Canucks can almost taste the Cup!

Nerves were on edge on Friday evening as Vancouver Canucks fans flooded downtown streets in support of their hockey team. This is because the Canucks are in the latter stages of the NHL Stanley cup final, which is a seven game series with game 5 on Friday and the score 2-2. Vancouver Canucks won the first two games and Boston Bruins won the second two games, and so game 5 was critical especially as the venue was in Vancouver.

Despite a penalty-riddled first period and a scoreless streak that extended through the second, supporters of the team in blue and green stayed optimistic that they'd skate away with a win. Then in the third period, a goal for the Canucks, followed by a nervy ten minutes of strong defense to the final horn.

One more win, one more win is what is echoing around the city.... then the first historic Stanley cup win for Vancouver will become a reality and I'm sure the place will go wild. Game 6 is tomorrow (Monday 13th June).

Sam in the Summer Sunshine

The Summer sunshine has finally arrived in Vancouver, with the spring rain lasting far too long after the winter. The 4th June marked the first real day of warmth from the big yellow thing in the sky. Sam is now over 14 weeks old and is developing his own distinct personality, so enclosed are a few recent photos with his winning smile.

Also Emily and Kris have now stepped off their flight heading to China to start their world tour and we wish them all the best. Good luck to them and we look forward to seeing them in Canada in mid-October.

Ross's Trip to Vancouver (May 2011)

It has already been a week since Ross left Vancouver to return to Washington DC, after having a "very enjoyable" holiday with us in Canada. When we visited Ross, Laura and the kids last year it was billed as Washington 1 - Vancouver 0 (as noted by Google Earth), so this was our chance to improve the score in our favour. I think it is fair to say that Ross went home putting Vancouver at least 3 up!!

It was action packed week with a variety of activities and sports being achieved, including sword fighting, tennis, golf driving range, ping-pong, crossing the Capilano suspension bridge, cable car to Grouse mountain, touching snow and sand in the same 24 hours, hot tub, White Caps footy game, horse racing, seawall walk round to the 9 O'Clock gun, eggs benny Vancouver style and of course a couple of trips to Dairy Queen. Most importantly Sam got to meet his Uncle Ross for the first time in person.

It was fantastic having Ross stay with us and experience Vancouver at its best.... next time, we are hoping Laura and the kids can join him. Also in 2012, we hope to revisit Washington with Sam, so they can have a chance to level the score.

Cloverdale Rodeo

Last weekend in Canada was a long weekend with Monday as a public holiday, called Victoria Day. We, as a family, went to Cloverdale to experience the big event of the Cloverdale Rodeo. This rodeo is billed as an opportunity to catch the World's BEST cowboys & cowgirls in Saddle Bronc, Bareback, Bull Riding and Ladies Barrel Racing. I have to admit that I was skeptical and thought it was going to be very hokey, but it turned out to be good fun and entertaining. The highlights was certainly the bull riding. While the biggest laugh was the sheep riding by three year old kids, at the interval, and all they were given were hockey helmets for protection. Not something that we will be volunteering Sam for when he gets older. We also got to meet Dr. Phil (ok.... not the real Dr. Phil, but a blue screen version of him).

cloverdale_rodeo on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

Wife Beater!

Sam in his wife beater shirt, just needs a few hairs sprouting from his chest to make the look perfect. This is a long weekend in Canada and so we took Sam to his first Rodeo on Saturday (pictures to appear soon).

However, today he was a true Englishman as he came to the pub with me for an English breakfast and we watched the final round of footy games from the English premier League. Multiply screens allowed us to watch all the matches live and keep track of the teams, especially who was to be relegated. Always entertaining to watch grown men cry when their team gets sent down at the end of the season. Sam was well-behaved throughout, despite, various people screaming and shouting around him.

For all the Canadians reading, we did then watch the Canucks beat San Jose in game 4... so Sam is being brought up on sports from both his nationalities.

For Nancy's recent birthday, Nancy created a list of 36 things to do in her 36th year (which I hope to publish on the blog soon) and one of these bucket list items was to visit the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver. Personally, I didn't even know it existed but turns out it is a place dedicated to world arts, culture and specifically first nation culture with a number of totem poles and wood carvings. The place had a number of interesting exhibitions, although, Sam snoozed all the way round.

