Happy Canada Day!

July 1st is Canada Day!

Here's a little history lesson from an online source:

"On July 1, 1867, the British government (under Queen Victoria) approved a plan which allowed Canada to become an independent country with its own government. This new nation, which remained loyal to Britain, was called the Dominion of Canada. At that time, the new Dominion of Canada had only four provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick). Now there are 10 provinces and 3 territories."

Interesting Canadian Facts:

• Canada was named from the Huron and Iroquois word kanata, which means village.
• Canada has approximately three million lakes across the country. More than 30,000 of those lakes are larger than three square kilometers (almost 2 miles)!
• Princess Juliana of the Netherlands gave Ottawa 100,000 tulip bulbs as a thank-you gift in 1945 for keeping the Dutch Royal Family safe during World War II. The Netherlands was occupied by the Nazis until Canadian soldiers liberated the country in 1944-45.
• The Bank of Canada issued the last $1 bill in 1989. It was replaced by the one dollar coin, known as the loonie, which came out in 1987.
• The world's only flying saucer launching pad is in St. Paul, Alberta. It was built in 1967.
• The largest mall in the world is the West Edmonton Mall in Alberta. It has over 800 stores and restaurants, an amusement park, the world's largest indoor lake with four working submarines, 26 movie theaters and a hockey-sized ice arena.
• More than 75% of the world's maple syrup comes from Canada.

FYI - Gracie is a Canadian!

She has dual citizenship because she was born in Canada - how cool is that?! So, we'll ALWAYS celebrate the 1st and 4th of July!!!

She and I drove up to Moncton to celebrate Canada Day with our Canadian friends! We had a great time despite the drizzle and cool temperature.

Gracie & Hannah (look at her curls)

Maaike (pronounced Micah) & Gracie

I think they kinda look alike. So cute!

Gracie & Eric (he speaks French)

Gracie & Noah almost holding hands!

Christina & Noah and Gracie & Me

Tania (looking great preggo with baby #2) & Eric

and Hannah & Jenny

Hannah & Gracie

Hannah did not like having sand on her hands.

We've got to get that girl to a S.C. beach!