A quiet night at home....

Happy New Year!!!
We wish everyone a HAPPY and HEALTHY 2015.

10 Years Old

Our baby is 10! Where did the time go? It feels like yesterday I was standing in the hallway of the hospital nursery with all the other new moms looking at our sweet Zoe through the glass windows. It was the best day of my entire life. Zoe is growing into an amazing little lady and we couldn’t be more proud of her.

For Zoe’s birthday, we got Broadway tickets to see Phantom of the Opera per her request. We got the tickets but we are not going until mid- January, so Zoe knew her actual birthday would be a ‘quiet’ affair. Little did she know we had a HUGE surprise awaiting her! Months ago, I booked a surprise party for her at the local ice skating rink. I sent out all the invites before the holidays and wasn’t sure if Zoe’s friends would be able to keep the secret but, THEY DID!

The plan was to get Shelli there early to get everyone set-up then she would text me when the coast was clear. I told Zoe we were stopping at the ice rink to “buy Uncle Henry’s girlfriend a sweater” before meeting up with Mimi and Uncle Henry for lunch. Zoe didn’t think anything of it. We went in and the store was closed so I told her we would walk around to look for an employee to help us. Meanwhile, I was just walking around to find the party room where everyone was hiding in the dark. When we walked in everyone screamed “SURPRISE!!!” and Zoe didn’t know what to do. She was frozen! Once it soaked in, she was one happy 10 year old. The kids were on the ice a couple hours, ate pizza, and enjoyed cake.

It was a perfect day! 

Long Board

Photo of the day:

Zoe riding her new long board that Uncle Henry got her for Christmas.

BB Gun

Shelli got Zoe a BB gun for Christmas. Zoe had been asking for one for the past couple years and Mimi found a Red Ryder, and what better BB gun to get for Christmas? This afternoon we all went in the back yard to try it out. We ordered a target but it was on backorder and didn’t make it in time for Christmas so we made do and used an empty soda bottle. Everyone hit the target at least once!

Annie

Shelli and Henry and I were just relaxing after a day of gifts, playing Xbox, snacking, and napping, and Zoe spent most of the day playing her new XBOX.  Then just when I thought Christmas couldn't get any better, it did! Zoe was a little antsy and wanted to get out for a little while, so I thought, 'What better time to go to the movies?' Off we went, yep, just mommy and Zoe! We went to see the new Annie movie. The movie was fantastic; we sang, we cried, we sang a little more and cried a little more.

On the way home from the movies both of us were pretty emotional. Zoe was quiet for a few minutes and then said, "Mom, I'm so glad I have parents that love me so much!" I started to cry (again) and told her how lucky both Shelli and I feel to be her parents. Zoe grabbed my hand and held it the whole way home. When we pulled into the driveway she said, "This was the best Christmas ever! I couldn't have agreed more. This is one of those special moments I will never forget!

Merry Christmas!

Santa brought an XBOX 360 and two gaming chairs for Zoe,

Lots of yummy goodies for the animals, And tons of great stuff for Mimi, Mommy, & Uncle Henry.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the special gifts that came our way. Zoe always gets way more than any child needs HOWEVER, she loves every single thing she received! We are truly blessed.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

‘Twas the night before Christmas and the Petsch household was very busy getting things ready for Santa. Zoe made cookies, reindeer food, and wrote a goodbye letter for “Whitey”, our Elf on the shelf.

                    
                         Shelli and I did our magic once our little angel was in bed – ASLEEP!

Not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for the best gift in the entire world – Zoe. In a few days our baby will be 10… Where oh where did the time go? It feels like yesterday we were at the hospital holding her and kissing her for the first time. There isn’t a word to describe the love I have for her. She is my whole wide world.

 And to all, a good night!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Gingerbread House

Jaylyn came over to help Zoe make a gingerbread house. The girls always have so much fun decorating. By the time they were done, it looked like something out of Candy Land.
It was beautiful!