There is no better feeling!

We are back home after a whirlwind trip to Germany... 
Just over 36 hours in country, 
almost 20 hours in the van, 
two bakeri visits,
two amazing German meals (schnitzel mit pommes) enjoyed,
three hours in a water park, 
six bottles of apfel schoule brought back,
one missed chunnel crossing because of passport cues (it wasn't a huge deal),
and the most amazing smiles ever from Kirby!

I have to say as a parent, 
there is no greater feeling than seeing 
pure joy and
the pride of accomplishment 
on your child's face!

The five Bennett's loaded into the van early Friday morning, 
several hours after we put her on the bus...
and headed off to Germany to watch my baby run in the
DODD's European HS Cross Country Championships!
It was a snowy,
chilly,
hilly 
course...
covered with anxious parents,
encouraging coaches 
and 
excited teens!

The girls headed towards their starting area,
huddled up for some words of encouragement from their team captain,
did the "Lancer Rumble",
and then waited anxiously for the starting gun!
(the remaining five Bennett's were waiting anxiously for the starting gun too!).
Suddenly the pistol fired and they were off...
Kirby ran a great race, passing folks even at the end...
her run to the finish was beautiful!
But the smile on her face was the best! 
Her team didn't do so well, finishing 7th out of the schools in her division,
but she had her best time yet at 23:44 and finished fifth on her team and 29th over all
(out of a field of 50 girls)!