The sweetest niece EVER!!

Gracie was serisouly SO cute on Sunday, that she gets her own post from the day. :) Not only is SHE cute, but her Papa and G-ma Hosford bought her this outfit the night before and she wore is SOOO well. :) She was the cutest!!

In honor of 60 years....

On Sunday the Hosford/Snellink family had a picnic gathering in honor of Grandpa Snellink's Birthday and Grandpa and Grandma's 60th wedding anniversary. Jamie and Gloria hosted the picnic, having burgers and LOTS of other goodies. As the ladies watched, the men of the family played a friendly game of Crockett (Grandpas favorite game). Here are some fun shots from the day. We love you Grandma and know that Grandpa is watching with a smile on his face. :)

Finally!! Baby Thys Micheal Vander Wall is HERE!

Little Man Hands...




We are so excited to welcome another baby to the world! After a grueling 40+ hours ( I am not kidding!) and a C- Section later, Thys Micheal Vander Wall is here. Born 7:03 PM on June 7th. ( Sharing his birthday with Maddie, which we think is pretty cool) I could have sworn they were going to have a girl, but nope!! Weighing in at 8# 6oz and 19 1/2 inches long, he is just perfect. Seriously one of the most beautiful babies I have seen. Such a doll...

Johanna is a very strong women and she had to be to deal with all that went into this labor and delivery. Johanna, you are AMAZING!! I know that Jason is very proud of you as we are. Jay is a already very proud Papa, changing his first diaper ( VERY dirty I might add) today. Congrats to the new parents!! We can't wait to watch him grow!
Love you guys!

Happy Birthday Madilyn!!

Today is Maddie's second birthday. :) She knew it too. I said "good morning Maddie" and she replied "Maddie's birthday, McDonald's pancakes??" :) I told her last week that I would get her McDonald's Pancakes on her birthday, and of course yesterday we were telling her that "tomorrow is your birthday" so she remembered. :) It was pretty cute. Here are a few shots of Maddie from three weeks until now. Man time is FLY'N!!!

Welcome Charlie Michael Hall!!

Congratulations Shane and Amanda Hall on their second child!! Charlie was born this past Tuesday and is SO sweet! Both Amanda and Charlie are doing great. He was 8# 9 oz. and 20-1/2" long. What a little cutie.
Congrats to the Hall Family!!

Maddie's Second (Minnie Mouse) Birthday Party!!

Maddie was our sweet little Minne Mouse for her second Birthday Party. She was all smiles and loved seeing all her family and friends. Her actual Birthday is on June 7th ( and she'll tell ya so too!). We celebrated with a grill out and some cake. :) Tom was the grill master in the poring rain and did a great job. Thanks Tom for the yummy grub. Maddie received so many wonderful gifts but just could understand why she couldn't play with one when she opened it. We did a re-opening in the house after everyone left and it was like she got them all over again!! Thank you so much everyone, you are all WAY too generous.

Awww!! She just walked to the door and asked to see her party and GG, Papa and Grandma. She thinks everyone is out in the garage. How sweet.













Look at that cake face!! YUMMY! Thanks Melissa for the great shot!!


YEH!! presents for ME!!!!!!! Thanks Melissa for the great shot!!















Spin, Spin, Spin!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Melissa for the great shot!!














Yummy cake. She just had to try it first! :) Thanks Melissa for the great shot!!

The Hosford clan :) Obviously our dear friend Melissa helped me by taking a lot of great shots!! So, last time... Thanks Melissa for these great shots!!













What would a Birthday Party be without the Grandparents!!




Two pictures here. One is of Maddie, Grandma Hosford and G.G. Snellink. The other is of my lovely sisters. :) Vicky, Chris and Elizabeth. Thank you all for coming!!!



Lastly, but not the least what so ever ( in fact I saved my favorite until that last) :) is a picture that TOM took. Yes, TOM took this! I love it so much!! He said and I quote " I tried to capture the essence of innocence." I am not kidding, that is what he said. :) God I love my husband!!! :)

Swing Set "Fun"

Tom's parents got a swing set for the grandkids to play on for years and years and years....well they better for all the work that went into it! :)

Tonight Tom, Dan, Tony and Adam Burkholder put it together. Ok, let me clarify that...Adam told Tom and Dan what to do then Tony showed up and helped too. :) JUUUUUUUUUUST joking!!!
Tom is actually really good at putting these sorts of things together. Dan...Let's just say... is a much better supervisor. :) You know we love you Dan...and I'm kidding.

The girls played with the kids, chatted and just had a great time watching our men work their butts off. In fact as I type this, they are still over there working, probably with the car lights lighting the area. :) Here are few shots from the night. I particularly love the one of the kids getting into the chips on the table.

My Mom

My Mom....Honestly is one of the most fantastic people I know. With out a doubt, the most kind and caring. With having Madilyn, I am more and more thankful for the time she spent with me growing up and how she helped raise me.

The saying "bad things happen to good people" is very appropriate here. I really just shake my head sometimes thinking of all of this. I would obviously never wish hardship onto anyone, it's still frustrating when it's happening to someone so wonderful and worse when it's your Mom.

Most of you know that my Mom was in a terrible car accident two and a half years ago. When she was having all sorts of tests the first day she was in the hospital, a CAT Scan showed that she has a rather large tumor in the back of her head. Later tests showed another smaller tumor towards the base of the brain, near the brainstem. They were both determined to be benign in nature and at that time nothing really to be concerned with, as they may have been there for many years. In the recent months tests have show that there has been growth to the point that the larger of the two must totally be removed and part of the smaller. My Mom is scheduled for brain surgery on June 13th, downtown at Spectrum.

We know that the factuality at Spectrum is fantastic and have a great deal faith, but I have a huge belief in the power of prayer. When we almost lost Madilyn in those first couple of weeks of her life, the power of prayer played a huge part in her healing as well as our comfort. So, that is what I ask of you now.

Please keep my Mom and Dad in your thoughts and prayers as they enter this frightening time. As strong as they are, it's going to get scary so the more pray'n the better!! :)

Maddie and her G. G. Courtright

My Mom, Aunt Marilyn (my Mom sister), Maddie and myself spent the weekend at my Grandma's house in Mt. Pleasant. We had a wonderful as always. :) My Grandma can still out shop me and she'll be 89 in October!! That's say'n something! Tom was in Traverse City golfing and had a blast. Great Memorial Day weekend had by all.