Averi Cheer Comp – Junior Year

What a wonderfully fun comp season Averi had this year!! The kids worked so hard thru early morning practices all year long and they were rewarded big time! They started out at their first comp in Siloam Springs. They looked great and won that one pretty easily. The next one was Alma and Averi compared it to like a mini state competition because so many really good teams were there. They looked GREAT going from prelims into finals and both performances were so good! They ended up with 2nd which stung a bit for these competitive kiddos but they should be super proud! There were some great teams there. Next was Bentonville where they won that led them into state week. All the teams at State were so good and they made it into finals here but then only got 4th. We were all a little shocked. But I think with so many teams competing so closely sometimes that happens. Most importantly they qualified for UCA Nationals in Orlando and that competition was their ultimate goal. At Nationals they did their prelim routine flawlessly. It was SO GOOD! It was late so we all went back to the kids’ hotel (Pop Century) to watch the results online. Their group was divided into 2 sections for prelims and they were 1st out of their division meaning they got to skip semis and go straight to finals (just like last year!)!! SO EXCITING! Sunday evening was finals and they did another fantastic performance. Later that night was awards and they WON THE WHOLE THING! D1 Game Day National Champions!!! I get chills just thinking about it. Such a magical moment watching these kids win something they worked so very hard for. I will never ever forget it. Thank you SO MUCH to all those who helped with fundraisers to send them. It meant so much to all of us and I hope they made you proud!

Enjoy the pics!

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The Girls 11-12/23

My 2 fave months of the year are complete! We had a great holiday season watching Averi cheer the Mavs to the 2nd round of the playoffs (for the first time in a while)!!! Sydni is enjoying college life and wrapped up her first semester. She has only changed her major 3 times haha! Love this time with my little fam <3

Enjoy the pics

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Christmas 12/25

Christmas season came and went far too quickly as it always does. Since my mom sold her house we had to start some new traditions this year and ended up renting a cabin in Murfreesboro of all places. It was actually just perfect with a beautiful view on the river behind it. We had a great time! Gran and Sarah’s fam stayed with us and Matt and Shana’s fam joined us for the day. We spent Christmas eve with the Settles followed by church and dinner then presents. It is the best day of the year to me <3

Enjoy the pics!

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Sydni 19 12/17

Sydni had a fun filled few days for turning 19!!! She came down the hill early to get an early bday present… this hair contraption that works so good on her hair!! Then in Fay she had brunch with friends. At home after church we did presents then went up to Fay for brunch with Aunt Judy! That night she celebrated with her Fort Smith friends at Rolando’s. It has been a jam packed year of change and fun and growing up for my girl!!! So excited to watch her last year of being a teenager!!

Enjoy the pics!

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Thanksgiving 11/22-26

We had a great thanksgiving with family in Broken Bow! I absolutely love this place!! So relaxing and beautiful! Sean’s fam stayed with us and Sarah’s fam plus GranGran came for tday to celebrate! Lots of food and football! It was great!

Enjoy the pics!

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The Girls 9-10/2023

The Bottjens had such a great fall! Football season is always fun watching Averi cheer the Mavs and we also added in a Hog game so that Jim could celebrate Dad’s day with Sydni. The hogs didn’t appear to show up but we had fun regardless! Sydni has been busy studying (we hope) and settling into Fay. She got to go to the A&M game in Dallas and spent fall break with her ChiO friends. Averi has been studying (we hope) and cheering and having fun with her friends here! Now bring on the holidays!

Enjoy the pics!

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The Girls 7-8/2023

What an awesome summer!!! We had our cruise in July then the girls worked a lot over the summer before Averi started cheer practice. We took Sydni up to UofA and got her all set in her dorm room in August where she had a fun week going through rush! It was quite a week with a flat tire, stomach bug then getting her car towed!!! BUT the parties went great…she has met so many awesome girls and ended up pledging Chi Omega! She was thrilled! School started up for Averi first as she enters her junior year. And Sydni started a week later. Southside’s first football game was against Northside and they WON! First time in 7 years!!! So it was an exciting night for Averi and her friends 🙂 All in all we have had a great kick off to the school year and I LOVE having my Averi still home with me and seeing her cheer at all her games and I LOVE having my Sydni right up the road and seeing her so happy as she learns and grows in her new life. Continue to pray for our fam as this time of transition is hard but I am so proud of our little Bottjen team <3

Enjoy the pics

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Carnival Glory Cruise 7/9-16

We had a great time on our family cruise! It was hot though… real hot. We are going to have to shoot for earlier in the summer. But it was so beautiful and relaxing even with the heat! We drove down to New Orleans on Sat and had dinner before walking around the city. On Sunday we boarded the ship with 2 sea days, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel then ending with another day at sea. We were able to ride horse on the beach in Jamaica which was something we have talked about doing for a while. So fun! In Grand Cayman we booked a sea turtle excursion and we LOVED it!!! In Cozumel Jim found a cabana to rent and it was the absolute best!!! Cozumel is spectacular with gorgeous beach and awesome snorkeling! I can’t wait for next year <3

Enjoy the pics!

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The Girls 05-06/2023

May brought Sydni’s last day of high school and Averi’s last day of sophomore year! Ave went to the rodeo with friends (shes quite the country girl these days) and Sydni met her new college roommate, Kyla, who is an absolute doll! yay! Averi went to cheer camp in Hot Springs to kick off her junior year and then church camp at OBU a few weeks later! It will be so weird with just one kiddo in the house soon! And then to round out June Sydni went to her orientation for UofA!!! Shes got an id and a schedule…she is ready to be a HOG!!!!

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Sydni’s Grad Party and Showcase 6/3

We decided to have a graduation party for Sydni before her showcase instead of inviting everyone to the actual graduation. I absolutely loved it and I hope everyone else did too.

I need to say a big thank you to my sister Sarah and my mom for helping me decorate… even during my morning of balloon mayday! My sis in law Kimberly made beautiful bouquets for Sydni and her teammates for the showcase which Sydni just loved <3

And finally an even bigger thank you to those that came to celebrate her. It meant so much to me and Sydni to have each of you there. I know its a busy time of year and for you to make her a priority …well. Its a big deal. I love each of you for being there for her. She has had a difficult year and I am so thankful God has guided her to such a beautiful place in her life right now. She has such amazing dreams for her years ahead <3

Enjoy the pics!

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