Last year at our wedding I absolutely, genuinely thought we would be doing a wedding this year in CA. The reality of life and what God had in store for us was very different than what I thought and my timing was not at all the way it turned out. Last weekend our good friend Sally and Andy planned a party for us and invited all the people that are so important to us and made it an "engagement/wedding/housewarming" party all wrapped into one. It was such a sweet gesture and Sally and Andy once again out did themselves with communicating love to us. They aren't family, but for me they are the closest thing I have to family here. Some days I just want to escape and just be with no expectations, no more new, no more change, and have someone to rely on. That is my Sally and Andy here. They have been so good to us and this party was such a fun and non expected gift for me especially.
We had everyone but 2 or 3 people able to come, some traveling from Auckland. It was SO fun to see some of Sam's family friends he grew up with and see his parents with their best friends. I just smiled as I watched these couples love all over Sam and his brother Tom (the two they spent the most time with. Sam's family moved down here when his sisters were quite little). It just made me smile thinking of my parents friends that have always, no matter how long it has been or what the circumstance is we see them they just LOVE my brother and I. I love thinking of those moments with some of my friends kids and getting to love on them and spoil them when they are in these stages of life.
A friend of mine took a few pictures for us and I thought you might like to enjoy some of the night with us. We were beyond blessed with gifts, gift cards and fun memories with even a few gifts for the bubby thrown in. It was timed perfectly and I enjoyed it more than I could have imagined!
After a few attempts we finally got a picture with Sam where his eyes were open, he was looking and even kind of smiling...he doesn't like being in front of the camera....oh the photographer in him :)
Sam's mom did AMAZINGLY yummy food and made things look so nice too!
Every one brought a little something and we had a WONDERFUL feast of great food!
Sam's Nana and Ted
Our great friend Sally sampling the yummy food.
Sally and Georgia...Georgia girl hung out with me all day and did SO much for the party too!
The cupcakes!! Rosie made all these delicious intricately decorated cupcakes. She did such a good job and they were a hit! Sam even saved a stash for the week. They are the only sweet thing he likes...He loves his sister!
Rosie made sure we even had "congratulation" candles for the night!
The generous presents everyone got us, plus those BEAUTIFUL flowers Sam's mom did for us to make it special.
Opening presents was more like a shower than a party, but everyone (the ladies) wanted us to open them. Sam made it through....barely...he had some kids and iPad to play with to make it through :)
My cute brother in laws....the bottom picture is my brother in law James with Mackenzie, Sally and Andy's other kid.
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