Vetrans Honored at Hockey Game

This is not the way you want to see a local 23 yr-old soldier come home. Specialist Brandon Steffey was killed over in Afghanistan by an enemy IUD. He was honored at the Soo Eagles game on Saturday. Also in attendance was the National Guard unit that will be departing for Iraq in a week or so. It was a sad way to spend the weekend, but makes me thankful for all that I have and that I have the opportunity to spend this time with my kids while our armed forces make these sacrifices.

As far as the game goes, we did have a good time. The Eagles got spanked 5-2, but Trevor got a game puck so all was good (it actually hit him in the leg). They also got to play with their friend Sydney again, which is becoming a good habit for them.

Pictured is the National Guard, the banner honoring Steffey, and the kids with the game puck. The Lakers are in town the weekend of the 20th, so we'll try to make that game.

Sunday Afternoon At the Rink

It was a nice Sunday afternoon, so the kids and I headed to Pullar Stadium for the Soo Eagles game. The kids can sill ride their bikes (no snow..yet). We had a lot of fun as usual, and the kids got to play with their friend Sydney who we always run into at either the Eagle or Laker games.

At home the kids were playing around in their Halloween costumes and, being Dad, told them to put them away before they ruined them. They were good and did as they were told. They put on hockey jerseys for the game. We got there only to find out that kids could get on the ice during the first intermission if they had costumes on. Way to go, Dad. They were pretty easy on me, though. Wish I would have known that ahead of time.

Good hockey game as the Eagles beat Blind River 5-4 in a shoot-out. Halloween next weekend, so I don't think we'll make it to any games. More soon, though.

Great Time At Lake State Weekend

It's Great Lake State Weekend up here in the Soo, and, well, that really doesn't mean a whole lot because we live here. Papa and Nana came to visit yesterday, though, and after a fun day with them we capped it off with Laker Hockey. It was a good game as the Lakers won 5-4. All the horn blowing gave Lily a headache, though, so maybe I'll bring her some ear plugs next time. Trevor had fun, too, and they both got ice cream after the first period.
Papa and Nana spoiled the kids and bought them new coats and boots. Even Brian will be out in the snow this year. He was pretty fussy at dinner, but Momma took good care of him. More hockey for the amigos in a couple of weeks. Hopefully we'll get our camera working by then.

My Karate Kid

Lily has joined Kuk Sool Wan and is doing very well. Trevor tried it for a week, too, but decided to go with Cub Scouts instead. Lily is getting a lot of praise from her Master and seems to be grasping the concepts well. She's already learned a lot of moves, and can count in Korean. It will be fun to see where she goes with this and how far she can advance.

She has this twice a week, so lots of time for practice. Trevor and Brian usually accompany me when Lily is kicking around the gym.

First Hockey Game of 09-10

Saturday the kids and I put on our short sleeves and shorts and rode bikes to the hockey game. No, this we didn't go watch the Florida Panther, the Tampa Bay Lighting, or even the teams in Texas or Phoenix (yes, they have NHL hockey their thanks to the dwarf Bettman).

We just went two blocks north to the legendary Pullar Arena to watch the Soo Eagles take on the Marquette Rangers in an exhibition game to kick off the 2009 hockey season. The Eagles didn't fare too well, but we had fun anyway.

Brian got to watch some hockey, too. He won't be going to too many game this season, as he's a little too rambunctious and is always running around in the stands and getting into mischief.

Last Game of the Season

Finishing up our last fun weekend, we hit the Traverse City Beach Bums game. We had a good time, but a long ride home after the game. It was Brian's second baseball game, but the kids spent more time on the playground than they did watching the game. Papa and I had a chance to watch for a bit and had fun. The kids got free baseballs at the gate and got some autographs before the game.

Wet and Wild Weekend

Here we go with another 'the last weekend of the summer before school lets out' type weekend. We headed down to Cadillac to visit Nana and Papa because I, luckily, had the weekend off.

Friday we finished up some school shopping and went to Adventure Island on the west side. This year the kids went of the go-carts and the water slide. I had to drive both Lily and Trevor, and Brian stayed with Papa. Brian liked to watch the go-carts zip around the track, though. He also got to play on the playground there while Lily and Trevor were at the water slide. They had a good time and want to do that again next year. It's part of their birthday present, too, as Trevor turned 7 on the 30th, and Lily turns 8 on the 8th.