50 Years of Family

On the August long weekend myself and all of my siblings headed to Saskatoon to celebrate a family milestone. On August 5th 1963 my parents Mary and Francis were married at Nobleville church. In appreciation of that event 50 years prior we gathered to celebrate.

My sister Monica, has already written a fantastic blog post recapping the weekend. Her photography and language skills dwarf my own and I highly recommenced you go and read it before reading the rest of my post.

Have you read it yet? I can wait.....

Alright! Pretty great huh?

Consider this a brother to the sister post where I will share some of my pictures (plus Geoff's pictures), and offer my own brief comments.

Being that all of the 'nuclear family' were present, my sisters Monica and Stephanie thought it would be a good time to formally welcome my betrothed (Christina) into the family with a Kehrig wedding shower. (Another great Monica blog post). While Chrissy was getting all of the attention I thought it would be a good time to spend some time with my brothers. With a very limited plan we headed out in a couple of cars to Humboldt Lake and Lawrence's cabin.

Geoff, Paul, and myself packed into Randy's car and headed out taking a short-cut down a gravel road. As is the case with shortcuts in Saskatchewan we soon ran into an obstacle.

A little back-tracking and a liquor board store stop later we ended up at Humboldt lake. 

The lounging and BS'ing began.

After way too many beers and way too much sun the inevitable one-upmanships and challenges started to go around. My closest brother in age and athletic hero as a child, Geoff, put it out there that he could beat me in a sprint. Egged on by Paul (and booze) we decided that there was only one way to settle it. The race was on.

The spectator judges measured out a 100 metres for us and signaled the race to begin. We both got off to strong starts with Geoff jumping out a bit ahead. Over the next couple of strides, with no shoes on to weigh me down, I found my next gear and passed him. I was ahead for quite awhile before I noticed that I couldn't feel his presence at all. Surely, the old man wasn't that slow! As I breezed past the finish line I looked back to see Geoff brushing himself off not far from the point where I passed him. Apparently while trying to find his next gear he hit a low spot in the grass and did a headfirst role into unkempt field. 

With a few scrapes and bruises to his knee, head and ego he recognized that I was the sprint champ. 

Not long after the race we headed back to Saskatoon and Stephanie's place to catch the end of Christina's shower and receive some surprise gifts.

Old Vienna hats courtesy of Paul

I received a very special, and fitting to the date, wedding gift from my family - custom made cuff links designed with my fathers distinctive signature.

Photo courtesy of Chris Parry - Bespoke Jewelry

I played it cool at the time, but really this is easily the best gift I have ever received. I can't wait to wear them on the big day and will cherish them for all time.

While everyone was assembled we got together to take some pictures. I was pretty boozy and Geoff was a little scraped up but we managed to get one or two decent pictures.

Sunday started low key for Chrissy and I consisting of a little Saskatoon sight seeing before heading back to visit with the rest of the family.

We really like the painted rocks visible along the shore from the Broadway Bridge. Very cool idea.

Back at Mom's the trampoline was the cause of much of the days excitement as the grand-kids bounced for hours on end. 

I eventually found my way inside the bouncing madhouse with the kids where my considerable weight sent them double bounced in all directions.

It didn't take much to wear me out and after about my 3rd shower of the day it was time to eat and toast Mom for all she has done and provided for us over the years.

Mom's gift was a clay replica of the Church where her and my father were married. It was constructed by Toula's House of Clay who I can't recommenced highly enough.  Photo's on Monica's blog site - which you already know as you went and read it first. Good Job!

Wrapping up the day was a trip to Dad at his marker and resting place. Mom prepared some speaking notes and we conducted our own tribute to the man who in partnership with Mom made it all possible.

It was a fitting way to end the day, together with family in a beautiful and serene location.

I can't say enough about how blessed I am to have the family that I do: The fine example and loving home provided by my parents, the camaraderie of my siblings, the acceptance with open arms to the family extended to Christina, I recognize all of this and I am truly fortunate.

Thank you to all of you.

Heading Home (Humboldt) for the Weekend

Not long ago my buddy Darren enquired if I had plans for the July 20th weekend and if we were available to help celebrate his parents Tony and Sandy Stroeder's 40th anniversary.

As Chrissy and I didn't have plans we set in motion a trip back to my hometown to help celebrate one of my favorite/best hockey and baseball coaches of my youth. It was a no brainer decision for us...Drive 6 hours each way along blooming canola field to visit family, some old friends and eat way too much. That's just a good time.

