What a Christmas Party!

I know you all have been waiting for this post, but it takes a little while to write about such a perfect night! The ZPO's decided quite some time ago to have our first annual Christmas Party at Charing's new house. Many of the girls had never been there, so it seemed like the perfect time to show it off! Big Scott and the kids (minus baby Carter of course) had gone to Indiana to see the UK vs IU game. Seeing as how they were out of the house for the night, it was the perfect time for us to come over...okay, so actually the game was over by like five and they could have easily been home, but Scott, being great in every way, kept the kids in a hotel over night so we could have the house all to ourselves!

The evening started around seven. Charing had made a wonderful meal. As we all arrived we hung out in the kitchen, passing around the baby and eating appetizers. I am sad to say that Carter is a little colicky, so he was a little picky about how he wanted to be held....as long as you hold the baby like a football, he is happy for life!!

While hanging out and having a couple of glasses of wine before dinner, there was a knock at the door. Well, all the ZPO's were there (except Missy, who once again could not get out of work for the ZPO meeting...we were so sad!!) so who was at the door you ask...That's right...it was Christmas Carolers! I have to say in all my days I have never had actual Carolers. they were from the Christian home school and they sang to us, then asked for an item for the scavenger hunt. In our most Christian like fashion, we watched them as we drank our wine, insisted on taking pictures of them, and then tried to convince them it was okay to lie and take two items from our house for the hunt....they declined.

Once we had our fill of the appetizers, we moved into the dining room for the main course. Charing had made a wonderful dinner that we all devoured. Dinner was filled with the ZPO's talking, laughing and basically having the time of our lives! While at dinner, Charing and Rhiannon both gave the chapter gifts that they had made. Charing had made us a picture and an ornament that was so cute! Rhi, in a equally cute way, made the entire chapter picture frames. How great are they?!?!

After dinner we had a little surprise for Charing...it was her initiation!!! I am sorry to say there are no pictures of this because, well, as you all know it is top secret. I will say it was a huge success and now she is no longer a pledge, but a full fledge member of ZPO with full fledge knowledge of all of our secrets and traditions!

After initiation, Rhi gave Liz her birthday presents. She also got her some really sweet outfits for Wes. How great!!

Once dinner, birthday and initiation was done, we moved to the kitchen for more wine, then on to coffee and desert. Charing made the most amazing chocolate pie, as well as an incredible cheese cake that I think Candice is still dreaming about. The party lasted well into the night, and it was basically the best Christmas party ever!!

Get Well Soon!

Poor Candice is off to have surgery today. we all know it is best and it will make life so much easier! We are all thinking of you and hope that you are back to your old self really soon!

Christmas is Coming

I just got my pictures developed and couldn't wait to come home and load them up. Here is a collection of cool things that have happened for me in the past few weeks.

I know you all have been waiting for the Christmas carolers picture, so here it is! The door bell rang at Charing's house and Rhi said, "I think it's carolers." We should have believed out friend at first, but of course were in disbelief until we saw with our own eyes. They were fabulous, and completely embarrassed to have their pictures taken.
Rhi and I holding baby Carter like a football. That was the name of the game at the ZPO Christmas party held at Charing's.


Dad, Mary, Victoria, Nick, Sarah, Lauren, Jackson and I all went to the Kentucky Chorus sing-a-long at Rupp Arena. It was tons of fun and here are some pictures we took at Lauren's before the big show. How cute is he??!?!?

















Sarah and I joined Mary and Victoria with other family members for lunch at the Green Tea room. It was a very nice lunch with awesome food!





Oh the Rascal Flatts concert, how I loved it. I am so glad I got to go see them live. It was super great and I had a great time with my teacher from Dunbar Sarah Lubbe. We might have had a little too much fun, but I had to put all the pictures in. : )










After a long afternoon in the kitchen Thanksgiving Day, dad and I do a celebration turkey dance. Hey we deserved it for such a good meal!

Nick, Sarah, and Ellie snug as a bug chilling on Thanksgiving. Chris and his lady were also there.

















Yes that is Kahlan. Yes she does have a bra on her head. And yes this is what Rhiannon and I do in our apartment when we're bored. We love her though! Sorry Rhi, I just had to share! Haha...

Good Luck!!

This is the first day of the dreaded finals week for little Miss Candice. I know this is not the normal hell of finals week due to a reduction in classes as well as a take home test and a portfolio, which is really lucky since you are having the tonsil's out on Thursday! We all hope you do great and get straight A's and show everyone what a genius you are! This is something for Missy to be looking forward to for next semester!!

Merry Christmas from Zeta Phi Omega

Seriously...how cute are we! Charing had this made for us, and it is so great! We had our Christmas party tonight, and there are tons of great pictures and details, but that will have to wait until tomorrow because I am tired and have to work in the morning. For now, I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from the ZPO's!!

Goodbye Our Sweet Sweet Boy

Yesterday our family had to do one of the hardest things for a family. We had to let go of our sweet Data boy. Oh, he was such a wonderful dog. He was with us for fifteen years, but it never seems like long enough. It is one of the worst things in life that our love with our pets is so complete and consuming, and then they are taken from us to soon. Our hearts are broken. We will miss him always.

Poor Candice...

Our little Candice is just not feeling well at all! She should have figured it was coming. I mean, here it is, the week before finals and the week before she has the tonsils yanked out....and the sore throat begins. Of course it is strep. Oh, the irony. She had to get a penicillin shot, which is basically hell, so we all feel terrible for her and hope she is feel better soon!

Liz is basically a genius and has set up a blog so everyone can see Wes's pictures. Here is a link:
www.brooksfamily05.blogspot.com
I will also add it to of links on the side, so you all can check in on him whenever you like!

Dont forget that Saturday is our ZPO Christmas party. We are planning to get the party started around seven at Charings house. It will pretty much be the coolest place in town, so make sure you are there!

Wesley's Sweet Face

I thought you would all like to see this updated picture of Wes! He is so sweet! Liz, we cannot wait for him to come home so we can all hold him and kiss his little face!

Evie is Here!

A close friend of the ZPO's had a little girl yesterday! Whitney and JC welcomed Evelyn Rose Fay into the world at six last night. She weighs seven pounds four ounces and is twenty inches long. Labor was not easy for little Whit, but it is all now worth it with her baby girl finally being here! Boo, Liz and I stopped by today to see her sweet little face and thought you all might like to see her too! Whit, we are all so happy for you!

The new Mama holding her baby girl

Me and little Evie
Liz, Boo and Evie
Whitney and JC, the proud parents
Baby Evie catching some zzz's

Happy Birthday to Rhiannon!

Today is the day that glorious Rhiannon came into the world. Thank goodness! What would we all do without the witty banter and constant laughs from Rhi?? You bring so much joy to all of our lives. There is nobody who deserves a better birthday than you. We all love you so much Rhi. I am thinking today will be the first day of the best year of your life...and we will bring it in tonight with a bang! This past year wasn't to shabby either, mind you. You did get to go see Jimmy Johnson in real life....TWICE!! You have a wonderful job that you love, one of the best family's ever, and friends that adore you. Happy Birthday Rhiannon. We love you!