Vroom Vroom!

Our little friend Cole was car racing this summer!  We had a blast watching his 

race and hanging out at the Brighton Speedway!

RIP Sylvain

On Tuesday, July 31st our good friend Sylvain Routhier took his life after a battle with mental illness.  This picture of Griffin catching the biggest fish ever with Sylvain was taken just three short days prior.  It is hard to fathom that this is even a possibility let alone to a close friend.  My understanding of suicide has changed and our lives have also been forever changed.  

Our hearts, prayers and thoughts go to our good friend Sarah and her three children.  She will have our support for the rest of our lives.  Griffin and Owen have been introduced to death and suicide far too young.  Griffin struggles but is the best buddy he can be for his friend Jacob.  The following day he insisted I take him to Toys R Us and let him buy Jacob the headphones he needed to play Fortnite and a Gold Card as well with his own money.   

Sylvain was a great father, husband, OPP Sergeant and hockey coach to Griffin.  You would never see Sylvain without a smile on his face or going out of his way to help.  The last three months of his life you easily realized something was different.  Sylvain was quiet, in his own head and different.  It is sad that there wasnt help more readily available for him and Sarah.  There is such a stigma to suicide.  We all need to realize it is an illness just like cancer.  People need help and our understanding.  Sarah is the bravest and strongest person I know.  She decided not to hide the fact that Sylvain took his own life and she has already made such a huge difference in the policing community. Her interviews have been wide spread and her message is one that so many needed to hear.

We miss you Sylvain.  RIP.

Summer Nights

We headed to mini putt and the beach with our friends the Routhiers and the Roys on one of the last Sundays of July.  The kids had a blast playing golf and the parents were happy to sit, have a drink and relax.  

We then headed to the beach to cook some hotdogs and have dinner and a swim.

of course there was watching the sunset as well!

Drive in

Summer nights are meant for the drive in!  We finally hit our first drive in at the end of July.  We saw the Spy Who Dumped Me.  The boys loved it, us not so much.  It was fun watching the movie outside all curled up in blankets and  having snacks!

Summer Baseball

Both boys played on the same baseball team this summer!  The games are long, the nights hot but I love it.  The boys had fun with their friends, and were on a winning team but baseball just isnt their sport, they would much rather be playing hockey!

Dog Tales

Owen and I came across a show called Dog Tales about rescuing dogs.  We both it and cry!

We discovered it was located just outside of Toronto.  As a surprise we drove there on our way home from picking Owen up from Camp.

He was so thrilled!  The camera crew was even there filming that day.

Owen left happy and we were very proud of him for donating $100 of his own money.

Visit with Wendy and Bravo

We picked up Griffin from my parents and headed to Collingwood to visit our friends Wendy and Bravo!  To say it is always a good time just doesnt quite cover it!  Bravo is a piece of work and a laugh to be around.  Usually a joke at my expensive but funny to say the least.

Griff had a blast driving the 4 wheeler and swimming in their pond as well as playing with their two dogs!

Sunsets, ice cream and Blue Mountain are always a must when we are there and of course funny pictures!

Date Night in Toronto!

Well Owen was at camp and Griffin at his grandparents Tony and I slipped away to Toronto for the evening to see the musical Come From Away! To say the least it was amazing!!  and even Tony loved it!!  It was an incredible experience to learn about Newfoundlands experience during 911.  Wonderful music, story and of course my date!

I also got to try an ice cream cone from Sweet Jesus and it was to die for!

Ontario Education Leadership Camp

Owen attended OELC this summer for the first time.  It is a leadership camp just outside of Orillia.  Students are selected to attend the camp and Owen was part of this opportunity this summer. 

Tony had gone to this camp as a  student in grade 7, my brother mark in highschool and Owens teacher also attended!

Owen was very nervous.  We had a hard time leaving because he was settled, very nervous and didnt want us to go.  Tuesday night we received the dreaded call, Owen was sick and throwing up.  We missed the call and werent able to speak with him.  I didnt get much sleep that night.  By morning he was fine and good to go again.

When we picked him up the following Saturday he had had a great time, made many friends and learned new leadership skills!

Congratulations Owen on facing your fears and excelling! 

Hockey Moms Wine Tour

 I am very lucky to have such a great group of hockey moms with Griffins team!

We have hung out together well past hockey season and had a lot of fun events and gatherings together.

In mid July we went on a Hockey Moms Wine Tour to PEC.  We sipped, dined and enjoyed each other company.  We the dads and boys spent the day together at the beach and then we met up for a pot luck bbq and evening!

A great day!