Shane Braddick

"Hi everyone. 30 years is a long time to recap but here goes. Bev and I live in Cloverdale and are coming up on our 25th wedding anniversary. We have 2 kids, Corey is 17 and graduated this past June. In a nutshell, he has, so far, carried on where I left off in a hockey way of life. As of now, he's playing in the BCHL, Junior A league. He's hoping to earn a scholarship through hockey and play some university hockey while getting an education. He scored his first BCHL goal this past weekend and we were lucky enough to be there. He's a great kid, graduated from high school with honors and seemingly making his way in life. Our daughter Nicole is 15 (going on 21 ugh! ) and in Grade 10. She's an accomplished equestrian and has her own horse, Stony Brook. Over the last 6 years she has competed in the Western and English disciplines and has won many national championships in the Paint and Pinto clubs. This year she decided to retire Stony as she is 19 now and just wants to have a fun time with her, with no pressure or stress. She's praying every day that we'll win the lottery so she can have another horse, but will never part with her 1st. Bev takes her all over the place as we have a horse trailer (yes, for those who no Bev, she's no city girl now it's truck and trailer and jeans and boots). Nicole and Bev are horse crazy and although it's a bottomless pit of money to have a horse, it makes them very happy, so I go on paying the bills. Nicole is a very laid back, happy go lucky girl, with a boyfriend (ugh!) and if that doesn't bring me to my knees, I don't know what else could. I now see the other side of the coin of raising a son, over raising a daughter. She's daddy's little girl and always will be but it's a scary time for me as she gets older and wiser. We are very proud of these two kids, they are our greatest accomplishments in life, not to say we don't loose sleep or pull our hair out sometimes. Can't believe we haven't run into some of you in Whistler as we too have a condo up there. Keep trying to hook up with Gord Smith and his family there, but so far no luck. For a few years we would see Graeme Fitch, but otherwise that's it. Weird, I don't think I look that different! My mom is still in N.V. as my Dad passed away about 4 years ago. She's doing great and thankfully sold the business (finally) last year so has time to spend with all of us and do her own thing as she pleases. Still very involved with the car club, she loves it. Bev's parents bought our previous house in Surrey from us and are loving being closer to us and being with their youngest grandchildren. Me, well I've given up the "playing hockey" days (knees just couldn't take it any more )however Bev and I finally got a chance to get back into the pre-kids life and do some fishing. Gotta love those big salmon. Job wise, I'm at Optimil Machinery and manage a couple of their divisions there, it's a family owned company and they are very good to me. I've been to New Zealand and Australia a few times, and been all over the States. Would love to live in Australia (if only my family would, how would we get the horse there and what about hockey rinks, few and far between!). Bev has been a stay at home mom since she gave birth to Corey. After a hard time having kids, there was no way she was going to give them to someone else to raise while she went to work. Now she is talking about finding something to do for fun in the workforce. She spends a lot of time at the barn so hopefully she may find something to do with the horses. Well, that's about it, I'm not sure we'll be able to make the reunion still, mine and Corey's schedule may not make it possible but I've enjoyed catching up with reading the blogs. Hi to Rick and Lesley Jeanes! Congrat's on becoming G. parents!! Lastly, Anne Murdock, you deserve a big thank you for spearheading this event and giving some of us a chance to remise about the ol' days! My best to everyone out there!