Let's go camping!

On our way home from Raymond, we went camping for a few days at Cypress Hills Provincial Park. We stopped at the visitor's center first

and then headed to the free mini golf course in town.

Because, free mini golf! 

What could possibly go wrong?

Craig ended up our scorekeeper after he had a bit of a meltdown. 

Silly boy, but he had fun in the end.

We also went to the Head of the Mountain Lookout: the highest point in Canada east of the Rocky Mountains. 

As you can see, it was quite the view. 

One of the things Cypress Hills means for us is lots of time at the lake. 

For Craig, an open beach means running as far as he can 

and then turning around a running back. 

On our list of new experiences was Fort Walsh National Historic Site (in Saskatchewan!) 

The kids and I had never been to Saskatchewan, so we decided to expand our horizons a bit.

The drive there was... interesting. Sometimes I question Google Maps' accuracy. When we were very nearly at the site, we drove down, and then up, an incredibly steep incline on a quite narrow road. Kyler did marvelously, but I did fear we'd have to get out and push the car or something. When we left that "road" and turned onto the main one, I turned around and saw a sign: "Road Closed" from the other side. Huh. That's interesting.

Fort Walsh itself was a lot of fun. The kiddos loved the trading post at the visitor's center, 

and we all enjoyed the guided tour of the fort. 

Especially Caleb, who was sometimes too intent on asking questions and getting answers. 

Also in Saskatchewan, we went to Loch Lomond. 

Or were we in the UK?

No, it was Saskatchewan, I promise. 

Loch Leven is also in Saskatchewan. 

Gotta get more use out of the water gun I bought to attack Kyler in the parade!

The kids favorite part of the trip was probably the campsite, though. 

We let the kids be a little bit feral when we discovered that there was a small stream right behind our campsite. 

They went and explored the stream and the area behind it every chance they got. 

As they explored, they found some trails behind the stream and wanted to know where they led. At their request, we went on an impromptu hike led by the children.

Having them make all the decisions meant they were enthusiastic and had really good attitudes.

After a few days camping we are ready to go home, shower, 

and take on the rest of summer!

O, Canada! O, Raymond!

As per tradition, we heading down to Raymond for Canada Day after the kids got out of school. Of course, this year was particularly important: it is 20 years from the time Kyler graduated high school!

On our leisurely way, we stopped at a park in Red Deer

We've stopped here before, and the kids always love it. 

Especially the musical part. 

We also stopped at the Okotoks Glacier Erratic. 

This huge rock actually came all the way from Mount Edith Cavell in Jasper!

The littles rocks came from there, too. 

While in Raymond, we took a jaunt into Cardston. 

Kyler and Calista went to the temple, 

While I took the boys to the playground and spraypark. 

Everyone enjoyed their afternoon!

Is it Canada Day without fireworks?

We watched the (Smith Family) fireworks from the little lake just outside Raymond. It made for some beautiful reflections, and much easier traffic. 100% recommend. 

For Canada Day itself, we obviously went to the parade.

Kyler was actually on a float throwing candy, which means I was "alone" with these yahoos. And the entire rest of Kyler's family and all of Raymond.

Kyler was unaware, but I had a plan for him.

Involving this water gun.

As he approached and threw us candy, I prepared and shot him! No pics, because he was hiding and I was shooting. Sorry.

The afternoon was spent with friends and family and at the Raymond Canada Day Fair.

Bouncy houses! Was it worth being in the heat? Probably.

This year, we had our Rasmussen family gettogether on July 2nd.

Blasphemy! Just kidding. 

Spending time with family means being silly in all sorts of ways.

I love starting the summer with Canada Day and a trip to see family.

It's nice to have some time to just relax. 

Happy Canada Day, everyone!