This past weekend was McNeese's homecoming. So on Saturday, we all got dressed up in our blue and gold for the tailgate party and game! Since this post is centered around the cuteness of our family, I will go ahead and let you know that we cheered the Cowboys on to a victory over Nicholls State.....GEAUX POKES!
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Okay....maybe I should be used it to it by now, but WHY are all these people staring at me?! |
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Mama was close by to give hugs that calm a girl down and bring a smile to her face. |
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And even Daddy got in for a sweet family shot. |
Homecoming tailgate parties always feature a live band, this years band was City Heat - which plays a WIDE variety of music, but their speciality is anything R&B. Which we discovered Lexie really enjoys :-) She had such fun dancing to the music.
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She even found a dance partner for a few songs. |
At the beginning, Lexie was very timid, staying close to either me or Bryan, clinging to our legs or reaching up to us and pleading "hol' me, hol' me." But after a little while, the showoff in her came out and she was running and dancing all over the place, grabbing the attention and comments of everyone around. Her favorite game was running across the Grove from Mama to Daddy. She would start with one of us, then run full speed in to the others arms. Then turn around and do it again, going the other direction. This gave way to some sweet Daddy/Daughter pics.
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I love the smiles! |
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I love these two!
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But out of everything, Lexie's favorite part was when the cheerleaders, band, and danceline came to perform. Daddy, understanding his daughter's love for this particular portion, brought her straight to the front so she could have a great view.
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Can't you just SEE the excitement! |
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I love the clapping :-) |
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She is just mesmerized by the entire show....I love how she gets into it and particpates, trying to mimic all the movements. |
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I'm pretty sure we'll all agree that THIS was the best seat in the house. |
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Big cheers for everyone as the show concludes and they get ready to leave for the stadium.
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Of course, I working this entire time, but Lexie does not understand the concept of work....so it's sometimes a challenge. Thankfully, when your baby is this cute, your boss wants to take pictures of the two of you together rather than get upset that you have your baby with you at work. (Yes, I'm VERY lucky!)
As if the excitement of the tailgate party wasn't enough, we also managed to make it through over half of the game. I wish I could have documented Lexie's excitement as she watched the parachuters come in, but we walking into the stadium so I just wasn't prepared (when you are "working" the tailgate, getting into the stadium early is rare) but she's amazed by them. Of course, she's amazed by the entire enviroment. She is so well behaved, sitting in the stands and taking it all in. She watches the game, claps and cheers with the other fans, and even knows some "important" football signage :-) But sometimes, I wonder what she enjoys more....the game or the food!
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Sharing a hamburger with Mama, Lexie insisted on having two pieces....one for each hand. |
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And her absolute favorite ballgame food....popcorn! |
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Occassionally, we can persuade her to share a bite with one of us. But she is famous for sticking a bite right at our mouth and then pulling it away quickly and putting it into her own. |
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Thanks to PopPop, Lexie knows the international sign for "TOUCHDOWN!" At this game, Daddy also taught her the sign for "First Down" and Jolie Blanc (the cheer done each time MSU scores a touchdown). Both of these are documented on video...I will have to figure out a way to add them to here later :-) |
And no game would be complete (at least not in my eyes) without a few pics of me with my favorite cheerleader! It's nice to have Daddy home for many reasons, including the fact that now I actually get to be in some of the pictures!
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I <3 this little girl! |
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Watching the game closely. |
Of course, thanks to the iPhone 4's ability to take photos facing either direction, we were even able to grab a funny family pic.
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Such fun :-) |
But sadly, after 3 quarters and dropping temps....and a little girl who was getting just a tad restless, it was time to go home. So we bundled up and headed out.
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All snug in her new coat and holding Daddy's hand as we leave. Of course, once we got into the parking lot, she insisted to walking solo and having me supply with a steady stream of popcorn until we reached the car. |
I have so many fond memories from this night, but perhaps my favorite is when Lexie and I went to get her popcorn. Daddy pulled the cash from his wallet and Lexie (being my daughter) quickly grabbed it from his hand. I carried her up the stairs and set her down at the top. After taking just a few steps, I saw someone I knew and they commented on how adorable Lexie was. I pointed them out to her and asked her to wave, she did so, being extremely charming with her sweet smile and pagent wave. But sometimes, I think she does know JUST how adorable she is, because at that moment, she began turning to everyone else in the stands....smiling, waving, and saying "hey, hey!" I hope that she always remains that confident, always knows how beautiful and smart she is, and always greets everyone with a smile. Once we finally arrived at the concession stand, I picked her up to let her order. The man greeted her with a "My, my, aren't you the most beautiful girl in the stadium...what can I get for you?" Lexie smiled back at this obviously VERY intelligent man, and asked for "pa-torn," to which he held up the box and confirmed "is this what you want?" She responded back with an emphatic "YEAH!" and handed him the money and took the box. It's was crazy to watch the entire event take place as if I wasn't even there, I cannot believe how big she is getting...how fast she is maturing and how much she is talking and interacting more and more each day. I am so blessed to be able to experience these events with her, to be able to watch her grow, and to be able to learn through her. I am so proud of the person she is becoming!