Woah My

It's been so long since I've updated that I had to go back and read my past blogs to remind me where I needed to pick up.  Bad.  I know.

So, brace yourself, because this is going to be a long post.

First, and most importantly, it's Zoe's (aka booger, booger head, missy pissy, zoe pants, britches, da boogers, and lil baby) birthday!  She's 5 years old!! It seems like yesterday Ashley and I went to go pick her up and bring her home, only to throw her in a box and leave her for 4 hours to go out to celebrate with a beer.  Good things I'm not that irresponsible now or who knows where Zoe would be (or me!).

I took her to Three Dog Bakery to get a treat and a birthday hat.  Here's a few pictures from her mini bday party with her only friend, Roxie.

You probably noticed while looking at these pictures how amazing they look.  Yes, I am an amazing photographer, but it also might be because of my amazing camera my amazing husband got me for Christmas.  

I can't say I was honestly surprised he got me the camera.  I asked for it, and usually when I give him ideas for gifts, he gets them for me.  Spoiled?  Maybe.  Easy to buy because he knows what I want?  I'd say yes :)

I LOOOOOVE it!  Ryan's parents got me a photography class through Chimpsy to learn how to use my super sweet Canon T2I DSLR camera, so now I know how to actually use the thing!  I still probably only know about 10% of how to use it, but I figured some of this stuff will come with time by playing with it.  

I took some good pictures in DC when I had my class, but I'll leave that for another post.

Anyway, to back track, Christmas was very good.  I was scared I was going to break down and cry at Christmas dinner since I was surrounded by Ryan's family without him being there, but I didn't.  It was hard, but I focused on the positives and how lucky I was to have great in-laws surrounding me than nothing at all.

I took lots of pictures on Christmas day while playing with my new camera, but I'll only post a few of my favorites:

poor old Poochie, diaper and all.

Zoe got a "Christmas dinner" plate & a collar...this is her eating her corn on the cob

George running away from the camera.  He hates them.  Zoe loves George.

Perdita, Randy and Joni's dog

Grandma Bev & Charlotte

Charlotte putting "make up" on Isabella.  So. Cute.

Crazy faces.  Love them!

a TV for Grandpa Ralph & Grandma Judy!

Randy couldn't solve the puzzle to figure out what he got.  Poor guy.

Christmas dinner table with Christmas tree light reflections.  Oh yeah!

Grandpa Levi putting together Isabella's princess tent.  Too cute. 

Isabella attacking Grandpa Ron as Charlotte is running away from food.  Classic.

Grandpa Levi & Grandma Bev

Mark & Aunt Deborah

Grandpa Levi, Kim, & Charlotte

After Christmas, I left for Richmond.  As soon as I got to Richmond, I left with Paige & Jason to ring in the new year in Charleston, SC.  We had a good time, and I've had my fair share of road trips for quite some time.

I went to Maryland this past weekend to see my niece Rena, my brother Chris and Emily.  I'm going to stay with them for a longer period in February, but I didn't want to wait another month to sweet my sweet girl!  She is SUCH a good baby and such a joy to be around!  I should of taken more pictures, but for whatever reason I didn't.  I'll get lots of pictures when I'm there for longer!

Other than that, I've been staying busy with seeing friends and running. 

Ryan update:  it's been a month and 1 week since he left.  He's still doing fine, just missing us and I think he's starting to get a little anxious about what we're going to do with our lives when he gets back. No big deal.

I promise to update this sooner than a month!