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.