The Belbin Brigade

Monday, September 12, 2011

The True Challenge Begins!

Todd Korol Photo

It's been next to impossible for this big mouth to keep it shut but launch day is officially here and we can talk about it all we want!

Our family is participating in something BIG. We are competing against 5 other families across Canada to become Energy Diet champions by the end of our 3 month experience.

Check us out at: http://energydiet.canadiangeographic.ca

This is where we will be blogging our hearts out for the next 3 months. You can and should vote every single day. We might even teach you something. Maybe.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Life After Hockey

Drew's hockey hockey season ended in May, the very same day the fees were collected for the 2001-2012 season. Oh boy. Over the last 8 months we've spent a lot of time in arenas and in the car driving to arenas. A lot of time. But, it's because of this Drew's first year in hockey was a great one and we're so proud of his progress. There are 3 people in the family who are excited to see him get out there again in a few months, and 2 who are hoping the summer lasts an eternity.

Believe it or not, there were some non-ice related activities from the last few months. Photos below prove it.

Easter happened and Nana came to visit. She also took our first full family photo in, ever. We spent Easter Sunday at Piper's Lagoon before coming back to a super duper meal. DKM got spiffy Easter outfits from Nana and the girls were most happy to model them. 1 posed frame each & then their true personalities came shining through.

May long weekend was our first camping trip of the season. 3 families = 6 adults, 7 'big' kids & the cutest, sweetest, calmest baby, Gia. Sweet Gia provided the entertainment. The sun wasn't out yet but the kids didn't seem to notice.

Kai & Mara had their first Highland Medal tests & their year end show. They hardly loved the attention and the lights of the stage. It's such a shame they're both so shy. We should probably work on bringing them out of their shells.

This last weekend was our first boat day of the season, courtesy of the Rabiens. Hopefully many more to come. This summer is shaping up to be a full one. Drew heads to Camp Columbia this weekend, Kai will be going for the first time in early August, Auntie Jess & Nana are coming west AND we are waiting to hear some news that may have us flying across Canada in the next month. Fingers crossed.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Nanaimo Devils

This January marked our initiation into the weekend hockey tournament phenomenon. I was reluctant to say the least. Grant had just left for Alberta so it was just me, 3 kids, (2 of which were about as excited as I was) and Drew's stinky gear headed for 5 games in 48 hours.

We checked into our budget hotel on Friday and the entire team kicked off the weekend with a Chinese buffet, Powell River style. Drew was beside himself excited and immediately I remembered that same feeling I'd get at dance competitions in equally obscure small towns. Oh, the silly games we'd play in the hallways, the 'sneaky' pop machine missions and the dinners out with the entire group where we were soooo hilarious. This was exactly the same and it was GREAT.

The boys won the first 4 games & found themselves in the gold medal game! With war paint on their faces and their coaches pumping them up in the dressing room it could have easily have been the Stanley Cup. The boys are middle of the pack in the Nanaimo league, but here they were the big shots, going into the final game as the top team. They lost the final game, but it was a great fight, they got silver medals around their necks and left Powell River proud & better friends than ever.

I can honestly say I think I enjoyed the weekend as much as Drew did. Mara & Kai made friends with other bored siblings and they had fun experiences of their own. I met great parents & we embarrassed our big, tough boys enough to have some laughs of our own.