Back in 2013 we took a road trip up to Canada for the Calgary Stampede, and this year we were feeling like it was time for another Edgel Family trip for some Stampede fun! However... 2013 was the year of the terrible floods throughout Alberta, and this year there was the destructive Fort McMurray wildfire. I'm hoping it's just a fluke and all our trips north don't correlate with natural disaster.
We left on a Friday afternoon and drove through the night so the kids would sleep and there would be minimal stops. Other than a midnight diaper change resulting in me and my seat covered in pee, our trip was fairly non-incidental.
On our way home three years ago we stopped for a quick visit at Auntie Cathy and Drew's farm. We decided we needed to make a day of it next time we were up, so this year we made an afternoon of it! Because Allison was in Calgary at the same time as us, we went together and these cousin had a blast seeing all the animals and collecting chicken eggs together.
This trip we stayed at Aunt Joan and Uncle Kavin's place. It was great to see and spend time with them and my cousins, and also meet my cousin Michael's wife and their two kids. Gavin is always interested in how everyone's related and thought meeting his second cousins was pretty cool. Because my Aunt Joan teaches kindergarten, and Gavin just finished kindergarten, I had lots of questions for her!
We definitely did our part to support Tim Hortons while up North. I hate to admit it... but I'm sure we bought about 100 Timbits in just under a weeks time.
In addition to Stampede Breakfasts, fun at the Stampede Grounds, and seeing old friends, we had time with family. Gavin and Liam loved hanging out with cousins and even meeting some new ones. This is pretty close to all of us at Heather and Trevor's new home for a BBQ.
More Stampede Breakfast fun!
These three are nearly the same age, and of course we can leave it to a trio of toddlers to find a puddle to splash in!
Post Stampede Breakfast hanging out at Fish Creek Park.
Yup... this is the truth behind most posed group photos.
We couldn't even catch a good one before these three successfully made a break for it!
Sad truth... We went to the Stampede grounds twice, and both times ended up there without our camera. I lied - both times we had our camera, both times with a dead battery inside. Our phone's aren't fancy with good quality cameras, so those fun times will have to stay stored in our memories! We took the C-train downtown which of course the kids loved. We ate yummy carnival food, visited the horses and other animals, bounced around in bounce houses, and watched some shows. They didn't have Super Dogs this year, but instead had the Canine Stars. We opted out of paying for chuck wagon races and the Grand Stand Show... but definitely got our fill of the chuck wagon races on TV.
We play Connect Four at home, and these two though it was great to play this jumbo version.
Chillin' with Megan and Uncle Kavin
More cousin fun
Goofs!
It was so great to spend time with my Nana! Last time was saw each other was when we were up in 2013. Although both boys know Nanny M and Papa well from Skyping often, this was Liam's first time meeting them in person, and Gavin would have only been three last time. Gavin even got to have a sleepover at Nanny M's with his cousin's Isaac, Isaiah, and Ryan.
Carrying on the tradition - Blowing out the lamp
Leaving Alberta and heading back to the US.
It was great to get away for a fun family trip with Jared and my boys!
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