Mr. & Mrs. Cameron

So what have Cal and I been up to?!  We're important too, right ;)

Cal's been busy with work, coaching and a bit of NP!  And dad-duties, of course ;)  Work-wise I can't provide the most accurate updates as I myself don't completely understand the technicalities of his position but I do know a lot of his time is taken up by fibre optics!  And meetings ... tons of meetings!!  And I also know that for many of these meetings he provides lunch which usually involves leftovers for the family, lol.  Hey, it's the small things ;)  Coaching takes up a large majority of his time.  From practice planning to game strategizing to dealing with the shit that goes with the job (yeah, I said it!), it is a very time consuming volunteer role!  But very rewarding at times!!  Such as yesterday when the Saints beat the top team in our tier!  A team that was moved down to tier 2 from tier 1, in round 3 of the regular season.  The team played so well and Coach Cal was very proud (as were all the fans and parents!)!!  We won't talk about the shitty side of coaching, lol ;)  Cal makes it to NP almost every Wednesday and every Friday.  He misses a lot of Monday's because his dad duties are a little extra on Monday's, as he drives the kids to school in the morning.  He has been dealing with an injury these past few weeks.  We hoped that new runners would help cure the problem but they haven't so he will need to see a Dr. or a P.T. possibly.  His Achilles has been bothering him after a few km's of running or walking :(  Hopefully he can deal with it asap, as he should be training for his 1/2 marathon in April, followed by Sinister 7 in July, followed by his full marathon in August.  Cal's getting ready for spring hockey as he joins his co-worker for Friday night hockey with a group made up of mostly EPSB teachers.  He had a great time last year on the team and is looking forward to playing with the same group again.

I am doing well, keeping busy with the usual!!  I feel like I'm a full-time (plus OT) Mom, part-time O.T.A. and part-time wife (sorry Cal, lol!)!  I LOVE my job and am happy to report I was the successful candidate for the permanent, full-time posting!  The lady who I was covering for decided not to come back after her sick leave.  I'm so excited to be permanent and know that I will be returning to this position in September!  I love my job.  I'm actually happy to go to work.  It's kind of bizarre to me and I hope this feeling lasts ;)  So far so good!!  I remember starting a new job when I returned to work after Blake was born and loving that job, too!  Unfortunately my role changed a few months into that new position and I didn't love it quite as much as when I started.  Hopefully there won't be any major changes to this new role!  I'm happy driving to work and happy driving home, it's a wonderful feeling. Other than work and mom duties, I don't have much to report - other than I can not keep up with housework and laundry and 75% of the time I am able to pull together a good meal at supper time ;)  Since having Reese, I don't think I've kept out with housework and laundry, so nothing new there.  For the most part I don't let it bother me, water off a duck's back and all that good stuff, but there are times when I feel like I'm being choked by laundry and housework!!  Then I take a deep breathe and relax and let it go!!  I've helped our hockey teams manger a lot this year.  I'm the treasurer but we've pretty much just shared manager and treasurer duties.  It's fun and I enjoy being involved!  I usually manage to have coffee once a week with my good friend Jodi, which is always so nice!  I'm still on the school council at the kids school and really enjoy that.  We're currently organizing our 2nd annual pasta dinner and silent auction.  I've said for years now (probably 5) that I need to start getting to bed early and waking up early to work out before the kids are up ... but yeah, that has not happened!  I am a night owl.  I love the quiet evenings!  Even if I am folding laundry, tidying up, making lunches, etc, I really enjoy the peace and quiet :) So although I know I should change my ways, I haven't gotten there yet ...

Cal and I have been getting out for at least one date night every month, for the most part.  We're so glad that our neighbour Stephanie is finally old enough to babysit and even more happy that the kids like her and she is a great babysitter!!  I know she doesn't get them to bed on time most nights but that's alright.  They're usually busy playing games and making crafts (that she plans and brings all the supplies for!)!

So there's a quick update on the Mr. and Mrs. of the house ;)

Talk to you soon!

~Tracy

More cake and more ice time!!

