1st Cheer Competition ~ UCA in Jackson...

Anna Lauren had her first competition of the season today.  They placed sixth out of ten teams.  Of course we had hoped for better, but hopefully they got the "first competition" jitters and "deductions" out of the way and are motivated to work even harder to prepare for their next competition, which is in January.

Very seldom does Cooper go to a cheer competition, but he went today and was a proud little brother.

He was not happy he didn't have an ACE shirt like the rest of us.  However, we found plenty of red and black in his closet so he was ok.

She may just be our favorite cheerleader!!!

So thankful that these two really do get along and love each other (for the most part)...

Matt just couldn't resist...

As if Matt wasn't enough...Cooper had to join in too...

Finally got the picture I was trying to take...

Anna Lauren is FINALLY cheering with all her friends, and we are loving every minute of them being part of our tribe!!!

We were SO sad when Maggie and her sister, Mary Addison, moved to another gym.  We miss them so much and loved getting to see them today!!!

Anna Lauren and Ms. Kellie entertaining themselves while we were waiting...

First thing Cooper said when we got in the car..."am I going to get to see Mary Addison today"?  Yep...he got to see her and if you cannot tell, he was pretty pumped!!!

One last picture before heading into warm-ups...

Cooper and Cooper...

Cooper got desperate and convinced some girls to play football with him...

All we ever ask of Anna Lauren is to give it 100%...today she did just that, and we were so proud of her!

May just be my favorite picture of the day!!!

I've told her over and over and over...I want to see a smile.  Bless her heart, she is out of breath from tumbling across the floor but still managed to pull off a smile.

Like I said, not the place we had hoped to get, but I can say, Anna Lauren gave it all she had and did her best.  And...she was a good sport even though she was disappointed.  Competing is hard and some days are better than others.  Even at a young age, lots of lessons being learned through the sport she loves so much.

Cooper's 1st Basketball Game...

Today was Cooper's first basketball game and it was SO much fun!!!  You know I've decided it doesn't matter what sport they are playing...if they like it then it is fun watching them do something they love or something that is fun to them.  And Cooper...well, it's fun to watch him do anything because he gives it 100% and always has a good time no matter what sport it is at the time.

He has the best sister who never complains and watches game after game...even though he finds a way to not go to cheer...ha ha!!!

The introduction was so fun and the smiles are priceless...

We really couldn't have asked for better so far this year...he had a great football coach, great baseball coaches, and now a great basketball coach.  For that, we are thankful!

Really hoping he grows out of this...he had the first game "jitters" so he chewed those fingers most of the game.  

Lined up for free throws...

I knew he wouldn't disappoint me on defense...

I know he did not shoot this ball so I think he was ready to rebound...

Just maybe I can get this ball they are throwing in...

They won 32-34.  Cooper played great defense, scored 4 points, and got the effort star.  He had a great time, and we were super proud of him!!!

Christmas Decorations...

Seems a little silly to post pictures of Christmas decorations, but honestly, I look back at these from year to year when I'm getting ready to decorate for the current year...helps me get a decorating game plan in mind before I pull it all of the attic and get started.  This year I was not into it and just wanted it done.  On Saturday everyone chipped in and helped, we did minimum decorating, and had everything back in the attic by 5 PM.  And another year of decorating can be marked off the list!!!

One of my favorite traditions is to display our Christmas cards from every year...but wow...this is our 16th Christmas together, and I'm running out of ideas of a way to display them.  This year the side of the fridge had to work.

I bought this tiered basket back in the summer, and I love it on my kitchen table.  Not to mention it's super easy to just throw pumpkins, a few balls, or whatever best fits the season just to add a little extra for the season/holiday.

I actually bought this tree for Dirty Santa with Matt's family last year and loved it so much that I got it for myself...

Just a little bit of Christmas on my desk...

Barbie bought me some soap as a little happy and it was perfect with the little sign I put in the half bath...

Matt's mom recently helped me re-do my mantle, and I almost didn't put up my Christmas canvas because I love my new mantle so much.  But...I just couldn't...love this canvas Matt's mom gave me several years ago too much to not display it at Christmas time...

We had to buy a tree this year because our lights on our old tree slowly but surely went out last Christmas.  I ordered this one online because it was much cheaper than anything I could find in the stores.  I was nervous to open the box, but it is exactly what I wanted!!!

I didn't use any deco mesh, ribbon, or garland, which I have always done in years past.  I think it looks fine without it and not to mention, I was just over all that and wanted to do something different.

Nanna buys Cooper a nutcracker every year.  Cooper thinks they are toys, and I disagree with him.  So...they live high up!!!

My mom has bought me these signs over the years, and I love having them different places throughout the house...this one is actually at the top of the stairs.

I told Anna Lauren she had to do her own tree...and seriously...is this the best she can do???  No fluffing, half the ornaments have fallen off, and it is not even where she can plug it in.  She could care less...she wasn't even going to put it in her room.  Taking everything in me to not go fix for her...I will before it's over.

Cooper was super excited about his tree and couldn't wait to put it up in his room.  Matt helped him so his looks a little better than Anna Lauren's.

After 14 years, our trees for the front porch quit working so we have new trees this year.  But...simple to say the least.

I'm the weird one...Christmas is not my favorite time of the year.  Sadly, I see it as so much work rather than the "most wonderful time of the year".  But like my mom always did, I try to make it fun for my kids.  

Saturday afternoon I realized I had spent the past three days at home, which was fabulous, but I was ready to get out for just a minute.  We had dinner out and ran into Hobby Lobby for something.  Cooper insisted they have their picture made...sister just agreed so that we could leave...she was a good sport!

Thanksgiving...

It was our year to spend Thanksgiving with my family.  But both Brad's family and Joey's family spent Thanksgiving in Starkville for the Egg Bowl...so...

Matt and I went for a little jog and then we had breakfast at Waffle House.  Not sure why everyone is not in the picture, but Nanna was with us.

After mom and I did some cooking, I wrapped some Christmas presents while we watched a Hallmark movie.

Matt and Anna Lauren couldn't stand it...they went out for a little while on Thursday night just for fun and to pick up a thing or two that we could have easily ordered online.  They just both love a good adventure...

On Friday, we hosted all my family for Thanksgiving.  It was such a treat to not have to travel this year and get to have everyone at our house!!!

It was a beautiful day so the kids spent most of the day outside...

Not sure what he was thinking, but Cooper thought he could beat Reid in checkers.  Yeah right...keep dreaming, little man!!!

They played cards...the little ones are finally big enough that they can play games with the big ones.  Makes for way less crying...

I made them stop for a picture as they ALL headed to Academy to look for Reid a kayak.  Pretty sure it was "overload" for Reid...

It was such a lovely day with my family...we enjoyed every single minute of having everyone at our house for the day!!!