Daddy's Girls

Thanksgiving afternoon was a milestone for Ms. KatieJane because her Daddy took her on her very first deer hunt. She has been so excited and begging him to go. He told her to get ready so we piled on a ton of clothes (That’s three pants layers +3 shirts and a jacket. And when they got back she said it was not too much) This is one excited face! They loaded up and headed out for their long ride to the stand.  They have been talking for weeks about how you have to be quiet in the stand and Matt said when she got there she was all business. She asked if she could use the binoculars and sat there for probably 15 minutes staring and on the lookout. She was super excited when she found out the deer stand also meant snacks. M&Ms were a great surprise After she filled her belly on those the week caught up to her and she got about a 15 minute catnap. But Matt said she rallied and was back at it again. When they got back Chad asked if she saw anything. And she said “no, but that’s why they c

I’ve been spending Thanksgiving at the camp since before Matt and I were married and we’ve been in this house since Lilli was 2. I love being there to spend time with family for days and that there are traditions we can count on.  Matt is going to fry a turkey I love that the girls sit out there and watch. They’ll be helping him with it before we know it. And the excitement was even better because Uncle Josh was cleaning 2 deer while he was doing it.  Yaya is going to make the best meal and we’ll all enjoy watching and saying we’ll learn to do the turkey and gravy but after a glass or two of wine we decide to wait till next year. ;) No one can do it like her anyway! The girls will share champagne The kids will run around an play for hours. There are never pictures of that because they are too busy but we’ll catch them being sweet when they are relaxing inside.  Hailey is going to make candy turkeys with the kids and they will literally have chocolate dripping down their elbows We’ll ta

This is KatieJane’s selfie from “her” phone that showed up on mine the other day. It’s really Matt’s old phone that she can play games and music on when she has WiFi. She carries it around with her everywhere and it can usually be found in her back pocket blasting country music. All pictures and videos she does show up on my phone and the amount of selfies that I get when she gets going is a little ridiculous. 😊 I have a feeling we’re in for it with this one!

But it looks like Christmas in this house!  And I’ve got no shame! It would be different if I was hosting Thanksgiving but I’m not and I love it. It’s the best time of the year and I’ve even read studies that show people who decorate earlier are happier. So there you go… Science! 😊 It makes me happy to walk in to my lit tree and see the other decorations. This season isn’t long enough and I like to get started as soon as I can. So Happy Thanksgiving... and Merry Christmas! 

Pops’ birthday is today but we went down to Baton Rouge on Saturday and spent the whole weekend celebrating. Saturday night was his party and so many people came that we haven’t seen in so long. GranJan came from Austin with Andrew and Brooks, Michaelyn and Rick drove in and even though Allie was working she popped over for dinner. Saturday morning we got up and 13 of us met to see the Grinch. It was super cute and kind of fun to have so many generations together. Most of the rest of the weekend was just spent having some cousin time. We all spent the night at Nana, Jimmy and Theresa‘s. Five kids there meant piling in and some slept on the floor with some in recliner’s. So fun!  Sunday night we did a dinner with just immediate family because Janet’s son was in town from Colorado and had turkey, dressing and a little mini Thanksgiving. And this morning all the girls and grandkids went over for coffee and visiting on Pops’ actual birthday before we headed out of town. The girls “helped”

Katie had her first ever field trip today and she was so excited. First Friends didn’t do any field trips and this was her first one this year so she was literally jumping up and down this morning. Lillian was a little jealous but she gets hers to see The Nutcracker the week after Thanksgiving. We’ve been to Jubilee zoo a million times but I was really surprised by how many people didn’t even know it existed. We did all of the usual stuff: Bounce houses and feeding goats, sheep and kangaroos  A Hay ride to see the big animals  But this time she also got to milk a goat! And all of it with her friends from class and her Mama. I was so happy to get to be there. It’s amazing how much she’s gown in the last few months and I don’t want to miss a thing! Now it’s time to get ready for the holidays! 

We are getting ready for Holiday season in this house! The school had holiday pictures yesterday and it SNOWED Tuesday so even the universe is agreeing with me.  It may be hard to tell but that is snow coming down in the bottom right picture. It was a good bit too!  Not enough to stick or anything but it was pretty to watch. (And yes, they are in short sleeves and tank tops as they are out in it.) I may not have my tree up yet but it is coming soon! I would’ve had it up two weeks ago if Matt would let me. So we compromised years ago on me putting it up the day before we leave for the deer camp for Thanksgiving so that I can come home to a decorated house. And of course with holiday season comes deer season! Matt got one opening weekend and tenderized some backstrap that I fried. It’s Lilli’s favorite and I think you can tell she was enjoying it. But no one is skipping Thanksgiving. Yaya and I met at Apollo today for the school’s Thanksgiving lunch. The girls were so excited to see her!

As usual we’ve been crazy busy lately so we decided to take weekend to relax and play. Friday night we went to Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and playing before Girl Scouts. I’ve had about 80 tokens riding around in my car since the last time and I’ve been promising the girls we would use them. It was just the three of us and really pretty fun!  Saturday Katie and I did some shopping for Christmas picture clothes at the boardwalk while Lillian was at an art make up class. I had to show a couple of houses real quick after but the rest of the afternoon was spent playing in the backyard and relaxing. They tried to watch the LSU game with me but I’m the only one that made it to the end. :) While the girls were playing Daddy was hunting! He sent me and Yaya these pics and a text about how we’re very lucky people and need to slow down to appreciate it every once in awhile. Very wise words Matt and yes we are!  The mashed potatoes and gravy are already made to have with this deer steak I’m plannin

Our Tigers may have played a disappointing game against Alabama on Saturday but that didn’t bother us. Of course it’s great when they win but this right here is the reason we all love going to the deer camp. Cousins, sister wives, brothers, and Grandparents enjoying each other’s company and the beauty of that place. Always the best weekends! 

KatieJane had her last soccer game of the season on Saturday. The team won about half their games but the most important part was she had fun! She was always excited to go and loved it all. She said she’s not playing next season but I have a feeling that is only because after seven weeks of three times a week practices or games she’s a little worn out. Give it a few weeks and I bet she’ll be ready to go again!

I know no school is perfect but I sure do love Apollo. We’ve never had a teacher we don’t like and they are always so supportive. They check on the kids when they’re sick and even care about things that are going on in their lives outside of school. I swear each one has been special and each year I wonder if we’re going to get as lucky the next. And every year we do. The whole school transformed on Halloween and each grade had their own theme. It was a total surprise to the kids and 3rd grade was a construction site and Kindergarten was a pumpkin patch. They still completed all of their lessons for the day but with a “twist” that went with each theme.  The kids were so excited! They have plans to have days like this all throughout the year. It’s from a new professional development course that several teachers and the principal attend it over the summer. And today was our monthly fundraiser that I chair, popcorn and pickle. Each month as I shop, get flyers copied, leave the house at 6:3