Shark Attack

There are recent news reports that a shark has been roaming and eating tourists near the coast of Texas. But never fear, we have the right people to take care of the menace. Seeing that it has been in the triple digits in Texas for a while and everyone is flocking to the water to cool down, all citizens will be safe once again. I hope the water in the pool has finally warmed up enough for the "un-named person" to finally get wet and have fun.

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The Dragon Festival and a date with a beautiful girl

Today I went on a date with a really curt girl. No, this was not with my wife and she really was a girl. We had a great time in St Paul at Lake Phalen where we attended the 13th annual Dragon Festival. This festival showcases and celebrates the diverse Asian Pacific Islander cultural heritage in the Twin Cities. The weather was great - upper 70's with a good breeze. We parked at Gustavus Adolphus Church and took the big yellow school bus to the event - across the street and golf course. The first thing we did was to get a tattoo at the Target tent. Then Lorelei wanted to get a balloon animal. She chose a cat. The cat survived the entire day until we got back home. While taking it out of the car, we heard a POP! All nine lives went at once.
This is one of the dragon heads that adorn the dragon boats for the races.
And we participated in the playground activities. Watch me. Weeeeee!
A couple of the boats, duking it out.
Here is some more Dragon boat action. There were about two dozen sponsored boats.

Some of the cultural events were at the out door stage. We watched three old Filipino geezers play the bongos and guitars. I thought they would be singing in their language but for the most part it was Spanish. And for most of the time they just sang La la la la to the beat, because as I figured out, they must have forgot the words. They were not good enough to post.

Next up was a dance troupe from Formosa (Taiwan). They combined traditional and modern dance, including a sword dance with a real sword. I learned that in Taiwan there are mountain people that are very similar to our American Indians. They love to sing and dance. Below is one of the singers. Notice the colorful costume. It almost looks Mian, complete with bells around the ankles. She sang Chinese.
Some of the dances looked like Gypsy dances.

They also had a girl from Mainland China and a Guy from Taiwan do kind of a traditional Chinese ballet about two lovers - he was leaving for a while and was afraid that she would forget him. She assured him that would never happen. It was a long dance and I wish I could have taped the whole dance but it was too long. This is a piece of it. As far as ballet goes, they were in no way very good at it, according to ballet standards, but it was very entertaining, and they actually showed emotion on their faces.

This must be close to a half-way house or mental hospital because there was one in the crowd today as well as three years ago when we attended last. I think this guy thought he was from Tonga or Fiji or someplace.
We ran into three princesses there and I insisted that Lorelei have her picture taken with them. She wanted to go but did not put up any resistance when I asked if I could take their picture with Lorelei. These girls are Apsara dancers from Cambodia. Apsara dancing is the traditional dance from Cambodia and we were entertained by some dancers at an outdoor restaurant in Siem Riep where the ancient Khmer temple ruins of Angkor War are located. They dance very slow and make very difficult moves with their hands and feet.
We went to get chocolate ice cream at $3.50 for a one scoop cone and only got in for the last dance. Once we got in the ice cream line, there was no way we were getting out. It was hot and we needed refreshment. By the time we were finished with them I had chocolate on my shirt pants and Lorelei only had it on her lips and cheeks. I don't know who was the messier eater, the one eating or the one helping with the eater. I really don't believe any of that chocolate came from my cone. After this dance there was a group from Burma (Myanmar) and then we hopped on the bus for the ride back to the church to pick up our car.

Lorelei said the best part of the day was the CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM CONE. Yes it was.

Cafe Accordian outdoor concert

Tuesday nights during the Summer at the Minnesota Historical Center in St Paul are free outdoor concerts, called 9 Nights Of Music. It was the first of the summer concerts. It was a lovely day yesterday, with a light breeze, partly cloudy and a temperature in the upper 70's. We went to Subway and brought our sandwiches with us. Here is a view of the the St Paul Cathedral and some of the crowd. Cafe Accordion was playing. They play French cafe style music. They only played one polka because they said that if there is an accordion in the band and they are playing in Minnesota, you have to play a polka. I have been following this group for years after I first saw them at the Minnesota State Fair. They are fun to watch and listen to.
There was a dance lesson on how to Tango, but it went on too long (30 minutes). Here is the band in action. And the next video is some of the more energetic dancers during a swing number. A majority of the dancers looked like they were on "So You Think You Can Dance" in the geriatric category, because they were old (well a lot older than me).

Big Lake on the Fourth

Gigi found a lifetime friend in Rikki. She was very cuddly. Or was it Rikki that was cuddly?

Some of the group at the lake.

After an episode with a brake pad that fell off, Tana, Joseph and Gigi finally made it to the lake after switching cars. We took Lorelei with us. I finally got lunch. Mmmm good!

The boat made several trips out on the lake that day.

Joe is ready for a swim. Mike decided to take the kids on a canoe ride but there must have been a leak in it, because it filled with water very quickly.

I'm getting out a there!

Look what we can do with an upside down canoe.

Joe must be the heavest because his end is sinking faster.

I need my life vest. I want to swim.

Big sister is giving little sister a ride on the surf board.

Now Gigi is safer.

Look at this olympic swimmer!

There were a lot of rocks in the sand on the beach and the girls were helping me strain them out. It is going to take a long time to get them all removed.

Joseph is getting ready for a ride on the tube. This was most enjoyable for him.

Gigi out for a swim with BFF.

And again.

And on a boat ride. Gigi laughed the whole time. The wind was blowing through her hair and tickling Rikki.

Off they go.

Another boat ride for Gigi, this time with the rest of the family, except grampa.

Bye.

See ya.

4th of July Breakfast

The morning of the fourth of July we always have a flag raising ceremony and breakfast at church. The sausages are being cooked. And the pancakes are being flipped.

We always have a piper on the pipes.

And the makeshift color guard.

Fill r up. The food is getting cold.

It was Anna's 18 birthday so we all sang to her. She is so excited to receive some muumuus from grandma.

Elin the princess.

This is Peter ready for the bike parade, including the balloon on the helmet.

And Elin is also ready for the parade.

The Twins are Three!

The Dudes had a birthday party in June to celebrate their third birthdays. I waited bor mom and dad to post. When they didn't, I had to get the pictures out there. These guys are ready to to some major unwrapping. Look at teh eagerness on their faces. Oh goody. More clothes. I'm so excited.

Big box means big stuff.

Here it is. GeoTrax.

More.

And more.

And even more. What is at the bottom of this ginormous bag?

We made a haul.

Then it was time for the birthday cupcakes.

They huffed and puffed and

huffed and puffed and then they were out.

These cupcakes are the kind with really deep colors of red and blue.

I am permanently stained.

Now for a little after birthday party bubble blowing. I'm trying to do it.