun. I don't have the energy to explain the point of the beads...but for those girls that were there, you know how important they were!!

Not a retreat picture, but this is Bethany's b-day gift from her uncle Adam she just got tonight, a new Sony CD player for her room! Not spoiled or anything!!

Pictures

Not much is going on around here, so here are some random pictures from this week!

At the park with Daddy

Yummy pasta...Bethany's favorite

Licking the bowl clean

All Done!!!

Today I got Bethany a new slide, it will be going outside for the summer, but for now she's testing it out in the living room. She has no fear though, so I have to hover right over her, to make sure she doesn't jump off.

So excited!

I think she enjoyed climbing up the slide more than sliding down it

New Dress

My parents just got back from their vacation in Mexico last night. They had a great time and picked up this cute little dress for Bethany!

It has beautiful embroidered flowers on it. So pretty!

Bethany and her very tanned Poppa & Grammie (her eyes are closed of course, but I thought she looked cute)

We're glad you had a great vacation & thanks for the gifts you brought back for us!

Turn Around

Yesterday we turned Bethany's carseat around to be forward-facing. Now that she's a year old she doesn't need to be rear facing anymore, also we thought it would give her a new view! I was a little sad because she looks like a big girl now in her seat, these milestones are always a little hard for me!!!

She loved being able to look out the front window of the car, she kept looking from Matt to me in amazement! When I asked her if this was fun she said "Whee!". She kept saying that during the drive, whee, whee! So apparently it was quite the ride for her!

One Year Old

Today Bethany turns One. It's amazing how fast this last year has gone. It has been a year of a lot of firsts, a lot of nighttime feedings, a lot of diapers and especially a lot of smiles. Bethany has brought us so much joy and happiness, she's always been a very happy baby and is quick to give a smile and hug. God has blessed us so much! We love you Bethany!

One year ago
8lbs 1oz, 20 inches
A tiny little bundle

Today
22lbs 11oz, 30 1/2 inches
A busy girl learning to walk!

Bethany's Birthday Party

Yesterday we celebrated Bethany's 1st Birthday (her actual b-day is this Thursday). Bethany had a great time at her party, she loved playing with her friends and definitely enjoyed her Birthday cake, although the sugar rush she got from it kept her awake until 10:20pm! Thanks to everyone for the beautiful gifts, Bethany is a very loved little girl!

It's hard to believe our little baby is turning 1 this week. The last year has been such a blessing having her in our lives. She is such a happy, loving and fun girl. We are so proud of her and we thank God for giving her to us! We love you Bethany! You have brought us so much more joy & happiness than we could have ever imagined. Happy Birthday!

The Birthday Girl

Playing in the tent with the boys, Trenton & Bradley

Poor Chloe wasn't allowed any pizza, so she had to chew on her dad's thumb

Luke & Bethany...young love

Butterfly Birthday Cake

Opening gifts

After helping Naomi at her party last month, Naomi returned the favour to Bethany!

Graeme & Gary...nice pic

Bethany & Bradley

Check Bethany's new bracelet from Grammie & Poppa

Happy Birthday

First taste of cake...very dainty

But then she got serious...and the cake was soon gone

Moms & Babies (Tara was upstairs changing Chloe). I took this picture from Sarah's website.

Hugs for her giant dog

All of her gifts...she pretty much got a whole new wardrobe, which is great because we were getting short on clothes!!

Thanks again to everyone for coming, it was a great 1st Birthday for Bethany!

Big Day!!!

Yesterday Bethany took her first steps! It was very exciting, we were over at Matt's parents house when she did it, it was just two little steps towards me, but it was still steps! Today she's been even braver and has taken 4 or 5 in a row.

It's amazing the pride you feel over those little feet moving forward! Matt & I are both very proud of our little girl! It will be a Good Friday that we always remember!

Supper with Friends

Tuesday night our friends John & Dena invited us & Josh & Marian over for supper. It was great to get together and the food was really, really good. I also had my first Nintendo Wii experience. I played a little tennis and bowling and I am quite sure if we had one I would become a little bit addicted to it, so it's probably best we don't get one (sorry Matt). You know I wouldn't want my mothering or wife duties to suffer! Anyways, it is a lot of fun...although I kept thinking I was really playing tennis, so I was putting a little more effort into swinging the remote than I needed to!

Marian, Josh, John, Matt & Bethany

Bethany with her Easter Bunny from John & Dena. Very thoughtful of them...and she loves it!

Josh after dinner...can't you tell.

Our musical entertainment for the evening

Bethany loved the bongo drums

Bethany & John
Who needs toys when you have a vent to play with?

No, this is not some bad dance move...this how you look when you're playing Wii!

Matt & Josh
Wii Tennis match

Playing tennis...seriously fun

Me & Marian playing, she beat me both times...I did almost win the last round, but I banged my hand of the pool table, I kinda forgot where I was.

We had a great time, thanks guys for having us over to your home!!!!