With so much on the line this season I thought it was very important to work out hard but at the same time have a relaxing summer, spending time with my family so as to be mentally prepared for the season.

The summer started off with a week in the States with our middle daughter Kalycia, 17, who played in a fastball tournament in Porland, Ore. We had an awesome time with the other parents on the team.

Most of June was spent watching Kalycia and our youngest, eight-year-old Mykaela, in many ball tournaments. I really enjoy watching the kids doing their sports and activities.

My dad, Ab, always talked about going to Ireland when I was growing up, but he and mom never went. So my wife, Shauna, and I thought this would be a great summer to sneak away there for a trip. We stayed in Killarney and enjoyed all the tours and sights.

We managed to squeeze in one round of golf, and boy is it tough when the wind starts blowing on the course over there. It's true what they say about Ireland: the weather changes from minute to minute, so you get all kinds of weather in one day: the sun shines, it rains and the wind blows like crazy.

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

August is always a busy month at our house. In the early part of the month I do my curling academies for junior players. As soon as that ended we had to head out to Salmon Arm, B.C., for a fastball camp for Kalycia. My feeling is that if you're in that area you might as well make a vacation out of it and enjoy Lake Okanagan for awhile.

During the two weeks we were gone, our oldest, 20-year-old Karrick, held down the fort at home. Our house was still standing when we got home, thank goodness.

Unfortunately, summer was officially over once we got home from B.C., and it was back to the curling ice.

I'm really looking forward to this season because of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that lies ahead: the chance to represent your country at the Olympics on home soil.

I'll keep you updated as the season goes along.