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Cotten Tales

Christmas Photo Explosion

Family· Weekend Recaps

29 Dec

I’m exhausted. Three family Christmases + my birthday + a seven hour road trip with a toddler (complete with a crap hotel room) will do that to a momma, I guess.

Despite my strong desire to take a little Monday afternoon siesta, I can easily say that the past week has provided an amazing holiday for our family. We had quality time with with our loved ones, an amazing assortment of foods, and even a little mommy/daddy date night in the big city. To put it simply – we’re feeling very blessed around here.

However… in the same time frame I have also gained approximately 10 lbs., inched another terrifying year closer to 30, and have lost all sense of “schedule” with my toddler. But that’s okay. It’s Christmas, right?

Instead of giving you the basic play-by-play, I hope you enjoy this photo explosion recap from our Christmases. Santa Claus was very, very good to us this year.

Now that we’re past Christmas, we have just a little time to recoup before the big “New Year, New House” party at the Roe’s this week! If past NYE parties are indicators (see here and here), I’m going to need a power nap and milk thistle every day this week. 😉

Happy Holidays!

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Poppy Jim and Grandma Paula bought D her first race car. Look for that sweet face on the side of the Borg-Warner Trophy someday!

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After Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

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Freshly bathed and sporting reindeer jammies for Santa!

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Someone LOVES her kitchen!

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Santa brought lots of “ooo ooo” books this year. 😉

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Discussing Doc McStuffins with Aunt Grace.

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My 88-year old grandpa was so excited to play pool at our house on Christmas morning.

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Annual Cousin Picture! fr; l2r: Kayla, me, Dorothy, Jessica & Grace bk; l2r: Alex, Dave, Ezri, Justen & Courtny

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Oh hey! It’s my birthday margarita!

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This is a typical birthday for me. Half eaten cake and an actual candle… because who thinks of these things before Christmas?

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She didn’t cry when they sang to me. Shockingly.

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Yay for Ugg slippers, Black Milk leggings and some awesome new UIndy gear!

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Drinks at MacNivan’s and the Rathskellar, followed by filet and Moscow Mules at Harry & Izzy’s. Best birthday ever.

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My handsome birthday date.

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We hadn’t even left the garage yet, but D was already not too sure about this car thing. FYI – seven hours in a car with a toddler is too long.

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Playing with her cousins Jonah and Isaiah at Grandma Tina’s in Kentucky.

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Even Teenage Mutant Ninja Wonder Dog was exhausted from the holidays. Me too, sister.

 

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Hey there, I'm Samantha. Recovering SAHM, and aspiring competitive dance mom. I have a passion for travel, am known to say it like it is, and I most certainly do not have it all together. Currently on a journey toward self love and discovery. Join me. 2021 | Bloom

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Did we literally have to sew and body tape this gi Did we literally have to sew and body tape this girl into her solo costume at 7 am? You bet. Wouldn’t want to spend my weekends any other way. 💜
Definitely not over the @iddancecomp photos from l Definitely not over the @iddancecomp photos from last weekend. 💜🕺
Just like that, Biddy Ball is over. 😢 We’re S Just like that, Biddy Ball is over. 😢 We’re SO proud of Frances for trying something new, developing as a player each week, and even scoring her first basket in the last minute of her last game! 🏀 We’ll miss our Tuesday and Thursday night games, until next year! #francesbelle
“Play it again, play it again, play it again… “Play it again, play it again, play it again… “ 🎶
Raising ballers. 🏀 Raising ballers. 🏀
That’s a wrap on @artisticdanceexchange! Dorothy That’s a wrap on @artisticdanceexchange! Dorothy received a scholarship toward the national convention in Orlando this summer, and was invited to perform in the junior opening number. 

Long drives, early mornings, and endless hours taking residence in hotel lobbies with my fellow dance parents. We survived Convention month - on to Competition season!
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Did we literally have to sew and body tape this gi Did we literally have to sew and body tape this girl into her solo costume at 7 am? You bet. Wouldn’t want to spend my weekends any other way. 💜
Definitely not over the @iddancecomp photos from l Definitely not over the @iddancecomp photos from last weekend. 💜🕺
Just like that, Biddy Ball is over. 😢 We’re S Just like that, Biddy Ball is over. 😢 We’re SO proud of Frances for trying something new, developing as a player each week, and even scoring her first basket in the last minute of her last game! 🏀 We’ll miss our Tuesday and Thursday night games, until next year! #francesbelle
“Play it again, play it again, play it again… “Play it again, play it again, play it again… “ 🎶
Raising ballers. 🏀 Raising ballers. 🏀
That’s a wrap on @artisticdanceexchange! Dorothy That’s a wrap on @artisticdanceexchange! Dorothy received a scholarship toward the national convention in Orlando this summer, and was invited to perform in the junior opening number. 

Long drives, early mornings, and endless hours taking residence in hotel lobbies with my fellow dance parents. We survived Convention month - on to Competition season!
Another weekend, another dance convention. 🩰 Do Another weekend, another dance convention. 🩰 Dorothy had a blast learning in the @activateyourartistry Pre-Pro level, dancing with middle schoolers. One more convention to go… this month. 😜
Natural. Talent. 😂 #biddyball #basketball #funn Natural. Talent. 😂 #biddyball #basketball #funny
Day 1 of @shine_dance_convention! Intensives in Br Day 1 of @shine_dance_convention! Intensives in Broadway Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz and Tap, plus a Masquerade Ball to end the night. 

We’re tired. 😅
Merry Christmas Eve from the Cotten sisters! ❄️ #dbunny #francesbelle

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