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! :) 

Happy New Year!

We spent New Year's Eve Day on the beach...it was a blast...personally, I'm so very thankful to live in a place that has outdoor activities year round. I don't hate it at all! 

Walker, Colton, Jenna, Camryn, and Molly

Walker and Colton...great friends

The beach was FILLED with these Portuguese Man-o-wars! Crazy! Look how long the tentacles are!

The girls...Camryn, Lainey, Molly, and Jenna

(Lainey had just returned from a private at her dance studio, which is 10 minutes away from the beach...so she was able to play at the beach both before AND after her private!)

Walker, carrying a coconut to the "witches' brew" that he and Colton were preparing

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And a couple of images of our fur babies...ready to embrace 2021 and all it has to offer. ;)

Belle, 3 years old

Reagan, 16 years old

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Happy New Year! Let's get ON with 2021!

Jacksonville and Whataburger

Because Ben and Walker (and Lainey and I) miss Whataburger so much, the boys drove to Jacksonville, FL to eat dinner and lunch at the fast foot restaurant; it's the closest one to us, and it's almost 5 hours away! Lainey and I opted to stay home... :) 

view from their hotel...so pretty

They stopped at the Kennedy Space Center on the way home - pretty cool. :) 

Ben "tweeted" about it and got this response from Whataburger! Really cool! But now we have to figure out how to DM on Twitter...we should probably find a teenager to help us. :) Ha!

Merry Christmas!

 

Lainey's Christmas haul

Walker's Christmas haul

Lainey's ballet photo shoot... ;) 

Walker, in a new Whataburger t-shirt

Harry Potter Legos! An awesome surprise!

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This is probably the shortest Christmas post I've ever published! Due to Covid, we stayed in Florida and celebrated Christmas as a family of four...for the first time ever. We spent Christmas Eve at church and then had dinner at a local restaurant...then we spent Christmas Day at the house. Lainey got a headboard for her bed (she's so thrilled!) and Walker got a gaming chair (he had previously been sitting on a stool!). Both were very pleased with everything! Overall, it's been a very relaxing, slow break. Nothing too hurried or to fast-paced, nothing really pressing. We've enjoyed our time together, yet we've missed seeing our Texas friends and family....we're hoping that 2021 brings us opportunities to see our loved ones again!