Sam at Ten Weeks

Sam is growing at a pace at over ten weeks old and we have had a number of people request more recent photos of him. So in order not to disappoint please find enclosed some recent pictures. He is also looking forward to meeting Uncle Ross for the first time, who arrives into Vancouver in less than two weeks time.

The Big Adventure Begins....

Inspired by Emily and Kris, who leave on their world tour at the end of this month, we have started to make arrangements for our own big adventure. On 1st February 2012, Nancy, Sam and myself will set off to Sydney, Australia and then onto New Zealand for a three week trip. Today we booked and confirmed our flights, all thanks to a bunch of aeroplan miles. Next step is to research accommodation, possibly including a camper van in New Zealand.

So any recommendations on places to stay or activities to do in Sydney or New Zealand please let us know either by blog comment or email.

First Official Family Photo

The other weekend, our little family had its first official family photo session. One of the best pictures is enclosed for the blog.

On Sam news, he is nearly 10 weeks old and weighs in around 12 pounds. He saw the Doctor this week for his first set of injections, which all went to plan and the Doctor described his weight and height as perfect for his age. Not bad for an early scorecard! (I know biased parent talking).

Baby Shower

Easter Saturday was Sam/Nancy's baby shower organised by the Player family and what a great job they did.... the turnout was impressive only topped by the food and drink. It was a matter of seconds after I entered the room with Sam, that he was taken from me and the cooing/cuddling began. I understand the afternoon was very enjoyable and a good time was had by all, the guys missed it due to drinking in the sunshine at the Brentwood Bay Lodge. On a serious note, thank you to everyone for their generous gifts, cards and presents. Although the bag with the enormous baby face was a bit worrying.

Ocean Centre in Sidney

For Easter weekend, we took Sam to Vancouver Island on the ferry for the first time and on Friday afternoon we visiting the Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney. A Christmas present from Wendy was two adult tickets to the Ocean Centre and Sam came along for the ride in his baby carrier. For a little town, this aquarium was a enjoyable experience with some colourful fish, starfish, jellyfish and urchins. Nancy delved into the touch pool for live jellyfish and sea cucumbers.

Vancouver Sun Run 2011

Last Sunday morning, I completed the Vancouver Sun Run for the second time accompanied by over 60,000 other runners. The Vancouver Sun Run is the second most attended 10KM run in the world and is held annually in downtown Vancouver.

This year I managed a time of 56 minutes which was about a minute faster than in 2010 and this was despite major congestion on the route plus a house fire at the 3KM point. Fire engines and ambulances had to get onto the route and so we were diverted on the pavement causing a delay. However the atmosphere was great and it felt good crossing the finishing line. I even managed a tennis match in the evening, winning 6-1, 6-0!

Responsible Parenting

Last week, we purchased a baby bjorn carrier for Sam and took it for a test drive to a local bar. On Friday evening, I was out for a friend's birthday celebration, Nancy and Sam accompanied me for a few sips of Stella. Plus all the English guys got a chance to meet Sam in person. Top night all round.

Sam in April Springtime

The sunshine has finally appeared over Vancouver with spring arriving, as I update the blog, there isn't a cloud in the sky over the mountains or harbour. A good opportunity to provide some more pictures of the little man, who continues to do well and has even grown out of his first outfit. The Sumo wrestler is a three times world champion who we bumped into at the Autoshow, although, Sam was not that impressed by him.

Go Whitecaps Go!! Great Comeback

Scott M and myself went to our first MLS WhiteCaps football game on Saturday and additionally it was Scott's first ever professional footy game. It was Whitecaps second home game of their inaugural MLS season and it didn't start too well for us, as the beer queue meant that we missed the start of the game and then 20 minutes of the second half. The Caps went 3-0 down to Kansas City by the 65th minute and our day was being tainted, although the punch-up amongst nearby fans proved to be entertaining. Then Scott M's comeback predication came true, with the Whitecaps staging an amazing comeback with the last two goals being scored in stoppage time. It was a great rally by the Whitecaps to a dramatic 3-3 tie and puts the team fourth in the league.

Vancouver Autoshow

This week the Vancouver Autoshow has been happening at the Convention Centre, with all the major car manufacturers in attendance. I took the opportunity to drag Sam along to his first official Mercedes-Benz event, which he was overjoyed about illustrated by his need to nap.