playing catch-up

Where to begin, really...

Christmas was wonderful!  We were lucky enough to spend time with both of our families; and Jacob was really excited about Christmas this year.  It was the first time he's had a specific gift request, ever. (Prior to this whenever we asked him what he'd like, he would always think thoughtfully and reply "a present").  This time around he wanted a marble maze and when he opened it he kept exclaiming "this is absolutely what I wanted".  

Good work Santa ;)  

Avery received a baby stroller from Santa and that was a huge hit too.  Both items are still in constant use and we were all absolutely spoiled by our families.  We were shocked and thankful as can be for everyones' kindness!   

  Look at that adorable little pony-tail!

Our snow is all gone (for now) but we were happy to enjoy a little sledding and outdoor hockey in the driveway when we could.

The rest of the time has really flown by; a blur of holiday get-together, play dates and birthday parties.  It finally feels like things are slowing down again.  

We couldn't feel luckier about all the love we felt during this holiday season.  We are so blessed with these sweet kids of ours and all of our family - near and far - who are so, so good to us.  A big thank you to everyone!

avery's first hockey game

Last weekend, Billy played in a work hockey tournament, so we peeked in on him Friday night and Saturday.

I was kind of hoping Avery would sleep in the stroller, but she's always up for skipping a nap and decided to take-in the game instead.  It was nice watching Billy play again and a little sad too.  I still miss it.    

on staying home

It is strange to think that last year on this day, we were settling into our apartment in Amiens.  Or maybe we were en route, or sleeping off the jet lag or cleaning said apartment top-to-bottom in order to make it feel just a little more like home... it's all a blur.  At any rate, we were in the midst of starting another season.  My tenth one with Billy.  Fast forward to today, the first day of training camp begins, without Bill.  It is a sad feeling.   

I'm still feeling so conflicted about it all (even though I've had the entire summer to mull it over. Talk about slow to embrace change) and hope we like our life here as much as we did abroad.  There is a whole lot of evidence suggesting that this new chapter in our lives will be a big success.  But oh France, how I will miss you.  I know everyone is getting really tired of me lamenting (on and on and on...) about France but look at these pictures!  How could I possibly not feel nostalgic?!

How dreamy!  

And I catch myself thinking of all the things I could be doing and experience there.  And all the things I wont ever do again.  And all of the little everyday things I still miss (the sound of church bells and trains passing through the night, cobblestones, walking downtown among fountains and statues, watching Bill play hockey, hearing the crowd chant his name, seeing Jake light-up at the rink, eating fresh pastries, buying 4 euro bottles of wine...).  And let me tell you, this line of thinking is extremely counterproductive.

However...  

despite the many things I am missing about hockey, France and Europe the packing and unpacking is definitely not one of them.  And I'm happy to have my family close by to listen to me lament about it all :) 

All images via this is glamorous .com

retirement

A complicated mixture of excitement and deep sadness accompanies the news that Billy will retire from hockey this summer.  I am still absorbing it all, really.  We are so happy to be closer to family and friends but will deeply miss the routines that we've carved out over the last ten years, all the places we've lived and travelled, and the hockey.  

Of course, we'll miss the hockey... the moment they skate-out onto the ice;  the atmosphere in the arena; the chanting and singing of the crowd; watching Jake's face light-up and his deep concentration and focus on the game; the feeling and energy after a good game or a big win - all such irreplaceable and indescribable feelings. 

And of course there is France, too.  Living in France was just as dreamy as it sounds.  I could probably list a hundred things I will dearly miss.  Sigh.   

So instead of professional goalie, Billy is now going to be an accountant.  The job may have come-up a year (or two) earlier then we would've originally liked, but it was just too good to pass up.  It was ideal in every other way.  In fact, they offered him the job on the spot and I really couldn't be more proud of how hard Billy worked to get there.

We look forward to making new memories and will hold on oh-so-tightly to the old ones.

aller amiens

Game five tonight.
Another elimination game.
Fingers crossed.

The last game couldn't have been more exciting.
This goal was from Saturday and was really quite extraordinary (watch through to the replay).  Billy says he's never seen a goal like this in a live game before.  Ever.  He basically scored from behind the net.  What a sight.

And here is another little clip, for those members of our family who haven't been able to come see a game.   

Hopefully tonight's game will bear some similarities to the last.
Aller Amiens!

Update: Amiens lost tonight.  We are so proud of their season, all their handwork and long trips (and certainly happy they made Rouen sweat this series.  Last season Rouen swept the entire playoffs - twelve consecutive wins).   

(These are some more picture from photographer Vincent Lignier)

a few funny things

Amiens has a mascot!  I cannot for the life of me figure out who thought this was a good mascot, but I guess when your team is named after a Gothic cathedral, your options are limited.  I think he's a little terrifying, but for some unknown reason, Jake likes this guy.  He is not perturbed by the red eyes, horns or spikes coming out of his wings.  He's constantly scanning the game for the mascot and repeats "mascot, mascot, mascot..." and "mascot high-five" a lot.  At tonight's game, after three high-fives the mascot gave Jake a kiss.   
  

