Canada Day & Independence Day!

July 1st is Canada Day, but since it fell on a Sunday this year, it was celebrated on Monday the 2nd. Neil had the day off, so we figured we'd enjoy the holiday. We did some yardwork in the morning. The kids helped with the yard & then rode bikes for a while, then we all headed to one of the outdoor community pools. The weather was perfect. We enjoyed the warm weather & sunshine, had a picnic lunch there, and played at the pool for several hours. Clay even jumped off the diving board for the first time & loved it! We were going to go see the movie "Brave" later in the afternoon, around 4:30, but Jonah said he wasn't feeling very well. We have had a nasty stomach bug going around our house (it started with Clay, then Tessa, then Jonah & has been about 24-48 hours of throwing up, diarrhea, etc. for each of them--NO FUN!), so we decided to stay home. It's a good thing, because Jonah got sick about a half hour later! At least we were able to enjoy some celebrating for our first Canada Day here, eh?! :) Hopefully next year we can go to the big fireworks show on Lake Ontario--we've heard it's great! HAPPY CANADA DAY!

And then of course, we have our American 4th of July, Independence Day celebration. Well...since we are in Canada, obviously there isn't really much celebrating going on today, and Neil had to go to work, just like any other day. But I got some red, white, & blue popsicles, and a sweet friend from church made these cute (and delicious) 4th of July chocolate dipped strawberries for us. So thoughtful! :) We will miss the traditional 4th of July celebrations this year! When we were in Arkansas, they allowed almost any kind of fireworks, and our neighbors were really into it, so we'd just sit out in our front yard with all our neighors & watch the huge fireworks on our street & around the neighborhood. So much fun! Popsicles, fireworks, & fireflies--Good times! :) And one of our other favorite 4th of July traditions (when we were in Utah) was going to Provo for the Hot Air Balloon show at 6 a.m. on the 4th of July. SO much fun, and amazing to see a whole field full of hot air balloons up close, and watch them being filled & then take off. With the beautiful Utah mountains in the background, and patriotic music playing, as the sun was rising, and then going out for breakfast afterwards... Also, great memories. :) But this year, we'll still make the most of our evening & enjoy our 4th of July treats & listen to some patriotic songs online while watching fireworks or something. It's all good! :) HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!