Sparkle Eyes

Nope - that's not freckles...she's got scrapes on her nose from falling on the sidewalk, wonky hair, and a smile that captures her daddy. :) She's got some determination in her that can be hard to deal with.

I think she'll be Erik's sport sidekick one day

Love this little girl that is not the baby anymore...

Mommy and Leanne

I'm not a big "me" sharer of my pictures - especially a whole "post"...

Especially not so soon after a baby. But I wanted some of us two, and so set up the tripod for Katelyn to click the shutter. (which she totally loved)

I put these all into black and white - as it just seems safer :) haha - and also, it looks more timeless and sweet. Pretty soon she'll be big like the others. 

I love her foot sticking out - and don't I look matronly with my hair up - haha - one of the very times I've tried doing this.... 

Leanne's already One Month

 Oh why did one month have to go by so fast? I knew the "newborn" stage would go fast, but really? Like Really?

But that's life, and even though I already miss the little person that came flying into my arms, I'm glad for every bit of growing up - because that means longer times between feedings, and easier changing times.

One thing that hasn't changed is how intently she looks around. From pretty much day 1 - day 2 for sure - she has looked and looked everywhere. And was tracking things so quickly. But, that's who she is, and it will be fun to see how it adds to her personality. 

 She is such a button. 

 And - I think - this is one of her first smiles... :) She has seemed to give a couple at different times, but this "one" was caught on camera. :)
On to month two...sniff...sniff...

One of the Big Sisters

 Although everyone loves holding Miss Leanne, Laura is probably the most consistent one. She's such a help with the baby, grabbing me diapers and wipes, and dotes on her little sis. It makes me happy. :)



 Lots of kisses for this head.



I love the delight she gets from her.

Ripley's Aquarium

In all the craziness of the last month, and with mom and Anne-Marie here, we took some time the day after the wedding (since it was on a Friday) to do something fun! So we went to Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto! None of us had been before and we all enjoyed it. 

So many amazing and strange creatures. God is so creative. 

The sharks were definitely neat to see. :) 

Under the water tunnel - this was well done. There was a moving escalator that kept the crowds moving at a neat pace. Grandma pushing the stroller for us. We tried to keep Amy contained as it was real easy for her to run away in the dark - and there was quite a few people around. 

Cute Laura enjoying all the fishies. 

And this area was where these two could've spend hours. Playing in the water. 

Or in the play area. :) 

Leanne with the fish underwater... well - in the middle of a tunnel :) 

Going through the kid's tunnel with the fish and sharks swimming above you. Pretty neat. 

And the three out of five with Auntie Anne-Marie... only a couple days later we had to say goodbye again. Next time we see them all it will be in June Lord willing which is pretty great. :) 

Mark & Jennelle's Wedding Day

It was wedding morning! I spent the first bit of the day with the bride/bridesmaids and did some very amateur videoing for William. It was fun! Then home to shower and get ready. Mom and Anne-Marie got these girls ready to go. All dressed in pink and pretty sweet. 

I had got the three pink dresses for the girls before Leanne came - and then Tim and Lannette bought me a pink dress for her as a baby gift! And it matched perfectly and I didn't have to go shopping again. It was so sweet!!

Four little sisters. 

We got to the church early - along with the rest of the family not in the party, and I took a few pictures of some of the families while we waited. :) 

The color coordinated Henry Heikoop family. :) 

Aren't they a good looking bunch. 

Sweet little Abigail. 

The three latest Heikoop kids. 

Ben and Eden. 

Ben and Deanna and their bunch. 

Two lovebirds. :) 

Me and Anne-Marie before the ceremony. 

Then the bridal group arrived. 

All the little ones wanted to help hold her train, which Jennelle was so sweet to let them do that. :) 

Then it was wedding time!

I didn't take any pictures, but it was lovely. 

Then - it was on to all the family pictures up at the front. 

And as I always seem to do - I tried to get a family picture of us all, after the kids are done. :) It was the first family picture with Leanne in it, so I had to try. And why buy pretty dresses if we can't do this. But as you can see, it's hard to get one... :) 

And then we tried with Grandma - but that was hard too... :) 

Laura was much happier while eating a delightful pudding!

Then in between the ceremony and reception, I took three of my kiddo's home to our wonderful babysitter, and then headed back just in time for the reception. 

All the beautiful ladies!

I have such wonderful sister in laws. 

The bride and groom!!! These two are so wonderful!

And the amazing cake made by Michelle who works at the Windmill Bakery. She has a cake business of her own, and does such great stuff. 

Brendan and Tim. 

James and Rob. :) 

Some of the reception room. 

Got a few shots of these two lovebirds...

...and of these two. :) 

Now - during the reception, Brad and Ben, the M.C.'s did a crazy challenge for the bridal party.... Ben brought out a container full of LIVE crickets, and said if Mark would eat one, then all the groomsmen would have to eat one too.... (kinda a spin off Zambian - where Jennelle has been a missionary for years - "food") And of course - all of us thought this was gross and crazy... :) But Mark did it... 

...and so did his groomsmen. :) Rob drank his down with juice. 

James showing his live one before he ate it... and of course, Jennelle's brothers had no problem eating theirs. :)

One bridesmaid had to do it - and poor pregnant Sarah had to do it. I was proud of her. And so glad I wasn't a bridesmaid!

All the bridesmaids were so glad they didn't have to do that. :) 

Then it got WORSE - Ben pulled the next challenge out - if Mark would eat a LIVE WORM, then all the guys would have to as well, and if Jennelle would do it, then the rest of the bridesmaids (excluding dear Sarah who had already done her part) would have to as well. 

Look at Ben's face - clearly enjoying what he is putting a bunch of people through... 

Diane's face was awesome. She ate hers with a cupcake. That's the "Health Food Inspector Brendan" watching her. :)

Anna - about to eat hers and her dear husband Jason handing her some water. 

Cheering them on - in between disgust. :) 

And once the challenge was ended - the groomsmen all turned on Ben trying to force a live cricket into his mouth - but I think he spat it out... the rascal.

It did provide a ton of entertainment though - and yes, very creative guys. 

These two worked so hard all day to video and do sound. They made it possible so everyone could see the reception happenings on the big screen. :) 

Such good friends for years.

So in love - and nice to say hi to each other again after a busy day apart. 

Mr. Marsden took these for us, which I love. :) 

Brother Brendan and Sister Adelle

James and Hannah - :) special twosome. 

And James and his little girl. I love this one of these special people. 

These three wanted a picture - and this is during the getting ready moment. 

Love these young women. So beautiful inside and out - as cliched as that sounds. 

Then it was sendoff time - with sparklers! So pretty and fun. 

One of my favorite pictures from the day - especially of them - since I didn't get many of the bride and groom. :) Running away together. 

One last kiss

I think this is a neat picture - Dad Spiechinger say goodbye to his only daughter, and Mom Heikoop saying goodbye to one of her last "single" sons. 

And off they went. To begin their honeymoon journey - a trip to an Island in the Caribbean. 

I grabbed a sparkler and handed Nelly the camera and got this. :) 

The amazing seating plan that Sarah put together. Countries of the world to match up tables. 

Me and Shantel before the night was over. 

And Anne-Marie and Shantel.

Such a good and tiring day! So happy for Mark and Jennelle - they will be an amazing team for the Lord. :) Now we just have to have two more Heikoop weddings, and three more Fehr weddings, and we're good to go... until the nieces and nephews start! And then, that period of time...will never end! :)