Yee-Haw!!!

Ya'll just missed a great weekend in Rock Island, Illinois. The 90-plus degree temps fired up the Lake City Skiers and they won second place at the Division II National Show Ski Tournament!!!

Seven teams and nearly 1000 skiers competed in the two-day showcase of amazing "feets" on water. We were by far the smallest (yet mightiest) team with approximately 30 skiers. Most teams were at least twice our size.

Our show director, Jakim, also won the most prestigous award of "Best Male Skier" and another LCS team member, Tracey, won the individual swivel ski competition.

For those of you unfamiliar with show skiing, it is a unique multi-generational, co-ed sport that requires more than just doing tricks on water. There is a theme or story that ties all the stunts together into a great, entertaining show even if you don't really appreciate all the talent on the water.

This year the Lake City Skiers present: The Dukes of Hazzard.

Unfortunately, our dukes took the hazzard theme a little too seriously.

Just about a week before Nationals, Angie took a fall off the top of the barefoot pyramid that took everyone's breath away and probably cracked a few ribs. She was tough enough to get back on the pyramid at Nationals, but another fall made her a spectator for the rest of the show.

During our practice time on Friday, Enus (Keaton) flipped off the starting dock and hit his heel on a rock. His heel immediately became one big blood blister with a nice slice too. So much for any barefoot acts.....

Saturday was Kim's turn with a migraine. It resolved by Sunday morning, but left her still heaving and weak. Thanks to my hubby/GOFER Steve and a quick pharmacy run to get a "magic bullet," Kim was looking pale pink instead of gray green before showtime. WHEW!!!

BUT..........Just minutes before the show, Bo Duke (Jakim) was helping another team get their boat out of the water . . . . he stepped on something in the water and sliced open his heel! OUCH!!! I was in the stands waiting for the show to begin when I got the 9-1-1 call. With a little modern medicine and a lot of duct tape, Bo was back into action just in time for the show.

Did you notice anything unusual in the pictures?!?

Yeah, you got a rare glimpse of my mug but . . . . Did you really look at the picture of Rachel up above?

It's Rachel sitting on Bubby's lap!!!

Bubby surprised us and flew up from Mississippi for the weekend just to see his littlest sister compete. It was a great surprise for all of us. He was already Rachel and Sarah's favorite brother, but this just secured his standing in first place.

SHOWTIME!!!

Here are some highlights from Nationals.

All lined up . . .