CaNaDa DaY!

I had the brilliant idea earlier in the week that we should really celebrate Canada Day.  Our trip to DC (am I talking about it too much) made me realize that my kids could handle staying up a little late on occasion (I refer mostly to Logan) and so we decided it would be pretty awesome to go and actually see the fireworks this year.  I LOVE fireworks.  Love em.  I haven't been in years because we've always had little kids.  But now they're getting bigger!  yay!

So we attempted to invite a bunch of people over, but most couldn't make it.  The day ended up working out perfectly though.  Our friends, The Hales, came for dinner and to hang out and the missionaries joined us for dinner too.

I decided to try and keep the meal Canada themed too.  So I served:

Canadian Bacon (ie. Ham)
Corn on the Cob
Salad
Potatoes
Lemonade

And the best part?  Beavertails for dessert!  They turned out awesome and we gorged!

One of the perks of inviting the Hales (besides the fact that they're great friends and great company to have around) is they have older daughters.  So at one point, when it was getting a bit loud in the house, we sent the kids downstairs to watch a movie under the supervision of Caleigh while the grown-ups when for a quick walk over to the quarry.

On the way back, we noticed our neighbours out waving Canada Flags and cheering to the traffic going by on HWY 15, so we went and got all the kids, our temporary tattoos and flags and joined them.  It was awesome!

The beavertails actually happened after the cheering.  Logan especially loved them.  He kept saying, "Me have one of those?"

The sky was even red to celebrate Canada Day.

By the time we were done our beavertails it was about 9:15pm.  we got dressed to go to the fireworks and all piled into our van to drive over to the base.  We had a perfect spot on the hill.

I think Lucy *may* have developed a bit of a crush on Bradley.  It was so sweet. I was told that while they were riding in the back of the van she said, "It seems like those cars behind us are getting kind of close." and Bradley held her hand!  (what's a mother to do?!)

And they sat together for the fireworks and she even rested her head on his shoulder a few times.  I sat behind them spying for so long, TRYING to get a picture of her with her head on his shoulder but it just didn't happen.  So sweet.

The fireworks were great.  Logan was getting obviously tired, but he made it.

Then it was back to the van (the kids holding hands with Bradley)

so everyone could go home.

This morning, we asked Lucy if maybe she had a bit of a crush on Bradley (to which her face went red, she got teary-eyed and all embarrassed) and it ended up in cuddles and hugs and reassurances that it was ok.  We told her he was a nice boy.  In fact, I couldn't have picked a better boy for a first crush.  He's 9.  He's super smart and nice.  Very polite.  He bears his testimony in church every month...and according to Lucy, "he's hilarious"  sigh!  We have to be really careful to not tease her about this, because I want to make sure she always feels comfortable talking to us about boys.  Even at age 7.  Unfortunately, Bradley and his family are moving to the states in a few weeks...so it's a short-lived crush.  But all us parents joked that they should come back when they're teen-agers or young adults so we could arrange something here.  It's a nice idea.

What a perfectly awesome Canada Day celebration.  I think I spy a tradition forming.  Love it!