We are thrilled to introduce our community to FOURTEEN new members of the Lafayette Mom team. Each one is a dynamic, warm and inspiring Acadiana mom, and we can’t wait for you all to get to know them both online and in person at any of our upcoming events. We are humbled and honored to have these women join our team.
Lauren Curet
Originally from :: Shreveport, Louisiana
Her krewe :: Maddox, 2 and Regan, 4 months
My last meal in Lafayette would be :: Chicken Pasta Salad from Deano’s – and don’t forget the cheese bread!
Favorite snowball flavor :: Wedding Cake – with as many layers of condensed milk as possible
I believe the best king cakes (and oatmeal cookies) are found :: at Keller’s.
During ULL games, you’ll find me :: shopping BST pages sneakily and asking what the score is throughout the game. (They can score touchdowns while I score deals on kid’s clothing.) Go Cajuns!
Raising kids in Lafayette is :: raising children who have pride in their community. There’s no greater “village” than Lafayette!
Kenzie Garner
Originally from :: Artesia, New Mexico. I’ve been in Lafayette for about 5 years.
My blended krewe is :: Shaila (11), Maci (9), Levi (3), & Gemma Evan (9 months).
My last meal in Lafayette would be :: about 75 lbs. of the spiciest boiled crawfish I could find and a big glass Cane’s sweet tea to drink when my tongue starts burnin’ and my nose starts runnin’.
My favorite sno-ball flavor is :: plain old pickle from Cajun Sno. You could say that I think it’s a big “dill.”
The best king cakes are found :: at Keller’s Bakery in Youngsville, of course! We love their traditional king cake.
During ULL games you’ll find me :: at Cajun Field screaming “Geaux UL!” with a daiquiri in my hand. You’ll find my husband good-naturedly trying to restrain his rowdy wife.
Raising kids in Lafayette :: means giving them deep roots in that thick gumbo mud, rich with culture and celebration. Lafayette is a place where friends become family and there’s always a good time to pass somewhere.
Leigh Ann Ripka
Originally from :: Lafayette, Louisiana
Her krewe :: I’ve given birth to one, a three-year-old boy named Rafe. Like many women, I mother many…
Her last meal in Lafayette would be :: Last meal ever?! That’s a tough one but I’d have to pick Blue Dog’s Sunday Brunch. Its not just a meal, its an experience.
Her favorite snowball flavor :: Cajun Sno’s Strawberry Cheesecake, stuffed with vanilla ice cream if I’m feeling frisky
She believes the best king cakes are found :: Rickey Meche’s Donut King, specifically overflowing with ooey gooey chocolate sugary perfection.
During ULL games, you’ll find her :: watching from home with family and friends. We are couch surfing Ragin Cajuns
Raising kids in Lafayette is :: an idyllic scenario for any parent, there’s a reason so many people don’t move away. See question #1
Marissa Winters
Marissa is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada and has been everywhere in between. She moved to Louisiana 5 years ago, met the love of her life and absolutely loves the Acadiana area. She has 2 children. Brandt, her 10 year old bonus son and Jackson her wild and wonderful 2 year old.
If she had to pick a last meal in Lafayette she would hope it was during crawfish season because she loves a good crawfish boil. She loves snowballs especially with sweetened condensed milk on top. She believes that Meches has the best King cakes and her favorite filling is Bavarian Cream, hands down!
During ULL games you’ll find her at home with her kids and husband. She isn’t a huge fan of college football because she went to a small college without a team. You will find her cheering on the Saints though! Who dat!
She believes raising kids in Lafayette is the best because we have a community who is loving nurturing and supportive.
Ali Comeaux
Originally from :: Scott, Louisiana
Her krewe :: Ella-10 and Cohen-8 almost 9
Your last meal in Lafayette would be … Landry special from Pizza Village
Favorite snowball flavor … sugar free bubblegum
She believes the best king cakes are found … Ricky Meche’s Donuts (on Guilbeau Rd.)
During ULL games, you’ll find her … Tailgating with friends
Raising kids in Lafayette is unbelievably rewarding. Having raised children in Germany and San Antonio, Texas I can tell you that there is no place that compares to the culture and community you find in Lafayette!
Kristen Gary
Originally from :: Slidell, LA. Like a lot of others living here, I moved here for school (iiii-yeee), married a Cajun, and never left!
Her krewe :: Emmett (3) & Ruby (2)
Your last meal in Lafayette would be a fried porkchop from Lauras II. Extra gravy on dat rice, cher!
Favorite snowball flavor is a Pink Lady. It’s only fitting!
She believes the best king cakes are not made from donuts. Don’t @ me.
During ULL games, you’ll find her shelling spicy peanuts and belly laughing during the “Get to Know Your Players” segment.
Raising kids in Lafayette is a pleasure and a treasure! From the deep-rooted culture to the never-ending hospitality, this city is unlike any other. Raising a family here is always an adventure, and you never know what unique Cajun tradition you’ll stumble onto next! …But whatever it is will most likely involve family, food, and fais do do, and that’s all the convincing I need.
