Springdale H.S. Homecoming (Pictures, pictures and MORE pictures!)

Okay, so I apologize for the delay in blogging (for all of my millions of readers out there). But unfortunately, it probably won't be the last time I'd imagine. Things have just been crazy around here like usual, and other things on the "to do" list have been taking priority lately. So now I have several to catch up on. But anyway...



On October 9th, Kennedy was able to participate in Springdale H.S.'s Homecoming events. She was asked by our close friend from church, Jessica Pate, to be the 'page' in the day's festivities. Jessica was named Springdale Homecoming Queen this year, and we couldn't be more proud of her! She is a BEAUTIFUL young lady inside and out, and we are still so honored that she asked Kennedy to be a part of it all w/ her! Kennedy LOVES Jessica and has taken to her ever since she was born basically. She (as well as Patrick and I) loves any time we get to spend w/ the Pate family, and honestly said all of their names as early on as she learned and said the names of family members. Jessica is the captain of the pom squad, sings in their elite honor choir, and is vice-president of student council @ Springdale H.S. So, "Homecoming Queen" title seems quite fitting don't you think? She means so much to our family.

The Homecoming events for Kennedy involved a "Queen's Tea" party the Sunday b/f Homecoming, walking in the school's pep rally that Fri. morning, and walking on the field for pregame Fri. evening @ their Homecoming football game. The 9th (not to our surprise) ended up being extremely rainy during the day and freezing cold that night. However, all of the girls involved were such troopers through it all. Kennedy did AWESOME! And we honestly couldn't have asked her to be in a better mood or be any more cooperative the entire (dreary) day. Again, the Lord has truly blessed us.

All Kennedy HAD to wear was a white dress to match the queen's dress. We were able to borrow a BEAUTIFUL 2T white flower girl dress from a sweet lady, which helped us out more than she'll ever know. It had pearls sewn on to the bodice, a large white bow in front and on the back of the dress, it was ankle-length, and GORGEOUS! After some initial tries w/ other dresses, this dress fit perfect. And you could really tell that Kennedy felt "pretty" in it too! She still to this day calls it her "pretty white dress". I think she felt like a princess that day. : ) And after several trial-runs earlier in the week, I had Kennedy sleep in sponge-rollers the night b/f. It was the first time in her little life that we've used these, but certainly not the last.
I then even rolled her hair back in the curlers after we got home from the morning pep rally, so that her hair would stay curly during lunch/nap/dinner before the game that night. She did excellent keeping sleeping in them, keeping them in, letting me fix her hair once they were out, etc. I thought it was just beautiful! And our family esp. (as well as Jessica) really loved her curls too.



We also wanted to make sure Kennedy was comfortable enough to cooperate in front of huge (loud) crowds of people on the day of. Therefore, I took Kennedy to a pep rally @ the h.s. a few weeks prior to get her used to all of the students everywhere as well as how loud the band would be in an enclosed gymnasium. Then, the 4 of us went to a Springdale f.b. game a couple weeks b/f Homecoming to show her the field, etc. Pictures and video of both really helped her not be "as" nervous on that Friday it seemed. Plus, she had fun of course!

Kennedy received an adorable Hawaiian 'build-a-bear' for participating (to match their 2009 Luau theme for Homecoming). She just loved that of course! As did the other little (boy) 'page', Malachi. All of my concerns a/b the day ended up being wasted worry, and it was really an extremely fun day for all of us! Jessica (queen) and Dylan (Jessica's boyfriend/king) were great w/ Kennedy the entire day! And they really calmed any nerves she may have had.
And a special "thank you" to all of our friends and family members who came to watch Kennedy @ the pep rally or game. I think she felt really special to have her own personal cheering section up in the stands watching her. What a great day!



Preparation for the busy day



(Our attempt @ a self portrait...but Bubba got a hold of her curler and began pulling REALLY hard! It was actually really funny!)

(Smiling w/ "her Katie" baby doll...as she calls her)

(Showing us the back of her hair...and of course Katie's too)




Queen's Tea Party (hosted by Jessica and her Mom)





(Getting instructions on the week's Homecoming events from one of the teachers/sponsors)

(Trying on her "diamond" necklace that Jessica got for her to wear w/ her dress)


(Jessica and Kennedy in Ms. Sue's beautiful back yard after the tea party)

(Jessica w/ her Mom and Grandmother, Becky and Sue)



Will did great and took a nap upstairs during majority of the tea party so I could focus my attention on Kennedy that afternoon. Daddy would have watched him on this busy afternoon in b/w church services, but unfortunately he was @ home sick w/ the flu.



Pep Rally "warm up" (a few weeks prior)







Homecoming Pep Rally







(Kennedy and her cousin, Courtney)


(Jessica w/ her parents, Bob and Becky)

(Daddy covering Will's ears during an extremely loud part of the pep rally)


(Walking on the red carpet to the stage...)


(Dylan sneaking the kids a little treat to help them last through the hour+ long pep rally)

(Jessica singing in Unity - choir)

(Leaving in style...)



(Dylan and Jessica...king and queen)







Homecoming Football Game

(Getting all bundled up in the high school...it was SO cold outside!)

(A little blurry due to a crazy setting the camera got switched to)


(Kennedy w/ one of the sophomore maids who was a 'page' herself @ Kennedy's age)

(Gammi and K during pictures on the field)






(Getting crowned)



Kennedy kept asking to do it again once we walked off the field that evening. Wet field, cold temperatures and ALL...she loved it! And we couldn't believe that she didn't even look cold while standing out on the field! Some of the girls' legs were violently shaking under their formals b/c they were so cold!