Catching up...

Reagan looking cute

Walker's baseball team (he's second from right on the top row)

Damian, Jacob (Walker's closest friend here in FL), and Walker

Walker...far, far left

Lainey and I traveled to Dallas so she could compete at YAGP...a highly competitive ballet-based competition. It was a great experience, although being there with Covid restrictions and without a team/teacher was hard. :( I won't go into details, but it was a very humbling, raw experience! We learned a lot and are thankful for the opportunity. And of course, Lainey looked beautiful and I am so proud of her bravery, strength, and determination. She was amazing. 

ballet costume

contemporary costume

Thankfully, we got to squeeze in some good family time with Tom, Vivian, Whitney and Matt.

Vivian! She's one!

very interested in Lainey's shoes

Tom was interested in EVERYTHING! :) Being three-in-a-half years old is fun. ;)

We also got to see the Bader family - which made our hearts so happy. :) We love our Bader family!

littles vs. now...

And finally, we met Tuck and Emmy's dog, Paco, before heading to the airport.

He's so cute!

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Reagan was so happy for Mom to be home...although she adapted beautifully to Yiyia and Ben while I was gone! Belle...not so much. She was awful for her caregivers. :(

my snugglebug ;)

We got back from Dallas on a Saturday, meaning we were able to watch Walker play basketball on a Sunday. No one works harder. :) 

Basketball in Florida is all outside! It's so cool!

Walker was working on bonding with Belle... :) She is a little feisty! She really only "tolerates" me but likes Lainey. She doesn't really care for the rest of the family and she really doesn't enjoy outsiders. :) 

Whataburger "Swag"

After Ben tweeted about his trip with Walker to Whataburger in Jacksonville, FL, Whataburger sent us some "swag" - so cool! Both Ben and Walker were super excited.

Annnddd, baseball is back! This is a photo of Walker on the pitcher's mound! I hope to get more photos of him this season!

NYCDA Convention / Competition in Orlando

Lainey and I traveled to Orlando, Florida this past weekend so she could compete at NYCDA, a convention/competition circuit that travels around the United States. It was so nice to see Lainey back on stage...she has missed it so much! She hasn't competed since last February...that's a long time when you're 12 years old. Anyway, we had a great time and enjoyed being back "in the game." :)

Karly, Lainey, and Victoria - best buds

Karly and Lainey

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Photos from Lainey's solo called "Here we Stand." It was choreographed by the studio owner Brittany Lents; it's full of tricks, powerful moves, and it does a great job showcasing the fiery personality that she exhibits while performing. She loves it! 

She earned a platinum level score and 8th place overall. She was very pleased!

She's borrowing this costume from a dancer friend - she loves it! It's so different than what she wore in Texas. I think she loves the sparkle.

Mia, Victoria, Karly, and Lainey

Due to Covid, we left Sunday morning and chose to watch the awards virtually; it was wonderful! I didn't mind watching the awards from the comfort of our couch...it was awesome. Lainey ended up winning Junior Outstanding Dancer for the Junior Age Division; she was one of two girls chosen. She was THRILLED! It was such an honor and she was so excited to have been chosen! It basically allows her to take classes at this convention, NYCDA, for the next year tuition-free and she's been invited to perform her solo at Nationals. All in all, a great thing! Very proud of your hard work, Lainey Lou! You give 110% all the time (well, in dance...haha) and for that, we are very proud of you! :)