back yard rink

February 21, I wish . . .

February 16, kitchen now takes on new purpose

I should have taken a picture last night when Clay and I came in from a late night skate. There were goal pads, trapper, blocker, chest protector and skates all over the kitchen. It’s great to be able to walk out the back door and skate with my kids.

January 22, boys on the ice

We were finally able to really enjoy the ice this week! Elijah even got the bug for skating and at just two years and one month old took to the ice. He was able to stand by him self and even take a few steps, but after he was down, he was down. Hopefully we are in for a few good weeks now!!

January 20, fixing damage

I was away all last week. Just before I left it got cold enough to get about 4 inches of ice on the rink (there is about 12 inches of water in some parts of the rink. On Sunday when I left Clay was skating on the rink and it was smooth! Sunday night it snowed, so much and so heavy that it sunk the ice and frozen slush remained on top after the -20 week we have had.

Tonight I painstakenly took an axe to all the high parts and shovled and sweaped it all of and began to flood again. Its - 23, 11:59 pm and we’ll just have to see if tomorrow all will be well. I think it needs about another inch of water to realy level off all the frozen slush. John Reesor said it would be a lot of work!

December 30, Finally got a skate in.

We finally got a skate in on the new ice. Small rink, but great for taking shots. Clay skated for about an hour until it got too soft, but I ruined it by shoveling - my weight cracked the ice (bottom not frozen yet) and the skate had to end. The weather is supposed to turn warm again tomorrow till at least Wednesday. Bummer for winter break. But at least we are skating.

December 27, Not ready for Christmas but. . .

The boys aren’t happy - got lots of presents for Christmas but what they really want is ice on the rink! Maybe by the weekend.

December 17, Looks more like a wading pool than a rink!!

The weather is turning slightly colder in the next few days - maybe skating by Chrsitmas?

December 3, 2006 - Wishful Thinking? Rink ready to go any way.

Today Clay and I framed in our very first ice rink in the back yard. The temps are looking good this week to be skating by next weekend. Clay was hoping the water would be frozen by tonight, he is itching to get out there and “take shots”. I put down a tarp and framed it in with 2X4’s most of the way with 2X6 & 2X8’s in the low corners. I think I might need 2X12’s in the one corner, the water is deep!

Clay has 22 goals in 9 games. He is averaging 2 goals and 2 assits each game. Highest scoring game came on November 12the when he roofed 6 six goals and added 4 nice assists for a 10 point game. His first ever hatrick came on Oct. 28. Clay scored 1 goal all of last year. We don’t know what happened but it is fun to watch!