Return to the Battle of Atlanta

We were back for the Battle of Atlanta tonight, something we were at for the first time last year, and of course a pretty huge weekend last year.  The idea was to get to the hotel at 3pm, practice and settle in somewhat, and then of course the competition started at 6pm. 

Driving down was fairly easy - getting back was tough though because the rain was so severe.  Huge deluges tonight outside.  Maddie found her friends when we first arrived, so Mom and I sat with the other parents for a bit.  I found some food nearby for Mom and I at a place called "Murph's," which was themed after Dale Murphy, the famous Atlanta Braves player.  We took a few group shots before, and there were some prayers shared as well as a few motivational pep talks, all before the group went back to the room where the competition was to take place.  Team Edge performed in a different and more advanced category this year, and so the competition was stiffer.  Still, they performed actually better than they did last year, at least in my opinion.  There was more synchronicity and more cohesion - the group did a fantastic job.  They didn't win this time, but they did prove that they belonged up there on stage with the best in the nation.  As always, I was taking a lot of pictures along the way, pics in the big lobby of the group and pics during a warm-up, and then pictures later of the group in competition.  They all did really well, and we were all super proud of them.  Here's some pictures of the event tonight: