Hadassah Evangeline Sanford

March 30th 2013

I was in bed sleeping, since that's what normal people do at 2:00am, when Justin's phone rang. It was my brother Josh telling us that Jen had gone into labor with their second child and today was the day. They had a couple false alarms before because the baby has a flare for the dramatics, so I was hesitant to believe that today was actually "the day"... So I texted Jen real quick asking if she was absolutely sure. She wrote back assuring me that this was it! So I hopped into my truck picked up another friend who was supposed to be there and we headed to Josh and Jen's house. I am pretty sure Jen had already been in labor for 2 hours when I got there and she pushed through the labor for around 6 more hours until the beautiful words were said, "Aww! She's beautiful!! Welcome to the world, Hadassah!" 

She weighed in at 7lbs 10oz and was 20.5 inches long. She was, and still is, absolutely adorable... But you don't have to just trust me! Look at the pictures and just to make you even more jealous of the cute nieces I have, keep in mind that she is even MORE adorable in person!

Such cuteness... This blanket and hat were made special by Jennifer for her new baby girl. 

One big happy family!! I still cannot believe that my big brother is married, not to mention he already has a sweety pie in Jael. Now that he is a family of four it just blows my mind! In a good way. *smiles* Jael was unsure of Hadassah at first, but when I asked her if she liked her new baby sister she immediately said, "Mmmhhhmm!" Which is her way of saying, "yes!" I asked her if she thought Hattie was a beautiful baby and she answered the same. Such a sweet big sister Jael already is. Goodness, I love them...

Sunday was Easter, and since Josh and Jen couldn't leave the house, we came to them after church! It was the first time the rest of my family got to meet Hattie and my parents got to hold her for the first time. I just can't get over how adorable she is!! 

On top of my parents getting to hold her for the first time, I was also blessed to have some time cuddling the sweet little girl.

Justin also got to hold his new little niece for the first time! Justin has always been good with children and it brings tears to my eyes to see him so happy with a little one. Hopefully some day soon it will be our turn... It's really hard waiting and trying to be patient! But then the Lord sends little blessings in the two adorable nieces we have and it helps just a little more.

Here is our 2013 Easter Sunday picture! This is our second Easter being married. Oh, the amount of love I have for this man! 

Until next time! Have a fantastic Spring!!

~Melinda

Melissa's Party!

As many of you may already know, I'm getting a new sister-in-love in about a month. I'm SO excited and cannot wait till the wedding! But we couldn't send Melissa off into the stage of "old married woman" without throwing her a girls only party! It was decided to have it at my house since it's normally just me during the day. When asked to host the party I told myself right then and there, "Self, this is going to be the BEST party you've ever thrown!" And I made sure of it. *nods* A week before the party was scheduled I went out in search of the best decorations. I wanted to transform my house into something fun and hip. While at Hobby Lobby (one of my favorite stores!) I came across all of these wonderful things! 

Paper lanterns! I love those things!

I found those adorable cups, a flip flop plate, a palm tree center piece, a net for the table, flowers for every one's hair, and lei's for everyone to wear.  

Here I am sporting my crazy outfit along with the lei and flower.

Jessica made the comment that it would be fun to have a dancing game to fill the afternoon with. So the sweet future husband of Melissa went out and rented us a dancing game for the Wii. He even drove the 45 mins to my house to drop it off just for our party. Thanks, Garrison! 

Here we are trying to figure out how to work the game... imagine 3 girls who don't have much of a clue how to work a Wii doing this... Note the confuzzled looks on our faces. 

While us three girls were being brave/goofballs and dancing together to the game. The other 3 ladies at the party took some hilarious pictures of us so we'll never forget how silly we looked. 

It sure was fun to dance though! After dancing and talking we watched a movie called "Bride Wars" together. We laughed, ate snacks, and went "aww" together throughout the whole thing. Then afterwards I made sure we got a group picture of everyone who made Melissa's party special. 

Jesi, Jess, Mel, Lily

Laura and I.

After some smiling and serious ones we took a couple goofy shots as well... I mean, what party is complete without a goofy shot of everyone?

I love all these wonderful girls! 

Jessica and Melissa, sisters and the best of friends forever.

My sweet, gorgeous, amazing soon-to-be sister! I love her so much! But not only because she's soooo easy to love and hang out with, but because she makes my big brother the happiest he's ever been or ever will be. They are perfect for each other which makes me happy.

