Happy 2nd Birthday River!

You never really know how quickly time can go by until you have a child. Two years have flown by in the twinkling of an eye. 730 days ago a doctor handed a bewildered me what I could only believe to be a giant, slim-covered, blue-eyed salamander baby. I looked to my wife for reassurance and was met with a mooney-faced look of pride and love. "Well she is obviously on drugs! I'll check back with her later!" I looked again at the slim-covered, blue-eyed salamander baby just before I was about to make a Rob-shaped hole in the closed door and. . SHE LOOKED BACK AT ME. The eyes! She was mine! She was OURS!

We've tried to soak up every ounce of joy and happiness over the past 2 years and I think we've done a pretty good job so far. Everyday brings new firsts and milestones. I don't want to miss any of it because we'll never pass this way again.

Happy birthday daughter! You are a blessing beyond belief.
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Sneaking a piece of candy before the guests arrive. Shhhhh.
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Discussing farming with her Pepaw.
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The Cake.

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She was a little freaked out. "Why is mommy putting me into the cake???"
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"You should try some of this, Granny Collier! It's good stuff!"
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At first she thought that everyone had brought her bags of colorful paper! And she was fine with that!
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She soon discovered that there was other goodies beneath the paper!
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Receiving an heirloom butterfly that once belonged to her Great, Great Grandmother Martha.

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The loot was overwhelming!
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Keys to a new car!!

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Her first guitar!!

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"Yea, I've been playing for most of my life."

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River and her Pepaw rehearsing for their Winter Tour. Note the attitude and Rock and Roll stance.

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"Daddy! You're blocking the Tunnel O' Fun!"

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River's friend, the always adorable Audrey!

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This is the face of a cake and candy high.
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Alert the Media!

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Take a look back - November 2, 2007

The Adventure Continues. .

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