APRIL 2025 Edition

SOCCER

One of my fondest memories is of playing soccer as a kid. I started playing when I was around 8 years old, back in the day when they didn’t even have numbers on the backs of the jerseys, and we ate oranges at half time. Let’s face it, back then it wasn’t the Dads cutting the oranges, it was the Moms. And they didn’t cut the oranges into ‘slices’, they cut them into proper 1/8’s so that we could use the peel to make a goofy smile face and try to make each other laugh. Somehow, we all managed without the technology of today including Team Snap, online “health forms”, and email. I remember that each team had a parent who volunteered to be “manager”, and that job meant calling every team member’s household to advise them of game time and location. And for some reason, every one of my coaches either had a Portuguese or English accent. As a kid, I surmised that if my coach had a foreign accent, it meant they had probably played either professionally or for their respective national team, and that I ought to listen when they spoke. And if the accent wasn’t enough, the fact that my coaches always wore some sort of “track suit”, sometimes even velour, validated that they were the authority!

Times were different then. Anyone my age who played soccer remembers the “Seattle exchange” where teams would travel to Seattle, the parents would all stay in the same hotel while we players stayed with a “billet family” who were total strangers and for all we knew, were axe murderers or at least likely to fire up their chainsaw while wearing a goalie mask. I’m pretty sure criminal record searches hadn’t even been invented yet. And when I played, the “all weather field” was not the synthetic turf that the spoiled brats play on these days, no, they were gravel! And being somewhat competitive, a gravel field didn’t stop me from employing my signature “slide tackle” maneuver, thus negating an opposition team scoring chance. However, I’d then spend the entire ride to the post-game McDonald’s snack picking gravel out of my thigh. I’m not sure antiseptic had been invented at that time either.

By the time I was about 14 or 15, I decided to focus on hockey, and hung up the cleats.

Fast forward to 2025 when our Church announced they were starting up a recreational soccer team. I knew my 17 year old son Andy would be more likely to sign up if we did it together, and so we did! So 40 years after my last official game, I’m back at it. And I have to say, there have been some advances in soccer. Our jerseys are fancy and even have a number on the back! Shin pads are no longer made out of foam, and no one is wearing knee pads anymore! Andy has been playing soccer for 8 or 9 years, so he’s pretty competent, but I feel like I landed on a different planet. The coach is using a bunch of terminology that I don’t understand, and he’s not even using the 2-3-5 formation that I remember. I think that if you’re trying to score goals, get 5 people up there, not just the 2 strikers they push up these days. And what is coach even talking about when he says “maintain your shape”, “keep the triangle”, and “keep jockeying.” I suppose I’d have to ask Andy what this all means. 

So, while I have been out there playing, and I feel mentally I’m still at my elite “Tsawwassen Youth Rep B” level, perhaps the reliability of my body has left me. I have to spend more time warming up for the game than I probably used to do in a whole season, and even so my hamstrings, calf muscles, and back left heel are begging for mercy. I really should focus on age appropriate hobbies like gardening, lawn bowling, and crossword puzzles.

ADRIANNA BUYS A CONDO!

Adrianna is such a valuable member of the Klassen Real Estate Group, and has had a lot of success in her first few years in real estate. She’s a hard worker and a good saver, and when the opportunity came up for her to buy her first condo. She jumped  on it! Cindy and I are thrilled that Adrianna will be living in Murrayville, close to our house. But if we’re truthful, and as much as we love Adrianna, we’ve become very attached to her dog Princess Leia and are glad that we’ll be able to watch the dog when Adrianna is either at work or out with friends. Cindy has made it clear that Princess is welcome any time.

NALDO RUNS TRACK

Most of the Klassen kids have run track at some point, and now Naldo is getting into it. A few of the kids hold school records in various age group categories, and we even have a High School Provincial Gold Medal in the house. But Naldo is telling anyone who will listen about how fast he is and that he’s going to beat everyone in the family. I admire his confidence, and look forward to the work ethic and dedication he’ll employ in order to reach his goals. Naldo has competed in a few school meets this season and we’ll see how things progress.

February 2025 Edition

It’s been an eventful past few months with lots going on with the family, the “K-Team”.

Best of Christmas Memories

Christmas 2024 was preceded by a family trip to Cancun with me, Cindy, Adrianna, Mireya, Nicole, Andy, and Naldo. The white sand was amazing, and we quite liked our resort. The kids complained a bit that their mom was spending too much time playing beach volleyball and not enough time spoiling them. Well kids, mom still loves  volleyball, and the trip really was for her. We took a fun catamaran trip it Isla Mujeres where we rented golf carts as our mode of transportation to explore the island. 

Back home in time for Christmas, the kids revolted a bit about Cindy’s decision to go for simplicity and put up an artificial tree for the first time! Since the kids never really did help with watering the live tree or cleaning up needles, we didn’t really listen to them.

