Family Vacation: DC Edition

Well, we had our first vacation as a family of three and we had so much fun! I was of course worried for Harper's first airplane ride (who am I kidding--I was worried about my stupid claustrophobia) but it was nice to have H to worry about. And of course, she traveled like a champ. Are you even surprised?
She waved to everyone she saw, stood on my lap and shook the seat in front of us, and finally fell asleep. Angel. I don't even think the guy in front of us minded one bit ; )

After a last-minute diaper change we were the last to board! We had to hustle. 

I'm not so sure about this.

OK, flying is cool with me. 

Once we got to DC, we were picked up by my best friend, Ashley, and her 2 year-old daughter, Mary Jane. I was SO EXCITED for Harper and Mary Jane to meet. And of course, they were BFFLs from the beginning.

Getting acquainted in the car. 

To Mary Jane we are "Nani, Uncle Kevin, and Baby Harper." Steal my heart.

We were very busy every day in DC. The first day we were there we did a little of the "tourist thing" and saw the gorgeous cherry blossoms.

That night we had dinner with (most) of the Schmidt Family. It was so cool that Abbey had a band performance in Virginia the same weekend!

The next day, we had to get down to business. Wedding business. Ashley picked out the Bridesmaid Dresses and we had a girls day. Swoon over the girls' matching outifts and the four of us lunchin it:

The girls could not get enough of each other. It was adorable.

The next day was the most fun. Ever. I've been waiting to go wedding dress shopping with Ashley ever since she went with me going on 5 years ago!  It was a perfect day and I hope that she had as much fun as I did! Ashley is the one person that would do anything for me and I'm going to try my best, but I don't think it's possible to top the Maid of Honor duties that she did for me.

While we were wedding dress shopping and getting tipsy at lunch with Mother Jane and Aunt Dianne, they boys took the girls to the zoo. I heard that Harper slept through most of it, but when she was awake she thought the elephant was a dog. Close. The whole gang met up in Georgetown for dinner and what's Georgetown without cupcakes?

Two of my favorite people.

Family love.

Best Friends with Baby Friends.

We wrapped up a fun and memorable trip with brunch at The-Future-Webb's apartment. Thanks, Ashley & Stan, ya'll were too good to us and we can't wait for ya'll to come see us in Destin! :)

Another Memorable Year

Well, last night was our Cheerleading Banquet for the 2012-2013 Season. It was bittersweet because this is the first class of graduating seniors that I have coached for all four years of high school. I loved this team just like I have all the others (because of their own unique dynamics) but this team taught me more about myself than any other. This team challenged me. I pray that I rose to the occasion and didn't scar anyone too badly...

I feel that a little slack should be given for my meanness because I was learning to juggle teaching, coaching, and being a good wife and mom. For some reason my brain still isn't working like it used to. I can't attribute it to Harper's sleeping habits, because she's an angel baby and sleeps at least 11 hours a night. I don't know, but for some reason I feel like this year was...different.

One of my favorite lines from To Kill a Mockingbird (FAV book of all time) is when Scout says she forgot that she was too old to be fighting and that "Cecil Jacobs made [her] forget." I think that what I didn't like about this year is when the girls made me forget that I was the adult. Talking at practice is one thing. Talking and disturbing practice to where it distracts others from learning is another. Talking and disturbing practice to where I knew it was going to come back and bite us in the butt on the award stage is something that I will never allow again.

Coaching is hard. But coaching 30 teenage girls is HARD.

Like I said, I love each and every one of the members of the 2012-2013 team. I wouldn't change anything about this year even if I could. I appreciate the hard work and dedication they gave even when they didn't want to. I understand AP classes, jobs, parents, boyfriends, frenemies, and clubs/community service can add a lot of stress. And I didn't even mention the "extra-curricular activity" (since most don't consider us a sport) in which they put in at least 20 hours a week practicing and conditioning to uphold our competitive reputation as the best in the state and nation, and oh yeah, the world. They're tired. They're cranky. They're over it. I know. But it is worth it. It is so, so worth it.

We're at the point in every year where everyone is tired and hurting. I mean physically hurting. So much jumping, stunting, and tumbling can take a major toll on their little bodies. When people aren't feeling their best they complain. I remember this time of year from when I was in high school: "Are you going to try out again?" "OMG I am never trying out again." "I don't know if I want to try out again." You get the idea.

What I really want to say to them is this: Suck it up, buttercup.

Everyone eligible to return next year eats, lives, and breathes cheerleading. I don't know what they would possibly do with their time and energy if they really don't decide to try out again. We have big plans for the future of FWBHS Cheerleading (By we I mean myself and BFF Rachel Pritchard. *I Thank God every night that she moved back and coaches with me*). I am so excited for next year. A fresh start. A change. It's time to put 2012-2013 to bed and start dreaming up the best team that Fort Walton Beach has ever seen.

If it was easy, every one would do it.

If it was easy, it wouldn't be worth it.

STATT.

Nine Months

You have nicer nine-month pics. You're smiling, waving, looking cute. But this one makes me laugh so it's the winner!

I know it's pretty crazy; after two back-to-back trips to Orlando for Cheerleading, we headed back down with Nona & Papa Whit to visit Uncle Garrett. Kevin was on a field trip in Palm Beach with FWBHS Leadership.

Harper's personality is definitely coming out. Here she is around the house & Playing with Neyland:

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

SPRING BREAK 2K13!

And, of course, Happy Easter!!

Here's the Easter egg hunt in Kell-Aire Gardens:

And Easter Sunday:

The Easter Bunny came!

Magic Jellybeans that grew into Lollipops!

Peeps!

Too much excitement leads to nap time in Waumba Land.

Lunch & Easter gifts at Nona's & Papa's.

Happy Easter from The Schmidt's!