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.