The ever so lovely Jesi and Melissa! It was only after I was done editing this picture that I realized they are both my sisters-in-love. *laughs* Pretty neat, huh?

Laura!!! What can I say about this amazing girl, besides the fact that she is hilarious, sweet, has a fabulous sense of humor, and is SO fun to be around. I'm glad she moved all the way from TN to marry Sam, it's so nice to have another married woman my age.

Snacking and talking before some of the girls had to go home. 

It was a lovely party and worth every penny to be able to spend the afternoon with such a amazing sisters in Christ. I think Melissa had a blast, along with the rest of us and I cannot wait to do it again some time really soon!!! 

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Pip was kept in a back room most of the day. He was ever so sweet and didn't make a sound the entire time the girls were here. After most of the girls left he was let out and boy was he happy to be loose in the house. I decided to make him a little more festive since he felt left out most of the day...

What a cutie pie! Please excuse the fact that he sorta looks like a girl... *laughs* We just call him a prissy little guy, which he is. :)

Until next time!!!

~Meli

Snow Day with my Honey...

On Tuesday of this week we had a snow storm so Justin was able to stay home from work! Yay! I guess that means there is at least one good thing about snow. I'm not really a big fan of Winter but I know that my husband is. He loves it when it snows and he enjoys the freezing weather, which I think is just odd. But anyway, knowing that he loves it so much I decided that since he was home that day we should take advantage of our time together and spend it doing something we've never done together before- Build a Snowman! So we bundled up in hats, scarves, fluffy coats, boots, and went outside to make a snowman in the middle of a snow storm. It was actually quite fun!

Here I am getting proof that I actually was outside...I have no gloves on in this picture because I couldn't work the phone with my gloves on. Let's just say it was cold.  

I told Justin, "Smile!" and then I burst out laughing realizing that you couldn't see our smiles anyway! Although my cousin says you can see it in the eyes so it wasn't for nothing.

I have not made a snow-angel in years! But that day I indulged my inner child and made one. It was kind of surreal to stare up at the sky as snow was falling on my face. It was very peaceful.

Here is the finished product of our adorable snowman, Woody. We named him that because we had to use wood to make his face instead of rocks or coal. He was almost as tall as Justin!

I didn't even mean to upload this video on here but here ya go! I hope it works cause I've never tried videos on my blog before. It's just a short peek of our snowman...

We woke up Wednesday morning thinking Justin would be going back to work, but we got a call from the boss telling him to stay home again cause of the weather. So we had two whole days to spend with each other! I suggested we go for a walk as the snow was falling lightly all around us. It was pretty romantic and not at all cold. *smiles* We walked to the Post Office to get some stamps we needed...



Of course Pip had to come along! It was nice to get out of the house together and spend some time just walking along our town.

Today Justin went back to work and so it's just Pip and me home alone. I'm thankful for the time I had with my husband these past few days. I love him so much!

Until next time!
~Melinda

MY BROTHER...

....IS ENGAGED!!!!!!!! 

On January 19th 2013 my big brother proposed marriage to my dear friend Melissa. And for some strange reason we still haven't figured out, she said "Yes!" I am so happy for them both but I still cannot get over the fact that they are in love and going to get married! *laughs with a grin*

My amazing big brother and the most wonderful girl I could have ever wanted as a sister-in-love!

At the restaurant where he proposed. I think if they smiled any bigger their faces would crack...

From now on they will be known together. As a couple, a team, and best friends. That is just the coolest thing ever in my humble opinion. 

Today I am having my sweet baby sisters come over for a sleepover while Melissa brings all of her younger sisters (minus Jess *sniffs* We'll miss you m'dear) for a girl's day. We are going to have a blast doing girly things, talking, laughing, and eating loads of popcorn. :)

Well, that ends my life update right now! Better go make sure the house is all clean for guests...

Until next time!
~Meli

Trip to TN for a wedding...

I have known Sam for almost 7 years now and I have known Laura for almost 4. So when they invited Justin and I to attend their wedding we just couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate with our friends on their special day. A wedding is such a joyous occasion and we couldn't wait, but the trip down with Grace and Emil was pretty epic as well. With laughing, talking, going a half hour out of our way cause Justin fell asleep while being the navigator, watching movies, listening to music, eating at Chic-fil-a, singing at the top of our voices even though Grace and I had terrible colds. I think it is safe to say we had a blast together!

