Yee Haw 2011

It's 5:30 am and we're all suited up in our best duds for a great kick off to Stampede.
I, Jenn, was due to be delivered in the first week of July. My Mom was sure it would be Parade Day just because she would have to travel through downtown Calgary to deliver and the Grace Hospital. Sure enough, I was born on Friday July 8th just as Mom had predicted. It's fun to celebrate a birthday during Stampede week. It kinda feels like the whole city is celebrating with me. Now, it's not every year that my birthday falls on Parade Day (obviously) SO it was a special year because Parade Day was my BiRtHdAy!!

What could possibly have made it more momenteous than the above mentioned AND the fact that the Prince and Princess were due to appear. I'm not one to get into hype of parades or visits by Royals, or even needing to make special plans for my Birthday. BUT this year, seemed like the year to step out of my normal realm of operation.

Chase, Amanda, Stacey (our friend) and I drove down early to get good seats. Even arriving at 7am was not early enough to even get close to the start of the parade route. So while walking back to where we began (the end of the parade route) we ran into our Mayor!! Of course, inside I was thinking of doing the tourist thing and asking for a picture ... just to have fun ... but only Stacey would have the courage to step outside my comfort zone and stop the Mayor for a picture.

Good job Stacey. You know how to have a good time.
Still waiting for Stacey to deliver it.

I will also never forget the story of Ryan traveling to meet u as he transported the kids to the parade a little later that morning. He forgot his cell phone in the car and realized it when walking to meet us. He left our 5 kids in a park downtown to run and grab his cell phone out of the car. When I called him wondering what was taking so long he was running back to the kids. I'm sure my mind will come up with some nightmares from this scenerio.

Waiting for the Royals

We had the best position!! The Royals drove right past us and then flipped a U turn and drove by again. We got a view of both sides of the car. But I was still disappointed with the speed at which they passed and the reduced visibility of them. None the less, here is the first shot I took. Of course I zoomed in for you ease of viewing Prince William.

Here's Kate.

And a second view.

Here's a picture I grabbed from my friend E.B. A good view of both of them.

Then the floats began.
We LOVE the sun.

The Air Force. Super Cool.

The Flames (if you couldn't tell :).

I love planes. Not all that excited about Air Canada though. Sorry Joy (the Air Canada employee who sat behind us at the Parade).

Sadie Yells: Legoland!!It's a great day to be a Cowpoke.Perhaps a little too great for her. She was a little overboard on her enthusiasm.See I told you! And again!

Need I say more?

It's not difficult to love a Cowboy.

Westjet above Amanda and the Baby Cowpoke. Surely he wins the award for youngest at the parade.

Another fun float. Front side.

Back side

Historical Tractors

The best seats on the street. The Calgary Stampede 2011. Yee Haw.