Champs!

This weekend, Mikayla and Zach both competed in the Philippine National Wakeboarding Championships. Mikayla is 10, and Zach turned 8 on the final day of the competition, but they both had to compete in the 10-13 yr old division since there were no younger riders. All the riders they competed against were either 12 or 13, but the kids did great! (Can you tell we are a little proud of them? :) )

Here is a shot of Zach right after his run at the semi-finals in the offiical riding jersey.

Zach got a sweet grab and some big air off the kicker.
Look how hard he is carving (can you tell I have started to learn the wakeboarding lingo? It's like a whole new language....)

Ben didn't ride in the competition, but he did a great job cheering, playing in the sand, and looking cute.

Mikayla got a great grab off the kicker too! It is amazing that she was even able to compete because she got strep throat the week of the competition and wasn't able to practice much at all. Since we were on a 10 day trip just before she got strep, she was coming off a 2 1/2 wk break from riding. We were just thankful she was able to ride at all - we were praying hard! To HIM goes the glory!

Steve and my dad were in the country, but were supposed to be in meetings 24 hrs north of us so they weren't going to be able to make it to the competition. However, they were able to wrap up their meetings early and SURPRISE the kids by taking the overnight bus down to watch the competition. They arrived just a few hours before it all started, and the kids were THRILLED to have both Daddy and Papa there to watch.

Here Zach is showing Papa the gift bag the riders got.

The day of the finals was also Zach's 8th birthday. Here is the bday boy chilling and watching the other riders.

In all the craziness of the week, we didn't end up doing a cake for his bday, but he said it was the best birthday ever cuz he was with his family. We went to his favorite ice cream place to celebrate, and he got to get whatever he wanted - 2 scoops of Rocky Road.

We sang to him and "blew out" his spoon. Which ended up being a trick candle that kept re-lighting...imaginations are wonderful.

Zach got a ripstick, a bunch of books he has been wanting (he has recently turned into quite the little reader!), some legos, a PS2 game, and his own "big kid" Bible and case from his grandparents. The case was even embroidered with his name and a wake-boarder!

Another shot of the birthday boy!

That night at the awards ceremony, we didn't know how the kids would come out. All their competitors stepped it up significantly for the finals, so the competition was fierce. We were so excited when Zach got 3rd in his division even though he was 5-6 yrs younger than the other boys.

And Mikayla got 1st!!!

Here are some pics of their riding to end with...

Zach might look like he is falling off here, but it is actually called a "nose press".

Go, Kayla!

Zach catching big air.

We are so blessed to live near an amazing place like this where the kids have the opportunity to wakeboard and even compete. We are so thankful.