Some of my favourite Christmas family memories:

• Christmas Eve service at Church                                                                                                                                                                           • Christmas morning gift opening                                                                                                                                                                            • Lots of chocolate                                                                                                                                                                                                   • Great food and great company                                                                                                                                                                             • Relaxation and down time

Naldo Skis

Other than Cindy, everyone in our family skis. However, up until a few months ago, Naldo had never skied, mostly because ski hills in the Philippines are non-existent. So, Andy, the big brother and self-proclaimed “ski expert” and I decided to take Naldo to Cypress Mountain, skip the formal ski lessons, and push him down the hill to see what would happen. The first run down the bunny hill was pretty slow, and Andy had a few chuckles watching Naldo fight physics. But the next few runs were better and before you knew it, Naldo was ready for a full green run. By the end of the night ski session Naldo was doing great and was talking the talk about trying a black diamond run some day. I had to settle the young lad down and tell him, like I’ve preached to every other kid, to work on form first and then speed. However, out of 7 kids, a grand total of 0 have taken this advice…

Canucks Game With Jude

Years ago, I had seasons tickets to the Canucks and enjoyed taking the kids to the  games. One of my most memorable Canucks games ever was when Jude and I watched the Canucks be the Dallas Stars in the 4th overtime period during the 2007 playoff run. Finally ending at 12:32 am, the game went very late, so late that a bit earlier, a young Jude was heard to say he didn’t even care who won, he just wanted to go to bed 😊  Fast forward to last month when it was Jude’s turn to take me to a game. It was a great father-son outing with Jude suppling some great tickets to a Saturday “Hockey Night In Canada” game versus the Edmonton Oilers. The best part of the Canucks winning the game was how disappointed the Oilers fans sitting on either side of us were. I loved it! Go Canucks!

DECEMBER 2024 Edition

The real estate market has been quite “interesting” this year. Active inventory of listings has increased in 2024, while overall sales in our local real estate board have declined compared to 2023. However, with recent interest rate cuts and further reductions anticipated, buyers are closely monitoring the market.

As always, it’s crucial to seek solid, expert advice when considering your real estate options. Our team is here for you and anyone in your circle who has real estate questions. We’re dedicated to helping and guiding you!

The Klassen Update

Jude and Adrianna, who are both part of the Team, will be including their own submissions to this newsletter, so I’ll let them write about themselves.

Cindy: Cindy has been busy this past year keeping the Klassen family running. With 4 kids still at home, and an additional 2 kids in our suite, there is never a dull moment. Cindy’s favourite part of the year, other than Christmas, is our annual family trip to Osoyoos when finally there is a chance to relax, enjoy the beach and sun, and not have such a regimented routine. Cindy still enjoys running, beating me at badminton, singing at church, and watching her Korean drama shows on Netfilx.

Jared: Jared is working towards his accounting designation through online courses while he continues to work as a lawn irrigation systems coordinator for the company he started working summers with while he was at TWU. Jared still enjoys getting better at guitar and has really improved as a goaltender for his hockey team with the help of my unsolicited tips and advice!

Mireya: Mireya is in her final year at TWU and has been doing some practicums in her education studies. She worked this summer in food service at Redwoods Golf Course and even drove the “beverage cart”! Unfortunately, her car was the victim of a hit and run while parked at work. Mireya enjoyed her summer travel trips to Osoyoos and Vancouver Island.

Nicole: Back in April, Nicole finished up her 6 month program at Capernwray in Germany with many travel opportunities. It was a great experience for her, and she made some great friends. A bunch of her friends, many from other countries, have been to our house a few times, and Nicole recently travelled to Texas to visit one of her Capenrwray friends. Nicole is working at the Red Velvet Café in Langley City and plans to attend BCIT in the fall of next year to learn marketing.

Andy: Andy is in grade 11 at Langley Christian School (LCS) and is enjoying soccer once again. In the summer, Andy spent a lot of time on his scooter. He’s learned some cool tricks but decided to not follow my advice on how to perform a certain trick after I face planted during poor execution and broke my glasses. Andy also likes to annoy all of us at home by claiming to be an Edmonton Oilers fan and not a Canucks fan! As a dad, this is my worst nightmare!

Naldo: Naldo just turned 14 and is in grade 8 at LCS. Since joining our family just over 1 year ago, Naldo is settling in well, and is really involved in any sport he can. Naldo will play basketball again this year, is in his first year of soccer with Langley United, and back in spring he ran track for his school. With both Andy and Naldo in soccer, it keeps both me and Cindy hustling as we get the boys to games and practices.

So there you have it. A busy but very blessed life. Cindy and I really believe children are a blessing from the Lord, and I’d have to say my quiver is full!

SEPTEMBER 2024 Edition

Well, a lot has been happening since my last write up. I’ll hit on a few of the highlights and then share some general “news.”

Wedding in Parksville 

In early July, Cindy and I, along with the rest of the family, headed to Parksville. My oldest nephew Jacob was getting married to Hannah, and we were looking forward to a fun Vancouver Island wedding. We caught the Friday ferry and got to the island just in time to drive to Qualicum Beach to join some extended family for dinner. It was great fun as Team Canada was playing in the Copa America soccer tournament up on the big screen TV’s. Saturday morning Cindy and I ran in Parkville’s Rathtrevor Provincial Park – what scenery! After a wonderful outdoor breakfast with Andy and Naldo at the Beach Club Resort, we began to get ready for the outdoor wedding at the Tigh-Na-Mara Resort. The wedding was so much fun with all the extended family there. The food was great, the kids enjoyed the DJ, and I’m proud to say I didn’t pull a hamstring or pop my shoulder out showing the youngsters some of my “bustin’” moves on the dance floor. I was quite touched by the fact that with their concern for my age, and due to the complexity and difficulty rating of my dance moves, they insisted that I don’t use those moves again.

