On Sunday I descended into the depths of Missouri and Kansas on Sunday to watch Alexis compete in competitive cheerleading.

I had spoken with our Associate Pastor Andrea about good barbecue joints in Kansas City and she recommended Jack Stack for ribs and Oklahoma Joe’s for sandwiches. I looked into both places and found that there was a Jack Stack in the same suburb as the competition so we checked it out.

In a word… divine!

Everything was great. The fried mushrooms, the warm carrot cake, the ribs, the burnt ends, the beans… everything. I was particularly impressed with a cheesy corn side dish. Teresa is researching the recipe and we (meaning not me) are going to try to replicate it for our Thanksgiving meal.

I should point out that the carrot cake was one of the top 3 desserts I have ever had from a restaurant. Right up there with the tiramisu from Cosi Cucina or the warm chocolate cake from the cruise.

Photographing moving targets in low light does not make for the best pictures, but please enjoy a few pictures from the day:

Statue in front of Jack Stack

Alexis

Elainie

Mom

Looking over the program.

Jason

Carla

Iowa All-Stars

Now we get to the point of the pictures where it is more or less: “Where’s Alexis?”

Write down your answers to “Where’s Alexis?” and mail them to bennett@photography139.com. A winner will be randomly selected from all correct entries.

Teresa

Mom

Can you imagine what this many cheerleaders (and their moms) in one room sounds like?

Carla

Elainie

Elainie photographing.

We are the champions, my friends…

The Bennett women. I know Teresa will complain about this picture, but it was the only one of the 3 pictures I took where Mom doesn’t look drugged out.

The medal.

I’m going to call this Alexis’ gangsta look.

No comment.

It was a good trip, but I was glad to get back out of the state of Missouri. Very glad.