Gold Medal Continuous Match Round 1

This is the 1st round of the Gold medal Continuous match at the National Qualifier in Alberta for 2009. Daniel did EXACTLY what Sensei Mike said and did an all round awesome job! The high pitched screaming is the other kid losing it becasue Daniel keeps side kicking him in the gutt. The ref for this match is Robby Lavoie, an incredible world class point fighter from Toronto that came to show the kids from Alberta his stuff.

-12 Point Fighting Gold Medal Match

Daniel is in black fighting Nick from Cheney's in Red Deer. Daniel ended up with the silver medal in his weight class for point fighting.

Daniel Competing in 2009 Alberta WKC Provincials

This is Daniel doing his Kata at the 2009 Alberta National Qualifier. He ended up placing 4th overall. Top 6 qualified to attend Natonals in Ottawa on the May long weekend. Daniel did not compete at Nationals this year.

Mini Handball in Mayorthorpe

This spring Daniel decided to join the Onoway Elementary Mini handball program. This is a game that you play that is sort of a cross between basketball and soccer. You score on a net and you are allowed to carry the ball, but only for up to 3 steps and then you have to pass the ball up the court in order to score a goal. Actually it is a pretty cool game and is very popular in Europe. You can only join this club at school when you are in grade 5 and 6. Daniel decided against it last year, but thought he would give it a try this year. The highlight of the mini handball season is the Mini Handball Jamboree in Mayorthorpe. You register for this day of playing and fun activities and then you are put on a team with kids from all over our region. This was great because Daniel got to meet some new kids and make new friends. I helped out and got to be the team supervisor for the Panthers (Daniel's team). The Panthers lost one game, tied another and won 2 so, a good day! They also had to complete a puzzle, answer trivia questions and come up with a team cheer all of which were worth points that were added up at the end of the day to find the winning team. Daniel's team didn't win the trophy, but all players went home with a re-usable lunch bag and great memories!

Daniel catching the ball on the way to the goal.

Team photo after puzzle building

Working on the puzzle

Completed puzzle

Team photo before 1st game

Hello everyone!  I know, it has been a very long time since this blog was updated, but it has been very surreal at our house this last month and a half.  There will be some major changes here, but nothing has been set in stone so, nothing to share as of yet.  I promise to catch you all up when I can.

On March 13th, Claire celebrated her 9th birthday with a quiet party at home.  She invited her best friends from school and they all had a wonderful time just hanging out.  They went outside and ripped around while Papa (yes, we were lucky enough to have Nana and Papa come and celebrate with us) and Curtis roasted weiners for hotdogs.  Claire is very blessed to have found such great friends at her new school.  I would have them all back tomorrow if they wanted to come.

Claire's Lazy Daisy birthday cake made by 

Nana and herself.  The cherries are

an added personal touch

Dad delivering the cake to the table

Claire's dear friend, Addison, VERY excited about the

fruit tray.

Papa delivering the roasted Wieners

  Claire and her friends opening presents

Official party portrait.

From the left, Shae, Troy, Claire, Spencer,  Daniel, Addison

Emma and Tanisha.

The Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival

FINALLY I have something to blog about!!!  On Saturday, February 14th, we went aaaaallll the way out to Elk Island National Park on a school bus to watch Claire ski in the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival and to cheer on the rest of the Onoway Jack Rabbits.

We had a great day.  We left Onoway shortly after 8:00 am in the morning.  It took an hour and a half by bus to get there, but we arrived in lots of time to get all the kids ready for their race and have a cup of hot chocolate to boot!  Claire and most of the other kids did either the 2.5 km or the 5 km race with a couple of the older ( 12 and 14 year olds ) doing the 13 km.  Some other adult community members also did these races.  Mr. Dunn, Claire's home room teacher and the leader of the Jack Rabbits did the "full Berkie".  This means that he skied 55 km (yes, that is not a typo) with a 5.5 kg back pack strapped to his back.  FOR FUN!!!   The team also had a high school boy (Tyson) doing the 55 km sans backpack.  Mr. Dunn started his race at 9:30 in the morning and came across the finish line sometime between 1:30 and 2:00 pm.  Once we cheered him across the finish line we loaded up onto the bus and headed home.  Watched a movie and we were all in bed by 10:00pm.  

Things I have learned doing this event.  Hand sanitizer will freeze in a port-o-potty when it is colder than -15 and maybe port-o-potties weren't built for that kind of weather!!  You didn't need a cup of coffee to wake you up, just a trip to the bathroom!!! 

I also learned that you can have fun outside in the winter.  This is a BIG STEP for me.   I might even try it again next year!

Claire with he number on and ready to go!

(She looks a little nervous...)

Heading out to the start line

It is quite a trek out to the start time,  probably a good km anyway, 

maybe farther.  Through soft snow and then across the field where

you break through quite regularly.

Warming up, literally to stay warm!!

Because of the legend of the Berkie and it's start in

Norway, you have some crazy people dressed as vikings!

Too cold for this crap, if you ask me!!

I believe this is a Finn

Ready to Go!!

The Start of the 2.5 and 5 km races. 

 

Claire at the finish line.  She came in 3rd in the 

2.5 km race.

Claire and her friend, Troy.  They have

been in the same class for the past two years 

and really get along well.

We bought our house from Troy's Grandma and 

Grandpa.

Claire and Daniel cheering for the 31km and 55km skiers

One of the 55 km competitors with a Gatorade Beard

Mr. Dunn surrounded by his team mates.

WAY TO GO JACK RABBITS!!!

Kfer and Her Friend Hannie

It has been pretty slow here at the Patience Residence.  I guess you would call it the January slump.  I have been working and doing the dog stuff and the kids have been taking advantage of their weekends off.  So, I haven't been posting much!  I thought that I would share these cute pics of Kfer and her dog friend, Hannah.  We called her Hannie before she moved on to Sue's house in Edmonton.  We miss her, she was a fun dog to have around!

Kfer also really likes sour cream (as evidenced from the pics below).  Don't worry Mom, it was empty and headed for the garbage.