Update #4 - Calgary Stampede - Yeehaa!

Calgary Stampede

Howdee there partners,

Okay, that was a bit tacky, but that's all you'll hear from anyone if you are anywhere near the Stampede. There are cowboy hats, big buckles, a lot of yeehaaing and the smell of horses all around. We managed to make it to the Parade in the city (Howard could only stay for a little while - had to work) and it was amazing. Two hours of cowboys, indians, big bands, more cowboys, more indians, fancy floats, mounted police ohh, and Daniel's most favourite; the poo machines that cleaned up after the horses.
Then this week, I ventured into the Stampede grounds by myself with three children in tow (took a bus and a train to get there) - very proud of myself - didn't even get lost!!! We had an absolute blast. We rode the ferris wheel and one or two other rides, ate fairy floss, milked pretend cows, rode pretend horses, saw real cows, horses, pigs and even some that had cowboys on them bucking!, met real indians and walked inside their teepees and ate with them around a fire, had a photo with some Mounties (mounted police) and watched the Superdogs (Dogs doing tricks basically). 

The only downside was that when we left we were in t-shirt and shorts and by the afternoon it was down to about 4' C and we were freezing!!! Fifteen minutes after we arrived home it rained hail literally. The hail was the size of frozen peas and it ended up being about 2 inches thick! Laura and Daniel put on anything they could find that was remotely warm and ventured out to build icemen. When they tried to get Nathan out there, he replied, "Are you crazy! Do you realise that stuff is actually ice? It will be freezing!" Sometimes, he just too much of a thinker. 

The other two had soooo much fun and played until they literally turned purple and I had to bring them inside for a warm bath to defrost them. Because Calgary is at the foot of the Rockies, the weather can change in an instant. A little old lady on the bus told me, "Layers; you have to be able to peel off or put on at anytime." It's going to take a little getting used to. :)
I've attached a pile of photos. I especially like the one of the old mountie (put that one in especially for you dad - thought you'd get a giggle out of it.) The last photo is of the machine that cleaned up after the horses...totally fascinated the boys!
Sorry to saturated your systems with so many photos, but after all we are talking about the Stampede! I couldn't have you miss out.
Hope it gives you a little taste of the fun we had.
God bless.
With love,
The Eban Clan
(Howard, Shona, Laura, Nathan and Daniel.)