Osoyoos

Another family trip to Osoyoos! Cindy and I reserved a fairly large hotel room on the beach so that we could accommodate as many of our kids that were able to come. With work schedules and busy plans, we never know how many of our kids will be able to make it for holidays, even if for a few days. Fortunately, all of the kids were able to make it, at lease for a few days. And it was great that my sister Rita, and my Mom and Dad, were able to stay for a few days at the same hotel. Andy and Naldo were with me and Cindy the whole trip, and Nicole, Mireya, Jared, Adrianna, and Jude and Morgan each were able to stay as long as their schedules permitted. Some of our favourite memories were: dinner at  both the Diamond and the Spirit Beach Cantina, ice cream at the Windmill and D.Q., mini golf and go-carts at Rattlesnake Canyon, renting Sea-Doos, beach time, walks into town, and some great runs with Cindy. Unfortunately for me, my win streak at mini golf came to a crashing end as Cindy beat me this year. However, I’ve hired a full time mini golf coach and hope to regain my title next year!

Naldo’s Birthday

Naldo joined our family in September of last year, and so when his August birthday rolled around this year, it was his first birthday with our family and his first birthday in Canada. Cindy organized a family birthday party for Naldo, and it was fun to seem him blow out his candles and enjoy the party. Cindy got him a kick scooter for his birthday, and he quite liked that. I love birthdays and Christmas as I’m as surprised as the kids with what “Cindy and I” give them as presents. It was also fun going out to Jollibee in Surrey on Naldo’s actual birthday to get some great Filipino fast food. If you haven’t been yet, make sure to try the Filipino spaghetti and the mango pie!

Klassen Business News

The Team has been fairly busy over the summer with some good sales and fun summer meetings. At least I think summer meetings are fun; Jude and Adrianna may not be as enthusiastic.

JUNE 2024 Edition

Well, a lot has been happening since my last write up. I’ll hit on a few of the highlights and then share some general “news.”

Cindy’s Birthday

Cindy’s birthday is always a big event around the Klassen household. And it’s extra exciting because we get to celebrate for Cindy’s twin sister Tracy as well! I took Cindy to a local Filipino store/lunch counter for lunch where we enjoyed some delicious Pancit. I offered to take her to any restaurant, but Cindy likes to support small businesses, and we obviously love the Filipino culture.

The kids went all out decorating the house for the family dinner later that day. They posted a bunch of pictures of Cindy from different eras of her life; it was so much fun going back in time with a number of those photos. Adrianna, with some help from her siblings, took care of the cooking, and I put a second mortgage on the house in order to afford the freshly baked cake from a local bakery.

After dinner, the kids and Cindy enjoyed a backyard badminton tournament while I cleaned the kitchen. The kids urged me to come out and play, but I insisted that I wanted to exercise my “gift of service” and clean the kitchen. What the kids don’t know is that I’ll to anything to avoid playing badminton with Cindy. She’s very competitive and there’s only so much humiliation a man can take, especially when it comes to losing at badminton time and time again. I don’t know if it’s more bothersome to lose every time to Cindy, or the fact that she keeps reminding not only me, but all the kids, about her past badminton glory days while in high school.

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day was a busy day! Cindy and I, along with the kids that were around, started the day at church and posed there for photos in a photo booth. With Cindy looking forward to an afternoon rest, I drove out to meet my sister Rita and my Mom and Dad for a Mother’s Day brunch at the Boathouse. It was fun to have lunch with  the “original 4” and reminisce about all the nice dinners we  used to go to when Rita and I were growing up. Places like Hy’s Mansion, The Brock House, The Old Country Inn, and the Ladner Marina Restaurant.

Later that day, Cindy and I hosted the extended family from both sides over to our house for a Mother’s Day dinner.

Naldo’s Introduction To Track & Field

To say it’s been a big adjustment for Naldo, who as a 13-yearold joined our family back in September, is an understatement. Cindy and I have worked with Naldo to find out what activities he enjoys. We know he played a lot of basketball back in the Philippines, so he enjoys that as well as riding his bike, skateboarding, and  badminton. However, at his new school, Naldo had the opportunity to participate in Track and Field, a sport well known to the other Klassen kids. Naldo tested his ability in shot put, the 100 meter sprint, the 400 meter, and the 4x100m relay. Cindy and I have enjoyed watching Naldo compete, and he tells us he’d like to join the Langley Mustangs Track and Field club next season.

Go Canucks

Our family really enjoyed cheering on our team during the Stanley Cup playoff run. We had a lot of group watching parties at our house, and a number of our kids were either able to go to a game or join a watch party at Rogers Arena. Let’s hope for a deeper run next year as I’m still waiting for the boys to bring home Lord Stanley’s trophy!