Canada Day Weekend…in photos!

Prepare for the photo dump, folks!

Wow. What a weekend.  Setting up and getting ready for the big day with my fellow Quyon Canada Day Committee members, a family reunion, and then all the Canada Day shenanigans on Sunday = Jill is STILL TIRED.

You know it’s been a good weekend when you wish you had another weekend to recover…

But before we get to all that good stuff.  Remember last week when I told you guys about my Godson Cowan graduating from high school?  Here’s a picture of him & I from that night.

I think we looked pretty snazzy, and couldn’t resist sharing this photo!  So proud of my boy :)

Okay.  On to the weekend.  Starting with the Bretzlaff Family Reunion. 

My great-grandmother on my mom’s side of the family was a Bretzlaff, and thus, every ten years we take part in the Bretzlaff Family Reunion.  I have to say, this was the first Bretzlaff Reunion I’ve been around for that I actually learned some family history (it’s kind of amazing the stories you hear!!), and I really took an interest in them.  I found out that there were six Bretzlaff siblings who came to settle in the area from Prussia, and that I am a descendant of Frederick Bretzlaff.  My mother’s grandmother was his daughter.

But I have to admit… the best part was seeing my aunts, uncles, and cousins who had all made their way to Ladysmith for the big event. :)

My cousin David’s son Dillon just loooved the miniature ponies!

Here’s my Aunt Linda, holding her grand-daughter Ryla, and her great-niece Neve.  Ryla and Neve share a birthday, born one year apart! :)

7th Generation descendants of Frederick Bretzlaff – and some of the cutest kids I know! ;)  Dillon, Danica, Grace, Caden, Neve & Ryla

We thought it was pretty cute that they all held hands and ran up and down the hall together during the dinner

My cousin Chad had the winning bid in the silent auction for this butterscotch pie!  (I hope it was good, ‘cause it cost him $20! haha!)

Despite the cool, dreary weather that day, we had a great time visiting and learning more about our German heritage.  I’m already looking forward to the next one!

And that brings us to Sunday.  June 30th.  One of my FAVOURITE days of the year! 

In my small town, we celebrate Canada Day a little early, and in pretty epic fashion if I do say so myself!  We kicked things off Sunday afternoon with a Community BBQ, followed by an awesome parade, the flag raising ceremony, Little Ray’s Reptiles in the park for the kids, and of course the LEGENDARY fireworks display at dusk.  It was so awesome to hear the crowd’s reaction to what I thought was one of the best fireworks displays we’ve ever had.  And then we partied all night long in the Lions Hall, with a live band rocking on stage and drinks just a flowin’!

Caden gearing up for the parade

Danica in her adorable Minnie Mouse Canada Day dress

Miss Neve’s very first Canada Day parade!!

Ryan was looking pretty slick, getting limbered up for the walk down main street carrying the huge flag

One of my favourite parts of the day – raising that massive Maple Leaf!

Always a proud moment for our Commitee :)

Linds had  her camera on hand post-ceremony and we FINALLY got a pic of our committee all together!  Mitchell, Curtis, Mayor Eddie, Ryan, Mark, Brenda, Wayne, Ricky, myself, Luke, Linsday, Sue, and Chelsea

With my cousin Jim

Lindsay serving up some “Beaver Bombs”!!

“Look, guys!  We’re out of Sour Puss!!”

Committee members working the bar

Susie and I, just hanging out with the Peace Tower.

Another successful Canada Day in the books for this crew! :)

It was an awesome Canada Day!  Everything went off without a hitch, and people are still talking about what a great time it was, and how amazing the fireworks were.  It’s one of those days that makes me very proud of our little town for showing so much spirit!  We may not be big, but we can sure show ‘em how it’s done! ;)

So that’s a wrap on the Canada Day Weekend in my world!  I hope you all had a great weekend too, and for my American friends who are gearing up for the 4th of July… I hope your parties are as awesome as ours was!!

And now… in closing… just because they’re so darned cute…

Happy Wednesday, friends :)