WHat a busy few months we've had.  Zoe's big 3rd birthday party follwed by a Strom family trip to Alaska,  all 18 of us! 

Zoe's bday party was super fun.  She wanted a Snow White theme this year and so I made her a dress and to wear and a little headband top match.  We had great weather and lots of Zoe's friends were able to come most of which dressed in costume also.  We had fairies, minnie mouses, princesses and more- so cute.  We also had a craft table at her party where the kids were able to decorate treasure boxes and apples.  This was Zoe's favorite part of the party,  we couldn't tear her away from it.  It was so funt o seeher interact with all her friends and of course to watch her eat birthday cake.  We are so blessed to be able to celebrate another birthday with her and to have her in our lives.

We follwed the birthday party with a trip to the county fair where Zoe couldn't get enough of the merry-go-round and the rollercoaster ride.  Mimi, Ethan and Savannah and Jordyn, Zoe's cousins on JAson's side, were also able to go along with most of the cousins on my side, so it was a busy fun day.  There is nothing Zoe loves more than be surrounded by her family and all the kids, she interacts so well with them and they are all so sweet and gentle with her, so fun to watch.

we had another brief hospital stay at the beginning of Septmeber.  Zoe woke up from her nap one afternoon and was running a fever of 104.  The first thought when she gets a fever this high is that she could have a line infection, so blood work was immediatley done and we were sent to Childrens.  We were there for a couple days waiting for the fever to subside and for test results.  Everything came back negative so they think she got some sort of virus that hit her hard and fast.  She was on 02 for a few days and missed the first day of preschool but was able to start the following week.

Preschool has been so great for Zoe and I both.  She started 2 weeks ago and goes 4 times and week for 2.5 hours.  Her teacher is amazing as are all the para educators and therapists.  We are so blessed to have a program like this available and so close.  She will be getting physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and whatever else they think she needs.  Theh teachers all took the time to learn about Zoe's meds and IV pump so they are trained if an emergency should happen,  a huge relief for me since I don't stay in class with her like I did at Hollyridge.  she has about 9 other kids in the class with her, all of whom are super sweet and today when I picked her up from school , they all yelled "Bye Zoe" as she walked to the car.  Love it!

We had the great fortune a week and a half ago to go on a week long Alaska cruise with my whole family, all spouses and all grand kids.  My parents had been wanting to do this for years, but someone had always been pregnant and then there was Zoe.  Finally everyone was healthy enough that we decided to do it.  All 18 of us took the ferry to Seattle and got on the MS Amsterdam,  Holland America, bound for Alaska.  I had always thoughts crusises were kind of lame, but let me tell you, after a week on one, I am a cruiuse convert!  This was the first time in 3 years I think I have relaxed.  it was so nice to have everything in one location so we didn't have to worry about Zoe's med and all that and we could keep her on her schedule.  Everything else is taken care of for you, great food, no dishes, no laundry (until you get home)  no having to coordinate hotels and traveling-  I loved it,  I now think it is the only way to travel with a child.  We got to sail into Glacier Bay,  went to Juneau,  Icy Strait Point in Hoonah,  and Ketchikan.  We all had such a great time and can't wait to do it again soon.  It was also so funt o spend time with my family.  We do get together quite often since everyonw lives close but it is usually for a holiday dinner and everyone is busy, so this way we all got time to talk adn catch up-  priceless!  A huge thank you to my mom and ad for planning this amazign trip none of us will soon forget!

Before we went on the crusie my sister, Naomi, and I had the chance to record a StoryCorps interview about Zoe.  it was a really special experience to share with my sister and also an emotional one to relive Zoe's first days and months.  We do have a copy of it if anyone wants to listen you can email me for the link.  I am always grateful for how strong my family is and how much they help us through this journey.  I am a very fortunate girl to have such a  close knit family, and i don't know what I would do without them.

And now for the photo recap...

the birthday girl

Fun at the craft table

At the fair with Mimi

At the Seattle Aquarium with Cousin Ethan

Zoe being silly on the crusie ship

At Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska

Dancing with Cousin Bodie on the crusie.  Zoe was a dancing queen!