This trip has too much to share in a single post so here is the first part.
On our way up we stopped at the Yahk Soap and Candle Co. to see the goats that live on the roof
We also made a stop in Sparwood
We had dinner at Wendy's in Airdrie
When we made it to Edmonton we got some energy out at the park
I took the drone up the first morning and got an aerial shot of Summerside Lake
Planet Summerside
The kids loved this arcade game at Peter and Jane's house
We spent some more time at the park
Henry and Rosie on the slides together
We did a Piepgrass family reunion at my parents' house the first full day in Edmonton and we had a very good turn out.
My mom with his sister Maureen and brothers Ward and Brent
It was nice seeing everyone visiting and catching up with each other
Uncle Brent found some kids to play with
All the visiting tuckerd out Grandpa Keyes
On Sunday Simon and Rachel invited us to their house for dinner
Nixon got to read with Grandpa
Simon and I (mostly Simon) rocked it in the kitchen
Annaliese and Henry did some playing outside
Dinner was great
And the company was even better
The kids loved playing in the music room after dinner
Reading with Grandma Keyes was such a treat
Nice bracelet
Here is the sunset over Summerside Lake
We did breakfast the next morning with Benjamin, Rachel, Jane, and Hannah. Mason was excited for this donut.
Later we met at the trolley/street car
The views were really cool
Henry with his Aunt Hannah, Aunt Rachel, and cousins
Henry was excited to show off his ticket
To say Henry enjoyed the train would be an understatement
We had lots of fun together
Beautiful
The train ride was a hit
Hannah and Karen getting it done
Since it was July 11th we stopped by a 7 Eleven for free slurpees
Look at those teeth!
That evening we all met up at Stenihour Elementary as a throwback to the days of Commonwealth Village before we moved to Millwoods. David and Abby met us there on their way back from Lethbridge.
The Wolseys also came and the kids had fun playing together.
Donair pizza in the park was FANTASTIC!
Sofia couldn't get enough
What a cool bunch of kids
Here is the group that made it. Peter and Jane's family couldn't come and Patty Cake was working.
You learn a lot about people when you ask them to make a funny face for a picture (especially those whose faces don't change ;)
Brenda and most of her children
The next day we went to Elk Island with Simon and his kids and Grandma Keyes
Look at those smiles before we figured out how bad the mosquitoes were going to be
It didn't take long to figure out we were invading the mosquitoes' territory and we were not welcome
We eventually smartened up and turned back
And just then we saw a huge herd of bison across the open field
Excuse the shoddy camera work
We came back on a service road instead of through the thick mosquito infested forest
Simon showed us how to climb over a gate while wearing another human being on your back
Time for a quick lunch
We decided to drive to a different part of the park and came across this guy in the side of the road. Looks like we caught him on his lunch break.
It was cool seeing a herd of bison in the distance but even more cool seeing one much closer
Move over David Attenborough, I think Mason has a future in wild life video narration
The next area was near the lake and had a playground for the kids. It also had a swamp-like body of water with lots of birds
Lyza was always on the hunt for animals
The swampy area had a board walk and there were lots of ducks nearby. I went ahead of the group to check it out and get some shots.
I am not sure if these were ducks but whatever they were, they were loud
Ducks flying away
The lake had this beautiful little island and the reflection was just perfect
Snacks at the park
After playing at the playground we all went to the boardwalk
Here is Simon and his adorable girls
And some Idahoans
We noticed this fat duck sitting on a nest
Simon had his hands full
On the way out of the park we saw another Bison on the side of the road
He was being swarmed with flies like we had been swarmed with mosquitoes.
Stay tuned for more Edmonton adventures...
