No picture to share for this entry.  Just a quick comment to note how proud I am of my boys - my oldest for balancing his schoolwork, hockey and Scout commitments, and maintaining good grades doing it.  My middle son for making great academic strides this year while excelling in hockey and Scouts as well, and for my youngest, who struggles but keeps pushing with his schoolwork, while trying hockey (and loving it) this year too.  They make a Dad proud.

And Stephanie will need to remind me of that the next time I am screaming at them for something they did wrong...

The 2012 -2013 Hockey Season has started.  Here are some early photos of the boys in their new Gardiner Hockey uniforms:

My Boys - Hockey Season is Underway!

Gardiner Youth Hockey - 2012 - 2013

 Nicolas on his Mite team

 Alex on his Bantam team

 Max on his PeeWee team.

 A collage of all the GYHA teams

Let's play hockey!

This past weekend, Troop 110 added two new Scouts to the Madakawanda Lodge of the Order of the Arrow.  One of these was my oldest son, Alex, who completed his Ordeal approximately 30 years after I did mine.  It was a proud moment for me.  I am sure his younger brothers will follow suit when it is their turn.

To that end, both Alex and Max have completed their requirements and will advance in rank.  Alex is now a Life Scout and Max a Tenderfoot.  For Alex, he can now begin the final leg of the journey toward Eagle.  Much positive growth and I am excited for their future.

Well this year's lacrosse season wrapped up yesterday (almost - the 7/8 team has a make up game to play this week).  Baseball has a couple more games this week and then awards next Saturday.   The spring sports schedule always seems to fly by.  It has been a fun spring in spite of the monsoon rains we have had.

On to summer....

This Memorial Day Weekend has had a bit more significance this year.  Last week, my wife's grandfather, Roland Patry, passed away.  He was a proud retired Navy sailor and lived a rich, full life.  Still, his passing was unexpected as he had successfully recovered from a broken hip and returned home less than a month ago.  It goes to show that we can never really tell when we will be called home.

The funeral had added significance for me and my family.  Roland, in his final preparations about a year ago, selected my oldest son Alexandre to receive his casket flag because of his activity in the Boy Scouts.  All three of my boys attended the funeral in full uniform and acquitted themselves very appropriately.  "GG" would have been proud.  In fact, I think he was smiling down on the occasion.

Awards night at St. Dominic Academy

Just got back from my oldest son's awards night at school.  He came away with an achievement award in literature.  Not bad for a kid working through dyslexia!  He has worked hard and had great teachers for the past couple of years. We bumped into his English teacher from last year on the way home at the ice cream store.  She was not surprised by his achievement. Proud, but not surprised.

We're proud too.  All three boys have made great strides this year. Hard work pays off

A classic PC game - Wolfenstein 3D has been released in a browser version.  This is the grandfather of all first person shooters and it brings back fond PC gaming memories.  You can play it by clicking here:  http://wolfenstein.bethsoft.com/ .

Thus begins my blogging experience...

Many friends and family visit my web site for updates on my travels, family activities, etc.  In an effort to make it easier to post updates and keep people informed, I thought I would create this blog.  Check here for the latest updates and links to new postings.  Or, as always, you can start on my home page here:  http://www.robertmichaud.com/index.htm