Super Bowl 2009

Pittsburgh Steelers v Arizona Cardinals

The Steelers are my team, but I do like the QB for Arizona, Kurt Warner.

OK, GO STEELERS! We will be watching the game at Paul and Anne's in Whistler.

Ocean Oasis at IMAX

I won two free passes to this IMAX film through our local newspaper. Trista and I attended last night and it is one film that should not be missed. We also renewed our season's passes (Debra's and mine) and Trista bought one for this year as well.
The National Geographic IMAX theatre is part of the Royal BC Museum in downtown Victoria, on the opposite side of Government Street adjacent to the Parliament Buildings.

More snow? In Victoria? Say it ain't so!!

Have no fear folks, it will be 7 degree's by noontime and this will be just a passing memory.
Clayton had one exam last week and has this week off before his final term in high school starts next Monday. It is strange to think that after 15 years living in Victoria, our daily drive back and forth to school will end in June. Mind you, it is not at all unwelcome.

Birthday gift from Rueben

Early morning sunrise from our suite at the Inn at Laurel Point.

The venerable Coho ferry from Port Angeles WA pulling into the inner harbour.

Coho ferry with the Empress Hotel in the background.

We had a lovely evening and nice breakfast compliments of our son (door prize from his Christmas party that he gave to us).
Thanks Rueb!!

Birthday Lunch for Debra

The Bengal Lounge in the Empress Hotel

I took Debra here last year as well.

This looks to become a great tradition.
They have a fabulous Curry Buffet and Debra's favourite Rice Pudding.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart. I LOVE YOU!

Banksia Rose haircut

These are the after pictures, I will try to find a before (never remember to do that!)
The rose stalks were intertwined in the power, phone and cable wires as well as looking as a bad muppet hairdo.

You can see how far we pruned down, but it will look amazing in the spring

It was a full pickup load to take to the Saanich Garden Waste drop off

Nice day at Whistler (from the website)

Hopefully we will have the opportunity to visit with Paul and Anne soon.

Rather chatty group I must say

There was a lot of Robins in our neighbors birch tree yesterday

They were chirping up a storm

Victoria's weather has calmed down quite a bit. The temperatures are pretty mild (ranging from 8 - 11 degree's) and it is supposed to be sunnier as the week progresses.

Another family milestone

A proud guy!!

Clayton took his driving test today and passed with flying colours. The lady who tested him said that he "did very well".
Congratulations Clayton!!

Photo from yesterday in Victoria - Yikes!!

Flooded front yards of homes in Victoria, Jan, 7, 2009

And in other parts of the province.....

File photo of avalanche control in Rogers Pass, B.C. by Canadian Forces.

Avalanche hazards have closed many of B.C.'s major highways with both Highway 1 and Highway 3 closed in mountain regions leaving Highway 5 the only route open this morning between Vancouver and the Alberta border. This morning 17 sections of highway in the province were closed due to avalanche hazards.

Major rainfall in the Greater Victoria region

Sooke Road at West Coast Tire has been re-opened this morning after being closed for several hours due to major flooding from rainfall. The conditions are impassable and dangerous, according to the Langford Fire Department and Sooke RCMP. “There’s not a lot we can do right now, except let nature run its course,” said Roger Plamondon, Sooke RCMP staff sergeant. “It’s still raining buckets out there.”

While it was 12 degrees in Victoria......North Vancouver residents up Mountain Highway shovel out Monday after yet another snowfall.

Vancouver has been hit hard this winter. We in Victoria were receiving rain when this is what the lower mainland has been getting used to. The West Coast is now being issued with heavy rainfall warnings for today.

CANADA DEFEATS SWEDEN TO WIN FIFTH STRAIGHT WJHC GOLD

It dosen't get any better than this!

Canada captured its fifth straight World Junior Hockey Championship gold with a 5-1 victory over Team Sweden in front of a record crowd on Monday night.

Thanks Gary, for having me over to watch!!

Of course, my favourite hockey team keeps winning

Montreal 6 - 5 Florida Panthers (Shootout)

I have always been a die hard Habs fan and for Christmas I was given a DVD set commemorating the Canadiens Centenary year. It is called "Memorable Games in Canadiens History", see below.
"All in all, for Montreal Canadiens fans, a fantastic archive of mostly essential games. All are interesting, though some more important than others. For the general hockey fan, a very nice way to peek in and absorb some of the substance of the Habs mystique. No hype, bragging,embellishment. Just pure and simple accmplishments. All teams have their great deeds and legends, but historically, the Montreal Canadiens have earned and created their own niche, that is light years beyond what other hockey franchises have done. This is a solid slice of that history. "

CANADA EDGES RUSSIA IN SEMIS; ADVANCES TO GOLD MEDAL FINAL

As we don't have cable and cannot even tune in local channels (our decision), the ability to watch good sporting events has been limited, until now....... Live streaming of sporting events over the internet. We have been watching the World Junior Hockey Championships, watching Canada defeat the USA 7-4 on New Years Eve and tonight Canada winning in the shootout over Russia 6-5. Absolutely fantastic hockey. Monday night we are going to friends to watch the Gold Medal game between Canada and Sweden. If Canada comes out on top, it will be 5 straight Gold.

Go Canada Go!

New Years Day

Most of the snow is gone. Mild temperatures and our usual January weather is here.

Saanich Commonwealth Place. The facility was built for the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria. The pool hosts major swimming and diving championships as well as qualifiers for the various Canadian teams for the Olympics and other games. Every few months the Cuban diving team shows up for a weeks training. It has a 25 meter teach pool, dive tank (25 m), 50 meter competition pool, slide and wave pool. There is also a steam room, hot tub and sauna. I try to get in the pool for length swimming most weekdays.