It's Off to the Races!

It's Friday evening and we are off to practice for a BIG weekend of BMX racing. This is the weekend we have been waiting for...the opportunity to have Caden SHINE as "Lightning Lekson" in the Minnesota State Qualifier and Redline National Cup Qualifier! He has waited and practiced for 6 loooooong weeks. The time has come and boy, oh boy, did he SHINE...

Saturday brought about the Minnesota State Qualifier that was held indoors at Rehbein's BMX. We have never experienced a State Championship race inside and wow, was it CRAZY! The commotion and excitement was something to see...

Here is Lightning Lekson on the far right (in green) racing to save his spot for the main/final race. He took first place right out of the gate, therefore, taking an immediate transfer to the final. Unfortunately, with this transfer brought about A LOT of time waiting around...:( Thank goodness for friends and family who came to support Caden and utilize this time...

Caden and his friends...Luke, Spencer and Riley!

All of his hard work and dedication paid off...

Caden took FIRST PLACE!!!

WOW...we are super EXCITED and PROUD of him!

This win will help him to succeed this summer once the State Championship Finals roll around.

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After an evening of rest and a stop for ice cream to celebrate, Sunday morning came SOON!

We headed to the track at 10 a.m. to have Caden get stretched and warmed up for part

two of his racing weekend. Today's race is a national circuit race, which means that this

event will qualify him for national awards. Just as the State Championship Qualifier, the

Redline Cup requires each rider to participate in 3 national races at three different tracks through out the year.

The Expert riders put on quite a show during intermission, there were as many as 13 riders doing the freestyle jump in a row. It was an AMAZING sight and the crowd went WILD!

Caden did it AGAIN...

he took FIRST PLACE in the Redline Cup National Qualifier!!!

This race took a lot more sweat and hard work...I think yesterday's race drained a lot out of him. He fell and scraped his hip on the track during his last practice lap and it scared him. It took him the full 2 qualifying races to place for the final. But, he pulled through and placed FIRST in the end. He definitely RODE HARD and NEVER QUIT...

One of Caden's inspirations on the track is Courtney Purcell. She is our top female rider in our district, she is absolutely awesome and we love to watch her ride. Caden was very excited to take his picture with her (pictured above on lower right side) since they both came out on TOP this weekend! She is a great kid who has also sparked an interest for Calli in riding as well...

The races are FINISHED and it is time to go home...

but, not empty handed!

It was time to CELEBRATE with ice cream AGAIN...

Not only for 2 wins this weekend, but also because Caden has had 8 FIRST place WINS and has moved up to the next level of racing! Wow...we can now call him an INTERMEDIATE RACER ;)

You've earned it, DUDE! Way to go!!!

(Caden's favorite...an ice cream log from the DQ)

A special SHOUT OUT to our family and friends for coming out and supporting Caden in his racing. He really LOVES having people their to cheer him on...thanks to those as well who couldn't join us, but watched and encouraged him on from their computers online. One of which, was his big sister (one of his biggest fans) who was home with a fever all weekend. She didn't miss a race, thanks to technology and was with us in spirit... :)

A very special thanks to my Mom and Jan for staying back and taking such good care of Calli while she was under the weather...don't worry, we could still hear you all screaming and shouting for Caden!

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One final word for the weekend, a poem that I find so appropriate...

Anything Is Possible

Anything is possible, if you think it is worthwhile

If you’re willing to go the distance, to go the extra mile.

With determination and effort, you can often achieve more

Because you don’t always get what you wish, but what you work for.

Dreams can become challenging, but no matter what the cost

Strive to complete the task before you, and you’ll never end up lost.

So bring with you your goals, and leave your doubts behind

Whether you think you can or can’t, you certainly will find

You’ll be right either way–so never quit, and this is why:

You’ll never become a failure, until you fail to try.