The True North Strong and Free

Happy Canada Day!
As always, we headed down to Raymond. After all, it's basically the second most important holiday ever. And, like the rest of western North America, it was hot the week we were there. But, happily, not quite as hot as was originally forecasted. Still, lots of sunblock, shorts, and sandals.
The hot weather did mean when we pulled into Lethbridge earlier than we planned, kitty in tow, and the people set to watch her for a week weren't home yet, we had to figure out what to do with her for a bit. And keeping her in the car was not an option.

So we found a park, put her on a leash, and let her wander a bit instead.

Calista loved following the cat around, and no one got too overheated, so success!

On the Monday prior to Canada Day, we headed to the pool.

Calista loved it...

Craig tolerated it, as long as he wasn't ever too deep in the water. Otherwise he got mad at us.

He liked the baby slide, though, so progress!


Tuesday we headed into Lethbridge to help Maria with a little bit of shopping for the next day, take a walk around the lake, and, of course, eat some sushi.

Henderson Lake (on the floating dock).

Craig fell asleep in the car on the way to lunch, so Kyler spent part of his time eating sushi, with his right hand, while holding a baby.

Considering Kyler's left-handed, it was surprisingly successful.

What a good daddy he is!

When Craig did wake up, he enjoyed his sushi (and chopsticks).

And, then, on Wednesday, we had Canada Day.

Craig started to jump instead of smile.

The kiddos spent a little bit of time with Gizmo prior to the parade.

They only tortured him a little...

Best part of the day for Calista: lots of cousins to play with, with candy from the parade being a close second.

She was really good about not running too far into the street,

so we didn't fear she was going to get trampled by a horse (like we did her cousin when she was Calista's age).

Best part for Craig: the fireworks, with seeing the horses at the parade being second place.

He happily sat in his stroller the whole parade, watching and occasionally pointing out candy that the older cousins had missed.

Craig also got to stay up and watch fireworks, mostly because he refused to sleep. But he loved them, repeating "Whee!" and "Up high!" over and over.

All in all, not too bad of a week, in spite of the heat. Happy Canada Day, and Happy Independence Day, too!