We headed out Friday after work arriving in Saskatoon at mom's a little late in the evening, but not too late for a quick drink on the patio at Specklebellys.  The next morning we breezed through the 2nd Avenue Sidewalk sale (no purchases but the following picture) before meeting Stephanie and family at the Saigon Rose for lunch.

From there we headed out to Humboldt for the big anniversary party. We actually ended up being the first to arrive -Which was great as we got a guided tour of the impressive Stroeder backyard garden.

Eventually, other well wishers showed up including my buddy Jeff (Son #1) who I probably haven't seen in about 7 or 8 years. Much like myself, he had a few grey hairs and a couple of extra pounds but he definitely earned them through raising 3 kids.

Eventually, Darren (Son #2) and his entourage from Oragami Accounting showed up. Their arrival was almost comical; as a group they are a motley bunch of all ages, physical sizes and ethnicity. Shortly after Darren and his crew arrived we headed out for a touch football game at the site of my old HCI Mohawks glory days at Glen Hall Park.

It was a humbling experience being back on the old field a dozen plus years later and a lot slower. Thankfully I was playing a bunch of accountants and computer programmers (zing!).

After spraying my sweaty self down at the local campground Chrissy and I took a quick run out to Humboldt Lake (Stony Lake) to check out my brother Lawrence's cabin. Much to Lawrence and Betty's surprise we got a quick visit and tour of the cabin. It's amazing to see the difference in the building within a short time. Lawrence did an awesome job - pictures to come in a future post.

We got back to the Stroeder's in time to raid the giant food spread and get in some more visiting.

Jeff, who is now a Vice Principle had some fantastic tales of elementary school children. If you happen to see him ask for the 'Juicebox' story.

We capped the night off with some pictures before rushing back to Saskatoon.

The Stroeder Family

Tony and Sandy on their 40th

Jeff and Family

Jeff and myself

Sunday for lunch we joined Stephanie and her family for a bbq lunch at her house. Even with renovations ongoing they were fantastic hosts. We didn't visit for too long though as the Yellowhead was calling.

On the way out to Saskatoon from Edmonton we marvelled at the full color of the Canola crops and on our return we stopped to take a few pictures.

I am sure there is more canola planted this year then any other year ever. We pontificated that prices were high and sure enough, it is pretty high.

Nearing Edmonton we stopped at one of our usual pit-stops; the gas station along the highway in Innisfree.

I initially sat on an ant hill, and once I de-anted myself I was accosted by a grasshopper. Obviously a plague of biblical proportions was upon me.

We stretched our legs with a little wedding waltz practice and then continued on home from my homeland pilgrimage.

It was good to see the old hometown and my Saskatchewan family and friends. Thank you to the Stroeder's for the invite. Congratulations again on 40 years.

Saskatoon Visit

On the Labor Day weekend of this year I headed back to Saskatchewan to do some old fashioned labor and help my brother Lawrence shingle the roof at his cabin. I headed out straight from work at noon on Friday and made it to Saskatoon just in time to pick up my nephew Liam and head out to the Huskies Football game.

It was the season opener and also Military night and the place was packed and jacked for the season to begin. They even had a couple of jets come fly over. It was awesome - literally no one seems to care about collegiate football in Alberta and in Saskatoon they have freaking jets!

Sunset at Griffiths Stadium.

The Huskies won easily, embarrassing the visiting University of Alberta Golden Bears 32-0.

We hung out after the game to see the celebratory fireworks. It was great being back in Saskatchewan to watch a football game. The good folks in the province really understand and appreciate the game.

I got to Lawrence's at Humboldt Lake (aka Stony Lake) mid morning on Saturday and we promptly got to work.  The non-sided structure is the new addition that Lawrence built to attach to our old Humboldt Mini-Golf Office / Greenwater Cabin A.

We stripped the shingles off one side of the old cabin revealing the bare plywood - which was in surprisingly good shape.

You can see the plywood stamped from its original purchase and build of the cabin - 1983. I have some memories of the original construction at the time, but I don't know if I fully 'trust' them. I remember it being pretty hot and Geoff and Dad seemingly pounding nails for what seemed forever.

The view from the roof as Lawrence fixes the staple gun.

We didn't get as much of the work done as we intended as the weather played havoc on us with rain and wind. Thankfully we were able to get some work done and put down a protectant before the rain soaked into the attic.

A little physical work was actually a good divergent activity from my usual life in the office. It also didn't hurt that I got to hang out with Mom a little bit, visit quickly with Auntie Olga and Richard and have a couple of my favorite snacks prepared for me - taco salad, fruit salad.

Bonus - I claimed some trippy pillows for my place that Mom made.