Tag Archives: NHL Playoffs

Best of 2024

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2024 was full of big changes I never expected. This included Ma and Pa Sip moving to a location four hours away and the Sip Family’s own move from a condo to townhouse mere minutes apart from each other. In between all the adjustments, we managed to have a lot of fun. From travel to sports to entertainment, here’s the Sip Advisor’s Top 10 for the year:

Wrestle Maniac

Over the course of 2024, I attended three wrestling cards, including two live TV shows and a premium event. WWE Smackdown (January), AEW Collision (May) and WWE Survivor Series 2024: War Games (November) all brought action and pandemonium to Rogers Arena and I was happy to take it all in.

Older and Wiser (and still hot!)

Although she doesn’t look it, Mrs. Sip turned the big 4-0 in January and the Sip Family celebrated with a week in Disneyland. A surprise cameo appearance by Ma and Pa Sip was the icing on the cake, as we rode rides, surveyed shows and drank drinks all in the name of celebrating another milestone birthday.

40th Birthday

Spring Break Scandal

For our spring break getaway, the Sip Family hit the road to Escondido, California, where we visited Lego Land (for Boy Sip’s fourth birthday), enjoyed pool time and tried a few of the area’s craft breweries. This was my first time doing a long haul driving vacation and the whole family really enjoyed it.

Playoff Pleasures

2024 saw the Vancouver Canucks finally return to the playoffs, providing Mrs. Sip and I our first chance to ever attend a post-season match. Over the course of the team’s two-round run, we treated our dad’s to a game, as well as attended another as a date night. We also took the Sipplings to one of the road game viewing parties, which had all the pomp and circumstance of a live contest.

Lodge Leanings

Through the year, we managed to vacation at the Great Wolf Lodge twice. Our first voyage was in May, while the second visit occurred during the resort’s Christmas celebrations. Waterslides, arcade games and Magic Quest, along with large amounts of food and drink we consumed by the crew.

Road Trip

Living the Dream

Our summer began with the kids going on a short vacation with Ma and Pa Sip. This meant for three whole days, Mrs. Sip and I were left to our own devices and we took full advantage. We participated in a pub trivia, attended a wedding with reception at a craft brewery and checked out Gordon Ramsay’s new Vancouver restaurant.

Euro Union

As much as parts of our European odyssey this summer were frustrating, it was still wonderful time away with the family. We stopped in Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom over two packed weeks. Attractions enjoyed included the Lindt Chocolate Museum, Peppa Pig Bus Tour and Harry Potter Experience.

Goodbye Grief

As the Trooper song goes “every year, has its share of tears; every now and then it’s gotta rain.” After 30 years in the same home, Ma and Pa Sip decided to downsize. To celebrate the place where so much family history took place, we hosted a final big bash, providing one more chance to create and save some fuzzy memories.

No Kids

Moving On Up

While moving isn’t the most enjoyable thing in life (I’m not calling it our ‘forever home’, but our ‘we’re never moving again home’), our November relocation from condo to townhouse was a necessary step and will go down as a major moment in all of our lives. Hopefully we’re settled in by early 2025 and can really start relishing the place.

Wonderful Christmas Time

The Christmas season never grows old for me. I just love it. This year, we hosted Christmas dinner for the first time, finally having the space to welcome family for the big feast. Of course, that meant my annual cocktail menu was served on home soil and the drinks were flowing!

2025 has a lot to live up to and I have no doubt it will exceed expectations. How could it not, with the calendar already having trips to Disneyland penciled in, along with other ideas percolating!

Sip Trips #15: Back to Basics

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This last week wasn’t as jam-packed full of events as the last month or so has been, which has allowed for some rest and rejuvenation, as well as a chance to catch up on some recent developments. This may be a briefer than usual Out and About than most, but that doesn’t mean the quality won’t be there!

Our big trip of the week was to visit the Big Rock Urban Brewery and Eatery location, which is finally open. We first heard about this project last July at the Langley Tip N’ Taste event and it has at last come to fruition. Although the place had been opened a couple weeks already, this was to be the “grand opening” weekend, but there wasn’t a whole lot of action going on. Even the live music that was supposed to be playing that night never started up.

Grand Opening Fail

That said, Mrs. Sip and I each found beers we really enjoyed. I liked the smoky flavour of the Rauchbier, while Mrs. Sip enjoyed the richness of the Chocolate Malt Stout. We also tried a couple of the eatery’s appetizers and generally had a good time at the place. I can see the potential for the Urban location, as a great hangout and place to enjoy live music, and hopefully another visit will provide these additional elements.

The Out and About week ended with splitting a couple pitchers of Russell Pale Ale, while scarfing down a feast of smoked meat and other goodies at Dunn’s Famous, along with Ma and Pa Sip and Cousin Sip. Sadly, my Vancouver Canucks lost their opening playoff game in the dying seconds of the third period, but there is much more hockey to be played in the coming days.

Onto some news items, late last week, the schedule of events for the Vancouver Craft Beer Week in late May-early July was released and there were so many great options to choose from. Mrs. Sip and I were quick to grab tickets to the “What the Hop?” Beer Trivia, This Sandwich That Beer Throwdown (pairing sandwiches and beers together), and the Beer Cocktail Competition. We may make even more plans, but tickets to some events have sold out already, so we’ll have to be quick on the uptake.

Cocktails Super Glue

Observant booze shoppers have likely noticed recently that BC Liquor Stores are touting their new extended hours and, for many, being open on Sundays. These are wonderful changes and one can only wonder why it took so long for the government-operated stores to catch up with the times. I mean, who wants to live in a world where alcohol is harder to locate on one of the few days most of us don’t have to drag our asses to work!?

Speaking of the weekend, this one looks a little crazier than the last one, so look forward to next week’s more robust Out and About. Maybe we`ll even pick up some Sunday liquor, just for the heck of it!