Aleice Gauthier
Originally from :: Alexandria, LA
Her krewe :: Evelyn (6), Nora (3) & Louis (8 months)
Your last meal in Lafayette would be … at La Fonda
Favorite snowball flavor … Strawberry
She believes the best king cakes are found … at Meches
During ULL games, you’ll find her … Watching multiple games with family and friends. Football season is a great excuse for weekend get togethers!
Raising kids in Lafayette is … an adventure!
Ariel Guillory
Originally from :: Eunice, LA
Her krewe :: Maddox Cruze; 1 year
Your last meal in Lafayette would be … Food tour style! Shared favorites at different places with my best girlfriends.
Favorite snowball flavor … Stuffed Strawberry Cheesecake with Extra condensed milk
She believes the best king cakes are found … Mikey’s Donuts In New Roads, LA
During ULL games, you’ll find her … Eating, dancing , and cheering on the Cajuns
Raising Kids in Lafayette is amazing. So many kid friendly things to do, festivals, and parades to attend.
Jennifer Heitman
She was born and raised :: in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Her krewe :: Husband, Cole, have two boys: Henry (6) and Max (3).
Her last meal in Lafayette would be the Shrimp and Spinach salad at French Press with their Sweet Baby Breesus as an Appetizer. Yum!
Her favorite snowball is Wedding Cake.
She believes the best King Cakes can be found at Keller’s Bakery. The Butter Pecan is the best!
During ULL games you will most likely find her flipping between all of the college football games and chasing her children at home.
Raising kids in Lafayette is an adventure!
Caitlin Jacob
Originally from Cornelius, North Carolina
Her Krewe :: Shelby, age 4
Your last meal in Lafayette would be … Charbroiled oysters from Drago’s.
Favorite snowball flavor … Wedding cake
She believes the best king cakes are found … at Keller’s Downtown (Amaretto walnut flavor please!)
During UL games, you’ll find her … at home, cheering on her beloved Georgia Bulldogs ?
Raising kids in Lafayette is never boring, and 100% worth the insane heat and humidity!
Christina Smith
Originally from :: New Iberia, LA
Her krewe :: The #FabulousFive are Bailey (Bay) age 14, Lily (Sassy) age 11, McKenna (Kenna) age 8, Kevilynn (KK) age 6 and Evie (Evie Jane) age 2
Her last meal in Lafayette would be …. I am a self proclaimed foodie so this question just seems unfair in nature and because I’m a trailblazer I object to choosing just one. I’m choosing a week of eating “all the things” at Festival Internationale De Louisiane.
Favorite snowball flavor … Ekkk …. not into snowballs or anything sweet in nature really. Give me that spinach and artichoke dip from Romacelli’s instead!
She believes the best king cakes are found … Anywhere! That’s the fun of the king cake. Getting to see different bakers’ spin on it. The crazier the concept, the better.
During ULL games, you’ll find her … checking the score and living vicariously through her friends. As most of our weekends are on the road for travel softball.
Raising kids in Lafayette is a lot like living at Hogwarts. There is so much history, diversity, fellowship, community, and magic waiting around every corner.
Courtney Henry
Originally from :: Frog Capital of the World Rayne, LA
Her krewe :: Aleana is 7, Avah is 5 and Daniel is 2
Your last meal in Lafayette would be … Crawfish Nachos from Deano’s
Favorite snowball flavor … Ice Cream or Strawberry Daiquiri from Frozen Rayne
She believes the best king cakes are found … At Gautreaux’s Donuts in Rayne, HANDS DOWN!
During ULL games, you’ll find her … Taking a Nap, because she isn’t big on College Football HAHA
Raising kids in Lafayette is one of the greatest blessings in my life.
Monica Suire
Originally from :: Born and raised in Erath, Louisiana
Her krewe :: I have one daughter – Layla Elizabeth and she made 10 on September 2nd….not quite sure that I was ready for double digits 🙂 – ha!
Your last meal in Lafayette would be … If I ever had to have a “last meal” here, it would easily be fried seafood from Fezzo’s. I am pretty sure it is a gift from the heavens. 🙂
Favorite snowball flavor … I’m a simple gal, give me all the wedding cake flavored goodness!
She believes the best king cakes are found … at Meche’s…..it’s an excuse to eat a giant donut – what’s not to love!?
During ULL games, you’ll find her … Passionately cheering from the sidelines. There just isn’t quite an experience like that which you will have at Cajun Field.
Raising a child in Lafayette is truly a privilege that I find often taken for granted. Acadiana, really, is a unique treasure and it is no wonder why Lafayette was rated as one of the happiest cities, in 2014. The people are hard-working and they live well. It is important to me that my daughter know her roots and understands the importance of culture and diversity; and, in my opinion, there is no other place that embraces our history, like Lafayette.
Natalie Bunner
Originally from :: Lafayette, LA
Her krewe :: Edison, age 5, Oliver, age 4
Your last meal in Lafayette would be … pineapple and jalapeno roasted chicken and double up the corn grits, honey!
Favorite snowball flavor :: blackberry with loads of condensed milk
She believes the best king cakes are found … at Keller’s Bakery! (Sorry, Meche’s! Your chocolate covered doughnut is the bomb, tho!)
During ULL games, you’ll find her … at home, shopping, eating, sleeping… Anywhere but the game! Sorry, not sorry! Lol
Raising kids in Lafayette is worthy work with the right support.