Another funny thing about a lot of the fans here, is instead of wearing their jersey's, they drape it over their shoulders and tie it around the neck.  It has a very preppy vibe to it.  And as far as I can tell, the only purpose of doing so is so the jersey doesn't detract from their outfits.  This way, you can still wear your fancy blouse or your dress-shirt and blazer and prevents that strange and awkward combination of hockey jersey and dress shoes.  It's a completely normal thing to do around here and is equal parts hilarious and genius.  

 

Tonight is a big game.  

It could be the very last game of the season.

Aller Amiens!  On y va!!

Update:  A win for Amiens!  Billy was named the Man of the Match and we are so very proud of the entire team.  The arena was fuller and louder then I could have ever imagined.  It was full of cheers and chants and drums and horns.  Such a sight to see.  

Amiens 5 - Rouen 1 

more playoffs

Billy just finished playing five games in eight nights and now they are back on the road to play tonight and tomorrow in Rouen.  They are top in the league and happen to be Amiens rivals, so it should make for some good hockey.  

In preparation, Jake and I were making meatballs at 9:30 this morning.  We tried this new recipe, recommended by Kaytie and along with a great big salad, it made for a great pregame meal.

Update:  We won! 
Amiens 5 -  Rouen 4

Hooray! 

Image via the Stasbourg Étoile Noire

strasbourg

Billy is in Strasbourg for the game today (and since they left yesterday, he is probably enjoying a really nice sleep-in while I type this).  I am more than a little jealous.  Look how beautiful Strasbourg is.  It boarders Germany and has such an idyllic look about it.  I've always wanted to travel there. 

Here is a little clip from Saturday's home game.  Definitely aggressive.  The result: a full bench in the penalty box.  And a few minutes later, to wrap-up the game this happened.   

Image via freevisits.com

saturday's game

Saturday's game was full of excitement. 
It was also the most aggressive game I've seen for a very long time.
My heart was just racing.
Jake was just glued to the game.

It went a little something like this:
We were up by one goal
Then down by two goals
Then tied it up
Then scored 
And scored again 
5 - 3 win for Amiens

Now they are headed to Strasbourg for game three on Tuesday and a possible game four on Wednesday.  Go team, go.

Here's how things look from our seats, starting with warm-up

The game is about to begin, time to pull out the giant banner that 

runs the entire length of the arena

My little cheering partner

It was a fun-filled, late night which even included a couple of high-fives with the mascot, or ma-cot as Jake likes to say.  

But more on him later...

playoffs

Playoffs start today, with a home game tonight and another tomorrow.

It is always such an exciting time of year, where really 

anything can happen. 

 Jake is always excited to go to a game.  We've learned not to mention an upcoming game before his afternoon nap.  Lately we've been staying for the entire match and we are both having such a great time.  I love sending Jake into the dressing room after the game.  He just lights up.

We will happily be cheering them on tonight!

Update: Amiens won 2 - 1 in last nights game and Billy was the 

Man of the Match.  What an exciting night.       

game night

Last nights game was an exciting one; they won and Jake and I stayed the entire time.  Most often we stay until Jake is looking awfully sleepy and then walk home.  Since the regular season is quickly coming to a close though we thought we should stay and participate in some of the post-game fun. 

Going to games is such a highlight for Jake.  He sits so well and is so entertained by the game.  Often he just snuggles on my lap and couldn't be more content or sits in his stroller and eats his snack.  There are never any tears (although the closest to tears was last week when a giant mascot, a squirrel, skated around prior to the game.  He still doesn't want to talk about squirrels). 

Jake snuggled in my arms until the game was over and then got a second wind in the dressing room with all the players.  He was a happy boy.  He played pass and got to run around with a big stick.  After, we all went up to the VIP and he munched away on baguettes and ran in circles. 

I'm lucky that I have girls here that take Jake walking in the intermission and play games with him while we are upstairs.  It makes the evening so easy and Jake has so much more fun.

 

Of course he still woke-up just after eight this morning, no sleep-in for us.  He is running on four hours less sleep then usual but we all had a great time.

on the ice

A few weeks ago a team member organized a skate for the players and their families.  The ice was scheduled in the morning, right after a long road-trip.  I figured that no one would want to stay and skate but everyone stayed and came out onto the ice.  All the kids, wives and girlfriends got free rentals and they had pastries, sandwiches and Champagne for us to snack on.  (we've learned that it is never too early for Champagne here in France).

Jake had the time of his life out there and we couldn't even drag him onto the bench for a snack without protest.  He kept saying "net, net, goal".  Thankfully we remembered his stick and he played pass with some of the players and scored a few goals too.  What fun.  

It didn't take long before Jake was full-on running around the ice.  

We couldn't slow him down.  But don't worry, 

Billy was always by his side. 

Visiting mom on the bench.  

Even dogs were allowed, and little Jin chased pucks around. 

family skate

We all went to the rink with Billy for the team's family skate.  Even though Bill didn't skate, Jacob got to play with hockey sticks, run around the dressing room and take a skate around the arena with Jake and Kaytie.  We all had a lot of fun.