July

 We got back from the cabin in time to still go to the Stampede for a day! We don't always go, but I had the urge to take Bentley and Deacon this year. I decided to book tickets to the Surge basketball game that was being held at the Sattledome, and there was an offer that gave us free entry into the stampede for the day too. We invited the Whiteley's and they came too! Jeff couldn't get off too early from work, so I started the day with just the kids and me. We took the train there and started off with the dog show, where we also ran into the Ausmus' and some friends. Then we proceeded to eat lots of different and expensive food! We had some Pineapple Whip ice cream, chocolate covered strawberries, and later the pickle pizza and corn dog. It was very fun to try! Then we headed to watch the motocross show, which was unfortunately canceled because it started to rain. We waited in line to go in an army tank instead. Then Jeff showed up and we went to the "chop and shop show," as Jeff would call it. It's actually just called the market vendors! For some reason Jeff always loves this part the best. He gave Bentley and Deacon 20 bucks each to buy whatever they wanted. Bentley found some rings she really liked that were unfortunately a few dollars over the budget. She was about to say no thank you when the lady decided to just give it to her for 20! That was pretty cool. Deacon didn't end up buying anything and saved his money, but we had a lot of fun looking around and checking out the saunas and other things. Deacon also did the obstacle course that they had in that building. It was free and kind of like a Ninja Warrior type thing, so he had fun doing that. Afterwards, we met the Whiteley's for the basketball game! It was a lot of fun to watch, as they had the fire come on every time they made a basket, an opening band, and a random pink guy that came to joke with us. It was also fun watching the kids beg Matt for money for concessions and him handing over his credit card. After the game, the kids got to meet most of the players and take photos with them. It was a great day! We were also able to go to the Stampede breakfast in Legacy, which was a lot of fun. It was a big event with a petting zoo and pony rides. Leo rode the pony and Boston was in line, but then chickened out when it came time to hop on. Next time! We went with Emily Whiteley and her kids, which turned into a stop at PetSmart and a playdate afterwards.

On July 15, Lena and I planned a day to hang out together and we drove to Red Deer. First we went to the Jungle Farm to pick strawberries. We don't have a place like this in Calgary, so I've been wanting to go there. It was a lot of fun for the kids and we each took home a big bucket of fresh strawberries (after eating many while we were picking)! They also had a playground and so we hung out there for a bit. When we got hungry, we decided to go to Peter's Drive-In. It brought back many memories of when I used to go after the dances, and it was just as delicious as I remembered! Afterwards we headed to Discovery Canyon to float on tubes down the natural rock water slide. It was actually very neat! They even had sand for the little kids to play in while the bigger ones took the tubes down over and over. It was a bit of a cooler day so it wasn't overly crowded, which was just perfect! We had a great day together and I checked off some bucket list items. We were having so much fun we didn't get home until after bedtime! I always love my adventures with Lena. When I have an idea of something I want to do, I always seem to ask her to come, because she is usually up for anything!

July consisted of many movies and playdates, since it was quite rainy. We saw "How to train your Dragon," and "Lilo and Stitch." We had some park playdates, including one with the Christensen's where Blake and Boston got "married." Jeff and I also snuck in a date when we could. 

The next big adventure was Jeff's bike ride in Cardston, called the "Gran Fondo." He signed up to go with Karl Anvik and his brother, and then noticed they had kid rides, so we thought it'd be fun to put them in as well and make a day out of it. Bentley went with Tamara and Lee to the cabin to hang out with Scarlett for another week so it was just us and the boys. The hotels in Cardston were all booked up, but we decided to drive to Fort Macleod and stay there for the night so that Jeff wouldn't have too far to drive for his early ride. We stayed at the sketchiest hotel I think I've ever been at, called "Hotel Bethel." I immediately regretted this decision and wished I would've just woken up early and drove, but we made it through the night and didn't even touch a shower! Jeff left early with his buddies for his ride and I took the kids to theirs when it started. Boston hasn't learned to use his Strider bike, so him and I were the ones that cheered everyone on! Deacon and Leo had a good time, although I could tell Leo was exhausted afterwards. Their rides were just a few kilometers, and then they had a bunch of draws, where Deacon won a waterbottle and Leo some stickers. They also gave them all medals for finishing. It was super cute! We went to the park for a little while after that, and to the Pop Shop that we had gotten vouchers for, while we waited for Jeff to be done. We came back to see him cross the finish line and he was exhausted! He rode 165 km in 5hrs, 33 min. It was the longest ride he had ever done, but he was pumped about his time and how well he did for a first race. I was super proud as well! He's been training so hard for it, even getting up early while we were on vacation to go ride. If there's one thing about Jeff, it's that when he has a goal, he gives it everything he's got. The boys ate some burgers (that they had vouchers for), and then we swam in the Carston pool before we went home. That pool is really fun! It's got waterslides and a lazy river. We had such a blast (even though we forgot out towels). We made the drive home afterwards and realized we all got SO much sun. It was a great day, though!

I also planned a day with some of our old friends to go to Calaway Park together! We went with Britney, Breanne, and Lena. These kids used to be best buddies, but don't see each other much anymore. We were able to have such a fun time at the park! We split up when needed, with the girls often on their own and us with the little ones. Boston started to really enjoy the rides this year (last year he was too scared!) and I loved hearing his giggles and seeing him have a blast. We usually just go once a year, and it was worth it!

What a great July!