Happy Birthday, Courtney!

Please excuse my absence for the past month and a half.  We've had just a few things going on.  :)  More on that later.  For now, because I was a lame sister last year and had every intention of writing a birthday post, THEN DIDN'T, I must, before midnight tonight, pay tribute to my youngest sister (in-law - minor detail), who celebrates yet another birthday today!

Courtney Andersen: a girl who says it like it is; who knows what she wants and goes and gets it; who sends out thank you cards, even when it's not expected or necessary; who helps her niece with homework during family vacations (and shares her lollipops with her nephew), who knits and cooks and bakes; who, in two years, will be one wicked occupational therapist, and who, in two more years, will be the proud wife of Dr. Andersen, DDS.  Courtney remembers special dates, flosses her teeth daily, values the important things in life, loves her husband and dog, and is a great addition to our crazy family.

I'll have you know, Courtney, that we ate pizza for dinner tonight, followed by a freshly baked batch of pumpkin pie bites for dessert.  Let's just say, you weren't only celebrated in the South today.

When I said crazy, I was not lying.  It would not be the same without you.  {Lake Powell - September 2011}

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LITTLE SISTER! XO.

New nephew and a birthday wish

I've been awaitin' for Jared and Lori to hurry up and get a picture on their blog so I could steal it for this post!  Not that they've had anything better to do this week than write blog posts.

On Saturday evening, the 18th of February, 2012, a perfect little boy entered the world...

Tyler George Croft

 ...weighing a hearty 5 pounds, 14 ounces, and measuring a lengthy 19.5 inches. 

Just LOOK at this sweet, sweet family!

Jared and Lori, and "Baby Katie," who's not much of a baby anymore, we are so thrilled that Tyler has arrived, safe and sound.  I sure hope I get to hold him before he grows too much!  Congratulations!!

And on a side note, but absolutely, positively worth the mention (!!!), I would also like to wish my brother-in-law, Brad a very Happy Birthday, tomorrow!

Brad & Courtney - Lake Powell, Sept. 2011

The 24th is definitely a great day to have a birthday!  Trust me, Neil and I have years of experience behind us!  :)  Brad, we hope this is a memorable one for you!  You and Courtney have reached many well-deserved milestones this year, and have some awesome adventures ahead!  We can't wait to see what's in store for you both!  HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Man, I married into a great family.  Okay, thee end. 

Birthday wishes...

...to the newest member of the Andersen family! Happy Birthday, Courtney!

{May 6, 2009 - the day it became official}

I adore this girl, who I now call sister. Maybe part of it is subconscious because she reminds me so much of myself. Ha ha!

One thing that stands out to me about Courtney is her small acts of kindess. I remember last summer, after spending a week in Florida with Neil's extended family (and meeting Courtney for the first time), receiving from her a thank you card. While it was a simple act, it said a lot about the kind of person she was. Another thing I appreciate about Courtney is her directness. This southern girl is not afraid to say it like it is! I am especially impressed considering her age! I was about as timid as could be at 21! I feel a real connection to Courtney, and look forward to future years of growing closer.

Happy 21st! Gosh, you're young! If you were closer I'd bake you some chicken lasagna and a batch of chocolate chip free chocolate chip cookies! Have a fun day!

Enjoying what's left of summer

Two Saturdays ago we spent the day with Lori, Brad and Courtney at Poudre River just outside Fort Collins. Here are some fun moments captured.

The water was freezing, but it didn't even phase Chloe. Must be that Andersen blood.

Ryan wasn't too fond of the water. Luckily there was plenty around to entertain him.

Apparently this butterfly liked the butterflies on Chloe's hat!

Notice the ring on Lori's finger! Can I get a dum dum du dum..?

Weeeeeeee!

Thanks for a fun Saturday, guys! It was great seeing you all. Wish we could have played longer.

Wedding Festivities: Part 3

Thursday made for lots and lots of driving. First from Nashville to Knoxville (Courtney's hometown) where the big reception was held. Then back home to Atlanta for one final shindig Friday. Here are a handful of photos highlighting the events.

...Knoxville...


Love this one of Neil. What a looker. And typical Ryan, chewing on Daddy's thumb.


Ryan: "What are ya lookin' at me for? I didn't pinch him!"

(With sister-in-law, Allison and [tired] nephew, Grant.)

Father/Daughter dance...


The bride and maid of honor gettin' down with their bad selves...

My sweet babies. Ryan had about had it by this point, as you can see in his expression.

...Atlanta...

Dave and Susie's gorgeous yard - the same yard, in fact, where our reception was held nearly seven years ago!


We haven't changed too much, have we?


Lori and Jared. What a cute couple they make.

Okay, there's a really funny story behind this one! Neil's family knows this guy (Terry) from church. Each Christmas season he plays the role of Santa. Bet you never would have guessed that! So you can imagine the astonishment and wonder in Chloe's eyes the minute she spotted him. She hardly left him alone the whole evening. She even said to him at one point, "Santa, I'm so happy to see you!" We kept telling her that Brad and Courtney must be pretty special if Santa showed up to their wedding reception! The whole thing was hilarious.
What was even more hilarious is when Sunday morning rolled around and "Santa" and Mrs. Clause came and sat directly behind us in church. After tapping Chloe on the shoulder to say hello, he handed her a gift bag containing a 'Ho Ho Ho' bracelet and two candy canes. Her eyes lit up and jaw dropped. She just couldn't believe it! She kept whispering to us, "Santa's here! Santa's at Grandma Susie's church!" We are absolutely planning to use this to our advantage in the future. What's the harm in reminding Chloe that Brad and Courtney have an in with the big man? And that anytime she's being naughty they will tell him about it!

The life of the party. Between Ryan and Grant, I think several women got their baby fill.

The happy couple, who by this point were probably about wedding'd out.

And last but not least, thee now complete Andersen sisters.

Part 4, the final leg of these posts, coming soon...

Wedding Festivities: Part 1

Last Wednesday, we had the privilege of witnessing and taking part in Neil's youngest brother, Brad's wedding in Tennessee. The trip was busy, but a refreshing break from the norm. We flew into Atlanta, drove straight to Nashville, and then onto Knoxville (Courtney's home town), before heading back to Atlanta, all in a three day span. It was wonderful seeing family and creating happy memories.

Here's part 1 of our trip:

Nashville Tennessee LDS temple. Beautiful.

{It poured down rain quite a bit of the morning, but the sun came out just in time for pictures.}

Here they are... Mr. and Mrs. Andersen!


Chloe was thee anything BUT camera-shy flower girl.


Grandpa Don and Grandma Jean with great grandchildren: Ryan, Chloe and Grant.

{Ryan and Grant are 23 days apart}

Flower girl giving the groom a "spanking." Not sure what he did to deserve that.

The boys holding the newest Andersen addition.


Grandpa David introducing Ryan to roses.

As you can see, Uncle Don had a little too much fun with Grant's irresistible cheeks!

And, oh, why not? Here's one of us.

Congratulations, newlyweds!
And Courtney, welcome to the family!