Christmas Tree Decorating

Our first Christmas Tree!! *proud grin* A couple weeks ago we were finally able to get our first-ever Christmas tree. Here are a couple pictures after we brought it home. Enjoy!

Justin was so happy he got to use his handsaw to trim the bottom of the tree.

Look at that bad boy!

Now this is team work! I'm holding up the tree while taking a picture of Justin screwing it into the tree stand.

I keep telling him he is super strong and he keeps denying it. So here is living proof that he has got some huge muscles. *nods* He's holding that whole tree up off the ground with one hand.*claps* And that tree was pretty heavy!

Putting our "Our First Christmas 2011" ornament up on the tree. *smiles*

Justin's taller so he had the honors of putting the star up this year while I took pictures.

Ta-da! The finished product! Looks pretty cute if I do say so myself. *grin* Of course now it has tons of presents stuffed under it just waiting for Christmas.

Annnd here's the happy couple. *grins proudly* God has blessed Justin and I so much this Christmas! I cannot believe that 2 months ago I wasn't even married and now I get to spend my favorite holiday with my favorite person. It's just too good to be true! Thank the Lord! <3

Now I am off to bake some yummy Christmasy things. ;)

Until next time!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!

And may God bless you with a very happy New Year!

Chicago Trip 2011

On the first weekend of December we had the absolute pleasure of driving up to Chicago to visit Justin's Grandparents. While with them we had a couple days of spending some time together. We were also able to enjoy a guided tour around the city, compliments of the grandparents. So bright and early, Saturday morning, we headed up to Chicago land to start our mini vacation. 

Here is Justin and me on the 3 hour ride. It was so nice to have this time to talk with each other and just relax after the weeks activities. 

Once in Chicago we met up with Grandma and Grandpa at their house to have some yummy lunch. After some lovely fellowship we all bundled up in hats, coats, gloves, scarfs, and headed downtown.

Grandpa drove us around which was very nice cause Justin and I would have been terribly lost. But he knows that place like the back of his hand. 

First stop was Millennium  Park and the BEAN! For some reason this oddly shaped, big, silver thing has drawn lots of attention. I admit, I thought the Bean was pretty neat.

Here Justin and I are together underneath the Bean. 

This is the view looking out over Millennium Park with the Bean standing directly behind the camera. 

Here's a picture of all us happy people. :) We had such a lovely time together. 

Here is a picture of the Bean with the city in the reflection. Grandma and I thought it was a pretty neat picture. 

Now this is down in the skating rink of Millennium Park. We were not able to skate that day but we are both interested in going back another time and trying. 

After the Park we headed over to the huge Macy's building which is what I was really looking forward to. Here is Grandma and I sitting on one of the outrageously expensive couches. It was surprisingly comfortable. 

This is just five of the eight levels in the store. 

Here is a picture from the top floor all the way down the 8 levels. Lets just say looking at this picture brings back stomach flopping sensations. Justin got dizzy every time I looked over the edge to get a picture and I have to admit, after awhile it made me sick too. Though I am glad I got this picture! *grins*

On one of the levels it had lots of fur coats. Grandma was interested so we went over to take a look. The prices were through the roof!! One coat was on sale for $5,055.00! *mouth drops* We were very careful touching those coats. O;-) But they were very soft!

Chicago at night during Christmas season is very pretty! I love all the lights on the trees and buildings. The only thing we were missing was snow.

Connie's Pizza is one of the most amazing pizza places ever!! Justin ate so much pizza he wasn't even hungry for a brat at the German Market. Now for those of you who know him, you know that just doesn't happen! But it just shows you how delicious Connie's Pizza is.

Here are the two people who made our weekend together so special and relaxed. I haven't known Grandma and Grandpa Fennema very long but I'd definitely say the weekend was made special because of them and it wouldn't have been the same without them! Justin and I had such a wonderful time with them both. 

