Announcement: We're Expecting!!!

We're Expecting...

A PUPPY!

Introducing Lloyd Carr Miller
(after University of Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr)

What a CUTIE!

We have been praying about a dog ever since we moved into our Rifle house and this weekend, the Lord revealed the dog for our family.  Chris gave me a book on Labrador Retrievers as a wedding present and so this puppy is the second part of the present.

Lloyd with Grandma Miller

Here is Lloyd next to his cousin, Jazz -- a HUGE great dane

Our black lab is in St. Louis with his Grandma and Grandpa Miller and we will meet him on Friday when Grandpa Miller brings him to Colorado.  He is 3 months old (about as old as our marriage), and he LOVES to retrieve.  We are very excited to meet him and expand our family.

I hope Lloyd doesn't get in the habit of sitting
on the furniture... that's not going to fly here.

Only one week left for Lexie to be queen and then she'll have some adjusting to do -- we all will.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

A big happy birthday to my Dad!

Enjoy some of my favorite pictures of Daddy:

My wedding day, 2011 - dad running the 5K at 78 years young

He was the oldest man to run and finish the race!

Getting ready to walk his baby girl down the isle

We danced to "Just the Way You Look Tonight"

Singing the W&L swing -- our alumni fight song at the reception

Mom and Dad were King and Queen of the night

Paris, Autumn 2004

Rome, Autumn 2004, fighting over who's going to wear the backpack

Lexington, VA, Autumn 2005

Immediately after the ceremony, Dad made
a point to welcome Chris to the family

On Grand Haven Beach, Summer 2008

Fishing with Jake on Dad's dock, Summer 2008

Dad's Price Is Right Boat, Won 1964, Photo 2008

 

Dad with his two grandkids, Autumn 2011

 

In this picture, Dad is bundled up with a cap and scarf
trying to stay warm in our house

Like Father, Like Daughter - trying to stay warm

Happy Birthday, Dad.

A Special Dinner

Last night Chris and I had a special dinner.  

It was special for a number of reasons -- our first time entertaining friends in our new house, our first time entertaining friends as a married couple, the first time I had made a multi-component sit-down dinner for people outside of my family.  All of these things meant we CLEANED our house (so I thought that would be a good time to snap some pictures)...

It was a great dinner completely food-network inspired.  Mango BBQ Pulled Pork by Aarti Sequeira, Creamy mashed potatoes by Pioneer Woman, Confetti Corn by the Barefoot Contessa and steamed broccoli (no food network credit here.  The dinner was topped off by Peanut-butter fudge by Bakerella (to the best of knowledge, no Food network affiliation).

I spent the day cooking and cooking and cooking and baking... and watching football...

I LOVE this Le Creuset Dutch Oven

Don't you love our new spice rack organizer?  This was my
hubby's idea.

There were no disasters and much of the food was consumed and many compliments were received -- most regarding the mashed potatoes.  This was a nice small-scale test run for me as Chris and I will be hosting both of our families for Thanksgiving this year and I've got to become more comfortable making company-appropriate food.

Before

After

Since we were watching the University of Michigan football game and the Detroit Tigers baseball game, I served the fudge in our new U-M dog bowl (never been used, nice and clean).

How was your dinner?

A 23 Year Difference

My family has hosted two weddings as parents for the bride.  One was my wedding three-and-a-half months ago.  The other was my older sister, Tracey's wedding twenty-three years ago.  

The same dress 23 years a part

My sister's marriage lasted almost ten years before her husband died of cancer.  My sister died of cancer four years later.  

I've always loved this picture of Lexie with a picture of
my sister -- she was such an animal lover, especially
cats and kittens, and it is as though Lexie could sense
that through the photograph.

I wore her wedding dress for my wedding, and a charm with her name and birthday, I attached to my bouquet.  She was truly a part of our wedding celebration in a very joyful way.

Enjoy the variety of pictures below from both her and my wedding days.  Two very joyful days for the Sanden family.

Sanden-Wellner Wedding 1988, First Congregational Church

 A family can change so much in 23 years... but a family remains.

Sanden-Miller Wedding 2011, First Congregational Church

Tracey's wedding, 1988 -- Tracey in the background, I'm in the foreground at age 4

My bridal portrait, 2011 holding Tracey's bridal portrait, 1988

My bouquet, 2011

 Happy Anniversary, Tracey and Dan.
I wish Chris could have met you both -- but he will in heaven.
Tracey, I wish you were here to offer advice to your littler sister, a new wife.
I love you both and miss you.