Return of the bumblebees!

Well ... its that time again ... field hockey season!!!

I'm super excited! We had our first practice on Tuesday night (thanks Kimmy for running that one). Thankfully Kim took it easy on us for our first night out. There were no intense sprints required which is good cause us "old" kids need to ease back into it. We have the same coach, but a slightly different roster this year. Despite losing some of our solid younger midfields from last years team ... we've definitely replaced them with some new talent. Looks like we'll for sure have a chance to do some damage this year. There will be no third place finish ... we're aiming for gold all the way! Stay tuned for some pictures of our "not-so-hot" uniforms.

Eagles Wild ruling the house!

River rafting "maple ridge" styles

Oh yeah ... that's what I'm talking bout!! Chris and I headed over to my friend Willow's place this weekend for a little "rafting" action. Okay, so it wasn't so much rafting as it was floating down the river/rapids on our floaty devices with beer in hand. I have to note that I for sure had the most rockin' floaty since I could store up to 18 beers on my raft!! Okay, more like a six pack ... and off we go!! Man, I sound like a lush, but nothing beats a cold beer in the hot summer sun. We had such a blast! It took us about 40 minutes to get back to Willows place. She lives right on the river so we just hopped out by her place. How cool is that?! Score on that property Willow! It felt like we were camping! Anyways, the fun on the water was followed up with a wicked spread of yummy food and loads of beer! I have to say that the maui ribs and fresh salmon were my favs for sure!! Okay ... I know the pictures don't do any justice, but check it out ...

Park of the oeeey gooey goodness ... yummmmm

A bunch of Willow's friends showed up later on ... time for more beers!! I haven't seen Willow for ages so it was wicked to catch up and just shoot the shit! Here's a few pics from the night!

The gang!

Willow & her partner in crime Jen

Willow & Tre

My bear

Jeff rippin it up to "red red wine"

Let us not forget the animal farm!! (oh wait ... there is one kitty missing!)

Oh Sarah ....

You're never going to believe what happened to me last night ... I met my long time favourite "wine-n-cheese" type singer Sarah Malachlan!!! Oh yeah!!! Linds, brought me back to our university days for sure; when we had Fumbling Towards Esctacy playing on repeat!

Chris was filming her new CD and I just happened to pop in on the action. Little ol me trying to be inconspicuous in my fluorescent pink shirt ... no one noticed me at all (I fit in like a wallpaper ~ not)! Anyways I sat patiently (about ready to crap my pants) in this huge sound room watching as she sang about 3 feet in front of me! It was incredible. I passed the camera off to Chris to take a few shots for me ... and little did I know that him and Sarah had become best friends during the shoot and he had hooked me up with a little photo-opp with Sarah! OH MY GAWD! How cool is that!!! I LOVE YOU BABY! You made my night for sure! I love your job! The funniest thing is, I'm so not the star struck type ... in fact, half the time I don't even know who people are ~ but not this time. She came out and shook my hand, introduced herself, we exchanged pleasantires and then got our photo taken! Nooooo, I did not burst into tears and start freaking out, like those loser kids used to do at the New Kids on the Block concerts ... I was so stunned that I could hardly say a word! Soooooooooo, there you have it! My introduction to Sarah!

Kelly & Sean's Wedding (August 18, 2006)

I know, I know ... another wedding! Well, we're not done yet; one more to go this year. Jeeeesh, that'll make it six in total this year. Talk about breaking the bank account! Kelly & Sean's wedding rocked! Kelly is an old friend of mine from back in the days of going out E-V-E-R-Y weekend to rip it up. To add to the nostalgia ... the wedding was held at the Rowing Club! Oh Kelly, good times, good times!!! It was not only a great wedding, it was somewhat of a reunion for a lot of us, too. Even though all my friends still live in the same town, trying to coordinate an outting seems near impossible most of the time. Its seems to take a birthday or wedding celebration in order for us all to get together!! Any excuse will do, I suppose. I think the pictures speak for themselves. Again some formal and not so formal shots! Check em out!

Bunzten Lake - trek from hellllll .............

So, its the long weekend ... you'd think we'd get to relax for the weekend, right? ... nope, not with my hustband being home! We're off to hike Mount Everest (may as well of been)! Okay, okay ... wasn't even close to Everest ... it was the Buntzen Lake Diez Vista trail. First of all is was bout 400 degrees outside, second of all, this hike is essentially equivalent to the never ending Grouse Grind except there's no luxury of any tram taking you down the other side of the mountain. Once you get past the brutal switch-backs having hiked a grueling 560 meters, there are 10 amazing viewpoints. The highest peak offers a sightline of Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Deep Cove, the North Shore Mountains and up Indian Arm. Now for the good part ... the views were breathtaking as you can see from the pictures.

Here we gooooooooo!!!!!

Views from up above

Nothing beat the dip in the lake when

we made it down the mountain!

Oh Moby ... one tired pup!!!

Celebration of lights (August 5, 2006)

This year I was totally spoiled on fireworks night ... my girlfriend Deanna works on a boat as a bar tender, so she snuck her boyfriend Kyle and I onto the boat for a free fireworks show! We got to reap the benefits of free food, amazing cheese cake .. yummmmmmm .... free drinks and prime real estate for watching the fireworks display (less the obnoxious crowds at English Bay)! Check it out!

My "date" for the night!! hehehe
(This one's for you Dee!)

Aggie ... this one's for you!

Burrard Street Bridge ... my old stomping grounds!

Look at all those people!!! So happy to be on the boat!

Our city from the another perspective!

View of the sunset from the boat! What a treat!

I can't take credit for this photo ... but WOW!

ohhhhh .... ahhhhh

ohhhhh .... ahhhhh

Dee and Kyle!