Winter Activities

The last week in Edmonton saw the biggest cold snap so far of the winter with days reaching -42 degrees with windchill. There is simply nothing to do on those days but hang out in inside, watch movies or ride the exercise bike. It sucks.

Knowing that the big freeze was coming Chrissy and I endeavored to get out and enjoy the weather prior to the big chill and basically 'play' in the winter environment.

On the Saturday night we accepted an invite from a friend to go out sliding on one of the many hills in the river valley. It was a perfect idea so we grabbed our sleds, a couple of crazy carpets from Canadian Tire, and some beverages to keep warm and headed out to Government House Park.

After trekking up the hill a few times we were beat and just sat watching the others come down the hill in the  the light from the big moon.

As you can see above; I was overheating from the treks up the hill. In the shot below you can see all the steam rising off my bare right hand (so I could take the picture) almost shadowing out Chrissy.

On the Sunday I took off just after noon for a rare midday rec-hockey game. This season our team has hardly been living up to our potential and have lost a ton of games. This particular game was no different. Shortly afterwards while I was still relatively fresh, (a.k.a not sore yet) I picked up Chrissy for a quick skate at our local community centre rink.

Chrissy isn't the strongest skater but she loosens up after a few laps and you can see an immediate improvement once her confidence builds a bit.

Of course, having boards to hold onto helps.

The memories of warm winter fun propelled us through the cold days and now that it's nice again we're pumped to get back outside.

Lazy Saturdays on Whyte Ave

Some pictures from the last few lazy Saturdays out and about on Whyte Ave. 

Fruit baskets as the Strathcona Markets

Musicians that can play on makeshift instruments always amaze me

Pop Shoppe at Hub Cigar

Popping into the the pub for a pint and a comic

Super Auntie Chrissy

As we were in Saskatoon for Christmas this year Chrissy missed out on the opportunity to give and receive presents with her family. But as she is such a special girl - her family held off and had personal opening 'parties' just for her and I.

First was presents from her: Mom, Grandparents, and Aunties.

When Chrissy opened up the package from her Auntie Joyce containing the solar powered waving Queen Elizabeth II doll she let out a dignified and royal, "Fuck Yes". Both her mother and I were quite shocked. It was possibly the happiest I have ever seen Chrissy receiving a gift (including my diamond ring that she now sports on her left hand).

The royal wave has special meaning as it is/was one of her trademarks. She mastered it and became known for it when she worked 'behind the glass' at the Shaw Conference Centre. Still...what a weirdo.

Quite the hall!

The next stop at Chrissy's brothers place the focus was much less on my own dignified queen but on her niece Gabriella (Gabby). Chrissy thought she had the best gift ever for Gabby, a Princess Castle, but was worried whether she would actually like it. You could cut the tension with a purple knife.

 After some undignified assembling (I had plumber crack and was nearly mooning everyone) the Princess checked out her new castle.

And then left out the window.

Chrissy coaxed her back in and blocked out the window.

And in Gabby came just to leave out the other window.

After going in the front door and leaving through the window a few more times she started to get comfortable in the castle.

We have since found out that the gift has been a big success. It is now Gabby's special place in the house. So special that it is now her royal bathroom as she continues potty training. It turns out that sometimes a girl just needs a private throne and castle in which to poop.

Well done Super Auntie!

Edmonton Oilers Shinny

Late Saturday night Chrissy's BFF phoned us and told us to not make plans for late afternoon today (Sunday). She was short on details but ensured us there was a very cool event that was going to be going on - but she couldn't tell us what it was.

I be-grudgingly agreed to go along with this even though I would end up missing some of the NFL Playoff games that would be going down. Now why would I do that? Because Chrissy's BFF has family connections to the Oilers.

And early this afternoon we learned that the event was indeed very cool - an outdoor Edmonton Oilers shinny game at William Hawrelak Park...and we had special VIP seating.

So...Chrissy and I bundled up and headed out to the Park/Rink.

We got there shortly before 4 o'clock and ushered ourselves into a spot near the walkway connecting the 'dressing room' to the ice surface.

After playing on many outdoor ponds, lakes, and small town rinks I can identify bad & good ice. It was easy to see that the Oilers crew had put a lot of effort into the playing surface. It looked really fast and smooth. We were going to get a good show.

Hockey players coming through.

The game was really fast and it was quite fun to watch the players pull out the odd dangle or perfect saucer pass. 

More than anyone else Smitty looked like he was really enjoying himself. It was fun to see him hamming it up and celebrating the Blue teams goals.

I am a Hordichuk fan and one of my highlights of the day was his rifling it off the post from about a foot away. The big guy was even snake-bit playing shinny.

Just really simple things like Hall taking a first couple of steps or Gagner doing a quick backhand to forehand and flip into the small net was remarkable to see so up close. They are all little things but as a stay at home defencemen (aka - no hands) that plays rec-hockey it's almost beyond comprehension for me just how skilled they are.

After about 45 minutes the bullhorn siren went off and the Oilers gathered at centre ice to salute the fans, hand out some swag and sign some autographs.

All of the fans that came out seemed to have a great time, whether it was gleefully yelling at Hemsky to shoot, chanting Nuuuuuuuge, or encouraging Dubnyk to pot a goal. 

I know that our friends had a great time and memories were made as a group....

as a Father and son checking out the action while keeping warm on the bails....

as BFF's braving the cold together to watch some good ol' hockey.

In closing I would like to say thanks to the Oilers, thanks to Zac, thanks to the Days. We had a great time. 

Hopefully we will do it all again next year. Seriously...Oilers, do this every year!

Coney Island Candy is Closing...Single Tear

I just heard the news that one of my favorite places in Edmonton, Coney Island Candy, is closing tomorrow (Jan. 14, 2013). I am seriously bummed to hear the news as it is far and away the best store on Whyte Avenue with it's awesome window displays and it's great selection of novelties and candies.

It was always a special place that Chrissy and I would stop into and we even went there to get some of our engagement photos done. Below are a couple of my favorites from our photo session (pictures taken by my sister Monica).

We will miss this fun, goofy and special store.