Panama City Beach ~ Cheer Competition...

Last Friday we went to Panama City Beach, Florida for the last cheer competition of the season.  Matt and I didn't have high expectations just because we didn't have a clue what to expect...but...we were so surprised...it ended up being a super fun weekend and such a fun experience for Anna Lauren!

Cooper stayed home with Nanna...we missed having them there with us, but honestly, they were probably much happier at home.  We are going to take him to Gulfport this summer for a long weekend and let him do the "beach" thing...

It was Anna Lauren's week at school to take Buzz the bee on an adventure...we got lucky because we had a fun adventure planned!

Ava and her mom, Katherine, went with us...I think having a "friend" go/stay with us was a good idea because they had so much fun just being together.  And we couldn't have asked for better traveling partners...we all got along great and had the best time!

When we got to Panama City Friday, it was pretty cool...but...these girls were determined to put their feet in the water.  We started with you can put your feet in the water...

We ended with soaking wet kids who went swimming in their clothes...

And then they got in the hot tub to warm up...

This was the view from our balcony when we got up Saturday morning...now if you know the Calverts, you know we LOVE the beach.  So...actually performing on the beach was pretty cool to us!  Too bad it was only 40 degrees and WINDY!

I must say...the water was gorgeous!



Since it was too cold to swim Saturday, we took the girls to Pier Park and let them enjoy the rides along Miracle Strip...they had a great time and rode almost every ride there...

They were a little scared to ride the pirate ship alone so of course, Matt rode with them...

Just took Matt riding with them one time and they were off on their own...

Although it was cold, they were determined to swim Saturday...I think they swam 3 minutes maybe?

I had a "weak" moment...Anna Lauren doesn't own a bikini, but she has started asking for one and that is all Ava has so I gave in and let her wear one of Ava's.  The funny thing is the next day, she didn't even ask to wear a bikini...she put her one piece on...

Anna Lauren took Buzz to his first cheer competition...

With Coach Alyce...competition day 1...

Ava, Anna Lauren, and Rylee...waiting to perform...

Love these happy faces...so fun to watch her do something she loves!

Sweet friends...they did so good together the entire weekend!

Finally...on the stage ready to go!

Coach Alyce made them all matching "Outlaw" flip flops...

Thankfully Sunday was a little warmer...we talked them into playing in the sand rather than swimming so they wouldn't be so cold.  Anna Lauren could hardly play for watching the other squads perform.

Trying to swim a few minutes in the freezing cold water...Sydney, Anna Lauren, and Ava

Ava, Lilly, Anna Lauren, and Sydney all ready for their 2nd performance...

Anna Lauren with Coach Alyce and that silly skull...those skulls...I think I'm the only one that doesn't like them.

I always watch her perform through my camera...so...I tried not to do that Sunday.  I took a few pictures and put the camera down and watched.

Group picture...

Highlight of the trip...after Sunday's performance, Coach Alyce told them to jump in the ocean in their uniforms.  They all jumped in...even Alyce!

My cheer friends...Katherine and Terann.  Would not have made it through the year without them...we all learned as we went and had a great time together!

This picture pretty much sums up the year / last competition.  Would never in a million years thought I would be a "cheer mom", but I am and a proud one to say the least!

We enjoyed dinner at The Back Porch on Sunday night then packed up to head home Monday.  Fun trip and many memories made...

As Katherine said, we are going to be in trouble with these girls...they are too pretty!

As Matt said, Katherine is just a hoot and so much fun...she was trying to get us to take a "romantic" picture on the beach.  This was as romantic as we got! 

Happy 35th Birthday Matt...

Today we are celebrating Matt's 35th Birthday...a couple weeks ago, he requested three very specific things for his birthday:

1.  New Flip Flops

2.  Eat at Buffalo Wild Wings

3.  A Cookie Cake

Flip flops...thankfully I bought them a couple weeks ago and last weekend when his broke as we were getting ready to go somewhere, I gave him his "early" present.

Buffalo Wild Wings...I actually organized a "guy" night last night for him and a few friends at Buffalo Wild Wings.  They guys never organize anything for themselves so I think they were all secretly excited and had a great time just hanging out while all the wives/kids hung out at our house. 

