Here’s the latest video clip of the girl learning to talk (and eat). She has become quite the talker these days and will, basically, try to repeat any word you throw her way. But with all of that said, she does have one favorite word to say: Mao Mao (Elmo in Chinese). Take it away Svea!
Yesterday Kristin and the kids decided to make some chocolate chip cookies for the family. Magnus and Svea were in charge of stirring the dough and distributing the the chocolate chips, while Kristin oversaw the entire procedure. The end results were too-liscious and Dad was able to swoop in and enjoy a bunch after work - simply beautiful!!
Do you have the Thursday, end of May blues? Well, there is only one thing to remedy that: Karaoke! Yes folks, grab yourself a nice cold cocktail, loosen up that collar and sing as loud as you can. Nothing (and I mean nothing) cures your woes like a good old fashioned karaoke tune. Enjoy!
While I have not been able to watch any of the games in full, through the magic of online streaming and tsn.ca I have been able to be apart of the Stanley Cup finals. My prediction was that Detroit would win but I certainly did not expect the pounding that they have demonstrated thus far - experience seems to be a deciding factor. I am not saying this series is over, but it is sure not looking good for the young kids down in Pittsburgh. Can home ice advantage bring some life back into this series?
While the championship final game was a very hard fought battle, in the end Team Grey simply proved to be the better team and won the 2008 Dong Bei Cup by a score of 4-0 over Team White - yes, Cinderella left the ball without her slipper. Two quick goals in the first half seemed to put Grey in control and while White did have their chances Billy C just proved to be too good cementing the first-ever shutout in Dong Bei Cup history. Congratulations to Team Grey on their fine performance as champions, there is no question they were the cream of the crop in 2008!
Here is the latest drawing from young Magnus Bjorn. The pre-school he currently attends is very heavy on the Arts and everyday he and his classmates can always be found drawing something or other. But quite recently I have been looking at what Magnus has been drawing and have been very impressed by his talents. Now, I realize I am just a proud Papa but the picture you see before you was 100% drawn and colored by Magnus and I think he has done a wonderful job! Anyways, I won’t gloat too much more but I just wanted to show you all what Magnus is learning at school. Pretty cool stuff!
C’mon folks, it is a long weekend back home in Canada, which means it is time kick the shoes off a little and let loose - and here’s just the thing to help you get started!
The first semi-final game on Wednesday night was the top seeded Black team (3-0) play off against the last place Team White (0-3). In what all were considering to be nothing but a formality, this game proved to be a Dong Bei classic with Team White coming out on top 8-7 in overtime. Playing very similar styles, the scoring was very even throughout the game with Black never up more than two goals at any given point. With three minutes left in the game Blake Defieux scored to make it 7-5 for Black and all but assuring their advancement into the finals. But, Team White did not go away and with a minute and a half scored to make it 7-6 and then with a staggering 10 seconds left to go in regulation time Darren Seath shoveled the ball in to send the game into overtime. Then roughly five minutes in, Brad Helgason scored a beautiful top shelf goal to seal the greatest upset in Dong Bei semi-final action.
In what was a classic match-up in their last game of the round robin, unfortunatewly the semi-final rematch proved to be otherwise. Wednesday’s game proved to be far more defensive minded and Team Grey simply shut down Green’s top line of Beeke, Foster and Ng, thus nullifying their chances of victory all together. The final score was 9 to 3 for Grey and a date with Cinderella.
Nine years ago today Kristin and I were married at Rainbow Park in Prince George, British Columbia. The day was a little overcast and gave us a scare that it might rain, but in the end it turned out to be an absolutely fantastic day. I met Kristin while going to the College of New Caledonia and we dated, and were engaged, for three years before getting married. Over our years of marriage both Kristin and I have experienced a lot with each other but there is no question she has given me the best years of my life so far. I look for many more to come, I love you very much Kristin and I hope you have a Happy Anniversary!
Two days ago I decided to take the training wheels off Magnus’s bike. When I first bought the bike I figured he would be using training wheels until he was 5 or so, but as we continued to travel on our weekend journey’s I began to get the sense that he was ready to take the next step. I knew this would stunt our Saturday jaunts downtown for awhile, but in the end, it just felt like it was the right time. So, we are now relegated to re-learning how to ride the big two wheeler down at the courtyard in our apartment complex, but I have to say I am very impressed with how fast the big guy is learning how to ride. Below is a video of his second-ever time riding without training wheels and, really, it doesn’t even look as though he has missed a beat. Way to go big guy, Mom, Dad and Svea are very proud of you!
Here’s a picture of Svea Elina on her 16th month birthday. Yes, our little girl is growing up fast and is a real lover of life. She is beginning to speak a lot these days and has been known to roar like a Lion when she reads her favorite book. She’s a highlight of our day and we love her to pieces. Happy birthday girlfriend!
Well, today Canada lost the IIHF World Hockey Championships to our most (historically speaking) formidable opponent: Russia. While I did not catch the game it sure reads like it was a barnburner as well as a heartbreaker for Canada. Not to fear, we cannot win them all and, really, it just gives that much more excitement/intrigue for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. International hockey - you gotta love it!
Week #2 saw the round robin portion of the tournament come to a close and cleared up the playoff scenarios once and for all. Tuesday afternoon’s game - Black vs. Grey - had 1st place bragging rights on the line to which Team Black came away with the obvious edge in a 5-2 victory. Adrian Conradi led the charge with a three point night for Black and goaltender Neil McIntyre played solid in between the pipes. On Wednesday Team Grey had to rebound and focus their efforts on a feisty Hubert Wong and Team Green. While this game ended up in a 5-5 draw, for all of those who watched it was a classic Dong Bei Cup game that offered everything a hockey game should: great saves, great passes, great goals and a lot of heart and soul. Then on Thursday the 0-2 Team White was pitted up against the 2-0 Team Black. While Engleson’s team did not get what they wanted, they did play a hard fought game in a 4-2 loss. So, with the round robin portion over we are all ready to go for the playoffs on Wednesday night where we will see all four teams play for their spot in the championship game next Friday. Individual achievements so far have Adrian Conradi, Cam Secret, and surprisingly, Shawn Forde at the top of the scoresheet battling it out for the Dong Bei Ren as the tournament’s top point getter. The top goalie looks to be solidified to Black’s Neil McIntyre but a strong last game by Grey’s Bill Colorado has given him a slight chance. Tournament MVP has not proven a clear cut front-runner although this reporter gives his nod to rookie Brent Foster for his strong performance so far; and after 6 round robin games it also seems to be consensus that no one has really stepped up to the plate to claim the Simon Kissinger Trophy for most heart and soul.
Semi-Final Action:
(1) Team Black vs (4) Team White
(2) Team Grey vs (3) Team Green
