Sikorski Saga

The girls sitting on a tortoise statue at the Minnesota Zoo. Isaac was good, not getting into a lot of the pictures. Katja loved staring at the fish. It was enough to have Kyla contemplating getting some fish for home, but still haven't figured out how to keep Goobers away from the fish! Kyla and Katja in the rain forest , looking for birds. Maren, Luella and Kirsten looking at the lemurs. I like to move it move it! We all loved the butterfly gardens! We learned butterflies land with their wings up, enabling a quick getaway. Another butterfly eating a banana. Pretty butterfly with orange wings contrasting with the purple flowers. We learned moths land with their wings open. They are prettier to take pictures of since their colors are on full display. Tim has since told Luella that moths are "ugly butterflies". He obviously didn't go to this exhibit with us! More moths with their wings open, and a butterfly with it's wings up. Luella trying to pet the beaver who...

Katja got to meet Thomas the dog for the first time. Hugs all around! Kisses from Thomas too! Hugs from Anna!

The girls convinced Granddaddy to give them unicorn rides, not horsey rides. They all love it! As Tim keeps saying, there is no lacking of fancy in our house! Friday, 7/9/10 Is it a unicorn ride or a horsey ride? Goobers had to get in on the Granddaddy Unicorn fun.

Katja and Dad finding new ways to cool down in this unusually HOT and HUMID summer for Minnesota. 7/7/10

Katja showing off her mosquito bites from our fireworks display last night. Poor girl got more mosquito bites than the rest of us and we're all miserable.

We ended the evening of our 5 th of July BBQ, Maren's 11 th Birthday Party and Luella's first day of swimming lessons with fireworks in the back yard! The audience trying to keep dry while it's raining. Darn Minnesota State Bird (aka - mosquitoes ) ate us alive! Katja learned quickly to say " ooooo " and " ahhhh " for the fireworks! This type of firework came in about 5 different names. The grand finale!

Luella started swimming lessons every Monday through Thursday from 6:15-7:00pm using the American Red Cross at the high school for the whole month of July. Our nights were definitely booked! Here Luella is learning to glide with her arms above her head. Too bad they aren't in the water! Blowing bubbles while floating on her tummy. Learning to reach and pull. Floating while reaching and pulling - almost really swimming! Floating on her back.

Katja discovered a new love in this life - sweet corn! Midwest corn is so much yummier than any other corn in this country! The "little kids" table for our 4 th (+1 day) of July picnic. Anna, Peter, Luella, Kirsten and Maren. The "big kids" picnic table with Kyla, Katja with more corn, and Isaac. More big kids - Gail, Jim and Dan. After lunch activities included swinging and playing croquet. Happy Birthday to you Maren! This homemade ice cream cake was nicknamed, "The disaster that worked" because it thawed on the 45 minute trip from Eagan to Faribault . Katja enjoying her sugar coma induced nap. Or was it just a nap since it was in the middle of her normal nap time? Maren opening gifts, we gave her this dress with cardigan.