Have I ever said my husband is the most amazing-goofball-gorgeous person ever? *laughs* Well, he is!! Not to mention that he looks great in my hat. ;D 

Once we were done with dinner we were able to go to the German Market which was quite an amazing first experience for me. Thanks to Grandpa we got the full experience by drinking some warm German wine and hearing the story of the pickles on a Christmas tree. Not to mention the whole place was completely full of people looking at little outdoor shops like this one. 

*happy sigh* We certainly had a weekend to remember and it's all thanks to Grandma and Grandpa!

Justin and I were both sorry our families couldn't join us for this trip after planning it for so long. But there is always next year, right? :)

And that's it for the Chicago trip of 2011. Check back later for pictures of Justin and I putting up our Christmas tree. Which we both love to just sit and look at. *smiles*

Until then!

~Melinda

Thanksgiving 2011

There are so many things to be thankful for in life; family, friends, health, food, a roof over your head, and the love of our Heavenly Father. Yet so easily I take these things for granted... But this year with all the changes in my life I started to realize how really blessed I am. I have two beautiful families, a Father who loves me, and a husband who still loves me even after living with me for more than a month. ;) I have been blessed!

While spending the holiday without my siblings and parents around me was hard, I certainly had a lovely day. This year for Thanksgiving Justin and I celebrated with the Ryken side of our family. It was my first Thanksgiving where I had to make something without being in my parents house. So Justin and I decided to take a delicious cheesy-broccoli dish along with these adorable little pumpkin shaped sugar cookies.

I spent all Wednesday afternoon making these with our cookie gun. Since I've never used one before it sorta took me awhile to get the hang of it. Plus I had lots of cookie batter to make. But in the end it turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself.

Justin and I decided to do orange and pink icing on all the cookies. I know I know, you're thinking, "pink for Thanksgiving"? But hey, it was for fun and they taste just the same anyway. *adjusts halo* We had fun decorating together. :) Here is Justin laughing right after saying some snarky/hilarious comment.

Here is my husband being his normal crazy/hilarious/gorgeous self. *love* That icing is actually orange if you can't tell in the picture.

Because of reasons that are too hard to explain, I had some leftover cookie dough so I made one little heart. Justin and I split eating this one that night. It was good. :)

The finish projects.

This is me looking rather happy about my pink cookies.

Justin and I sort of had a competition on who could icing the best but the fastest. He finished first but mine looked better. *proud grin*

Early Thursday morning we all headed up North together to Grandma and Grandpa Ryken's house. Their house looks so much like my Sanford Grandparents house that it put me right at ease. Not to mention everyone is so sweet which makes things easy too.

We had a lovely time visiting with all the Ryken Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and cousins. Thanksgiving lunch was absolutely delicious and left my husband feeling very full/sick from eating too much. ;) After eating we just hung out in the living room and talked about life. Sadly I didn't bring the camera out enough to get many pictures... But here are the four that we did get.

My sister-in-law, Jesi and I taking a picture together. I am so blessed to be related to this talented and lovely girl! :)

Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Freddie. He is a huge gorilla that all the cousins use to play with a lot. He got lots of attention that evening with sitting on peoples laps. Here my dear sister-in-law, Ashly, got a picture of me holding this big guy.

We also got a picture of Grandpa Ryken holding him. :)

This is me and the most amazing man I know, my Husband. This year I am most thankful for him in my life. God definitely works in mysterious ways by bringing people together and showing them how much more amazing life can be. My life with Justin is never boring, that is for sure. He keeps me laughing, smiling, and just plan old happy everyday. I could not live without him in my life and I cannot (and don't want to) imagine life without him right beside me.

I hope this year's Thanksgiving was everything you hoped for! May God bless you each as you try to work off those 5 pounds you put on from all that turkey/potatos/stuffing you ate. *cheesy grin*

Until next time!

God bless!

~Melinda

Our Home

This post is dedicated to our friends in CA and family members who asked for pictures of our house. Here ya go!