We enjoyed cookie cake after lunch today and will be enjoying it all week...so yummy!

As far as today, it has kind of been our normal Sunday...church, lunch, nap, and a little Masters golf for Matt!

We cannot start a birthday off at our house without the traditional donut cake...his favorite, sprinkled donuts, for breakfast!

Think Cooper was just a little excited about our birthday breakfast...

Anna Lauren thought he needed a party hat...he was sweet enough to wear it for her...

The kids cleaned out the candles in the drawer...they put all they could find on Daddy's cake...even Ariel!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY...we love you and have had fun celebrating with you!

Cooper Can Ride His Bike...

Cooper got a bike for Christmas, and he has shown some interest in his "motor bike", but he had not taken off riding on his own yet.  That is...until last Sunday!  Last Sunday afternoon we went to the trail, and I assumed I would be pushing Cooper on the trail while Matt and Anna Lauren rode their bikes.  Well, not the case...he took off and rode his bike the whole time.  I only helped him get started a couple times and then he was off!

Randoms of the Week...

After looking through the pictures on my phone, I realized we had some "random" week memories to post...

Anna Lauren begged for "wavy" hair all week...Thursday night we had time to braid her hair and she slept in braids...here is the before picture.

This was a learning experience...next time, I need to do many more braids...

The "after"...like I said, I should have done more braids...

Anna Lauren was getting a picture of her "wavy" hair so Cooper wanted his picture taken.  Love this sweet boy and am so thankful our kids are going to school close together again...so, so nice to take them together and pick them up together...such fun mornings and afternoons for all of us!

We knew Anna Lauren had a loose tooth...but...we didn't think it was quite ready to be pulled.  Well, after lunch yesterday, she was drinking her drink, and said, oh my gosh...I just lost my tooth!  Matt found the tooth in the bottom of her cup.  That was easy!

We had company last night and Anna Lauren was showing them her tooth outside...well, not a good idea...that little tooth is for sure lost now.  I assured her we could write a letter and the tooth fairy would still visit her during the night...it was late and we were tired so she dictated, and I typed...much faster than her writing. This letter is her exact words...

The letter worked...she got a $1 under her pillow...

It was raining on the way to church this morning...I looked in the back seat and found this little man under the umbrella...guess he wanted to be sure he didn't get wet on the way to church!  I'm telling you...he is our "funny" kid!

Cooper's 1st Field Trip...

On Friday, Cooper had his first school field trip.  I was able to take the day off work to go with him and thankfully the Children's Museum is close to Daddy's work so Matt met us there and played for about an hour.  Anna Lauren didn't start field trips until she was in four year old preschool so it was quite a different experience going with a two year old versus a four year old.  At four, they stay with their class, they want to be with their friends, etc.  At two, they just do their own thing...but...Cooper was excited, and I think he enjoyed his first field trip!

Ignore Anna Lauren...she was getting ready for picture day at school and trying to get Cooper to put on his field trip t-shirt.  I wanted to post this picture for Cooper so I can remember his "hat" phase.  He is into hats right now...he has a Ole Miss cap (that is Pop Pop's hat) and he has a state hat (that is Jake's hat).  He will say he wants to wear Pop Pop hat or Jake hat...you just never know.  And sometimes, he picks his football helmet.  Matt took him to Lowe's and the park the other day wearing his helmet.  He was also excited this day because he had a lunchbox...they were going to try to have a picnic after the museum.  It was too wet though so we missed out on the picnic, but he still thought it was so cool that he had a lunchbox.

Fishing with Daddy...and yes, I know his shirt is HUGE...for some reason that is the smallest shirt the daycare has for the kids.

Checking out the fish he caught...

I think driving the truck was one of his favorites...

This little boy loves to color...not sure if it is because Anna Lauren is always coloring or what, but he likes it right now.

The puppets were quite entertaining too...especially chasing Daddy and Mommy with them...

Trying to figure out how to pick up a log...

One of his many faces...like I've said before, he is full of facial expressions...