Cheer Competition #3...Atlanta

On Friday, February 12th we headed to Atlanta for Anna Lauren's biggest cheer competition of the season (25,000 athletes, 50,000 spectators...yeah...not joking...the biggest).

Friday night we had dinner with Big Buddy (Eugene) and Little Buddy (Jennifer) who now live in Atlanta and we miss SO much. We we so excited to get to spend some of the weekend with them.  

Day 1 of competition started bright and early Saturday morning...

When you look at this smile, it is obvious she is in her "happy" place and doing something she truly loves.  And let me just say...you have to LOVE it to do it.  She practices hours upon hours upon hours...and NEVER complains.

They had one little bobble on Saturday but overall a pretty good performance...

So hard to leave this little guy, but he really is so much happier at home and prefers to stay at home so we let him.  But...it sure brightens my day when Nanna sends pictures like this...yep, he scored three goals this morning!!!

Anna Lauren actually had a group of fans Saturday morning...Pop Pop, MeMe, Aunt Kelly, and Maddie all came to watch her perform.  Maddie decided to hang out with us for a little while after everyone else left and see what this "cheer" is all about.  And she ended up getting to watch Kentucky perform, which is one of our most favorites, and get a picture with a UK cheerleader.

And here we are all ready for day 2 of competition...

Love, love, love how all the older girls give the "little" girls so much attention.  This is Berry...Anna Lauren actually got to know her last summer through her babysitter, Kat.  But...it just makes me smile when they take time to stop and speak to the little ones.

Another "older" girl (Mary Addison's sister) who is always so sweet to talk to her...

Happy girls after a zero deduction performance on day 2...

Who would have ever thought that I would be a cheer mom?  Not me...that is for sure!!!

Matt is for sure the "fun" one in the crowd...

Time for awards...

This group of hard working and extremely talented kids walked away 8th out of 14 teams in their division.  At a competition this size, we are thrilled to be "middle of the pack" and they accomplished just that.

And just for fun, Matt has started getting some pictures out of his videos...they are pretty cool of the whole squad.

A weekend off and then to Tunica for another two day competition...