I told ya February was a full month ;)  

On the 20th we celebrated my Mom's birthday but before dinner at the Stecyk's, we were in Beaumont for a ringette jamboree and then at the Meadow's for Blake's hockey game!  The girls had so much fun at the jamboree.  This was our second year participating and it is such a wonderful event.  One day, two games per team, 1/2 ice and just a lot of fun!  I think it's really great for the beginner ringette players.  I know the full ice games were too much for Reese but these 1/2 ice games were perfect for her!  Em had fun too although she's definitely more than ready for full ice games, all the time!!  It was so great to see Em and her teammates hanging out between games :)  As we were watching them, we commented that, that is really what this is all about - making new friends and life-long memories :)  

After ringette and hockey we headed to the grocery store for some groceries and then to Lindsay's for dinner and dessert :)  It was a great evening!  

Happy Birthday to the world's best Mom!!!  I've said it a million times and I'll say it a million more, I don't know what I'd do without her!  We hope she had a wonderful day (albeit at the rink!!) and has another wonderful year ahead :)  xoxoxo

Happy Birthday to Emerson!!

On the 16th Em turned 7!!  7?!  That seems wrong some how ... how is she 7?  My goodness, my teeny little 6lb 11 oz baby girl is 7.  February is a whirl wind of activity in our house but we made sure to fit in a special dinner for Em on her birthday!  My parents and the Stecyk's joined us for dinner at Montanna's in St. Albert.  We met right after school, before hockey practice and Ukrainian dancing ;)  Em got to wear the traditional Montanna's horns and remarked that they felt very heavy!!  

On the 19th, a few of Emerson's closest friends and cousins helped her celebrate her birthday at the Edmonton Humane Society.  The kids spent the majority of the time visiting with various animals - puppies, cats, a snake, a bunny, a ferret and a bearded dragon!  Em loved every minute, she is such an animal lover!!  The puppies were her favorite and one in particular really took a liking to her, curling up in her lap :)  It was so cute!!  Thank you to everyone who joined Em at her party, she loves all her gifts and was so happy to spend time with her friends and cousins!  I'll share a few photo's below.

Happy Birthday, Em the gem!!  We love you beyond words and are so very proud of you.  You are one smart, hard working, helpful and loving girl!  We can always count on you to help in any and every situation, whether it be dusting around the house, washing dishes, helping your little sister, cleaning your brother's room (what a lucky boy to have a sister like you!!), etc, etc, you are so helpful and we greatly appreciate that trait :) You gift us with beautiful drawings every day, often titled "I Love You Mom/Dad".  You bring big smiles to our faces and we love you beyond words!!  xoxo

Opening gifts the morning of her birthday :)

Dinner at Montanna's and gifts from the Stecky's and G&G!

The Montanna's horns and birthday song!!

Craft time at the Humane Society!

So much fun in the puppy room :)

Lovin' the puppy kisses!!!

I adore this photo - pure joy :)

Blowing out her candles on her birthday ice cream sundae (which she requested, as she doesn't like cake!)!!

The party-goers!

Em and Tickles, the snake ;)

Holding the bearded dragon!

A quick family photo at home, after the party :)

Tournament long weekend!!

Phew, this family day long weekend was a 'tad' busy ;)  Blake and the Saints were in the Stollery Family Day Classic, Emerson and the blue blizzard and Reese and the purple panda's were in the Sweetheart Ringette Tournament.  I will admit, I was crossing my fingers that I'd make it to Monday evening.  Good news is, I made it!!  WE made it!  And we all enjoyed ourselves ;)  Sending a HUGE thank you to all of our friends and family who supported Blake and the Stollery Children's Foundation.  Cal, Blake and I all appreciate your support of this wonderful cause.  To date the Stollery Family Day Classic has raised over 1.5 million dollars!  Blake had fun in the Stollery tournament.  They didn't come away with a medal but had very close games and fun as a team!  

We all enjoyed the Sweetheart Tournament, it was fun to not only watch Reese and Emerson and their teams play but to catch one of my sister's games, catch up with a few players from my past, watch my niece Jenna's team play and spend time with the Stony Plain Cameron's and my parents!  The girls also loved the photo booth ;)  They were very proud of their medals and had a fabulous weekend!

We capped the long weekend off with lunch and a visit in Stony Plain!  It was nice to slow down and relax :)  I want to send a big thank you to my parents who helped us get Reese to her game on Friday, volunteered to time keep and were the kids' biggest cheer leaders!!  Thank you, thank you!!  

Here's a few photo's from our awesome weekend:

My favorite hockey player, ready for the Stollery tournament!!

Emerson, Reese and Jenna - Ringette cousins!!

Proud of my girls!

Cal and the girls :)

Happy Birthday, Mr. Cameron!!

