Wednesday, January 19, 2011

A New Daughter...



Sorry...I just couldn't resist keeping you in suspense--but some of you are just too smart for your own good.

Or maybe just sneaky.

Or snoopy.

heh.

OK...the big announcement is that Ryan is getting married! He is marrying a young lady that he met when we lived in Michigan. Since they were 'just friends' then, we never met her.

Until last weekend.

She is a sweetheart and we had a wonderful time!

We picked her up at the airport and she was all smiles as we hugged and introduced ourselves. I think she was very brave to fly out to see her future in-laws all by herself. I'm not sure I would have had the courage to do the same.

Danielle came prepared with all things hair related--and put some beautiful French braids in the girls' hair.


The following morning, we Skyped with Ryan.



First 'engagement photo?' heh

None of our girls have ever been to a wedding. We went wedding shopping on Saturday to try on dresses and took the four oldest girls along. It was so stinkin' cute to watch their eyes boggle. SaraGrace, Miss Dramatic-loves-to-dress-up-like-a-princess, was in heaven.

Jillian is going to be a junior bridesmaid and Chloe is the flower girl, so they had to try on 'official' wedding attire. Too fun! Molly and SaraGrace are going to pass out programs and get to wear pretty dresses too. We had them try some on for fun.


Staring at the bride next to us while Dani was in the dressing room. So funny to watch them stare and admire.

SaraGrace sees Danielle's dress for the first time.

Lookin' good, girl!

Dani wanted this shot and said it was okay to post since very little wedding gown is showing.

Hugs for the flower girl who got very shy about modeling dresses.

Chloe is Ryan's little buddy and she wasn't too sure how she felt about him getting a new favorite girl in his life. She decided that Danielle was pretty wonderful and that Ryan has room in his heart for both of them.

Sunday, we took Dani to church and introduced her to our friends. We spent the afternoon printing out wedding invitations and pouring over bridal magazines for ideas.

The kids mauled her incessantly and she took it all in stride. She handled the chaos, the noise, and the constant fighting over who would hold her hand or sit on her lap.

Baptized by fire, I would say.

She fit right in and I am so thankful that God has sent such a wonderful young lady into our family.

Welcome to our crazy, loud family, Dani! We love you!
{The wedding is planned for July, when Ryan comes home from Korea.}