City of Champions

So about a week ago, the Mrs. and I went on a magical journey to a land called CANADA. My grandma (who my family refers to as NANNIE) was having her 80th birthday and we felt that this would be a great time to return to the mother land and show Sarah that there is some truth to the lies I've been telling her since we got together.

My family moved from Canada in the summer of 1995 and since then (before this last trip) I think I've only been back twice: once when Nannie's father passed away in southern Alberta and once for our family reunion in 2001. So needless to say, its been a while since I've been there.

It's a weird thing being from Canada now living in the States with US citizenship. Not only is Canada America's hat, but its the place where I was born and lived for nearly half my life. But I consider the US my home and myself an American, but there is still this little Canadian inside of me, dressed as a Mounty that says, "Hey Drew. Don't forget about us, eh?" And he's right, regardless of his funny accent. I'm not confessing that I was ever ashamed of being Canadian, in fact I've been taking hits for being from Canada my entire life living in the States and that's fine. Its only that now I think I'm just a little prouder to be a Champion from Canada.

Any who, here is our trip:


Here we are at LAX at 4AM. Thanks to my buddy Aaron who took us to the Van Nuys shuttle to LAX. $12 well spent


This was taken from my grandparents apartment. Edmonton is in the plains of Alberta- its so flat there. My Dad always said, "Its so flat in Edmonton that you can stand on a tuna can and see the back of your head". Its true.


This is on the High Level Bridge crossing the North Saskatchewan River.


The view from the bridge


The "Ledge". Its the Alberta legislature building, like a state capital building. In the summer growing up my parents would take us to the Ledge to swim in the large fountains there.


Downtown Edmonton.


Another downtown shot


McDonalds. I know: they have McDonalds in Canada? Notice the maple leaf. All the restaurant chains use a maple leaf somewhere on their logo.


Our 70's style room at the Ramada. They did have an ok waterpark which we had a good time at.


The Jubilee Auditorium. My siblings had high school graduation here and this is where I saw "Les Miserables" for the first time.


The Institute building near the University of Alberta campus. Have fond memories of running around that building with the cousins. I think my parents met at a dance at this building.


The Butter Dome. Its an indoor track on the U of A campus. Dad would take us there Saturday mornings when he would run indoors. Went indoor rock climbing there once with my cousins.


West Edmonton Mall. The largest mall in the world, larger than Mall of America. This is the full size ice rink in the mall. The Edmonton Oilers would have practice here and it was always fun to see them in their blue and orange jerseys.


At the mall they have this GIANORMOUS indoor waterpark, including bungee jumping, a wave pool, and a dozen water slides.


Sare and I on the full-size recreation of Columbus' "Santa Maria", also at the Mall. Its right next to the Sea Lion show which used to be a dolphin show.


The "Santa Maria".


My brother Scott and his fiancee Rachel. They drove up from Utah. I introduced them, FYI.


Dinner with my cousins. L to R: Dave, Karen (Bob's wife), Bob, Me, and Sare. I grew up with Dave and Bob. We did everything together.



At the Strathcona farmers market. Many memories of chocolate zucchini bread and a bearded fiddle player. This year the fiddle player was a 14 year old girl.



Downtown at my friend Maren's concert.


My Poppa. My Dad's dad. For this picture I told him to make the angriest face he's ever made. I win but good effort, Poppa.


Us in front of the Edmonton Temple. It was built in the Riverbend Stake Center parking lot, where Poppa was a bishop years ago.


This is my grandparents condo in Hearthstone. This was where so many fond childhood memories occurred. My cousins and I would explore the woods behind the condo all the way to the river. We could see the smoke and hear the train from Fort Edmonton.


Us on our layover in SLC on our way home.

So that is our Canada trip. We took with us Coffee Crisps, a couple boxes of Old Dutch ketchup chips, a couple Mr. Big candy bars, and a box of Oreos. Canadian Oreos taste SO much different than American ones. The cream is actually creamy and not so waxy.

We had a great time and can't wait to go back. We definitely miss it!