Jacket Jazz competetion

Katie's junior high dance team had their first competition this past Sunday at Southeastern and they did very well, and had a great time.  I think they got to see what some of these very dedicated high school teams do as far as style and practice to get a better grip on what it takes to compete at this level.  I loved watching all of the other teams perform and so did the girls (maybe dad... not so much!)

The girls and I before the competition:

Mark and Katie:

Waiting to go on before their pom routine:

The final pose of their pom routine:

Waiting to go on before their kick line routine:

During the kickline:

Waiting for the awards ceremony:

Katie and her team:

Here's to next year!  Geaux Jackets!

Emma's basketball begins

Emma's new adventure this year is basketball.  She has never played before, and wanted to try it.  Our park program (where she plays softball) has a great program this year called Hoopsters, and it is perfect for her b/c they do clinics and then play games, and kind of teach them as they go.  It has helped her to learn the game and make it very low pressure as far as games and winning goes.  Last Saturday was her first "game".

Emma waiting to be divided into a team:

Emma listening to Coach Picou:

Emma getting in position to start the game:

Playing defense:

Emma waiting for the basketball to come to her:

Overall, I think she really likes it, and I hope that she will continue to play.  

New Year's Day and the LSU game

We ended up hosting a New Year's Day gathering for the LSU game at our house this year.  Luckily lots of our friends and co workers were able to come, including some of our friends we haven't seen in a while.  Everyone enjoyed gumbo, chili and the traditional black eyed peas (thanks, Mrs. Julie) and cabbage.

Baby Leah was a hit at the party,especially with the Joffrion boys:

Baby Leah:

Mrs. Julie with baby Leah and John Riley:

Mark and Russ visit:

Enjoying some of the food during the game:

Baby Leah enjoys the LSU game:

Friends and co workers enjoy the game:

Parrain Wayne and Mark catch up, since we don't get to see them very often:

Mark and I with Mrs. Molly and Parrain Wayne:

Emma, Sarah and Layne jump rope outside:

Ollie loves Katie and Emma's "hip shaking" scooter:

Fan excitement when LSU scores:

Emma takes Rainbow Loom bracelet requests:

Ashton enjoys holding his Geometry teacher's (aka, Mrs. Julie) baby:

Jovi and John Riley snuggle during the game:

"Crazy Eleanor" and I get some rare time to visit:

Such a good time with friends, that, unfortunately we just don't have enough of.  And, the best part was the Tigers win!  Geaux Tigers!

Christmas eve and day

So as Christmas approached this year, I realized how busy we were b/c we did very few of our usual "traditions".  We didn't make it to the Messengers to see the lights, and we didn't even walk down to the "blow-ups" (as my kids say) right down the street.  The end of school was so hectic.  Even though, we had a great time and I did snap a few pics.  

As per tradition, the girls get to open one gift on Christmas eve;  so after church, they picked a gift.  Emma got a great new Disney (I-spy type) game, and Katie got Heads Up (like on Ellen).

We played the Disney game right away - very cute.  

Our crazy tree, decorated by me and with a lot of help from the girls.  The pictures are random Christmas photos - like with Santa:

Jovi was so excited about her new bed (ha-ha) - but she does love it!

Emma and her new "onesie" on Christmas morning.

Katie and a new Wii game (Jovi, containing her excitement):

Mark and his new Louisiana "Game Changers" Sports book:

Me and my new Disney Vera Bradley bag - yes, there are Hidden Mickeys on it:

So also, as per tradition, I make the Southern Living White Cake for Christmas.  This year it was a red velvet, cheesecake layered cake - Whew!  It was at least a foot tall.  Kind of became the big joke at our house.  I was afraid to ice it.  Long story short, it wasn't the prettiest cake (or the daintiest), but it tasted pretty darn good.

So since the girls were up at 6 AM, everyone needed a nap that afternoon.  I think I was the only one who didn't nap, and trust me... one glass of wine that night at Kim's and I was about to fall fast asleep.  Next year, remind me to nap!

Later that night, we headed to Nannie Kim's for gumbo and festivities.  

The girls waiting to open presents:

Kim, Mark and Jason solving the world's problems:

Emma and Mr. Richard join in the conversation:

Opening up the gifts:

And the ceremonial cutting of the giant cake.  I wasn't sure if we had a knife or plates big enough:

One two pound piece later!  by the way, the cake weighed 10 pounds total, what?!

After dinner and presents, Emma and Mr. Richard play with the train under the tree.  Like grandfather, like granddaughter!

Lastly, a mean game of Heads Up before we leave for home.  It was a blast!