Summer in Alberta ...

Summer started on June 23rd and we were reminded that we live in Alberta... we had a sudden snow shower!  Anita had to make a movie to commemorate the event!  It's very corny... or is that "flaky"!

July 1 is when Summer really begins here.  It's Canada Day, school holidays have started and life suddenly feels relaxed and easy.  We went to the silly parade with Susan Burwash and her family.  It was a fun event with different community groups getting out and celebrating Canada Day and their contribution to society!

We spent Canada Day evening with our friends Lois and David and went to two parties.  We finished the evening at Aaron's apartment where we had one of the best views available for the fireworks!

After the fireworks were finished we sat watching the sky, chatting... then someone noticed that the Northern Lights were in the sky!  You can see it here in this photo as a green streak in the sky.

  

July 13 Sometimes you've got to wonder if Summer really exists in Alberta!  Well it does exist, it can simply disappear too!  This photo was taken on July 13 at Jasper, AB.  This would be the snow depth we'd typically see in the Australian ski fields on the same date!  But it's Winter in Aus this time of year.

Soon after this Edmonton experienced more rain than we had seen since moving here nearly 3 years ago...  the rain in one week was probably more than the total for the previous 2 years!

The photo to the right was sent to me by Susan Burwash, there was a new range of shoes released to celebrate the Edmonton"monsoon".

Summer for us has been an interesting one.  Alec has spent most of his time making sure that the renovation is being finished.  He is tired but enjoying seeing the "fruits of his labours".  Each room of the house is coming together very nicely.  The grading around the house (to make sure water doesn't go into the basement) and the new gutters (eaves troughs) and down pipes etc are on order.  A new Garage door will make a big difference too when it is installed as the front of the house remains a bit dowdy and 1980's.

Sam's Summer has mainly been staying up late with friends, being online or watching movies and then sleeping in late.  

Will's Summer has been a combination of being up late and out of bed late, rehearsals every other day for Edinburgh, spending time with his friends from drama and of course - time with Hanna.

Anita hasn't had a holiday from work as she is saving it for Christmas.  It will be good to go to the Folk festival, Heritage Festival and maybe a quick trip to the Rockies :-)   The trip to NY at the beginning of September still looms as the event of the holidays.