The Davenport's Where life, laughs and fun combine
with the Arizona sun...

Happy Holidays and a prosperous 2010!

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Happy Holidays from the Davenport's

2009 in review

It hardly ever seems like there is enough time in the year and yet, by the time you get around to realizing that fact, the year is already gone and someone is saying, "Only 10 more shopping days until Christmas". As always, our family has been enjoying everything about the desert (don't hate us because it's cold where YOU live) and having fun whenever we can.

Hadley (6 years old) started first grade this year at Weinberg Elementary - she loves it and is naturally excelling in class. She is doing very well with math, problem solving and science - I can already tell that she may be another engineer in the making! Several months ago, she was nominated by her teacher to receive the Kiwanis Terrific Kid award for her class - this is done once a year per class and each student is recognized by the school, principal and classmates. I love that out of all the gifts these students receive (t-shirt, stickers and certificate), she is still kid enough to be enamored by the shiny new pencil :)

This year, Hadley also came face to face with a taste of the orthodontia hell that awaits her later in life. While waiting for one of her bottom teeth to fall out, the adult tooth had actually come in behind it (think, shark teeth). She eventually had to go in to get all 4 bottom front teeth pulled out. Today, the other teeth are coming up in all the wrong directions. Yes, we're already saving for braces.

Carvor (3 years old) started pre-school this year as well and is thoroughly enjoying his time away from home. His art work and papers are lining the wall of the garage these days. Every day there is a new coloring project or letter that the class worked on. Carvor's huge milestone this year was getting out of diapers and using the big-boy toilet. We were wondering if it would ever happen but with the coaxing of big-boy undies and Tootsie Rolls (his treat every time he used the potty), he eventually figured things out.

Carly continues to be the backbone of our family and 2009 was no different. The challenge of being a stay-at-home (working) mom apparently isn't enough! She is still teaching after school art classes with Young Rembrandts several days a week while at the same time, picking kids up, dropping them off and coordinating play groups for Carvor and his friends. And that's just during the day...after the kids are in bed, Professor Davenport sits down and begins teaching and grading papers for her online courses with Ashford University. It's fantastic to see her get back to her original degree (MS Early Childhood Education) and make use of everything she thought she had forgotten after having kids. Best of all, it's a job that can be done from the comfort of our own couch.

Speaking of working from the couch - last May if reached my 10-year anniversary working for Concur (based in Seattle, WA). Though it passed by without any fan-fare, it just seems hard to believe that 10 years ago I was graduating from college and moving to an unknown state with my new wife. I am still a Senior Program Manager for Concur - believe me, there some days where I don't even know what that job title means! If it helps, I coordinate people, processes and activities necessary to achieve corporate business objectives.

This year has been a very "active" year for me personally. I decided that I would take on the challenge of doing triathlons with the ultimate goal of completing an Ironman race. Comprised of swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles and running a marathon (26.2 miles), it is the ultimate test of human endurance. I was inspired watching others - cancer survivors, military veterans and folks twice my age - completing an event that many of us being of sound health would never even dream to attempt.

Thus far, I have completed 2 Ironman 70.3 events (half Ironman's) - one in Boise, ID and the other in Lake Steven's, WA. This coming year, I will be doing some smaller triathlons and a couple half Ironman's - all leading up to the Arizona Ironman on November 22, 2010.

For those of you who know my parents, they are doing well in the frozen tundra of North Dakota (still). Apryl is still tossing around the idea or retiring one of these days - but that would mean that her and Jim would actually have to spend time together! She will be visiting us next week after Christmas to work on her tan :)

As for Jim, he's also doing great - when he's not driving around for Pepsi of Minot, you'll actually find him out on his bike or running around the neighborhood. I'm not the only one in the Davenport family who is doing triathlons these days. He completed his first sprint triathlon this summer - pretty amazing for someone who's had both knees replaced. We are trying to race in the Bismarck Triathlon coming up in June.

Well, that's all we've been up to - just enjoying life and making the most of what we've got. We hope that all of you have had the same successes and happiness in 2009. May you all have a wonderful holiday and a fantastic new 2010.

All the best -

Trevor, Carly, Hadley and Carvor

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