Most people sing songs, make wishes, blow out the candles on the cake and call it their birthday.
Not the Roussel family.
when the family realized that patriarch Catherine Roussel was turning 90 (January 15th). Her son Buddy Roussel turned 60 (December 2nd). and his wife, Karin Roussel, who had reached the age of 50 (January 3).
Katherine Roussel was honored at the “Forever 29” party in September. She officially turns 90 on January 15th.
Buddy Roussel explains: Wow, it’s so much fun just waiting for our next adventure with the people we’re friends with. “
The family uses the word “adventure” rather loosely. Sure, there have been cruises and exotic trips, and an extended family cruise to the Caribbean with more than 20 of her Roussels was certainly adventurous. However, family dinners, other gatherings, and often work-related travel/vacations also count as “BigEAUX” events.
It’s time for a group photo on the Roussels cruise to the Caribbean. It’s his number 44 on the “BigEAUX” list. Catherine Roussel, the 90-year-old matriarch, stands to her left.
That extended family includes Catherine Roussel’s 5 children, 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Buddy and Karin Roussel also have eight descendants and her four grandchildren.
Katherine Roussel, who lives in Denham Springs, has been on family cruises and attended many local gatherings. She also accompanied her son on a business trip to Natchez, Mississippi. This is one of her “BigEAUX”.
“So it’s not always great,” said Buddy Roussel.
Buddy Roussel celebrated his 60th birthday by attending a baseball game with the Houston Astros. Coincidentally, the team celebrates his 60th anniversary.
Great at detailing this 365-day feat is him, the keeper of the “BigEAUX” running activity list. As of Tuesday, they were 92nd.
“It’s a memory,” added his wife.
As is often the case, the couple’s commercial window business-related run to Houston earlier this week turned into yet another “BigEAUX” experience. I drove to San Antonio, Texas. This was followed by a “throw a dart at the map” practice, dinner in Fredericksburg, and a photo with the new Jerry Jeff Walker and Hondo Crouch statues in Lackenbach, Texas.
Buddy and Caryn’s trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico is number 57 on the “BigEAUX” list.
Looking at the “BigEAUX” list, we can see that many of the Roussels’ road trips are planned around music cities and events. Big fans of Jimmy Buffett, the couple runs Buddies Her Backyard, an outdoor music venue in the comfort of her home on the Amite River in Baton Rouge. Unofficial Trop Rock concerts are held regularly.
As a result, “Jimmy Buffett at Jazz Fest” is number 34 on the list, “Key West for Meeting of the Minds” is number 82, and “Buffett Redux at Alpine Valley” is number 62. There is also 83rd place. As a milestone for this year, Buddy’s Backyard was honored as House Concert Venue of the Year at his Trop Rock Music Association Awards Ceremony in Key West, Florida.
“So it was a big deal,” said Roussel, especially since their music spot was established during the pandemic.
Roussel’s activities often involve couples alone or their children, grandchildren and mothers. There are also solo trips with just Buddy or Karin Roussel with her friends. From Mexico to Mardi Gras, Belize to the Buckies (they made his five in one day!), Astros game to alligator sightings (estimated at 100) and much more.
With each experience, they take home at least one story.
For example, consider a jazz fest.
Baton Rouge’s Buddy and Karin Roussel on a couple trip to Belize. This vacation is one of many he has taken this year to celebrate the two turning 60 and her 50 respectively.
“I mean, there are 40,000 people there,” Buddy Roussel began. “Karin looked at the man who was standing next to me and he had a koozie at our wedding 12 years ago. We got married in Key West. They were 20 there.” It was crazy.
“We introduced ourselves and took pictures. His girlfriend was in Key West at the time. We met her, gave her a koozie and thought she ruined the wedding.” Before, they were standing right next to us.It was wild.
Karyn Roussel visits the beaches of Bimini on a girls’ trip.
Katherine Roussel’s birthday is in January, but the family got together on Labor Day weekend for a “Forever 29” party for the woman they affectionately call Mamaw.
“January is too cold,” Karin Roussel explained. “We had a lot of people, oh, almost 100 people there.”
It was a magician, family games, and a ‘BigEAUX’ day for those who are nearly 90 years old.
Gonzalez magician Craig Boudreau performs card tricks for Roussel family friend Annie Jones at Katherine Roussel’s 90th birthday party over Labor Day weekend.
Catherine Roussel’s official birthday is celebrated with a small party featuring one of her favorites, crayfish bisque, on the menu.
The oldest, Roussel, still lives independently, continues to drive, and is surprisingly drug-free.
her secret?
“I go on. So he just left,” she said, giggling and gesturing toward the front door. I have it every day before and after school.”
“They are dating each other,” Karyn Roussel said.
“It really makes me think that 10 years from now, when I’m 70, you’re 60, and she’s 100, there might be another ‘bigEAUX’. 90 years old that I’ve met,” her son said.
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