Oh Canada.

There is something about the true north strong and free that will always have my heart. I love Canada and everything about it. From our awesome medical system (yup I love going to the doctors and not paying a cent), to the beautiful blue skies and expansive prairies. I just love Canada. And mostly Alberta. Maybe I've grown up in a bubble - well... definitely. I am from Southern Alberta. But I love that bubble. That bubble makes me immensely happy.

That being said... Canada Day. We drove from GP and arrived in Edmonton the night/morning before. And this was the first Canada Day that I celebrated (cause last year I celebrated America Day) not in Raymond. No Raymond parade, no ridiculous Raymond children running between floats, no Grandma's potluck lunch. It was supremely weird to me. But having got in late and the lack of sound sleep in Grande Prairie, I slept like the dead. Which was kinda unfortunate because my poppa was meeting me to spend Canada Day with me. But I could not awaken... until like 2 pm. So he hung out all on his lonesome for most of the day.

We went to Harrison (left) and his brother Justin's (right) house for a BBQ.

We had steaks (moose and beef), salads and the most delish turtle cheesecake I have ever experienced.

It was just fun to sit and relax. Cause well, we were all pretty tired and some much needed rest needed to occur.

So we are sitting around, and someone drops that Harrison should show off for us all. Because apparently he is uber talented. So he busts out a little ditty on the banjo. And everyone just scrambles to join in. Ben starts busting out the harmonica - who knew he played the harmonica? And Corey jumps on the guitar, while Amy and Rachel start adding their own little bit on the spoons. Its not like they all knew a song. They just started playing and working it out. It was kinda amazing. Apparently I have super talented friends?

So my Dad came with us obviously. Poor guy is such a good sport. He just wanted to spend time with me and I bring him to a gathering of twenty-something year olds. I know it must of been awkward for him. I know it must not have been that fun. But I love that he was willing to come with me anyways. I mean at least he got fed?

So he heads back to Cold Lake and Ben, Cathy, Corey and I get set to go watch the fireworks.

So we go with a fairly large crew via the LRT to the Ledge. And we scale down this ridiculous dirt hill to find a spot to see. Cause P.S. there are seriously thousands of people. We had to hold hands in a chain, so we wouldnt lose each other. But we get nice and cozy next to some seriously drunk people. Apparently Corey is super duper friendly. And every now and again he would just throw up some ridiculous cheer to get the drunk people yelling along with. It was moderately funny.

So the fireworks were pretty good. I mean can you really beat a waterfall off a bridge, whilst there's magic in the sky? I maintain you cannot.

Once they are done though we need to find a way to get down. We felt like a good walk would be a nice way to end the evening. So we lifted each other down the huge cement wall we were on. Ben did a little groping of people. All hands I tell ya. Just kidding. But as we were walking along the massive wall heading home, we realized that the wall sloped down and became a super short wall. So the lifting each other down was kinda unnecessary. At least it was fun? And we definitely were living on the edge...

So Canada Day. I love it. Plain and simple.