A Valentine's Day Victory!

 After a dark and dreary year, we were thrilled to hear that Kristin's cousin Brody was invited into the Chopped Canada Kitchen!  The timing of his episode could not have been better. It was a stark contrast from where we were a year ago on February 14th, and we were thrilled to make new memories on on this Valentine's Day!  

We quickly got busy putting together a Chopped Canada Screening Party as Brody and his gang gathered in Calgary for their own screening party and fundraising event. 

 Here is Brody with his parents Bev & Brian, his wife Sandra, and his brother Brett & wife Kristen at their Screening Party in Calgary.

We were on the edge of our seats watching the show! 

There were tons of tears, oodles of laughter, and even a little yelling at the judges! We had a fantastic time cheering Brody on during each round!  The kids and their dad were thrilled that their mom was honored with such a sweet and caring tribute, and there wasn't a dry eye in our home.

The show twisted and turned it's way through a three course meal and in the end the BEST CHEF WON! Congratulations Brody on a well-deserved win!  We look forward to giving you a real life hug and a heart felt thank you for the beautiful tribute to Kristin, and to the love you have shown her family.

 We celebrated BRODY and his CHOPPED CHAMPION VICTORY 'Kristin style'
...with cake! 

 Shawn and the kids tried to skype with the winner but it was really hard to communicate with all the excitement!  I'm not sure any of us were truly prepared for the emotional ups and downs of the evening, but it sure was fun.  If you've watched the show, you will know what I'm referring to. One moment grieving the loss of Kristin and the next second cheering so loud she could probably hear us in heaven!

We were thrilled that Brody's true character was not lost during the entire episode. From start to finish, he remained true to himself. He was so calm, poised, and caring.  

Kristin would have been SO proud of you Brody, I know we are!

I would also like to extend an extra special thank you to the owners of Charcut Roast House along with Brody's wife & son, his entire family, and the staff that he works with every day.  Your love and dedication to both Brody's talent and his love for his family has been out of this world.  From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!

If you missed the episode, please click here to watch Brody in action:

Season 2 Episode 6 "How About Them Apples"

How About Them Apples

  We are excited to make this very special announcement...

Kristin's cousin Brody Ashton will be on Chopped Canada this Saturday Feb 14th at 6:00pm!! If he is declared Chopped Champion, he plans to donate some of his winnings to Kristin's memorial fund. I would love to hear Brody's take on how this happened and why, but Kristin would be absolutely tickled knowing that Brody made it onto a TV show!

Back in July 2012, before Kristin was diagnosed with cancer, Shawn and Kristin took the family on a road trip to Alberta to explore Drumheller, Calgary Zoo, and to visit with some of our family. One of the highlights of the trip was meeting up with family at Charcut Roasthouse for dinner. Kristin's cousin Brody is a sous chef at the restaurant, and after reading raving reviews she made it clear that she had to go there! 

  The meal did not disappoint, and it's all she talked about for months! One more thing Kristin loved more than her meal... the cookies!  She even tried to bring some home for us to share, but they didn't make it! She later told us that she enjoyed them on our behalf!

For the months following her visit, she brought up this experience several times.  She would talk in great detail about the food, the service, the experience, but more than that,  she was so incredibly proud of Brody! She very excitedly told everyone she knew about her experience and insisted we all get there! Kristin was very passionate, and she was so excited to share Brody's passion for food, as well as his role at Charcut. 

  Through Kristin's surgery and gruelling chemo and radiation, she often spoke of her Charcut visit. She decided that as soon as she was finished the cancer treatment she was taking us girls on a road trip to Calgary so she could take us to dinner! Exactly one year after her initial visit, we did just that. Kristin was offered a short break in her chemo so Kristin, mom, and her sisters hit the road! You can only imagine how much chatting goes on in a car with 4 women! So much chatting that we somehow missed our turn and ended up taking the long scenic route to Alberta. 

This added time in our journey turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we enjoyed an extra few hours to chat as well as an unexpected stop to dip our toes in the icy blue river. 

 The downside was that this little detour meant we missed our reservation. Kristin was incredibly disappointed and she cried when she realized we just couldn't make it happen. We had no idea what we were missing, but she did. We have yet to make it out to Calgary to see Brody in action, but we hope to in the very near future. If you are in Calgary, Alberta make sure you stop in at Charcut for an amazing meal and say hi to Kristin's cousin Brody!

Brody, if you are reading this, I want you to know how proud Kristin was of you. She was bursting at the seams when she spoke of her experience and she would be just as proud today. No matter how the Chopped episode turns out, she would be gathering up a crowd to cheer you on! 

For Kristin's friends, please leave a comment for Brody! Cheer him on with us as we watch him duke it out in the kitchen! If you are searching on line after the show airs, he will be in Season 2 Episode 6 "How About Them Apples".

Click here to learn more about the Kristin Erickson Memorial Fund

One Year Later

Hello everyone,

I'm struggling with what to write but felt that I needed to post something. It was one year ago that Kristin passed away and I miss her so very, very much. Kyle, Miranda, Braden and Connor do too. I haven't posted anything to this blog as I initially thought I would. Perhaps going forward I will contribute more. While much has happened over this last year, it feels like so little time has passed. Our family continues to do well, one day at a time, and we are so thankful for the many thoughts, prayers and acts of kindness we have received. I would ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers going forward.

Thank you,

Shawn