Colour Me Canadian

Yes, that's right, I spell colour with a 'u.' I have experimented with omitting it to try to fit in with my online  friends South of the border, but it just felt like a betrayal to this great country in which I live.  I am a proud Canadian, and I cannot hide my love of a good, extraneous 'u.'  Also, why write a check when you can write a cheque?  Words are more fun when you add q's and u's, I always say.

But back to colour.  Specifically, the colours red and white.  Today, we flew these colours with an extra large dose of pride, for today is Canada's 144th birthday.

Lilah gets her patriot on.

Lilah and Addie dance to the music at the Granville Island Canada Day party.

For us, Canada Day is synonymous with family.  Every year without fail (with the exception of two years ago when I was in labour with Lilah), we pack up our car and drive out to the 'burbs to spend the afternoon and evening celebrating with the Hubs' large extended family.  There is a slight irony to this fact since a good portion of his family members are of British origin.  But perhaps that is precisely why we celebrate Canada with such fierce pride on this day.  We all - recent immigrants, first generation Canadians, and too-many-generations-to-count Canadians like myself - recognize, revere, and celebrate the things that make Canada so special.  Or maybe I'm overthinking it.  Maybe it's just a good day to get everyone together because it's a statutory holiday.  But with each passing year, I get more and more sentimental, both about being Canadian and about family.

Cousins and grandparents.  Really, is there anything better than family?

And of course, no family gathering would be complete without ridiculous amounts of decadent food.

Just one of the many desserts I indulged in today.

Happy birthday to a very special little (big!) country.  And here's to many more!