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

Introducing the Granato Gold Line

Show your support for the U.S. Women's Hockey Team with our newest line of custom girl's hockey gear. Featuring all-American colors, your hockey girl can show off her patriotism in style!


Now available:

• BelaHockey personalized red, white and blue Youth Hockey Stick
  
• BelaHockey youth and women's Air Mesh Jerseys in red or royal blue


• Katie Kaps in red, white and blue


• BelaHockey Skating Socks with Coolmax in red and royal blue


• BelaHockey Practice Socks in royal blue with red stripes

Order a Granato Gold Youth Package and save 10%!

Pictures from the 7th Annual San Jose Jr. Sharks MLK Girls/Women's Tournament

Check out Bela's newest line - Granato Gold - premiering at the San Jose Jr. Sharks MLK Girls/Women's Tournament!

We've added royal blue and red striped practice socks, jerseys, Katie Kaps & coolmax skate socks to our line up.

Thanks again to Sheela Mohan-Peterson, our gracious host and tournament chair!

If you missed us at this years tournament, check us out online at http://www.belahockey.com/ to see our new line up of Granato Gold products as well as our fabulous classic colors.

BelaHockey at the 7th Annual San Jose Jr. Sharks MLK Girls/Women's Tournament

If you are in the San Jose area this weekend, come check out BelaHockey today at Sharks Ice (10 S Tenth. Street) at the 7th Annual MLK Girls/Women's Ice Hockey Tournament. We are showcasing our new Granato Gold line up of blue, red and white apparel and accessories.

We now have the following products in our new colors:

• Katie Kap (red, white, blue)
• Striped practice socks (red, blue stripes).
• Coolmax skate socks (red, blue)
• Youth air mesh jersey (red, blue)

Look for our new colors on our website soon but in the mean time, come check us out in San Jose. Special thanks to the San Jose Jr. Sharks Girls/Women's Hockey organization for hosting us this weekend. We'd like to specially thank Sheela Mohan-Peterson for all her help and assistance. Sheela and the organization host a fantastic tournament!

Pictures from this weekend to follow soon!