Olympians, their parents, politicians, oh my! So much has happened since my last blog! I have met so many amazing people here these past few days, including Dorothy Hamil -yep that's us in the ladies room of the private "USA House"! There have been so many highlights, but taking Brooke and Riley to Team USA Women's hockey game would top my list! The U.S. defeated Russia easily, and we enjoyed taking part in the "GO RUSSIA!" chants that broke out around the rink when the score was 12-0. It's all about catching the Olympic spirit! Riley never stopped waving his mini American flag. At one point, his foot itched so he went barefoot...you never know what to expect when you are with a three year old. He has been such a trooper!

After the game, we saw some dear friends from Coach Mark Johnson's family: Doug, Mickayla, Megan and Leslie! We love them all. They are the quintessential American hockey family! We had fun with the Engstroms, too, whose daughter Molly is on Team USA. We went so far as to hitch a ride back to town with them after the game. Thankfully Molly's dad wears a Wisconsin Cheesehead and he was easy to find! I almost had an out of body experience after the game when we walked past a large group of USA hockey parents (SEE PHOTO) and I did not recognize any of them. They did not know me either; another sign that Cammi's playing time truly has passed, but not without making friendships and memories that will last a lifetime! I can only imagine how my sis feels, being a broadcaster instead of a player. Her last remaining Olympic hockey record has now been broken, too! Cammi smiles through everything! I am so grateful to have entered motherhood alongside her! We're having a blast with our amazing brood here in Vancouver! It's so great to see things through their little eyes!

Yesterday we went to the private "USA House" (a corporate sponsored hideaway for Olympians and their families). We watched Cam speak to guests about winning her gold medal in Nagano. Our time with Cammi, although brief, has been magical! She has been gone for nine hours straight, day after day, and she still manages to make sure Reese (her lil' peanut butter cup) has enough breast milk to get by! One day her driver brought us an extra supply -freshly pumped! I bet that's not in his job description! Cammi's male counterparts have been making jokes about sharing a small single bathroom at their studios with the nursing Mom. One colleague thanked Cam for the "cream" for his coffee! Hockey players!

Today we saw Cammi off to the IBC (International Broadcast Centre) where the Today Show and so many others have their main studios. Brooke and I walked to the Olympic Cauldron. It was breathtaking, and the views of the ocean and mountains were equally spectacular! Before I forget, here's the last of today's bela hockey lowdown: Cam had to turn down lunch with Vice President Biden because of her work schedule! That's what sister's are for! Maybe next time she'll send me! TTYS - Christina

A Golden Day...

Wow! What can I say? The Canadians sure know how to throw a party! Our daily adventure began Sunday without much planning, but with lots of enthusiasm. I packed up Cammi's oldest son, Riley(3) and my daughter Brooke, 10, a Bela girl for sure, and we headed towards Canada Place. As we pushed the jogger/stroller towards all the action, we saw various street performers, but the coolest ones were painted Gold, Silver, and Bronze, representing the three colors of Olympic medals (SEE PHOTO). As the weather got warmer the crowds got thicker and we eventually took our coats off to celebrate the first sunny day at these games.
We decided to test our luck and try to find where Cammi (Mommy) goes to work every day. We followed the big white dome. Before we knew it, we were standing at the Media Entrance security gate. I sent Cam a text and she came down to see us! She wasn't that surprised that her big sis had sniffed out the right place and taken a chance. Soon Jeremy Roenick walked by, then Mike "Doc" Emerick and we all had fun swapping family updates, cell-phone pictures and hockey memories. Cammi couldn't stay long, but I think we all made each other's day as the Olympics seemed to be staring back at us in a whole new way: family fun!
I couldn't help but think of the Women's Team USA families and players as they prepared for their first game vs China. My perspective is so different this time around, without a sibling competing. Just a few days ago Cammi lent her umbrella stroller to former teammate Julie Chu's family! Cam wanted "Chewey's" sister Christina to get around town with ease. Ahh...the sisterhood of the traveling strollers! I remember hanging out with Christina in Salt Lake City, where our sisters won Silver together! Hockey is family, and it truly bonds people for life, especially during the best and the worst of times! I miss being a part of the gut-wrenching games that Cammi played in, especially at the 1998 and 2002 Olympics! The nice thing is, I am a spectator, a tourist, a visitor, just like much of the world, here in Vancouver. It's so relaxing!
On the way back to Cammi and Ray's downtown pad, we stopped to give a security guard two slices of much-appreciated pizza. He was chatting with a woman who was a two-time Olympian in Alpine skiing, Nancy Holland of Quebec! She lives in the neighborhood. Riley told her that his Mom has two medals, one Bronze and one Silver..."GOLD" I kept whispering. Did it really matter? As we stopped in front of Cam's home, Christian Erhoff of the Vancouver Canucks arrived home after a road loss. He lives two doors down. We wished him luck on Team Germany. Perhaps we experienced the perfect ending to a perfect day. Just then, people on nearby balconies shouted "We won, we won, Canada got it's first GOLD medal!" The city streets erupted with hoots and hollers, honking horns and "Whoooooooos"! Freestyle mogul skier Alexandre Bilodreau had captured Canada's first GOLD medal in a home Olympics! Perfection! I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings...stay tuned!

Rockin' the Vancouver Olympics

Greetings from beautiful downtown Vancouver, British Columbia! Cammi is off to the NBC Studios for her first on-camera appearance of these winter Olympic Games. (check local listings today). When she left the house this morning, after very little sleep, she was so calm, but truly excited to be broadcasting Women's Ice Hockey! When she was little, there was no such thing! You will find her on various NBC channels, including: USA network, msnbc, and cnbc. I'll update her TV schedule, but just know that she is on during all women's games, even if it's not Team USA's turn to play. She will be on your local NBC affiliate during the final rounds (medals).

I wish you were all here to share in the excitement. Last night's opening ceremonies set the stage for what we hope will be two more weeks of magic. It is awesome to be at my fourth Winter Olympics, but this time I am without a sibling in competition. As I glanced at the media centre (canadian spelling) in Cammi and Ray's living room, I noticed her two medals; one GOLD, one SILVER. I know what it took for her to achieve those. I was there, watching, wishing, cheering, and sometimes praying...all the way there.

To me, her success goes beyond her sport. She is an amazing athlete, wife, Mommy, and sister. I will cherish every moment of just being near her as I watch her beautiful boys so she can be on TV talking about a great game she loves.

Whatever you do in life, take pride! We can all be champions of our own lives. Keep skating, keep wiping noses, keep believing, and keep the Olympic spirit in your hearts! TTYS.

- Christina

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