Zoey's Birthday!

Zoey turned 9 at the end of September. She was a little bummed about her Dad being gone, so she opted to not have a big party. I said she could have a bigger present instead and she liked that deal!

I was determined to make her day special though, despite the circumstances. Ross planned on calling her first thing in the morning and she had a couple of mini-gifts to open at breakfast!

She picked out her outfit and wanted her hair curled... We get up pretty early so she is tired and it is dark!


And apparently I'm too tired to focus the camera properly.


I love birthdays and really want my kids to celebrate how special they are, so I love to decorate the house and just tell them all day long!

i did this so Zoey would walk into the house after school and see it!


The flowers are from Ross. I picked them up, but I didn't expect Zoey's reaction to them. When she saw who they were from, she got teary eyed and touched her hand to her heart and said, "OH, they are from Daddy! How did he do that?"
Such a precious moment.




Just some snapshots of present opening time!





She got an American Girl Doll, Molly as her gift.


And then we went outside for our annual balloon shots! And it was really windy...











And for dinner, she chose Texas Roadhouse!
The lighting in that place is horrible for pictures, but I just love this set of them of her...

Max has been with us the whole time, by the way:)


Here she knows something is coming...


Time to sit in the saddle, girl:)


Happy Birthday, Zoey YEEEEHAW!!!


And then I asked the waitress to take a picture of us....

I'll take what I can get I guess...


And going to bed... with her American doll in matching pj's...


Happy Birthday, Sweet Zoey! I know the situation wasn't ideal, but I hope you had a great day and know how amazing you are.
We love you so much.