Daddy's Girls

Christmas 2019 sure was a good one. We spent Christmas Eve surrounded by the McCormick family enjoying each other and the deer camp. Kids and adults both had fun riding around and visiting. There was cookie decorating for Santa (remind me to not leave the cookies out next year! Bella hurt for 24 hours) Followed by present opening and a delicious meal. We had to get home fairly early so we could get ready for Santa. Yaya read The Night Before Christmas by video and then we read the Christmas story and Katie picked a couple she wanted to read too. We set out the cookies and milk... and both girls were in bed by 8:30. Matt and I weren’t too far behind because we didn’t want him to pass our house because we were up. And he didn’t! We woke up at 6:00 to all sorts of toys and games.  I think the highlight was the dinosaurs and LOL camper. We FaceTimed family and Matt put together the scooters from Yaya and Capn. They came over for lunch of prime rib and all the favorite sides. And watched th

Ever since Katie was born we celebrate Christmas in Baton Rouge the weekend before the actual day. We used to travel and alternate years but as time went on we realized it made the holiday stressful so it’s much nicer to do it this way.  It’s really about the time with family and not the date on the calendar anyway. Friday night was the big family gathering. EVERYONE was there and we had over 20 people for dinner. I made a brisket, side and pies and Janet and Lizard helped out with sides and snacks too. The kids opened presents from great-aunts, uncles and nana and the adults played the white elephant game.  Saturday was pretty low key. It was rainy and nasty so everyone came to us. Jimmy took all 5 kids to brunch while we got a quiet house. Then they came back and we decorated Christmas cookies with Nana and Lizard  After naps, everyone came back over to watch Christmas movies and hang out again for the evening.  Then Sunday we went over to Dad and Janet’s for lunch. This was original

School is out for the next 18 days! No alarm clocks, no homework. Sometimes I get as excited as the kids. Technically it still goes until tomorrow but we leave for Baton Rouge in the morning so we’re playing hooky. Today was a fun day at school. Lillian went with the other student council members and the cheerleaders to sing Christmas carols at a nursing home. This was a very cool experience for her and I’m really glad she got to go.  Apollo staggered party times so parents could go for multiple kids but 1st and 4th grade were only 10 minutes apart. Yaya came to stay with Katie so that I could be at Lilli’s (I’m her room mom this year) but I did get to go for the 1st 10 minutes Katie’s room Mom planned some fun “minute to win it” games. I got to see the first one and she was already having a  blast. She told me she ate “a pound of sugar.”  Lilli’s game was the left-right game where everyone got a present to open and then we had some snacks. After a little fun with their friends they go

I guess I’ve know for awhile that this post was coming but I was never going to be ready. You were the best dog and I’ve loved you for over 15 years now. You were our first “baby” and came in to our lives a year before we were married. It was only three months after we left Ruston and the day we got you was the happiest day of my life at the time. You grew up with us and were a constant companion and I was so thankful for you. You’ve seen it all (and it’s probably a good thing you couldn’t talk 😉) and were my shadow for most of your life. You lived a good life. Not many dogs have been on airplane rides and stayed in hotels in Florida and lived on a boat. You’ve been on too many trips to count. Everywhere from a pirate festival in the Bahamas to a house on Toledo Bend.  Your favorite thing was four wheeler rides and being with us. You didn’t know what you signed up for when you came in to this family. You got to live six years as an only child before the human kids came along. And then

Breakfast with Santa at Jubilee Zoo is one of our favorite traditions. I think we’ve only missed one or two in the 7 Christmases since Katie was born. It gets better and better as they add more each year and work out the little things. Of course it always starts with the catered breakfast. It’s delicious and the Rudolph pancakes are a hit for the kids. (Lilli was sitting with Christy and Landry) The kids got to bounce in the bounce houses, feed some animals and have some photo ops for a bit until they called groups.  First group station was a ride on Halo the Unicorn. This was new this year and every kid loves pony rides. It was by the new party barn they’ve built for birthday parties which was very cool too.  Then they got to make a friend just like at build a bear. Lillian picked a llama and Katie got a kangaroo.  The 3rd station was the hay ride which is usually the highlight of Jubilee Zoo. It’s fun to feed the cows, zebra and horses. That’s “usually” the highlight but this trip to

Sunday was a really good day that started with church and was followed by a lazy afternoon of football and naps. I love watching the kids going over to the tree to read the names on the gifts. I know it’s not what Christmas is about but it’s fun to see them experience that magic and joy.  At 5:00 we headed out to meet the Olivers at the American Rose Garden for Christmas in Roseland. We go every year and even though the displays are usually about the same, the lights are pretty and it’s a fun tradition we all look forward to. Plus the art work is nice and we like stopping to find the rose in each picture.  We followed it up with dinner at Nicky’s and exchanging gifts with each other’s kids. It’s crazy we've been friends for going on 19 years now. And we’re looking forward to our gift to each other. The Dad’s are staying home with the kids on Thursday and we’re going out to a nice dinner. Something we haven’t done in years! 

That Coco is something else! She brought extra toys and candy in the Advent calendar this morning since the kids had a sleepover. Plus she left a cool little experiment to do Those were some excited little girls and proved to them she’s always watching since she knew Bella and Britney  were here!  We hung out all morning and then at noon had to drop Lillian at Kroger for the kettle bell challenge for 4-H and Bossier Schools.  When Shaleigh’s Mom brought her back at 1:00 we loaded up to go to the Benton in the Square Christmas Festival. We met Christy, Ashley and Heather and had a total of 9 girls!  That’s a lot of kids but we had a blast! We’ll go longer next year. We got there late because of the kettle bell and had to rush out after the parade to watch LSU win the SEC championship! That was a great day to start our Christmas season! 

Christmas is getting closer and our girls sure are getting excited! Coco came on the 1st and filled the Advent calendar like she always does.  (Magnetic earrings for Lilli) Katie hasn’t slept passed 5:45 since because she’s so excited to find her and see what she’s gotten in to.  It’s been a normal week with back to school but I did get to volunteer twice. PTL organized a chance for teachers to go off campus for lunch and have their classes covered by parent volunteers. I subbed for an hour and a half for Lillian‘s class on Tuesday and Katie‘s today. (Katie still smiles for pics at school but I didn’t want to embarrass Lil) Katie is also Student of the Month this month. When she told Matt about it he told her she can get “almost” anything she wants with good behavior and grades.  What did she want? To go on a golf cart ride with him ❤️ And I made waffles for breakfast to celebrate it too. (I NEVER cook on school mornings- it’s usually a bagel or cereal so this was a big deal) This week

We got back yesterday from another great Thanksgiving at the deer camp. Everyone was there Wednesday for 3 days and nights of food and family.  The cousins played together non stop while the grown ups got to hang out. There were crafts, four wheeler riding, lots and lots of playing. Matt took each of the girls deer hunting Which was exhausting for everyone Of course the reason we were all gathered was to celebrate Thanksgiving and we sure have a lot to be thankful for this year. We’re so glad Matt is better and Rachel is heading that way. There are new houses going up and accomplishments at school and work. But what we are most thankful for was around the tables Family... life may not always be perfect but we know when it comes down to it we are there for each other.  Once the turkey is eaten it’s time to deck the halls. We found the most perfect tree this year.  The kids loved putting on the ornaments and in 3 weeks we’ll be back around it again to celebrate Christmas! This is definit