This is our home. Isn't it lovely? *happy sigh* We only rent the top half of this house. Someone we don't know is going to be moving into the bottom half next month or some time around then. I sure hope they are nice or else it could make it interesting. ;)

This is our front door from the inside. The stairs lead up to the living room on the right of the picture. Excuse Justin's work boots at the bottom of the stairs.

This is our kitchen (obviously). I am in the process of making pumpkin shaped Sugar Cookies so excuse those ingredients on the counter.

This messy room is the office. We're still sorta in the process of fixing this room up. Who knew we'd have so much stuff to fit inside this place? lol

Our bedroom that needs more decorations. I only have picture of horses and I figured Justin is sick of seeing those all over the place. ;) So this room has yet to be decorated.

And now our lovely living room. This picture makes it look a little bigger than it really is... but we love it just the same!

God has really blessed Justin and I with this beautiful house! Never, in my wildest dreams, did I think I would have such a beautiful/gorgeous place to live in as my first home. I don't know how long we will be living here, but for now Justin and I really really enjoy calling this place 'home'. *smiles*

And that's it for now!

Until next time!
~Melinda

The first of many "firsts"...

Now that I am married I have had lots of what I like to call "firsts". Sorta like the first time I've ever done something. So the one on the top of my list right now is having to cut my husbands hair. Now before I got married I was normally the one who cut my Daddy's hair... *whispers* unless I could get Mama to do it. *stops whispering* So cutting Justin's hair shouldn't be that hard, right? Well... long story short- I was terrified of making him look funny, he was getting nervous cause I was, and in the end it turned out great! *laughs* Who knew, right? Now that I have cut his hair once I think the next time will be much easier. Hopefully. ;)

The clippers who did the deed...

The mass of hair that I cut off my husband's head. Let's just say he hadn't had a haircut since before the wedding. O:-)

This came in the mail last week and changed my life... not in the way you'd think. lol It changed my life as in;I lose my husband every time this dragon shows his face. But what has gone unnoticed is when my husband isn't home, the dragon gets read by the other person who lives here. *looks around* And it's totally not me... ;)

This picture is purely for my own enjoyment. I really like Justin's work hoodies and this last time he got two from his boss so I asked for one. Now I am the proud owner of a hoodie that has shrunk and can still fit three of me inside it. *laughs* I love it!

You never know how much you'll miss something as simple/lovely as a piano until you don't have one. Then you start to have withdrawals from it... *sniffs* I've missed playing this beautiful thing, so the last time I was at my parents house I spent a little while pounding out some tunes on it. I can honestly say that I feel better now. *nods*

And that's all for now folks! Today is a busy day and I need to make sure everything is ready for this evening. :)

Until next time, stay warm and think of all the amazing things you have to be thankful for!

Adios!

~M

Guinea Pigs!!

We have added two new little additions to the family! :D Please welcome Java Chip Mocha (left) and Caramel Frappuccino (right)

And the staring contest starts... now!

Find the Guinea Pig!

Caramel is definitely the leader of the two. He is open to trying new things and exploring while he is out of his cage.

Whereas Mocha is a little more of a chicken... He will only go into new places if he is following Caramel. But Mocha is the sweeter of the two, go figure. :)

In the end though, they are both really gentle and sweet and also inseparable. If one is out of the cage the other will run around squeaking until he gets to come out too. They really hate to be left alone which I think is sweet. :)   

When Justin and I were growing up we always wanted a Guinea Pig but never got one. Now the Lord has blessed us with these two adorable 6 month old guys and we get to enjoy them together which is pretty neat. Guinea Pigs are really easy to take care of and require very little work. You could leave them all day long and they would be absolutely fine. Which is one reason we were so comfortable getting them! Plus I love to have little guys to talk to while Justin is at work. It makes this place not feel so completely lonely without my Husband. I am so glad that we were blessed with these two boys! :)

Thanks for reading! May God bless you with a beautiful start to your week!

Until next time!