Folk Fest 2010

Over the years - 10 years or so - the Calgary Folk Music Festival has become somewhat of a religion in my family. Warren met my dad for the first time at Folk Fest. I used to wake up really early and head down to Prince's Island park and line up at 6am, before the gates were even open, just so I could rush the main stage with all the other crazies, and lay down our tarps to claim some prime real estate. My program would be marked up with circles and stars mapping out my journey for the day...which stages and which bands I wanted to see. A late afternoon nap under a shady tree wasn't unheard of. I'd saunter lazily through the artist's market and shop for handmade jewelry, scarves and jaunty caps. We'd all warm ourselves with a coffee and the mandatory festival Indian cuisine as the sun set behind the trees. I'd stay until the last song had played, and the last ghostly lantern had winded it's way through the crowd. Only to repeat the ritual the next day.

This year was a bit different.

But equally as special, memorable and worth the effort.

This year, for Warren & I, it wasn't so much about the music. It was more about chasing the shade, finding space for Rhys to explore and keeping everyone hydrated. And with us being the luckiest parents in the world, we also had family around us to help entertain Rhys and give us a break. The weather was glorious. Folk Fest was the perfect backdrop for a family weekend outdoors in the city, and I know each year it will get better and better as Rhys learns to dance and appreciate the worldly grooves. Rhys may have been baptized at 3 months old, but at just over one year old, he's been 'baptized' into the religion of...Folk Fest.

It was also the perfect punctuation mark to my incredible year off.

Manitoba Dreamin'

Warren is in the middle of 'his' 2 week holiday. When I try to correct him and say 'it's OUR holiday', he replies with "No, YOU'VE been on holiday for the past 11 months!". Sheesh. (But it's kinda true...).

Rhys' Great Grandpa lives in Winnipeg Manitoba and since he doesn't travel we knew if we wanted Rhys to meet him we'd be makin' the trip soon. They'll be many more trips to The Peg, but we wanted to make sure they met while Rhys was still 'a baby'.

Almost packed the baby in the luggage:

And since you all know I loves me my comparison photos...

Me and MY Great Grandpa (my Grandma's Dad), probably around Easter in 1980:

Rhys and HIS Great Grandpa, June 2010:

Me and my Grandma:

Rhys and his Great Grandma (My Grandma who hasn't aged one bit!):

I LOVE this next photo of Rhys at the bottom of the stairs. That staircase at my Grandma & Grandpa's brings back so many memories for me:

While we were visiting, it RAINED. A LOT. But we still managed to have breakfast at 'Sal's On The Bridge' by The Forks. Rhys was loving the rain:

(The construction in the background is the new 'Human Rights Museum' being built in Winnipeg).

We also had a perogy feast, drinks in the gazebo, taught my Grandparents how to play Texas Hold 'Em, enjoyed a Father's Day pancake breakfast at the Senior's Center, and my Grandma watched Rhys while we checked out The Old House Revival Company (thanks for the tip Nicole!).

On our last full day, the sun came out and we went to my Aunt & Uncle's cabin by the lake. Rhys got to sit in the wet sand for the first time and squish it in his fingers. He screamed when it was time to take him away:

My cousin Kristy & I, her daughter and my Aunt & Uncle and Rhys:

Arrived back home mid-afternoon on Father's Day, so a quick family nap, then off to a BBQ with Warren's side of the family:

Rhys' cousin Bridget LUVS holding him:

Warren with his Mum & Dad (Rhys' Nana & GranDan):

Yesterday we were having the carpets professionally cleaned, so we drove up to Kananaskis for a picnic by the water:

Blackberries & watermelon are M-E-S-S-Y! :