On February 11th we celebrated Cal's birthday!  Cal and Em had ringette practice that night so we had an early dinner and Cal's birthday cake right after school - two of his favorites, lasagna and black forest cake!  The kids always enjoy celebrating birthdays and went all out as soon as we got home, making decorations for the house and decorating the table.  They put party hats, necklaces and name place cards out, it was so cute!  Cal, I know your day was busy and full (as they all are at this point in our lives!) but I hope you felt the love around you!  We love you so much :) Here's to another 30-something year, I have a feeling it will be great!!  xoxo

Minor Hockey Week

Quickcard Edmonton Minor Hockey week is one of the largest hockey tournaments in the world and one of the most exciting!  The format is unique in that if you lose your first game, you do move on to your second game but lose your second game and you are out of the tournament.  If you win your first game and lose your second game, you're also out.  So in a way, the first game is the game to lose (if you're going to lose one!!)  They also group the top teams in the league together.  So you often have a very strong team and a weaker team in the final.  We were tied for second in the league, so were in the tougher division.  We (in my opinion) had a bad draw this year, with our first game on Friday evening, second game on Saturday morning and our third game on Sunday morning.  Typically, games are spread out throughout the 10 days!  It was also the end of the first week back to school after the Christmas vacation.  The above excuses are my excuse as to why the Saints didn't win Minor Hockey Week ;)  lol!  The team who did win, we've beat 4-1.  Win or lose, it was a great time and 3 very close, hard-fought games!!  I love watching this group of talented 7 and 8 year old play hockey, they make it so exciting!!  Coach Cal shared an article with the team prior to our first game and I thought I'd share it with you, as well as another interesting article I found.  Enjoy :)

http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/01/09/tait-on-eight-cheer-on-our-kids-during-minor-hockey-week

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/minor-hockey-week-fuelled-by-passion-and-volunteers-1.3389305 

Celebrating a win (game 2)!

Cool ice sculpture outside the area in Sherwood Park!

Game 3

Here's to 2016!

Here we are ... 2016!  We are looking forward to this year!  As usual, as soon as Christmas is over I start the year day-dreaming about those hazy, lazy days of summer!  I don't think I could live without winter but I would prefer 2-3 months of snow and cold vs 5-7 ;) Alas, we all have to wait just a few (6 or so)  more months.  Our January and February are full with hockey and ringette!  The girls have their first ringette tournaments coming up!!  Em's team is playing in the Edmonton Silver Ring and both Em and Reese's teams are playing in the Sweetheart Tournament in Spruce Grove.  Blake has minor hockey week coming up and the Stollery tournament in February.  Then league playoffs begin in March!  We have our wind up party planned for the end of March and then we'll be in to Spring sports :)  Can't wait to watch some lacrosse again!!  Blake also wants to play baseball, hopefully his lacrosse schedule will allow him to play baseball.  We're not sure what activities the girls will be participating in, in the spring.  Em has mentioned baseball and Reese has mentioned soccer!  It will be a matter of seeing which sports are on which days because we can't have all 3 in different sports on one night ... unless Blake gets his drivers license at age 9 ;)  lol! 

Thinking ahead to spring and summer, leads me to daydreaming about our 2016 holiday plans! We already have some plans underway.  First up, and already booked, is a trip to Phoenix during spring break.  The plan is to relax, take in a few MLB spring training games and swim in the pool at the house we're staying at!!  I can't wait and the kids are beyond excited!  By the time Spring Break comes, we will be in need of a real break ;)  Heck, we need one now but we'll have to wait!!  Then, at the beginning of July my Mom, sister and I are flying to Vancouver for a few nights for a Dixie Chicks concert!  Girls trip!!!!  Finally ... it's been years in the making ;) I'll be flying back into Calgary from Vancouver, where Cal and the kids will pick me up to begin our annual camping vacay.  First up, camping for a few nights with a group on NP friends, while they take on the Sinister 7 in Southern AB!!  From there, we're not quite sure where we're going to go.  Originally we had thought we'd visit Seattle and area but with the poor Canadian dollar, we're just not sure.  Might be best to stay in Canada! Somewhere in the mix (but during the MLB season!) Cal and a few friends want to plan a guys trip to Seattle for a few ball games. Other than that, we will be spending many more days and nights in our favorite home away from home (hint: it's on wheels!) with friends and family :)

I'll be back soon to update you on January's happenings!  Have a great month :)

~ Tracy