1st Cheer Competition ~ UCA in Jackson...

Anna Lauren had her first competition of the season today.  They placed sixth out of ten teams.  Of course we had hoped for better, but hopefully they got the "first competition" jitters and "deductions" out of the way and are motivated to work even harder to prepare for their next competition, which is in January.

Very seldom does Cooper go to a cheer competition, but he went today and was a proud little brother.

He was not happy he didn't have an ACE shirt like the rest of us.  However, we found plenty of red and black in his closet so he was ok.

She may just be our favorite cheerleader!!!

So thankful that these two really do get along and love each other (for the most part)...

Matt just couldn't resist...

As if Matt wasn't enough...Cooper had to join in too...

Finally got the picture I was trying to take...

Anna Lauren is FINALLY cheering with all her friends, and we are loving every minute of them being part of our tribe!!!

We were SO sad when Maggie and her sister, Mary Addison, moved to another gym.  We miss them so much and loved getting to see them today!!!

Anna Lauren and Ms. Kellie entertaining themselves while we were waiting...

First thing Cooper said when we got in the car..."am I going to get to see Mary Addison today"?  Yep...he got to see her and if you cannot tell, he was pretty pumped!!!

One last picture before heading into warm-ups...

Cooper and Cooper...

Cooper got desperate and convinced some girls to play football with him...

All we ever ask of Anna Lauren is to give it 100%...today she did just that, and we were so proud of her!

May just be my favorite picture of the day!!!

I've told her over and over and over...I want to see a smile.  Bless her heart, she is out of breath from tumbling across the floor but still managed to pull off a smile.

Like I said, not the place we had hoped to get, but I can say, Anna Lauren gave it all she had and did her best.  And...she was a good sport even though she was disappointed.  Competing is hard and some days are better than others.  Even at a young age, lots of lessons being learned through the sport she loves so much.