Oh Canada Day...

WHAT IS CANADA DAY?
One hundred and forty-one years ago, on July 1st, 1867, Canada attained freedom from British rule and became the Dominion of Canada. Canadians celebrate Canada Day every July 1st with parades, festivities and fireworks in remembrance of their country's formation. Canada Day is often referred to as "Canada's Birthday," though it doesn't commemorate the actual date of Canada's complete independence and, it wasn't always known as Canada Day. It actually took over 100 years for the day to even reach national holiday status and, it went by several different names through the years. Unlike the American celebration of Independence Day on July 4th, which clearly marked the United States' rejection of British rule and its liberation as an independent nation, Canada Day celebrates the union of the Canadian provinces and the formation of the country, not their actual independence from Great Britain.

I share this as a lead to tell you about a great neighborhood BBQ Potluck we went to down the street. Everyone brought a little something, there were some other kids there and a great chance for Chad and I to meet a lot of the neighbors we had not met yet. Braden had a ball... literally. He chased balls in the yard for over two hours. He wouldn't eat, he wouldn't stop... he was a little man on a mission and was showing off his mad soccer skills. The weather was P-E-R-F-E-C-T... and BBQs, beers and games outside with neighbors spending time together... it was a lot like a good old American summer get together... only we're in Canada!

This is what he did for more than two hours

Braden was too little to really play games with the older kids, but he didn't let it get him down... he just wanted to be where they all were and chase the balls.

Braden and our next door neighbor, Bruce. I've mentioned him and his wife, Sue before. They have been very kind and helpful since we've moved here, and they are so nice to Braden!

We got to observe part of Canada Day's tradition... singing a patriotic song.

The gorgeous view from out host's home... you see the mountains, Howe Sound and the Furry Creek Golf Course.