(And the Minion photo-bombs our picture...lol) 

Grace is not amused as I make a fool of myself for the camera.... *laughs* I love her!

Since a bunch of us were stay at the same hotel we had a party both nights we were there! Staying up late is so much fun when you're doing it with friends. 

Love all of these girls!

Playing Catch-Phrase, Bluff, watching a movie, eating loads of candy, and just talking, it was such a fun way to spend the night with friends. 

My darling baby sister who is growing up so fast! I love her so stinkin' much. 

Grace and I on our way to the wedding the next morning! 

The bride was beautiful, the ceremony was lovely, and the joining of a new family was beautiful to see. 

At the reception getting a picture with two very good friends of mine! 

The lovely bride and groom greeting all their guests. It is still hard for me to believe that they are now married! Wow...

After Sam and Laura's reception there was another party since we wanted to stay together but couldn't fit at the hotel. The Bandy family is AMAZING and provided pizza for over 100 people who came!

We didn't get any pictures of the actual party because we had too much fun while it was going on. But here is a picture of my love and I together before I end this blogpost. God truly blessed me when He gave me Justin for my very own. Makes me teary eyed just thinking how much I love this guy. *sniffs*

Okay, enough sappiness for one post. ;)

Until next time!! 

~Melinda

"Christmas time is here..."

...Well, it was here but now it's gone. I'm actually okay with it being over this time around. Normally I get the "After Christmas blues" but this year the fun didn't stop! Two days after Christmas we all packed up and headed down to Tennessee for Sam and Laura's wedding. But I'll tell you more about that in another post. :)

On Christmas Eve Justin and I headed over to Mom and Dad Ryken's house to celebrate with everyone. We opened gifts, had delicious Chinese food, and played games together. It was such a lovely time to be with our family. 

Here is our gift to Mom, a basket of Lavender things.  

Dad's was a bottle opener you can screw in anywhere. That way you don't have to always find the portable opener. 

To the older three girls we gave hats!

 

Justin got a bunch of wonderful and useful things from the family. I did as well, but I cannot find a picture of me with all my stuff. *shrugs*

After presents the guys played a round of 4 player Chess. I think they enjoyed themselves. 

While we girls played a different version of Scattergories that Cara got for a gift. 

Here is a nice picture of sweet Sara and me. 

We gave Sara the game of Twister but it was so much fun we had to have a family tournament! 

That next morning was Christmas Day (obviously). So Justin and I spent the morning opening our gifts to each other. I gave him a bunch of tools that he is always saying he would like to have, a beautifully engraved pen, some games, and a flashlight. 

He gave me a Britt Nicole CD, a bunch of long socks that I have been wanting, a beautiful charm bracelet  cowboy boot slippers, and a hat! 

Here's a picture of all of Justin's new things.  

And here is a picture of me and all the wonderful things my Husband got me. 

That afternoon we headed over to Mom and Dad Sanford's home to celebrate with them along with Gramma, Papa, Josh, Jen, Jael, Garrison, and Jeremiah Smith. We had such a wonderful time opening gifts and talking with each other. 

Here are the girls hats that we got them.  

We got the boys a fun board game created by the "Myth Busters" a TV show that they all enjoy. 

Sweet little Jael (my favorite niece until March when I will have two favorite nieces!) got a pink backpack with a kitty from us. She liked it and even wore it to Church on Sunday. 

Justin and I opening some gifts from Mom and Dad. 

And from Gramma and Papa, some towels that match our bathroom wonderfully!

My amazing Father made this wonderful coffee table for our living room! He had help from my brothers as well and they all did a fantastic job! Now Justin can have something to put his feet up on when he gets home from work. 

This picture was actually taken when we first got there but somehow it is out of order. Oh well. Here are my beautiful sisters and I. With Papa pictured in the background. :)

 Gramma is unwrapping the gift we got them. An engraved jar filled with yummy treats! 

Mama and her Hummingbird feeder that can suction to a window so you can watch the birds feed better!

Daddy and his magnetic beer bottle opener! 

Jael got a rocking horse from Mom and Dad for Christmas. She likes it!

Josh and Jen made my parents these humongous domino's as a gift! Of course they had to break them in by playing "Sanford Domino's". 

Justin was also able to shoot his new shotgun while at Mom and Dad's. They had some clay pigeons they were throwing to make it more fun.

And that ends our lovely Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations!! Check back soon to read all about our trip to TN for our friends wedding. 

Until then!

~Melinda